Best Campgrounds near Sayreville, NJ

Camping near Sayreville, New Jersey encompasses a mix of state parks, county facilities, and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Cheesequake State Park Campground, located just 5 miles north in Matawan, serves as a convenient base for exploring central New Jersey's outdoor spaces. Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township, about 20 miles south, provides a more expansive natural setting with its 2,283 acres and 17-acre lake. Pleasant Valley Lavender offers a unique tent camping experience among blooming lavender fields, while Sandy Hook in Gateway National Recreation Area provides coastal camping options approximately 15 miles east along the Atlantic shore.

Most campgrounds in the Sayreville area operate seasonally from April through October, with limited year-round options. Cheesequake State Park is open April 1 to October 31, while Turkey Swamp Park extends slightly longer from April 1 to November 15. Summer humidity can be significant, with temperatures regularly reaching the 80s and 90s°F. Highway noise can be noticeable at some locations, particularly at Cheesequake which is bisected by the Garden State Parkway. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when facilities frequently reach capacity. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though signal strength varies by carrier.

The camping experiences around Sayreville range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks. State and county parks typically offer more natural settings with moderate amenities, while private campgrounds provide more extensive facilities. According to one visitor at Cheesequake, "Campsites are fully shaded and include a picnic table, fire ring, and hook to hang food supplies. Each site is separated from neighbors by a small forested area." Turkey Swamp Park receives praise for its pull-through sites and forest views, though visitors note the unpaved roads can become muddy after rain. Families with children will find playgrounds and recreational activities at most established campgrounds, while those seeking water recreation can enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming at several locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Sayreville, New Jersey (72)

    1. Cheesequake State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Matawan, NJ
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 566-2161

    $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."

    2. Turkey Swamp Park

    28 Reviews
    Freehold, NJ
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 462-7286

    $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"

    3. Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Atlantic Highlands, NJ
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (347) 630-1124

    $30 - $150 / night

    "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."

    4. Pleasant Valley Lavender

    1 Review
    Aberdeen, NJ
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 740-4832

    $35 - $50 / night

    "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"

    5. Allaire State Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    18 Reviews
    Allenwood, NJ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 938-2371

    "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."

    6. Liberty Harbor RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Jersey City, NJ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (201) 516-7500

    $149 / night

    "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."

    7. Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area - CLOSED for 2025

    4 Reviews
    Bayonne, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (718) 354-4655

    $30 / night

    "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"

    8. Pine Cone Resort

    7 Reviews
    Freehold, NJ
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 462-2230

    "No hiking trails. No pond or lake for fishing.

    $50 per night"

    9. Round Valley State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Lebanon, NJ
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (908) 236-6355

    "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."

    10. Timberland Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Cream Ridge, NJ
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (732) 928-0500

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Sayreville, NJ

473 Reviews of 72 Sayreville Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    friendly staff at the office

    Gave us a welcome folder with lots of helpful info, can walk to get food up the street, short drive to Liberty Park where we got out and walked at night to admire the city skyline and Statue of Liberty at night. They have hook ups and big laundry room.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Round Valley State Park Campground

    Get Your Hard-Core Hiking In To Enjoy This CG

    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, 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!

  • J
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Turkey Swamp Park

    Fantastic camping ground

    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!

  • Carrie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Panther Lake Camping Resort

    Horrid showers

    Probably the worst shower ever. The lights are timed. The water is a button. The space is small as hell.

  • Jesse G.
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Brendan Byrne State Forest

    Clean, Friendly but Unclear and Arbitrary Rules

    Overall 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.

  • Howard P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Adventure Bound Camping (Tall Pines)

    Beautiful and family oriented

    My 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.

  • Rara B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp

    Park & go

    We 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.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Turkey Swamp Park

    Turkey Swamp State Park Campground

    Great 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.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 11, 2025

    Lowe's - W Windsor

    Upscale Parking Paradise @ This Home Fixer Upper

    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? So, no doubt that this Lowes is pretty awesome, well, insofar as parking lots go that is. While there’s a variety of different sized Lowes that you’ll come across, this particular big blue box retailer serves up a fairly decent sized parking patio here for your overnight paved parking pleasure. Despite being conveniently located right off US1  and just 15 to 20 minutes west of I95 – as this retailer is located in a fairly normal-paced suburban location, you are going to like that yes, while there’s no doubt traffic, it’s all manageable. Despite being located right off US1, this Lowes sits back by about 80 yards so the locale doesn’t pick up all of the highway passerby traffic noise.

