M
Michael M.
Scout
ScoutTurkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Dog-Friendly Camping near Island Heights, NJ
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Butterfly Camping Resort's dog park provides a dedicated space for pets to exercise off-leash in Jackson, New Jersey. The resort accommodates tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin rentals, all with pets welcome. Sites feature level pull-through options with full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections. Campers note the campground is clean and well-maintained with good tree coverage providing shade and privacy between sites. Hiking trails throughout the property offer opportunities for on-leash dog walking. Tip Tam Camping Resort also welcomes pets with spacious sites and wooded surroundings, though some areas have limited tree coverage with mostly sand ground cover.
Nearby Bass River State Forest and Allaire State Park permit pets at their campsites with proper leashing requirements. The bathrooms and facilities at these campgrounds are regularly cleaned and maintained. Several campgrounds enforce quiet hours, which is important for managing barking dogs. Wildlife is present in the area, so keeping pets secured is essential for their safety. Brendan Byrne State Forest offers year-round camping with pets allowed and features hiking trails suitable for dog walking. Most campgrounds require pets to remain on leash at all times when outside the designated dog areas, with length restrictions typically limited to six feet. Seasonal availability varies between campgrounds, with some operating year-round while others close during winter months.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Island Heights (49)
1. Turkey Swamp Park
"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!"
"Heavily wooded and supremely quiet, it’s located not far from anywhere you’d want to be. 30 minutes to the shore. Every site is a pull-through, large and spacious with great woodland views. 30amp and"
from $42 - $79 / night
Check Availability2. Allaire State Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
"Lots of walking paths surround the park & you are also close to Belmar, Point Pleasant, Manasquan (all fun shore towns)."
"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."
3. Butterfly Camping Resort
"My husband and I came to this campground for a quick weekend getaway with our dogs. We had a great time! The campground was very well taken care of."
"Fishing lake is on the smaller side, but people were catching fish. Definitely in our top 5 New Jersey Campgrounds."
from $64 - $78 / night
Check Availability4. Tip Tam Camping Resort
"Just from walking around I saw the two pools, an RC track, bocci, shuffle and board. They did have organized activities set up as well."
"It feels like you're camping out in a field with mostly sand around. But having said that, I'd still recommend it for all of the positive they do have."
5. Brendan Byrne State Forest
"Allows dogs after a deposit. Must purchase their firewood. Good bathrooms/showers. Great location for hitting the 4x4 trails."
"Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"
from $3 - $60 / night
Check Availability6. Timberland Lake Campground
"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."
7. Baker's Acres Campground
"We stayed at Baker’s Acres Campground in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, for a weekend in mid-August. So did the rains of Hurricane Henri! "
"We scored a site next to the playground that features a huge monkey bar set up, a ship, and a playhouse complete with kitchen. Not to mention swings and bouncers too."
from $43 / night
Check Availability9. Bass River State Forest
"The newest addition of extra pet friendly sites have made it even better because we can bring the pup. The sites are a great size and many are set back enough that you have privacy."
"We have never camped here before, but wanted to hike the Batona trail nearby."
10. Long Beach RV Resort
Drive Time
- 47 min from Atlantic City, NJ
- 51 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 7 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 1 hr 15 min from Vineland, NJ
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Island Heights, NJ
18 Photos of 49 Island Heights Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Goshen Pond — Wharton State ForestA
Cheesequake State Park Campground
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Island Heights, NJ
390 Reviews of 49 Island Heights Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
Andrea B.
TravelerColonial Meadows Family Campground
Great park
Many long term seasonal sites. Good community. Large shower house good and clean . Pool. Game room. Off leash dog park. Wooded/shady sites or no shade sunny sites. Lots of area to walk or play. Large field, basketball couture, frisky golf, play area and laundry room. We were here all summer (June-october). Lots to do in the area. Good food nearby. Ocean city 10 minutes away.
- bbob J.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Pine Barrens New Jersey
This campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
- DDiane M.Scout
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Just ok
Restrooms 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.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On 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.
