99 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Princeton area encompasses a mix of developed campgrounds and managed recreation areas within an hour's drive of downtown. Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township, approximately 25 miles east of Princeton, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with a 4.3-star rating. Timberland Lake Campground in Cream Ridge provides similar options with the addition of glamping facilities. Washington Crossing State Park, closer to Princeton along the Delaware River, focuses primarily on tent camping and offers boat-in access, though it is temporarily closed for 2024. Round Valley State Park Campground in Lebanon caters to tent and RV campers with boat-in and hike-in access.
Many campgrounds near Princeton operate seasonally, typically from April through October or November. Spruce Run Recreation Area enforces a strict camping season from April 1 to October 31, while Turkey Swamp Park extends slightly longer from April 1 to November 15. Reservations are generally required for all established campgrounds, with most sites offering picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets. Hookup availability varies significantly between locations, with parks like Cheesequake State Park providing electric hookups but no sewer or water connections directly at campsites. Facilities at Washington Crossing State Park are notably more primitive. A camper described the experience as "secluded and right on the Delaware River. Very enjoyable."
Several visitors mentioned the family-friendly atmosphere at Timberland Lake Campground, particularly noting its proximity to Six Flags Great Adventure. Seasonality affects not only when camping is available but also the experience quality. The area campgrounds typically feature wooded settings with varying levels of privacy between sites. Water access represents a key attraction across multiple locations, with Round Valley offering boat-in camping opportunities. Campers should be prepared for varying levels of amenities, as one reviewer noted that some locations have "many seasonal campsites" where long-term residents "have let their sites go with clutter." Washington Crossing State Park draws history enthusiasts with its Revolutionary War connections, while parks further from town tend to offer more natural surroundings and wildlife viewing opportunities.
"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!"
"Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose."
from $42 - $79 / night
Check Availability"Washington Crossing Historic Park, straddling Pennsylvania and New Jersey along the Delaware River, is one of those rare places where you can literally camp in history."
"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"
from $50 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Granted, you’re in Princeton, yeah, that place known for that one certain university, so of course the expectations are going to be high, right?"
"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."
from $200 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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!"
"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! "
from $64 - $78 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
ScoutRestrooms are filthy with mold and mildew.
Water puddled on the restroom floor.really gross.
Cabin was mostly clean. The windows were full of dirt and bugs on the tracks.mattresses were terrible.The fireplace was nice. Kitchen was clean.
Can t wait to move on to a cleaner park.
ScoutOn Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
RangerWe stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
GuideBooked the day before—even on the holiday weekend! Just 1.5 hours outside of NYC, site was a bit close to the neighbors (fire pit was very far back and basically in the neighbors’ campsite, but we put up a “privacy clothesline” and hung a tarp over it for a bit of extra coverage.
The staff was friendly and helpful, they said it was the busiest they’ve seen the campground all year (there were lots of large groups but everyone seemed to settle down by 9:30pm
Poison ivy was EVERYWHERE at our site so make sure to stick to the open areas and the paths. Lots of families around, we felt very safe Bathrooms were fine—it was my impression they’re usually cleaner but the high traffic of the weekend left a bit to be desired, (lots of families around=dirty diapers in the bathroom trash bin) but it’s camping! I’m not gonna argue w a flushing toilet!
GuideBeautiful campground but made the mistake of going on a holiday weekend, the campgrounds next to us were screaming and blasting music all day and throughout the night so we ended up leaving early. A beautiful campground when there aren’t noisy capers ruining it.
ScoutAs far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
TravelerWe’ve been to Camp Taylor twice now for tent camping: September 2021 and May 2023. We stayed at the rustic tent sites both times, and there was room for 2 cars and 2 tents. Depending on how you want your setup, there are some that are more secluded and others that are close together and would be great for group camping.
The staff are all lovely and take the time to explain the rules both in-person at check-in and on the forms they provide at the time of booking. They are not hiding how seriously they take rules like quiet hours, and it will keep campers like me coming back. If you are respectful of the folks around you and especially during the posted quiet hours, you will have no problems.
The office and shop keep supply of snacks, firewood, and gifts. There are flush toilets mapped in spots of the tent sites (SUCH a pleasant surprise! I was expecting a porta-potty or vault toilet), and hot showers are available at the same complex as the office.
