Princeton is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Princeton campgrounds just for you. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Princeton, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$42 - $79 / night
" We stayed in New Jersey for our 5th campground on the East Coast: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. This is a County park.
Near some Revolutionary War battlefields.
I really liked this park!"
"Heavily wooded and supremely quiet, it’s located not far from anywhere you’d want to be. 30 minutes to the shore. Every site is a pull-through, large and spacious with great woodland views. 30amp and"
$50 - $100 / night
"I always look forward to going because it is consistently clean, great for riding bikes and taking pets for a walk and children for a stroll PLUS it is significant historically and it is enjoyable for"
"Good for biking and dog walking."
"The crystal-clear water is home to huge lake trout and the forests are bursting with wildlife. The sunsets across the lake are to die for."
"Once you get to the campground trail it’s pretty easy going on asphalt surface."
"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. They have cool raffles!"
"As a kid - close to 6 flags where we had season passes... it was Jellystone yogi bear at the time.
Very close to 6 flags great adventure."
$200 / night
"I stayed at Cheesequake at the beginning of August and had a very positive experience."
"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."
"Easy to drive in and out. No “camp store/ features” but there’s a local pool with swing sets within walking distance and lots of manageable trails along the cliffs."
"The Delaware Canal is nearby with the tow path for biking. That makes this a nice Bikepacking stop."
"Park employees and park police drive around through the day. Some big groups of campers got a little rowdy at night. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting."
"The actual site was nice and was close to the bathrooms. There was plenty of shade as the sun moved throughout the day."
"We were kindly escorted to our site (a nice refreshing change from having to wander around to find the sites ourselves), which was the one farthest away from the entrance."
"Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Cute sheep and goats that wander about during the day! Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!"
$64 - $78 / night
"Fishing lake is on the smaller side, but people were catching fish. Definitely in our top 5 New Jersey Campgrounds."
"4½ Stars Quick Weekend Getaway
We stayed at Butterfly Camping Resort in Jackson, New Jersey, for a 2-night weekend in late-August. We’re so glad we did! "
"No hiking trails. No pond or lake for fishing.
$50 per night"
LegendLocated 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, this body of water provides a solid amount of upside for anyone wanting to kayak, canoe or swim. One of the greatest assets at this particular SP CG are the wonderful rangers who keep this place in such tip-top condition year-round. From the North Picnic Area, Bray’s Hill Preserve and Round Valley Beachhead to the East Picnic Area, Round Valley Farm on the eastern side of the reservoir as well as Round Valley Rec Area, there’s a lot to explore at this SP.
One interesting fact about this place– believe it or not– it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping(a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles– or if you come with your own boat, you can access by water– and can be found on the SE corner of the reservoir. There is a second area nearby called Spruce Run Recreation Area that can be accessed by driving to this location, which is on the other side of I78 NW of Round Valley SP. That said, 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, so coming in with a ton of gear is even more difficult/ prohibitive.
When you finally do arrive to this primitive CG immersed in NJ’s thick wild foliage, you’ll experience waterfront bliss with a crystalline bevy of trout-infused reservoir water, and you won’t get much in the way of amenities, apart from a few random water pumps and some rocks piled in a circle that, um, I guess makes up a fire ring. 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. There’s picnic tables, but the one we had was in pretty rough condition. The thing I found odd about the place is that after hiking so far in to get to this location, you’re not allowed to swim in the reservoir, which kind of defeats the entire point IMHO. That said, the views are amazing and because there’s nothing else in these parts, you will experience true peace in nature.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few:(1) Whether hiking or kayaking to this CG, you will want to bring as little with you as possible– packing too much to come here just isn’t worth the work;(2) We found parking in the Southern Lot to be perfectly fine and while we were initially worried about leaving our vehicle parked there for a few nights, we were reassured by the park rangers who patrol the lot constantly;(3) While the water in the reservoir may look crystal clear, it is not crystal clean and I would STRONGLY encourage anyone who thinks that it is OK to drink from the reservoir to at least use a Life Straw to ensure they don’t get sick;(4) I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven, so while the hike we made was only 3 miles, it was not easy and I would be worried about someone breaking an ankle getting to this CG– so at a minimum, ensure you are wearing proper hiking boots. Seriously, for what this SP puts you through to access this CG one really needs to question why they’re being charged anything at all in the first place.
Happy Camping!
ScoutWe 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!
GuideThe name says it all. It has boulders and woods. The spots are tight to get into but the staff will offer to park your camper using your vehicle. I let them park mine and I'm really glad I did. It was super tight. Gorgeous place though. They also have a disc golf course and they rent and sell discs. That's where we fell in love with disc golf.
We stayed there in August 2017.
ScoutProbably the worst shower ever. The lights are timed. The water is a button. The space is small as hell.
