Camping sites near Perth Amboy, New Jersey sit within a transitional landscape where the Raritan River meets the Atlantic Ocean at an elevation near sea level. Most campgrounds in this region maintain seasonal operations from April through October due to the humid subtropical climate with average summer temperatures around 85°F. Winter camping options are limited as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Hiking at multiple difficulty levels: Cheesequake State Park Campground offers trails ranging from easy to moderate with numerous lookout points. "The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations. The elevation of the trails is not too strenuous," notes one visitor. The park includes several resting areas along trails.
Kayaking and fishing: Turkey Swamp Park provides lake access for water recreation. "Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," explains a camper. The park includes a boat dock and small boardwalk, with rental equipment available in summer months.
Urban exploration: Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area offers unique urban camping with historical structures. "There are abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring. There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building," mentions one visitor. Rangers lead guided tours of historical military installations.
What campers like
City access with natural surroundings: Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area provides oceanfront camping with city views. "With views from the campsite looking out to the sea, the skyline of NYC on the left & NJ on the right, it was awe inspiring and, the sunset was a real treat!!" reports a camper. Many visitors appreciate the juxtaposition of nature with urban skyline views.
Private wooded campsites: Turkey Swamp Park features well-spaced sites surrounded by forest. "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," one visitor notes. Loops B-E all have pull-through driveways with level dirt pads.
Unique agricultural setting: Pleasant Valley Lavender offers tent camping near fragrant fields. "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," shares a camper. The lavender blooms create a distinctly different camping experience compared to standard woodland sites.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Highway noise affects several campgrounds in the region. At Turkey Swamp Park, a visitor reports, "Sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose." Another campground with significant noise is Allaire State Park, where a camper noted, "Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though. Ticks galore."
Wildlife challenges: Multiple campgrounds report tick issues due to their woodland settings. At Round Valley State Park Campground, primitive camping requires preparation. "While there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed and you'll come across the 'stank' well before actually even arriving here, so we just didn't use them," warns one visitor.
Access limitations: Some camping areas require significant effort to reach. At Round Valley, a camper explains, "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, which spanning some 2,350 acres and is 180 feed deep in the middle." Access requires either a 3-6 mile hike or boat transportation.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Cheesequake State Park offers an accessible introduction to camping. "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. Great place for hiking," recommends a visitor.
Playground access: Liberty Harbor RV Park provides urban camping with family amenities. "Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay!" reports a family camper.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation for children. At Turkey Swamp Park, "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. It was perfect!" shares a parent.
Tips from RVers
City access considerations: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers RV camping with Manhattan views. "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room," advises one RVer. Sites include electric and water hookups.
Hookup availability: Turkey Swamp Park provides partial hookups for RVers. "We spent 3 nights here last week. Very convenient location. The sites had electric and water and were in a fenced off section of the marina parking area," notes a visitor. Seasonal considerations affect water availability, with systems typically winterized from November through March.
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require leveling equipment. "Campsite appears to be designed as a disbursed camping design. However, there is not enough trees and folage to provide any privacy," mentions a visitor at Cheesequake State Park. Many campers recommend bringing additional leveling blocks due to uneven sites.
