Camping spots near Matawan, New Jersey sit in the coastal plain of Central Jersey, where elevations rarely exceed 400 feet and sandy soil dominates the terrain. The region gets about 45 inches of precipitation annually, creating occasional challenges with drainage at campgrounds after heavy rains. Most campsites in this area operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter camping options.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 17-acre lake at Turkey Swamp Park offers non-motorized boating and fishing. "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on," reports Tylen L.
Urban explorations: Visit abandoned buildings at Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area for unique urban exploration. "There are abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring. There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building," notes phillip L. This campground offers a different experience with city views rather than forest settings.
Archery practice: Bring your bow for target practice at Turkey Swamp Park. "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," suggests Patrick M. The campground maintains archery facilities alongside its other recreational amenities.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer wooded separation. At Pine Cone Resort, "Sites are good sized, but the place is a little run down and could definitely use some work," reports Christine A., highlighting that while maintenance might be lacking, space is adequate.
Unique camping environments: For something different, Pleasant Valley Lavender offers tent camping near fragrant fields. "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," says Ellen K.
Accessibility to NYC: Some campgrounds provide easy city access. "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," notes John G. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
What you should know
Highway noise considerations: Traffic sounds affect many campgrounds in this densely populated region. "While the campsite is fairly well protected from highway noise, you're still going to hear it at least a little," is a common sentiment. At Cheesequake State Park Campground, one camper notes, "The Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place."
Sandy terrain challenges: Soil conditions can create issues after rain. "All roads and camper pads are dirt. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy," explains Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Insect activity: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic in 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 her experience at Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Most campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Butterfly Camping Resort, "Large playground and lots of activities for the kids. Site was large, and had trees and shrubs separating the sites," according to Jen W.
Beginner-friendly options: First-time campers might prefer certain locations. "This is a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need, bathroom, shower, etc. The best part is all the trails," explains Maggie A. about Cheesequake State Park.
Activity variety: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "Stayed in the family campground in a travel trailer. Longish bike ride or shortish drive to the main park," notes Theresa G. about getting around Cheesequake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up locations: Pay attention to utility placement. At Turkey Swamp Park, "Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric," advises Jean T. Sites here are pull-through with water and electric available.
Site spaciousness: RV sites vary significantly in size. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," explains Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park's layout.
Dump station access: Plan for waiting times during busy periods. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "On a slow checkout day, you might get lucky enough to not wait in line for the dump station," warns Ericka T., noting the limited facilities despite the premium price point.