Adeline M.GuideBrendan Byrne State Forest
Beautiful campground, loud campers
Beautiful 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.
- CCarlos E.Scout
Turkey Swamp Park
Really nice campground
Stayed three nights in a tent and enjoyed it very much. Sites have electrical hookups, shared water connections, large picnic table, and fire ring with adjustable grate. Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose. Bathrooms are clean; showers have separate stalls but they’re clustered together (not the most private). There are hiking and biking trails, a lake, and archery park. Staff are friendly. Office is open through 9pm, and firewood, ice, and bait for fishing are available. Site C3 is in an okay spot; it’s close to the bathroom and laundry room, but also right next to the playground. We were able to visit the beach; easy 25 minute drive to Asbury Park.
Guide to Island Heights
Turkey Swamp Park offers wooded camping sites with pull-through driveways across five loops near Island Heights, New Jersey. The campground includes 64 established sites plus three cabins, all accessible via well-maintained dirt roads that wind through dense pine forests. Sites feature full hookups with water and electric connections, though visitors should bring extra hose length as water spigots can be distant from electrical hookups.
What to do
Fishing and boating: Turkey Swamp Park features a lake with fishing opportunities and boat rentals during summer months. "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Archery practice: Several campgrounds offer archery facilities for visitors who bring their own equipment. "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," shares Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Winter recreation: Some area campgrounds maintain year-round accessibility with seasonal activities. "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. 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," reports Patrick M. about his experiences at Turkey Swamp Park.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Bass River State Forest offers spacious camping areas with natural separation. "The sites are a great size and many are set back enough that you have privacy. Many great memories of canoeing and fishing on the lake and is a great family-friendly campground," writes Maggie H. about her experiences.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities are consistently mentioned as highlights. "Bathrooms seemed as clean as a state park during a global pandemic can get," comments Amanda M. about Bass River State Forest, while also noting the campground has "bathrooms and showers 24/7."
Swimming pools: Butterfly Camping Resort offers pool amenities that appeal to families. "The swimming pool was large and the water crystal clear," mentions Matt S. about the resort, adding that "the gated campground was clean and well-maintained."
What you should know
Seasonal crowds and noise: Some campgrounds experience high occupancy and noise during peak seasons. "After 10pm, the music volume was high and campers were LOUD. I was smart enough to bring earplugs," reports Amanda M. about her experience at Bass River State Forest.
Site conditions vary: The terrain at many campgrounds includes sand which can create challenges. "The site was sandy. The whole place is sandy. This is messy, especially after a bit of rain (which we had), and makes it a constant challenge to keep the sand out of the RV," notes Matt S. about Timberland Lake Campground.
Ticks are common: Wildlife management requires attention, especially regarding ticks during warmer months. "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper," warns Laura Y. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds provide dedicated recreation for children. "There's a pond to fish, trails to walk/bike, basketball, sand volleyball, the list goes on and on. Both nights we were there, there were events being put on (a tractor ride, kickball, and a pool movie night)," mentions Caitlin F. about Tip Tam Camping Resort.
Consider cabins for beginners: First-time campers might appreciate cabin accommodations. "I've stayed in the cabins here a couple times. Love the area lots to do hiking fishing nature walks, something for everyone. Cabins are no frills yet very nice no electricity they are equipi with 4 bunks a LG picnic table and a wood stove for heat," shares Erik M. about his stay at Allaire State Park.
Pack bug protection: Multiple campers emphasize insect precautions for children. "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. It was perfect!" reports Jaewook P. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Several campgrounds have tight corners that challenge larger rigs. "I am a little concerned about moving to the site they want me to move to in the Spring the corners around the campground seem tight with trees," notes Preston G. about Butterfly Camping Resort.
Bring leveling equipment: Site conditions can be variable even at well-maintained 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. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site. As mentioned, all roads and camper pads are dirt," describes Lee D. about Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Consider water line extensions: Hookup placement varies across campgrounds. "Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric. sites are level and well maintained," advises Jean T. from her experience at Turkey Swamp Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Island Heights, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Island Heights, NJ is Turkey Swamp Park with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
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