    Before arriving here, we called Customer Service and spoke with a very friendly lady called Jai-isha, who connected us with the store manager, Amanda, who confirmed it was OK for us to spend the night at this particular Lowes location. So while I don’t think anyone would have any problems just rocking up here for a quick overnighter, you might want to call ahead or stop in first.

    While there was definitely an abundance of parked cars as you enter from the west side, this is the least populated area of this parking corral, as well as the southern perimeter, which is a dash bit slower, less populated and therefor quieter. If that somewhat frequently trafficked retail arena doesn’t dissuade you from parking here at this home fixer upper, then you’ll be treated to a small smattering of additional retail options such as Mattress Firm (just in case you needed a new one for your RV), Trader Joes if you need to stock up on groceries, Starbucks to get jacked up on caffeine for that road trip you’re about to take as well The Container Store in the event that you need any kind of packing materials. While these stores add to the traffic pool, you’ll discover its altogether not terribly congested.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Should you be RVing with your four-legged friends with you, then you’ll be in luck as just due north of here you’ll discover a nice patch of nature called Institute Woods (seems ironic, right?) that offers 589 acres of nicely manicured woods, farmland, wetlands and paths for you and your pet to stretch your legs – but be sure to check out the wooden bridge that spans the stream; (2) When you grow tired of trying to conjure up that next meal from the remains of what is in your onboard mini-fridge or you just want to try out some local fare, then just across the street you’ll find The Princetonian Diner otherwise there’s some fast food joints like Wendy’s and Jersey Mike’s Subs or further down US1 in either direction you have comfort casual chains like Buffalo Wild Wings and P.F. Changs; (3) If you have a canoe or kayak and want to dip the beak of your vessel into some fresh water, then head due northeast to Carnegie Lake where you can not only get some decent oaring in, but drop a line or two as well to grab a nice dinner of blue gill; and (4) Looking for a fun diversion for the kiddos? Then head on over to Stumpy’s Hatchet House for some really great axe-wielding competitions!

    While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:

    Convenience: 5 

    Safety & Security: 5 

    Quality: 5 

    Peace & Quiet: 4 

    Amenities: 4 

    Overall, I scored this location a 5. 

    Happy Overnighting!


Guide to Sayreville

Camping near Sayreville, 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.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Worthington State Forest Campground. One camper mentioned, "The trails are nice and well marked," making it easy to enjoy the outdoors.
  • Fishing: Head to Turkey Swamp Park for some fishing. A reviewer noted, "The lake has fishing & boat rentals," perfect for a relaxing day by the water.
  • Swimming: While some campgrounds don’t allow swimming, Camp Taylor Campground has a swimming beach nearby. One visitor said, "The kids had such a blast," enjoying the water activities.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Stokes State Forest, one reviewer said, "The bathrooms were nice and had flush toilets."
  • Privacy: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites. A camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation mentioned, "The sites are spaced well and have a nice bonus of large fire rings."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor at Mountain Vista Campground said, "The staff are wonderful," making their stay even better.

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds have strict noise policies. A family at High Point State Park faced issues with noise complaints, stating, "We received complaints about the volume of our music."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Atsion Family Camp noted, "The bathrooms are the typical old NJ state park set up," so be prepared for rustic conditions.
  • Wildlife Warnings: Some areas have bear warnings. A visitor at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation mentioned, "There are a lot of bear warnings here," so keep food secured.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. At Camp Taylor Campground, one parent said, "The kids are kids!!! They play in the creek, get dirty, build fires and hike."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds that offer larger sites for family gatherings. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park appreciated the "wooded sites" that provide a peaceful atmosphere.
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of quiet hours to avoid disturbances. A family at High Point State Park found that "quiet hours were strictly enforced," which helped maintain a peaceful environment.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the campground can accommodate your RV size. A visitor at Mountain Vista Campground mentioned, "Lots of pull through for bigger rigs."
  • Road Conditions: Be aware of road conditions leading to the campground. A camper at Stokes State Forest noted, "The camping areas are split between two different entrances," which can be tricky.
  • Electric Hookups: If you need power, check for campgrounds with electric hookups. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, a reviewer said, "The campground is clean, paved nicely and well run," highlighting the amenities available.

Camping near Sayreville, NJ, offers a variety of experiences, from peaceful retreats to family-friendly adventures. Whether you're looking for the best camping near Sayreville or just a quick getaway, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Sayreville, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, Sayreville, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 72 campgrounds and RV parks near Sayreville, NJ and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Sayreville, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sayreville, NJ is Cheesequake State Park Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 19 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sayreville, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Sayreville, NJ.