Best Campgrounds near Scotch Plains, NJ
Camping options around Scotch Plains, New Jersey primarily consist of established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius of the town. Cheesequake State Park Campground, located approximately 20 miles east, offers tent and RV camping in a wooded setting with hiking trails and a lake for swimming. Other nearby options include Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township and Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City, which provides urban camping with views of the Manhattan skyline. The region includes a mix of state parks and county-operated recreation areas that support tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations.
Access to most campgrounds requires advance reservations, particularly during the peak season from April through October. Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with most closing between November and March. As one camper noted, "The park is bisected by the Garden State Parkway. While the campsite is fairly well protected from highway noise, you're still going to hear it at least a little." Bathroom and shower facilities vary in quality across locations, with some visitors reporting older but functional amenities. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region due to the proximity to urban areas, though some more rural sites may have spotty coverage.
Campers consistently mention the convenient location of these campgrounds for those looking to balance outdoor recreation with proximity to urban amenities. Several sites offer water activities as key attractions, with lakes for swimming, fishing, and boating. Reviews highlight that many campgrounds provide a good introduction to camping for beginners or families. A visitor to Cheesequake State Park commented, "This is a great site for those who are not avid campers. It's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need." The trade-off for this accessibility is that true wilderness experiences are limited, with highway noise and crowds common during summer weekends. Most developed campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water, with varying levels of privacy between sites.












