Best Equestrian Camping near Iselin, NJ

Recent Equestrian Reviews in Iselin

130 Reviews of 9 Iselin Campgrounds

• 

  Oak T.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 27, 2024

  Stokes State Forest

  Always stoked for Stokes!

  Stokes is my go-to state park for unplugging and enjoying time with my family. We brought our son (23 months at time of visit) on his first camping trip this past September. He loved every minute of it.

  Site T07 in Lake Ocquittunk is gorgeous and one of the few relatively secluded sites in the campground. You need to carry your gear down a narrow, rocky path that's a little steep near the road, but it's manageable. There's also a graded path into the site adjacent to a neighboring site, but you should check with those campers if they are ok with you cutting through to use it. (We opted not to disturb our neighbors and take the slope.)

  I thought I would be able to launch my kayak from site 7 since it's waterfront, but there are a lot of huge rocks in the water that prevent you from getting out into the lake. We had to find a different launch spot. That was probably the biggest disappointment for us.

  Still, I love site 7 and it's absolutely worth the privacy and the views every morning.

• 

  Cynthia K.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 30, 2024

  Turkey Swamp Park

  My favorite!

     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! They have 2283 acres. A 17 acre lake. Some hiking trails & a nice campground! The sites are all pullthrough. There's lots of vegetation for "privacy". We had a site on the perimeter, which are forest views. Only problem is none of the roads are paved. All are packed sand. We could tell it rained recently because of the muddy tracks. Fortunately it didn't rain while we were there!

    Shower/bathrooms are clean, but dated. They're checked regularly. The bath house is for the entire campground. 3 out of the 4 women's were working. There's a shared dressing area. 

  There's a laundry that doesn't take quarters. EPay. 

  There's a nice playground in the campground.

   They have 3 cabins for rent, with forest views.

   The lake has fishing & boat rentals. No gas motors. There's no swimming at the lake. Cell service was fair.. No WiFi. 

  They have an archery range. 

      This was my favorite campground on our trip! I really enjoyed camping here! There's a rustic retro quality to the place. I adored the campsites & I didn't see any really bad ones.

• L

  Laura G.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 28, 2024

  Brendan Byrne State Forest

  Nice spot in the pines

  We stayed on a mon/tues at the end of August and the campground was fairly empty and quiet except for a few generators running & air planes/ helicopters going over. There is an air force base in the area.

  Site 33 is the back corner so we did get a bit more traffic going past to get on the sand trails. There is also background noise from the road, but not too loud. There are not many RV sites in the 3 loops - just a handful which is a shame because many of the sites marked as tent only look like they could easily accommodate most RVs, especially smaller rigs.

  The dump station is locked so get the combo from the office if you want to use it. The ranger station is a bit of a drive from the camping area so if you don’t have cell service make sure you get it at check in.

  Go down to the pond and check out the carnivorous plants- one of the most unique things in this area!

  Several choices for hiking, but it’s the pine barrens so it is flat and sandy and ticks can be overwhelming at some times of the year.

  Overall this is one of the nicer & quieter options for pine barrens camping

• 

  Damia F.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 23, 2024

  Stokes State Forest

  Campsites too close together and camping areas are greatly spaced out

  Stokes State Forest is a beautiful park with a lot of different trails to check out, though some of them are difficult to access due to parking. The camping areas are split between two different entrances. If you’re in Lake Ocquitunk, like I was, you don’t enter at the main entrance, you have to go past the main entrance about another mile on rt. 15 N. and enter by the YMCA. All the other camping areas are near the main entrance by the forest office. The campsites themselves are a little too close together in some spots with little coverage or privacy. There is a day parking area which is only accessible going through the main entrance by the forest office— if you visit during the week park entrance is free, but on the weekend fees can be a bit steep. I wasn’t super happy with my campsite as I wasn’t able to physically have my car on the site like I thought. I had to park in a small lot above my campsite and carry my belongings down a short slope to the site. I like to car-camp so this was a bit of a let down having my car separate from my actual campsite.

