36 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Rumson, New Jersey range from established campgrounds to waterfront sites along the Atlantic coast. The area features several developed campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Sandy Hook at Gateway National Recreation Area, which offers tent and RV camping with ocean views. Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township provides a more wooded experience with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Cheesequake State Park Campground, located about 15 miles west of Rumson, offers a mix of forest and marsh environments with sites for both tents and recreational vehicles.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with many open from April through October or November. Sandy Hook provides beach access but prohibits pets at tent sites, while inland options like Turkey Swamp Park and Cheesequake State Park welcome pets at designated areas. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer weekends when shore-adjacent campgrounds fill quickly. Water and electric hookups are available at several locations, though amenities vary significantly between state parks and private campgrounds. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with stronger signals near developed areas. One camper noted, "Turkey Swamp Park is a great find! Heavily wooded and supremely quiet, it's located not far from anywhere you'd want to be. 30 minutes to the shore."
Campers consistently rate waterfront locations among their favorites, with Sandy Hook receiving praise for its proximity to beaches and the Statue of Liberty. Pleasant Valley Lavender offers a unique camping experience with tent sites tucked into wooded areas near lavender fields. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of Turkey Swamp Park's pull-through sites and woodland privacy. For those seeking urban proximity, Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City provides basic facilities with Manhattan skyline views and ferry access to New York City. Reviewers frequently note the contrast between the region's natural settings and their accessibility to urban attractions. According to one visitor, "The sites are all pullthrough. There's lots of vegetation for privacy. We had a site on the perimeter, which are forest views."
"Once you are there, you can walk right across the street to a bayside inlet and sandy shore that is not highly trafficked because no one can park there except those using the campground."
"Rangers at the entrance regulate admittance thus, providing a safe environment within the confines of the base."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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"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"Lots of walking paths surround the park & you are also close to Belmar, Point Pleasant, Manasquan (all fun shore towns)."
"Nice state park with trails nearby."
"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"
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"Basicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability"You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."
"this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"It feels like you're camping out in a field with mostly sand around. But having said that, I'd still recommend it for all of the positive they do have."
"Just from walking around I saw the two pools, an RC track, bocci, shuffle and board. They did have organized activities set up as well."
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.
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.
ScoutStayed three nights in a tent and enjoyed it very much. Sites have electrical hookups, shared water connections, large picnic table, and fire ring with adjustable grate. Electrical and water are at the outer edge of each site so you might want an extension cord and/or hose. Bathrooms are clean; showers have separate stalls but they’re clustered together (not the most private). There are hiking and biking trails, a lake, and archery park. Staff are friendly. Office is open through 9pm, and firewood, ice, and bait for fishing are available. Site C3 is in an okay spot; it’s close to the bathroom and laundry room, but also right next to the playground. We were able to visit the beach; easy 25 minute drive to Asbury Park.
TravelerBeautiful park and very peaceful. Rangers are super friendly. This is exactly what camping should be.
GuideThe park was open but camping was not. After a little extra digging they do have a few sites, but hike in only.
GuideBasic clean older campground. No hookups. Water dump flush toilets and showers available. Very limited on campsites allowing dogs. Nice setting but traffic noise can be heard. Calms down later in evening. Generators ok and our quieter than road noise. Lots of mosquitos and bugs so bring your spray!
ScoutWe needed a pit stop….as a pit stop it serves its purpose…..would not stay here more than a night. Lots of seasonal run down campers. Tarps over campers. Bathrooms are neglected. Agree with previous reviewer that they have given into the seasonal camper.
ScoutVery nice family oriented, places the beach, which is great except for the birds watch out they come at you. They have a dog park basketball courts playground swimming just about everything.
Camping sites near Rumson, New Jersey range from seaside locations to woodland settings within a short drive. The area sits at sea level with a humid subtropical climate that brings warm summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds in the region experience heavy humidity during summer months, which creates ideal conditions for early morning wildlife viewing but can make tent camping uncomfortable without proper ventilation.
Beach access from camp: At Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area, campers have direct access to ocean swimming. "Very reasonable rates to pitch a tent. You get a private space with a fire pit. Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people," notes reviewer stanleyt S.
Kayaking and boating: Turkey Swamp Park offers a lake with rental options. "There is a nice lake to kayak or paddle boat on," explains reviewer Jean T. The park rents canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and row boats during summer months.
Historical exploration: Military history enthusiasts can explore Fort Wadsworth near Staten Island camping areas. "The history housed on this base, with a hanger were full of old planes where dedicated veterans worked diligently to restore them, provided us up close inspection of multiple planes," writes Susan B.
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the separation between camping spots at Turkey Swamp Park. "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," notes Lee D., who appreciated the woodland buffer between sites.
Unique landscape variety: The region offers diverse camping environments beyond just woodlands. At Pleasant Valley Lavender, campers enjoy a distinctive experience. "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," according to Ellen K.
Urban escape options: For those wanting easy city access, Liberty Harbor RV Park provides convenience. "2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten. Jersey city has a lot of restaurants and bars walking distance," writes Karen S.
No vehicle access at some sites: Sandy Hook requires campers to transport gear from parking areas. "No cars are permitted in the campground, so you will have to lug your gear to your spot so choose wisely my friends!" advises Christy K., who also mentions that outside firewood is prohibited.
Bathroom facility limitations: At Cheesequake State Park Campground, bathroom access can be challenging. "There is only one bathroom facility on the property which we did not love. The facilities were clean so...yay!" reports kendra P.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds near Rumson experience traffic noise. "Tenting only, with all gear needing to be carried to the site. No vehicles allowed at the campsite. Some of the sites do have a wooden pavilion covering the picnic table," explains Craig M. about Sandy Hook, which has limited staffing.
Activity options for kids: Some campgrounds offer child-focused amenities. "The place was fun.. they have peddle cars and playgrounds. They deliver wood to your site by the truck full! Nice little store and staff are all friendly," says Jenn M. about Tip Tam Camping Resort.
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds provide swimming facilities, though quality varies. "Bonus here, they do have a swimmable lake on the property. However, he water is pretty dirty. My friends and I walked out with green dirt on us. No worries it rinses right off in the shower!" shares kendra P. about Cheesequake.
Wildlife awareness: Parents should be prepared for local wildlife encounters. "Sites also have metal storage units for locking up foodstuffs to protect them from being pilfered by the numerous and bold raccoons," warns Craig M. about Sandy Hook's animal activity.
Site selection advice: RVers recommend specific site locations at certain campgrounds. "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig," advises Keith and Tia S. about Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Hookup considerations: Various campgrounds offer different hookup configurations. At Allaire State Park, campers should note that "sites are level and well maintained. They also allowed us to put the car tent on the same site as a friend's camper," according to Jean T.
Length accommodations: Some parks can handle larger rigs while others cannot. "Easy access with our 32 foot RV pulling our Jeep," reports Kevin A. about Liberty Harbor, though he notes sites only had "electric and water and were in a fenced off section of the marina parking area."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Rumson, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Rumson, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 36 campgrounds and RV parks near Rumson, NJ and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Rumson, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rumson, NJ is Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rumson, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Rumson, NJ.
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