ScoutI spent 4 days and 3 nights with my 6th grade Girl Scouts. We were at sites 23 and 24 which worked out great because they back up against each other. The bathrooms were super clean and well maintained. There are outlets at the bathroom building by the sink to charge any electronics. The playground is adequate and the field is big for playing. There are many things to do close by too like the observatory, Round Valley beach, Grounds for Art, etc. We all really enjoyed ourselves and plan on returning.
The Princeton, New Jersey area offers camping options within a 25-mile radius, with sites spread across wooded state parks and private campgrounds. The region features moderate elevation changes with rolling hills typical of central New Jersey's Piedmont region. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F, while spring and fall bring milder 55-70°F weather with higher rainfall, affecting trail and campsite conditions.
Fishing opportunities: Turkey Swamp Park's 60-acre lake provides freshwater fishing with gear available for purchase. "The office is open until 9 pm and sells ice, firewood, and bait," notes Lee D., who stayed in late April when the campground was only 20% occupied.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range for visitors interested in target practice. As Patrick M. mentions, "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," which offers a unique recreational option beyond standard camping activities.
Historic sites exploration: Just 12 miles from Princeton, Washington Crossing State Park offers Revolutionary War history along with camping. Stuart K. recommends the "Christmas Day Crossing event as it's easily the most memorable history lesson you'll ever get outdoors." The park connects to hiking trails that follow Washington's historic route.
Watercraft rentals: Multiple parks offer boat rentals for exploring their lakes and reservoirs. At Turkey Swamp Park, "In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental," according to one camper who enjoyed the small boardwalk along the lake.
Lake access camping: Round Valley State Park Campground offers sites accessible only by boat or hiking. "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water," shares James R.
Large, private sites: At Mountainview Campground, campers appreciate the spacious and secluded sites. Christina H. describes it as "a nice little remote campground in the mountains" where "our site was fully private (could not see or hear neighbors)."
Wildlife viewing: Mountainview Campground offers abundant wildlife observation opportunities. "I've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!" shares Christina H.
Family-friendly environments: Many campgrounds near Princeton cater specifically to families with children. At Butterfly Camping Resort, Caitlin F. noted, "Both nights we were there, there were events being put on (a tractor ride, kickball, and a pool movie night). There was also a dog park which was very nice!"
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality of facilities differs significantly between campgrounds. At Cheesequake State Park Campground, "Bathrooms were clean but there wasn't soap in any of the dispensers," reports Katrina Z., while at Round Valley, Stuart K. warns that "while there are backwoods-style bathroom pits, these are very ill-managed."
Tick awareness needed: Some wooded sites require vigilance for ticks during warmer months. At Turkey Swamp Park, LAURA Y. warns, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2... I could not enjoy myself after having 3 biting me at one time."
Seasonal noise levels: Traffic noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those near highways. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, Jules T. observed, "The only con to this campground is it's proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down."
Alcohol restrictions: Several state parks prohibit alcohol completely. At Tohickon Valley County Park, Maureen F. notes "No electrical and no pets allowed in camp sites," and another reviewer mentions that "this is no alcohol permitted in the park due to it being a state park."
Pool options: Butterfly Camping Resort features a large pool that appeals to families with children. "The swimming pool was large and the water crystal clear," states Matt S., while another camper noted the "Large playground and lots of activities for the kids."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for younger campers. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office" at Turkey Swamp Park, according to Lee D., providing entertainment options beyond hiking and water activities.
Amusement park proximity: Timberland Lake Campground sits just 5 minutes from Six Flags Great Adventure, making it ideal for combined camping and theme park trips. Aaron E., who stayed at the campground in June, mentioned, "Overall, a nice campground that is close to Six Flags. We will be going back."
Bug preparation: Families should prepare for seasonal insect activity. At Turkey Swamp Park, JAEWOOK P. had a positive experience: "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!"
Hookup limitations: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers water views but limited hookups. Ruette W. explains, "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV."
Tree clearance concerns: RVers should check tree clearance when booking. Frank J. noted at Spruce Run, "My campsite was 34W, right next the reservoir. Nice location however the website said it was full shade. The picnic table was in shade. The spot for the RV was full sun."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require leveling blocks. At Butterfly Camping Resort, deb K. observed sites were "Fairly level with adequate hook ups," but notes that "Sites are sand and dirt, so be prepared for that."
Water management: Many sites require extended hoses. At Turkey Swamp Park, Shawn advises to "Bring a LONG water hose" for access to water hookups, as site layout may place connections far from ideal RV positioning.
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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