The campgrounds near Red Bank are spread throughout Monmouth County, a region with elevations ranging from sea level to only about 400 feet at its highest points. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder 55-75°F conditions. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with Turkey Swamp Park remaining open until mid-November.
What to do
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains a dedicated archery range open to campers. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," notes Patrick M. in his review of Turkey Swamp Park.
Winter ice skating: Several parks offer winter activities when campgrounds reopen. "Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," reports Patrick M. about seasonal options at Turkey Swamp Park.
Safari viewing: Campers at Timberland Lake can see exotic wildlife from the nearby theme park. "There is a road that goes between the campground and the Safari you can drive, walk, or bicycle down and see the animals!" according to Jessica D.'s review of Timberland Lake Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer fishing access with equipment rentals available. "There is pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office," writes Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park.
NYC day trips: Some campgrounds serve as bases for visiting New York City. "This is all about location. Minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Science center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!" explains Keith and Tia S. in their review of Liberty Harbor RV Park.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many campers appreciate natural separation between sites. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," writes Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Digital disconnect: Some parks provide environments that minimize technology distractions. "I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone," notes Tylen L. about the atmosphere at Turkey Swamp Park.
Varied accommodations: Options range from basic tent sites to full amenities. "Sites came with fire pit, large picnic bench, and lamp stand. Plenty of parking space. Good tree coverage," reports Graham D. describing the spacious sites at Turkey Swamp Park.
Boat rentals: Several parks offer affordable water recreation options. "Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," reports Dan W. about options at Turkey Swamp Park.
Halloween celebrations: Fall camping includes special themed weekends at some parks. "We LOVE camping here in the fall!! They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates," explains Jessica D. about Halloween at Timberland Lake Campground.
What you should know
Tick prevention: Some wooded areas have significant tick populations. "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 stay at Turkey Swamp Park.
Road conditions: Many campgrounds have unpaved 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," cautions Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds are affected by nearby highways. "The Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place," mentions Stacey R. about Cheesequake State Park Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Quality and convenience of restrooms varies by location. "The only thing missing were hooks or shelves for toiletries but there was a large bench that could be used. Since it is located in the D Loop it would have been helpful to have pathways leading from the other loops," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park's facilities.
Hunting seasons: Some parks permit hunting during specific periods. "The strangest thing is that hunting is allowed in the state park except on Sundays. There was a sign near our camp site saying don't shoot here because there is a city street 40 yards away," reports Kevin C. about Cheesequake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Bug preparation: Pack appropriate repellents for varied conditions. "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!" shares JAEWOOK P. about their experience at Turkey Swamp Park.
Multiple activities: Some parks offer numerous recreation options in close proximity. "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," explains Dan W. about Turkey Swamp Park's amenities.
Pool monitoring: Check pool cleanliness and capacity restrictions during summer months. "Due to covid restrictions the pool was limited to 71 people at a time and was plenty crowded! I'd hate to see it at full capacity!" cautions Jesse C. about their experience at Butterfly Camping Resort.
Playground options: Various campgrounds feature different play areas for children. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park's facilities for kids.
Beginner-friendly options: Some parks are particularly suitable for first-time campers. "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," recommends Maggie A. about Cheesequake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Check site dimensions before booking larger rigs. "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.
Hookup locations: Some parks have inconveniently placed connections. "Power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection," warns Jeffrey about conditions at NWS Earle RV Park.
Water hose length: Bring extra-long hoses for certain campgrounds. "Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose," advises Shawn about Turkey Swamp Park's water hookups.
Ground surface considerations: Plan for various surfaces that can affect cleanliness. "The biggest issue is the sand for all pull-throughs. They do offer full hookups that include cable if you have the outdoor wire," notes Robyn W. about Timberland Lake Campground, adding "Sand... so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer."
Dog-friendly campgrounds near Red Bank: Most campgrounds welcome pets but have specific regulations. "The campground was very well taken care of. The sites had good tree coverage and we didn't feel like we were right on top of the next site. There was tons of stuff to do. There's a pond to fish, trails to walk/bike, basketball, sand volleyball, the list goes on and on. There was also a dog park which was very nice!" reports Caitlin F. about Butterfly Camping Resort.
