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Camping opportunities around Highland Park, New Jersey range from established state parks to private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area features several notable options including Cheesequake State Park Campground with its forested setting and Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township, which offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Round Valley State Park Campground provides more primitive camping experiences accessible by boat or hiking trail. The region includes a mix of public and private facilities, with most campgrounds providing basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from April through October or November. Summer weekends frequently reach capacity, especially at water-adjacent sites. "Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold was my favorite campground on our trip! There's a rustic retro quality to the place. I adored the campsites and didn't see any really bad ones," noted one visitor. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak season. Many campgrounds feature electrical hookups and water access, though amenities vary significantly between public and private facilities. Several campgrounds enforce strict rules regarding alcohol consumption, generator use, and quiet hours, with state parks generally prohibiting alcohol on premises.
Campers report varying experiences with site privacy and noise levels. The established campgrounds near Highland Park typically feature wooded sites that provide some separation between neighbors, though complete seclusion is rare. Several private campgrounds like Pine Cone Resort and Timberland Lake offer additional amenities including swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. Water features represent a significant draw, with fishing opportunities available at Turkey Swamp Park's 17-acre lake and at Round Valley Recreation Area. Proximity to the Garden State Parkway means traffic noise affects some campgrounds, particularly at Cheesequake State Park, which one reviewer described as "fairly well protected from highway noise, [though] you're still going to hear it at least a little."
"I stayed at Cheesequake at the beginning of August and had a very positive experience."
"This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations."
from $200 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in New Jersey for our 5th campground on the East Coast: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. This is a County park.
Near some Revolutionary War battlefields.
I really liked this park!"
"Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose."
from $42 - $79 / night
Check Availability"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."
"Once you are there, you can walk right across the street to a bayside inlet and sandy shore that is not highly trafficked because no one can park there except those using the campground."
"Rangers at the entrance regulate admittance thus, providing a safe environment within the confines of the base."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room."
"Basicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability"So pleasant to sleep near the blooming fields. Campsite is tucked in the woods with. Tent camping in peace and quiet with easy access to major roads and highways to explore central NJ"
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Lots of walking paths surround the park & you are also close to Belmar, Point Pleasant, Manasquan (all fun shore towns)."
"Nice state park with trails nearby."
"They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday! Plenty of activities for the kids. They have cool raffles!"
"As a kid - close to 6 flags where we had season passes... it was Jellystone yogi bear at the time. Very close to 6 flags great adventure."
"Despite being conveniently located right off US1 and just 15 to 20 minutes west of I95 – as this retailer is located in a fairly normal-paced suburban location, you are going to like that yes, while there"
ScoutRestrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
ScoutOn Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
RangerWe stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
GuideBooked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
GuideBeautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
ScoutAs far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
GuideTwo night stay, large loud parties make it hard to enjoy but once most of them left it was nice to walk down to the river. Bath house with toilets and showers, not all lights working. No swimming access but boat access and trails for hiking.
TravelerWe’ve been to Camp Taylor twice now for tent camping: September 2021 and May 2023. We stayed at the rustic tent sites both times, and there was room for 2 cars and 2 tents. Depending on how you want your setup, there are some that are more secluded and others that are close together and would be great for group camping.
The staff are all lovely and take the time to explain the rules both in-person at check-in and on the forms they provide at the time of booking. They are not hiding how seriously they take rules like quiet hours, and it will keep campers like me coming back. If you are respectful of the folks around you and especially during the posted quiet hours, you will have no problems.
The office and shop keep supply of snacks, firewood, and gifts. There are flush toilets mapped in spots of the tent sites (SUCH a pleasant surprise! I was expecting a porta-potty or vault toilet), and hot showers are available at the same complex as the office.
ScoutI spent 4 days and 3 nights with my 6th grade Girl Scouts. We were at sites 23 and 24 which worked out great because they back up against each other. The bathrooms were super clean and well maintained. There are outlets at the bathroom building by the sink to charge any electronics. The playground is adequate and the field is big for playing. There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning.
Camping sites near Highland Park, New Jersey range from primitive wilderness camping to family-friendly grounds with modern amenities. The region sits within the Atlantic Coastal Plain, characterized by relatively flat terrain with elevations rarely exceeding 300 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions between 50-75°F.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park features an archery range with hay barrels for target practice. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," notes one visitor to Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban exploration: Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island offers unique abandoned buildings for guided exploration. "There is abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring... There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building," explains a camper at Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area, just across from New Jersey.
Mountain biking: Varied trail options from paved paths to challenging single track exist at Allaire State Park. "Lots to do in the area! Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between. Working village and antique train are available most of the year," shares a reviewer at Allaire State Park.
Primitive hiking: Round Valley Recreation Area offers challenging trails leading to wilderness camping. "It's a pretty strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded for the effort! If you get a site on the water, you can take a boat across to your site," describes a visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Lake activities: Many campgrounds feature fishing and boating opportunities on site. "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," remarks a visitor about Turkey Swamp Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathroom facilities matter to campers. "Bath/Shower House: Very clean. Soap and paper towels are provided. The only thing missing were hooks or shelves for toiletries but there was a large bench that could be used," details a recent visitor at Timberland Lake Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Some campgrounds offer unique animal encounters. "Very close to Six Flags Great adventure. You can hear the lions in the morning. There is a road that goes between the campground and the Safari you can drive, walk, or bicycle down and see the animals!" explains a camper at Timberland Lake Campground.
Urban proximity: Easy access to New York City appeals to many visitors. "This is a great spot with views of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, etc. Expect to pay pretty good to be here, but from here you can pretty much easily get anywhere in NYC," reports a camper at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Wilderness camping requirements: Round Valley requires significant effort to access camping areas. "I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven... ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots," cautions a visitor at Round Valley State Park Campground.
Seasonal pest concerns: Ticks can be problematic at some locations. "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But by the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2," warns a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Road noise: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds. "The Parkway is right there so it's not a nice quiet place," notes one camper about Cheesequake State Park Campground. Another mentions: "We camped here once because it was easy for part of our family to get to from NYC... you will be able to hear traffic noises."
Urban camping realities: City-adjacent sites offer convenience but different experiences. "This is not your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in the middle of staten island. When it comes to getting to the usual american camping experience, this is not the place for you," explains a visitor at Staten Island Gateway.
Best child-friendly activities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to children with planned events. "We went camping here last fall. It happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating," shares a parent who visited Timberland Lake Campground.
Campground playgrounds: Multiple play areas accommodate different age groups. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes a camper at Turkey Swamp Park.
Beach proximity: Allaire State Park offers easy bicycle access to coastal towns. "Did a weekend bikepacking trip from New Brunswick to Allaire. Big sites that you can hear the highway from. A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns," explains a camper at Allaire State Park.
Bug-free seasons: Some parks report minimal pest issues during certain times. "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too," reports a family that visited Pleasant Valley Lavender in spring.
Site dimensions: Expect varied site sizes across campgrounds. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," reports an RVer at Turkey Swamp Park.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy," notes a camper about Turkey Swamp Park.
Hookup limitations: Availability varies significantly between parks. "There is a dump station and laundry facility with brand-new washers and dryers (however, you need to pay using an app on your phone)," mentions a visitor about Turkey Swamp Park.
Urban RV considerations: City-adjacent options offer unique opportunities but come with tradeoffs. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room," advises an RVer about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Highland Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Highland Park, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 94 campgrounds and RV parks near Highland Park, NJ and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Highland Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Highland Park, NJ is Cheesequake State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 21 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Highland Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Highland Park, NJ.
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