ScoutOverall we enjoyed our stay. I will say that the rules of the campsites are ambiguous on the website and when we first arrived were unaware that if using an RV in a tent site you are not allowed to add another tent to the site. There is a two tent limit per site despite the site allowing up to 6 people. We ended up needing to purchase another site which was thankfully open for us to use, however I would have purchased it next to our original site had I known about the limitations.
Otherwise, the stay was pleasant. The bathrooms were clean and the staff was friendly. They do patrol the sites with a police presence in the evening.
ScoutMy wife and I, residing near the Commodore Barry, sought a brief respite. Our thirteen-year-old son was unable to join us, so we proceeded without him. We secured site 53, a deluxe site offering ample space for our 29VBUD and Ram. The site was level and meticulously maintained, as were the dirt roads. The atmosphere was tranquil and relaxing. Numerous children and abundant activities kept them engaged. Our son truly missed a delightful experience. We departed on Sunday, but the serene ambiance almost prompted us to extend our stay. The sounds of families creating memories enhanced our enjoyment. We certainly plan to return when our grandson is older.
RangerWe stayed here in November-December to do some exploring around Jersey. Not a lot going on at the fam camp. Clean and gravel. Lots of military training nearby but overall a quiet stay. On the beaten path but a bit further into the trees so you’re not hearing so much road noise.
TravelerGreat campground! Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. There are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge. The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained. There is pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office. There are lots of trails and the packed dirt roads are nice for bike riding. There are playgrounds and picnic areas as well. This is a lovely campground.
GuideThis is a trailer park for RVs. Virtually all of the sites are occupied with permanently parked RVs. Most sites have years of accumulated junk around the sites. It is not inherently bad, but it’s not a great choice for traveling RVers.
I was here for 3 days while hiking on the Appalachian Trail. I was assigned a site that is in the ‘front yard’ of a permanent trailer, under their deck. My site was just un-level enough that I didn’t quite have enough blocks to get my trailer level. It was conveniently located beside the dumpsters that were overflowing when I arrived and weren’t emptied while I was here.
The bath house is outdated, wasn’t filthy but wasn’t cleaned while I was here, and smells like a Porta-potty after a county fair. Because there are really only permanent residents staying here, I suspect there isn’t much need to keep up with the bath house.
It’s a noisy park, but not in an obnoxious way. It’s noisy in the way that a neighborhood with kids is noisy. A significant number of the residents are working class Spanish families with a fair number of kids. That part was cool….gave the place a nice vibe. Waking up to residents mowing their own lawns in an RV park was a new one for me. Not bad, just unexpected.
The staff was courteous during my visit, and I believe they may be trying to improve this location. As a permanent rental option for people trying to have an affordable place to live, I’m sure it fills a need. The park was at well above 80% occupancy with permanent units. But if you are look(no for a more traditional RV park, I recommend looking elsewhere.
Camping near Princeton, New Jersey, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Princeton, New Jersey, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to check the specific amenities and conditions of each campground before you go!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any beaches near Princeton, NJ camping areas?
While Princeton is inland, there are camping options with beach access within driving distance. Atsion Family Camp in Wharton State Forest features a designated swimming area with a sandy beach at Atsion Lake, perfect for cooling off during summer months. The recreation area is about an hour from Princeton and offers tent sites, trailer sites, and cabin rentals. Lower Forge Camp provides access to the Batsto River where you can enjoy small sandy shores and swimming holes. For ocean beaches, the Jersey Shore is approximately 1-1.5 hours away, making day trips possible from most Princeton area campgrounds.
What amenities are available at Princeton campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Princeton offer diverse amenities to enhance your camping experience. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA provides full hookups for RVs and is conveniently located for exploring the region, though note it closes during winter months, reopening in April. Butterfly Camping Resort features large, private sites with shrubs and trees for separation, a playground for children, organized activities, clean bathrooms, and a fishing lake. Most area campgrounds offer water and electric hookups, dump stations, restroom facilities, and picnic tables. For a more rustic experience, Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides wooded, paved sites with water and electric hookups in a peaceful setting.
Where can I find camping sites near Princeton, NJ?
Several quality campgrounds are available within driving distance of Princeton. Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold offers spacious sites on 2,283 acres with a 17-acre lake, hiking trails, and is particularly suitable for exploring historical Revolutionary War sites. For those willing to drive a bit further, Great Divide Campground near Newton provides a scenic setting with a small lake and wooded surroundings, and is convenient for visiting Delaware Water Gap. Other options include Timberland Lake Campground near Cream Ridge and Spruce Run Recreation Area near Clinton. Most campgrounds in the region are open seasonally, with many closing during winter months, so verify operating dates before planning your trip.
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