  The bathrooms were nice and had flush toilets, but the showers were out of service during my time. Bathrooms are extremely spaced out so you will have to walk a far distance unless you strategically choose a site next to one. I drove through the other campsite and only saw 1 set of bathrooms that had toilets and showers per campground, not including the outhouses I saw for those in the small cabins.

• 

  Frank J.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 5, 2024

  Spruce Run Recreation Area

  Mid week (July 4th) 2024

  My first time camping trip in a few decades... So can't compare to others (yet).

  My campsite was 34W, right next the reservoir. Nice location however the website said it was full shade. The picnic table was in shade. The spot for the RV was full sun.

  Pros:

  Reasonable cost from NJ state website. I paid $41 for 2 days.

  Campsites well spaced apart.

  Staff friendly.

  Boats/Kayaks can be rented.

  Cons:

  Showers were cold water only and very cold at that.

  Late at night you can hear the drone of a major highway.

• 

  @HomegrownRV 😎.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 5, 2024

  Liberty Harbor RV Park

  Close to NYC!

  This RV park is literally just a parking lot and quite expensive for what it is.

  The location is great, but the surrounding streets may be hard to maneuver with an RV if you’re a newbie. You can see the Statue of Liberty from the park, and there were several cafes and restaurants within walking distance.

  If you’re looking for actual amenities, this probably isn’t the park for you. But if you just need a base camp for doing tourist activities in NYC then this place will do.

  There is 24 hour security which is nice as well. We felt safe while we were there, but it was also fairly empty too.

• 

  Jessica D.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 23, 2023

  Allaire State Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

  Situated in nature, fun events in summer, close to beaches"

  Allaire State Park is a favorite spot of mine. In addition to their tent sites and group gathering areas (we have had several family reunions here), we enjoy all the activities! There is a historical village where you can visit a blacksmith shop and other spaces to learn about the history. They have a flea market many weekends in the summer months and in early fall. They also. Have Halloween themed events like a hayride. Lots of walking paths surround the park & you are also close to Belmar, Point Pleasant, Manasquan (all fun shore towns). Bathroom maintenance could use some sprucing up, but other than that- great place to visit.

• M

  Michael S.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 19, 2023

  Allaire State Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

  I liked it when we can actually camp there!

  This has been closed way before August of 2023. My wife said she seen feds or some type of authority there with hound dogs when she was driving by one day when they closed it. The park said it’s for “bathroom renovations” but a bathroom renovation with a simple design like they have shouldn’t take over a year to do. I want to camp here with my kids since it’s close and every time I drive by it’s still closed. What the heck is going on here???

  Other than that the experience we had camping for a weekend was pretty nice and enjoyable. There was a cold spell that came through for the weekend we were there and it was very cold at night, but we ruffed it out.

• J

  Jonathan L.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 5, 2023

  Brendan Byrne State Forest

  Beautiful, remote and pristine

  This was definitely a unique camping experience for me. The forest is absolutely beautiful, but not by any design. Instead, nature is just doing its thing. Sand roads crisscross the whole area and navigation can be a bit tricky the first time around.

  The campgrounds are clean and simple. Some reviews mentioned that the borders between sites are a bit murky, which I agree with. In the larger loop, one site easily blends into another. I stayed in the smaller loop (1-13), which was simple and a bit more private. The bathrooms nearby were immaculately clean, which hasn’t been the case at many other state campgrounds. There was some occasional road noise, but nothing that kept me up at night. However, there was some low flying air traffic going in to the joint base nearby. It wasn’t terrible, but it was definitely noticeable.

  In a pinch, there’s a Wawa about 5 minutes away from the campground. Beyond that, there’s a bar and a gas station a bit further away. Anything else is a bit of a hike. If you want to get away and feel like you’re truly in nature, this is a good spot to visit.

• A

  Annika O.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 22, 2023

  Turkey Swamp Park

  Great first night

  We stayed here on our first night with the campervan. Had lots of room. The ranger were really nice.

• 

  Juliana R.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 12, 2023

  Stokes State Forest

  Stokes is the best!

  I used to camp there every weekend. Even during the cold in the fall. I love it!

• L

  Leslie S.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 6, 2023

  Mountainview Campground

  Awesome place!

