Turkey Swamp Park features 64 campsites with pull-through dirt driveways spread across five loops labeled B through E. Located 20 minutes from Marlboro, New Jersey, the park offers dirt roads throughout that are well-maintained in dry weather but may become problematic during rain. Sites include water and electric hookups, though visitors should bring extra hose length as water spigots are often positioned at a distance from the electrical connections. The campground operates seasonally from April 1 to November 15, with peak visitor times occurring during summer weekends.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: Turkey Swamp Park offers a lake with boat rentals during summer months. A camper noted, "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."
Archery activities: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range for visitors. One reviewer mentioned, "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," while another shared, "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking."
Winter recreation: Some state parks near Marlboro remain open year-round for cold-weather activities. A visitor to Allaire State Park shared, "Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wondrful there," while another camper noted you can "ice skate on the lake in the winter" at Turkey Swamp Park.
Historical exploration: Washington Crossing State Park offers historical sites within an hour's drive from Marlboro. A visitor mentioned, "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware!" Another noted, "There are farms and animals to see, hikes along the Delaware river, Bowman's tower with a great view of the surrounding area and much more."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campsites at Brendan Byrne State Forest offer good separation. A camper observed, "Nice and quiet, sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking! Plenty of room for a few tents at each site." Another mentioned, "Very Decent Camp in the Pine Barrens, Lots of potable water hydrants around the campground so not far of a walk to fill any water needs you may have."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. At Turkey Swamp Park, a visitor noted, "Bath/Shower House: Very clean. Soap and paper towels are provided." Similarly, at Atsion Family Camp, someone shared, "The bathrooms were in good shape. Unlike Brendan Byrne, this one had some hooks to hang your bags on."
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds near Marlboro typically cater to families with children. At Timberland Lake Campground, a visitor shared, "This campground is conveniently located near six flags (5min), Sesame Place (40 min) and Philadelphia (60 min). Campground has friendly staff and plenty of activities for children of all ages."
Waterfront options: Several campgrounds offer sites directly adjacent to water. At Atsion Family Camp, a camper stated, "LOVE!!!! I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake. While camping at atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails)."
What you should know
Tick prevalence: Insects can be problematic in wooded areas near Marlboro. One Turkey Swamp Park camper warned, "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."
Seasonal restrictions: Some activities are only available during specific times. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park mentioned, "In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," indicating these rentals are seasonal.
Reservation requirements: Round Valley State Park offers wilderness camping that requires planning. A visitor advised, "Whether hiking or kayaking to this CG, you will want to bring as little with you as possible– packing too much to come here just isn't worth the work."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds have unpaved access roads. At Turkey Swamp Park, a camper noted, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Bug preparation: Pack appropriate insect protection for children. At Turkey Swamp Park, one family shared, "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!"
Halloween activities: Fall camping offers special events for children. At Timberland Lake Campground, a visitor reported, "We went to timberland lake last fall. it happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating."
Playground access: Several campgrounds provide play areas for younger visitors. A Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines) visitor observed, "Numerous children and abundant activities kept them engaged. Our son truly missed a delightful experience."
Beach options: Waterfront areas provide recreation for all ages. A camper at Timberland Lake mentioned, "Play ground, basket ball, beautiful pool and for an extra fee beach access," highlighting the swimming options available.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Water and electric connections may require planning. At Turkey Swamp Park, an RVer advised, "Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric."
Site surface considerations: Ground conditions affect setup and comfort. A visitor to Timberland Lake Campground mentioned, "My biggest issue is the sand for all pull-throughs. They do offer full hookups that include cable if you have the outdoor wire."
Site sharing options: Some campgrounds allow multiple setups on a single site. A Turkey Swamp Park camper shared, "They also allowed us to put the car tent on the same site as a friend's camper," indicating flexibility for group camping.
Size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. At Adventure Bound Camping, a reviewer warned, "This place is not big-rig friendly, difficult to navigate some of the turns in our 45' motorhome and taking scratches from tree branches that should be trimmed."
