Camping within reach of Old Bridge, New Jersey combines woodland retreats and lakeside settings that accommodate both tent campers and RV travelers. Most sites operate from April through October, though some extend into November. Sandy soil is common throughout the region, affecting site conditions particularly after rainfall. Winter camping options exist at select parks like Allaire State Park, which offers cabin rentals year-round with wood stoves for heating during cold weather.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Turkey Swamp Park features a 17-acre lake for anglers of all experience levels. According to one visitor, "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. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone."
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range where campers can practice their skills. As one camper notes, "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."
Hiking trails: Cheesequake State Park Campground offers several hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. A reviewer mentions, "This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations. The elevation of the trails is not too strenuous."
Beach access: Sandy Hook campground provides ocean access with lifeguards during summer months. According to one reviewer, "Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people. Boat from New York City." The camp is located in the Gateway National Recreation Area with views of the NYC skyline.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate the natural buffers between sites at many campgrounds. At Turkey Swamp Park, "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."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. As one camper at Tip Tam Camping Resort noted, "The bathrooms and showers are kept clean. Overall a good place." Another visitor mentioned, "The campground was very well taken care of."
Recreation options: Butterfly Camping Resort earns praise for its diverse activities. According to one visitor, "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)."
Unique environments: Pleasant Valley Lavender provides a distinctive camping experience. One visitor stated, "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."
What you should know
Noise levels: Highway noise affects several campgrounds in the area. At Cheesequake State Park, one camper reported, "Stayed in the family campground in a travel trailer. Longish bike ride or shortish drive to the main park. Used a fan in the trailer to block out the sound of traffic with the exception of some sports cars/motorcycles speeding loudly."
Ticks and insects: The wooded environment means ticks are prevalent, especially in warmer months. A Turkey Swamp Park 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."
Early risers: Quiet hours don't always mean peaceful mornings. At Tip Tam Camping Resort, a camper noted, "The only downside I saw was people here are up way too early. 7am place was already loud. 7:45am a propane truck pulled in to fill the propane and was extremely loud. 8am people with leaf blowers and chopping wood."
Limited bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds have centralized facilities requiring longer walks from certain sites. One camper at Turkey Swamp observed, "The campground is in five loops with the bathhouse located in the D Loop... Since it is located in the D Loop it would have been helpful to have pathways leading from the other loops."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Butterfly Camping Resort receives consistently positive feedback for child-friendly amenities. One camper noted, "Large playground and lots of activities for the kids. Site was large, and had trees and shrubs separating the sites. Friendly staff and clean bathrooms."
Seasonal activities: Timberland Lake Campground organizes special seasonal events. According to one visitor, "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."
Swimming options: Most campgrounds with pools enforce capacity limits, especially during peak summer weekends. At Timberland Lake, a visitor reported, "Pool was open for a couple days following the lifting of restrictions for COVID. Overall, a nice campground that is close to Six Flags."
Beginner-friendly sites: Cheesequake State Park works well for first-time campers due to its accessibility. One camper shared, "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At NWS Earle RV Park, the layout of utilities requires planning. A reviewer noted, "All spaces are level concrete with full hookups and attached concrete patio. Power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle. A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds feature dirt or sandy access roads. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park observed, "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."
Site surfaces: Sandy sites predominate at many of the best places to camp near Old Bridge, New Jersey. One visitor to Butterfly Camping Resort mentioned, "The site was sandy. The whole place is sandy. This is messy, especially after a bit of rain, and makes it a constant challenge to keep the sand out of the RV."
Water hose length: Pack a longer-than-standard water hose when visiting certain campgrounds. A Turkey Swamp Park visitor advised, "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers."