  Here on business but didn’t pull the camper up, (from Texas) Tent camped for a couple of weeks. The place is beautiful, and the sites are very nice. They have put a lot of effort in over many years out here. Each site RV or Tent is well thought out. Bathrooms/showers are always very clean as well as the grounds. Would Absolutely recommend !!

• 

  Ryan

  Guide

  

  Jan. 27, 2023

  Stokes State Forest

  Great NJ campground

  I have been here twice and each time has been great. Big spacious sites with alot of privacy.  Hikes are great around here. Bathrooms are clean.  

  If you want pictures you can actually go onto Google maps streetview and see every single campsite.

• 

  Nancy M.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 26, 2022

  Turkey Swamp Park

  Excellent camping spot and county park!

  Turkey Swamp is a county park located in Monmouth County, NJ. This beautiful park has some of the nicest campsites in a wooded area. Biking and hiking trails are located in the park so no need to travel beyond the park. If you want to travel, Freehold, NJ is nearby offering restaurants, breweries, shopping, and more.

• M

  Melissa B.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 13, 2022

  Liberty Harbor RV Park

  Location, location, location

  First off, the rep on the phone who says Love all the time is just pure joy!

  This campground is like a parking lot, with absolutely nothing but a spot to park. It’s pricy, but if your planning on seeing everything NYC has to offer, you can’t get a better base camp unless you got a room in the city.

  It’s super close to public transportation. There’s cute good food spots all around. You feel safe for being in a big city. You can see Lady Liberty from the park.

  Was it my favorite place to stay, no. But for the time we spent at home at the campground, which was minimal, it worked perfect. We got to spend 8 days in the city exploring, we were exauhsted, but we felt we did the city good!

• 

  James D. F.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 2, 2022

  Turkey Swamp Park

  Perfect place

  My experience was just what I needed. It was quiet, the one family I met was so kind. It was late fall so not many campers. The energetically outlet was so important and the bathrooms were clean. No complaints at all.

• 

  Elke P.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 1, 2022

  Mountainview Campground

  Cheap and simple campground

  Quiet campground in a beautiful area of NJ. Sites were spacious. Electric and water hookups were a little far apart at site 27 so it was good we had long cables/hoses. Bathrooms were small but super clean. Camp wood that was sold was dry and did not smoke (which is rare to find)! Price was very reasonable. Would come back again.

• b

  bret

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 19, 2022

  Spruce Run Recreation Area

  Stopped to get our state sticker

  Only 8 electric sites. You basically pull off side of parking lot and camp there. Lake was closed so did not swim. If you get there on a day they clean the showers not bad. Very run down. Had to pick up trash from previous campers. AT&T great service.

• 

  Luis B.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 10, 2022

  Mountainview Campground

  Awesome place for the weekend.

  This place is only for those that wish to relax and have peace which is exactly what we seek. Sites are huge and very private. You didn’t even know that there were people around you. Bathhouse was very very clean. First time here, but we will be back.

• J

  Jessica F.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 3, 2022

  Spruce Run Recreation Area

  Spruce Run

  We stayed in a RV and a tent. There were eight people in total sleeping on the site. We stayed July 1 and 2nd. The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day. The park used to be a swim attraction but the water is not safe to swim in because of a dangerous algae bloom. While walking around, it gave off an abandoned summer camp feel. There were maybe six structures (concessions, changing rooms, etc) that were all boarded up. Thursday night was quiet. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the sounds of nature. The next night, there were many more people there. In one site, campers set up at least five tents. They were very loud past the curfew time of 10. Quiet hours were not taken seriously on that night.

• S

  Scott A.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 5, 2022

  Mountainview Campground

  Relaxing Stay

  Stayed at one of the primitive sites. Very clean and quite. Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean. Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice.

• D

  Dennis B.

  Scout

  

  May. 31, 2022

  Turkey Swamp Park

  Great family campground

  Wooded sites, restrooms with showers clean and well stocked. Peaceful family campground. Lake for kayaking and paddle boats to rent.

