RV campgrounds near Parlin, New Jersey offer varying terrain and accessibility within a region characterized by dense suburban development interspersed with patches of woodland and wetlands. Most campgrounds sit at elevations below 100 feet above sea level, with sandy or gravel pads common at facilities closer to the Atlantic coast. Summer humidity often reaches 70-80% in July and August, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park offers dedicated archery facilities where visitors can practice their skills. A camper noted, "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."
Water recreation: The lake at Turkey Swamp Park provides multiple activities including fishing, kayaking and canoeing. "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," reports one visitor.
Military history: Explore the naval facilities near NWS Earle RV Park, which is located on an active military installation. "Small campground W/ 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio," according to one military camper.
Winter activities: Allaire State Park maintains year-round camping with seasonal activities. One visitor shared, "Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wondrful there," while another mentioned, "We found this campground one night when we were in NJ. It ended up snowing that night. the bathrooms were clean and warm."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park features well-spaced campsites that provide privacy. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," notes one camper. Another adds, "Site came with fire pit, large picnic bench, and lamp stand. Plenty of parking space. Good tree coverage."
Beach access: Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center provides waterfront camping with ocean proximity. A visitor explained, "We stayed in site #1 with our 21' travel trailer. In our opinion this is the best site because you have an unobstructed view of Stockton Lake & the horizon over the ocean. Free beach just a few moments' walk down the road."
Affordable city access: Camping provides cost-effective options for visiting New York City compared to hotels. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, a camper shared, "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!"
Recreational variety: Many rv campgrounds near Parlin, NJ incorporate multiple activity options. At Indian Rock RV Resort, a visitor mentioned, "We stayed two nights at this park because we wanted to spend a day at Six flags. Check in process was painless and the woman at the front desk was super nice and helpful."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds around Parlin range from spacious to extremely tight. At Indian Rock RV Resort and Campground, "The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful," while at Skyline RV Camp, "The campground was pretty hard to find. We almost gave up before we found someone local who could point us to the right place."
Wildlife considerations: Ticks can be prevalent in wooded New Jersey campgrounds. A Turkey Swamp Park camper 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."
Urban noise levels: Campgrounds closest to major cities experience continuous noise. At Allaire State Park, visitors noted "Noisy with highway traffic" and "You can hear the highway from the sites."
Bathhouse quality fluctuates: Facility maintenance varies between campgrounds. At Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp, "Clean and gravel. Lots of military training nearby but overall a quiet stay," while another camper at a different park noted, "There was only 1 bathroom with small shower for all guests, however they are in the process of adding 5 more."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Many rv parks near Parlin offer family-friendly water recreation. At Turkey Swamp Park, a camper shared, "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! The campground was super clean too."
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas. Turkey Swamp features "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door," and another review mentions, "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office."
Educational opportunities: Allaire State Park offers historical attractions beyond camping. A visitor noted, "Working village and antique train are available most of the year. There are also lots of festivals throughout the summer months."
Weather preparedness: New Jersey's variable weather affects camping comfort. A camper advised, "Rained Friday during the day, so the ground was wet all weekend, but no puddles. Got a bit of a sunburn because I forgot cloudy days are deceptive."
Tips from RVers
Maneuverability challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. At Crystal Springs Lodges & RV Resort, visitors should assess their driving skills before booking. One RVer advised about another nearby park, "Getting in and out is not for someone in a brand new 45' travel trailer."
Sewer connections: The placement of hookups varies between rv parks near Parlin. At Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center, "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."
Reservation timing: Booking early is essential for popular seasons. Fort Dix Range 14 Camp remains open year-round, providing options when other facilities close. A visitor noted, "We stayed here in November-December to do some exploring around Jersey. Not a lot going on at the fam camp."
Extended hookup cables needed: Some sites require longer-than-standard connection equipment. A Turkey Swamp Park visitor advised, "Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers."
