Camping areas near Red Bank, New Jersey range from oceanside parks to wooded retreats within 30 miles of the coastal town. The region sits at low elevations, typically under 300 feet above sea level, with a humid subtropical climate that brings warm summers and mild winters. Summer humidity levels often exceed 70%, creating conditions that can affect tent camping comfort and gear storage.
What to do
Kayaking and boating: Turkey Swamp Park features a small lake with seasonal boat rentals. "Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," notes a visitor who found plenty to do during a short stay, including "archery, boating, fishing, and hiking."
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range where visitors can shoot at hay targets. One reviewer mentions you can "bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels" as part of the park's outdoor recreation options.
Winter activities: Some camping areas offer cold-weather options. A Turkey Swamp Park visitor recommends you can "ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," making it a year-round destination.
Biking to beaches: Allaire State Park connects to coastal areas via bike routes. "A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns," says one bikepacker who traveled from New Brunswick to camp at the park.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park offers generous camping spots with natural surroundings. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," writes one camper who appreciated the natural setting.
Level pull-through sites: Many campers value the practical layout at Turkey Swamp Park. "This campground has all pull-through sites. Nicely wooded with water and electric," notes a reviewer who adds that "sites are level and well maintained."
Proximity to NYC: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers a unique urban camping experience with easy city access. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC," explains one camper, adding it's "minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Science center. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. An Indian Rock RV Resort visitor mentioned "the hostess was very friendly and helpful. Our site was a big pull through site," and noted the park has a "well stocked store."
What you should know
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. At Allaire State Park, campers report sites are "a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic," though the park remains "well maintained."
Ticks in wooded areas: Natural surroundings can harbor pests. One Turkey Swamp visitor warned: "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."
Seasonal boat rentals: Water activities depend on timing. At Turkey Swamp Park, "In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," according to a visitor who enjoyed the park's lake and boardwalk.
Variable connectivity: Cell service quality differs between campgrounds. At Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center, a visitor noted "the price is great at $45/night" with "FULL hookups," but many RV sites near Red Bank have connectivity limitations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks provide play areas for children. Turkey Swamp Park features "age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," making it suitable for families with young children.
Bug preparation: Insect activity varies by season. One Turkey Swamp camper with young children reported: "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!"
Pet restrictions: Not all campgrounds welcome animals. At Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center RV Sites, "Pets are NOT allowed," which could affect family camping plans.
Theme park proximity: Some campgrounds serve as bases for attraction visits. An Indian Rock visitor explained: "We stayed two nights at this park because we wanted to spend a day at Six flags. Check in process was painless... We would camp here again to go to six flags because it was easy to drive back a few minutes after a long day at the park."
Tips from RVers
Elevated sewer connections: Some RV sites near Red Bank, New Jersey have unusual hookup configurations. At Military Park, a camper noted: "Only annoying thing was the sewer hookup is about 18 inches off the ground so you need to lift the hose when emptying the tanks to ensure it actually fully drains."
Water hookup placement: Site layouts can present connection challenges. A Turkey Swamp Park visitor advises: "Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric."
Big rig considerations: Liberty Harbor accommodates larger vehicles despite space limitations. A visitor described it as "basically a parking lot with a dump station" but recommended to "pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room."
Urban camping costs: RV sites closer to New York City command premium prices. A Liberty Harbor camper explained: "This is a pricey park, but options are limited. As in almost non existent. This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore."