• P

  Paula

  Guide

  

  May. 30, 2022

  Spruce Run Recreation Area

  Wonderful family environment—spacious sites

  Great arrival experience—the office has their act together—but registration closes at 4pm. This was our second visit to the sleepy NJ park and campground and our first time renting a shelter along with a campsite to accommodate different levels of camping comfort. The shelter has two sets of bunk beds. Combining campsite 54 with the adjacent Shelter C gave us the opportunity to spread out and have a great area for all of our gear including our badminton set. Shelter C is surrounded by many lovely trees so there is lots of shade. Campsite 54 has no trees and is nestled up against a thicket of bushes which is home to many birds, rabbits, and deer—a great site if you bring your own shade.

  This is a relatively rustic campground though it does offer a dishwashing station. The bathrooms need to be renovated—busted up fixtures—and are not well-tended/cleaned, though the staff is very friendly. (It didn’t seem like they were equipped with good cleaning equipment/products to achieve good results.)

  Prices above are for NJ residents—$48 for shelter, $20 for campsite.

• 

  Paul T.

  Traveler

  

  May. 16, 2022

  Brendan Byrne State Forest

  Decent camp ground with good hiking

  Just like any other organized camp ground part of your experience is who is near you. The site itself is exactly what you want/expect but this state forest has a 12-13 mile loop with a nice lake area about 3/4 of the way through that is really nice. Have been here on many occasions. Like anywhere in this area the mosquitoes are bad in the summer for plan for that but if you are looking for a straightforward camping experience with a nice trail network this is your place.

• 

  Ian R.

  Guide

  

  May. 2, 2022

  Liberty Harbor RV Park

  Wow

  If you want to visit NYC and surrounding areas, this is the place. Expensive but... When you look at local hotel rates, not so much. Getting in and out is not for someone in a brand new 45' travel trailer. Know your rig and know how to maneuver it in tight spaces. This is not for the timid RV driver. Security is tight. I would recommend talking to and meeting the guards before you leave so it doesn't feel like your mama just caught you sneaking out to drink in high school. They said it can get roudy outside the RV park at peak season but, before the Surf bar opens, it is both safe and quiet.

• 

  Erika B.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 26, 2022

  Brendan Byrne State Forest

  Amazing

  A bit close to each other but we winter camp so it was empty super clean and easy to get too

• 

  W L.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 8, 2022

  Stokes State Forest

  Cozy Cabins and Serene Trails

  Rented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021. I favored Cabin 8, the kitchen and bathroom were separated from the main room.

  The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend. THe main room has a bunk bed and two twins, a table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, a wood stove set into a fireplace (some cabins still feature a fireplace only, but these two did not), hot/cold water, electric stove with oven, refrigerator, toilet, bathroom sink, mirror, plenty of hooks to hang jackets and coats, storage cabinets in the kitchen area, overhead lighting, wall outlets, and screened windows.

  The doors feature deadbolt locks - so be sure to always take the key or set the lock to be unlocked all the time.

  The mattresses are vinyl covered, so you can wipe them down with your own sanitizing wipes. There was hand sanitizer in each cabin as well.

  Outside is a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. There are hooks near the door to hang a lantern.

  The park office is not nearby, about 2(?) miles away. They sell wood, and there are a few road stands near the campground, but that wood is wet. You'll need to find some birch to get your fire going if, like me, you didn't buy wood on the way (plenty of signs for wood as you approach the park office) and the office was closed upon arrival. I bought wood from a house across the street from the entrance to the cabins and it was damp, but in November, I wasn't complaining, it took awhile but I got a nice blaze going. You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. Turning on the oven is a help, but not a good solution. The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning. (There's plenty of fallen wood around but it was damp/raining both times I visited). The second time I took six bundles of wood and used them all from Friday to Sunday morning, and 7 would've have been better.

  The trails nearby are varied, read the maps (especially NY NJ Trail Conference Maps) to get an idea of difficulty/elevation. We went in November when there was a light rain that turned into a thunderstorm with hail and sleet! It was certainly an adventure. The area was  incredibly peaceful in December with many cabin reservations abandoned due to rain in the forecast. It did rain, but was still a great trip. The photos of the tent sites were taken in December.