Turkey Swamp Park offers 64 campground sites within a 2,000+ acre northern pine barrens landscape near Sayreville, New Jersey. The campground features pull-through driveways in loops B-E, with all sites having level, spacious grounds equipped with a lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring. Water and electric hookups are available, with central bathroom facilities located in D loop serving the entire camping area.
What to do
Hiking trails for all levels: Round Valley State Park Campground maintains multiple trails that accommodate different hiking abilities. "Beautiful and quaint...a nice place to get away and enjoy some nature," notes one visitor. The campground requires effort to reach as it's only accessible by hiking 3-6 miles or by boat, offering a true wilderness experience.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains a dedicated archery range where visitors can practice their skills. "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," according to one camper who appreciated the variety of activities.
Winter recreation: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers year-round outdoor activities including winter camping. "We found this campground one night when we were in NJ. It ended up snowing that night. The bathrooms were clean and warm. There is a lot to do in the area," shares a winter visitor who enjoyed cold-weather camping in the region.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: The campgrounds near Sayreville offer substantial privacy between sites. A Turkey Swamp Park visitor noted, "Nice, remote, private. Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers." The wooded settings create natural barriers between camping spots.
Clean facilities: Spruce Run Recreation Area receives positive feedback for its maintenance standards. "I did my first solo tent camping by the reservoir and it was perfect. There was so much to see and hiking trails in the campground and nearby. Bathrooms were clean and other campers were quiet making for a peaceful trip," reports a first-time solo camper.
Water activities: Round Valley State Park Campground offers distinctive water recreation options. "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 feet deep in the middle," explains a visitor who appreciated the swimming and boating options.
What you should know
Bug preparation: Pack appropriate insect repellent for your glamping trip near Sayreville. One Turkey Swamp Park visitor warned, "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But by the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2."
Road conditions: Allaire State Park has specific terrain considerations. "Flat ground, sand, dirt, moss, leaves. Enough space for 2-3 tents. Lots of trees for hammocks. Wheelchair accessible picnic table. Fire ring," describes one visitor who noted the natural ground conditions.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds have ambient noise from nearby roads. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper 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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Turkey Swamp Park includes multiple play areas for children. "Site came with fire pit, large picnic bench, and lamp stand. Plenty of parking space. Good tree coverage. Only one bathroom, bit of a walk but clean and many amenities available within," notes a visitor who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
Insect-free visits: Time your glamping adventure in Sayreville carefully to minimize bug encounters. "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!" reported one family at Turkey Swamp Park.
Weekend activities: Washington Crossing State Park offers historical programming that engages all ages. "Every year, they re-enact Washington's troops crossing the Delaware! It was VERY cold the year I went. To warm up, there is a small visitor's center where they have a reproduction of the famous painting commemorating the moment," shares a visitor who enjoyed the historical aspects.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup preparation: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, water connections require planning. "Very clean and quiet. Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our RV connection," explains an RVer who navigated the hookup situation.
Site selection for privacy: Timberland Lake Campground offers varied site options. "We LOVE camping here in the fall!! 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," shares a seasonal visitor who appreciated the Halloween festivities.
Level sites available: Select campgrounds provide well-maintained parking surfaces. "Stayed here from June 24th-27th on site 38. It was a really nice size, and the kids could fish right off the dock on the back," notes a Timberland Lake visitor who found the site conditions satisfactory for their RV setup.
