Glamping and camping options extend throughout the New Jersey Pinelands region within 30-45 minutes of Old Bridge. The area sits at relatively low elevations between 50-250 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate that supports pine forests, cedar swamps, and sandy soil terrain. Campers regularly encounter white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and over 40 species of birds during spring and fall migration seasons.
What to do
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park includes a dedicated archery range for visitors seeking a unique outdoor activity. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," shares Patrick M., who visits regularly for various outdoor pursuits.
Kayaking year-round: The 17-acre lake at Turkey Swamp Park offers paddling opportunities with equipment rentals available. "In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," notes Lee D. after their spring visit.
Winter activities: Several sites offer cold-weather camping with seasonal outdoor activities. "Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," mentions Patrick M., highlighting Turkey Swamp's year-round appeal.
Historical exploration: The region includes Revolutionary War sites and restored villages. "Working village and antique train are available most of the year. There are also lots of festivals throughout the summer months," explains Beau B. from Allaire State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacious layout at several campgrounds. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," reports Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Waterfront camping: Sites along reservoir edges provide direct water access at multiple locations. "Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning," shares Jules T. about their stay at Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Wooded shade coverage: Pine forest canopies provide natural cooling during summer months. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forest," notes Katheryn N., who enjoyed the woodland setting at Turkey Swamp.
Primitive wilderness options: For those seeking seclusion, boat-in and hike-in sites offer a true backcountry experience. "The hike up in the cushetunk mountain is really nice as well. If you're looking for a getaway without doing backcountry planning this is the place," shares James R. about Round Valley State Park.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and cleanliness of restrooms differs significantly between parks. "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall," reports Jules T. about Spruce Run.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some otherwise peaceful locations. "Close to the parkway, constant road noise. Okay bathrooms, flush toilets, sinks, showers, electric outlet," notes Dwight D. about their experience at Allaire State Park.
Tick activity: Wooded areas require vigilance against ticks, particularly 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," cautions Laura Y. from Timberland Lake Campground.
Boat/hike-in only access: Some sites cannot be reached by vehicle. "Located just south of I78 and near the small hamlets of Clinton and Lebanon, what I love most about Round Valley SP is the fact that it has its very own eponymous fresh water reservoir," writes Stuart K., who adds, "if you're looking to camp here at Round Valley, I highly recommend you boat in as the hiking path is incredibly difficult to manage without hauling all of your camping gear."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "There are playgrounds and picnic areas as well. This is a lovely campground," mentions Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park's facilities.
Swimming options: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers water recreation with designated swimming areas. "Nice state park with trails nearby," notes Esther L., who has camped at both Brendan Byrne and Allaire State Parks.
Bug management: Families should prepare for insect activity during summer months. "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 successful family trip to Turkey Swamp Park.
Seasonal activities: Halloween camping events provide family-friendly entertainment. "We LOVE camping here in the fall!! They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday! Plenty of activities for the kids," says Jessica D. about her experiences at Timberland Lake.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup access: Bring extended hoses for some sites where water connections are positioned far from parking pads. "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers," advises Shawn from Turkey Swamp Park.
Road conditions: Interior campground roads vary in quality and may present challenges. "The campground is in five loops with the bathhouse located in the D Loop. As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising," shares Lee D. about Turkey Swamp, adding they "were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
Site leveling needs: RVers should bring leveling equipment as many sites require adjustment. "They do a great job of mowing the grass on the sites, and if you need to, you can go and request if they could cut your grass if it's too long," notes Ruette W. about Collective Governors Island, highlighting the staff's responsiveness to site maintenance.
