M
Michael M.
Scout
ScoutTurkey Swamp Park
Water/power at the campsite, and and centrally located dump station. Lots of trees and nice separation of sites
Camping near Seaside Park, NJ
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Camping near Seaside Park, New Jersey ranges from developed coastal campgrounds with full hookups to secluded tent sites in the Pine Barrens, all within driving distance of the Atlantic shoreline. The area includes Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township and Bass River State Forest, providing access to both oceanfront recreation and inland pine forest experiences. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate tents, RVs, and many offer cabin rentals. Brendan Byrne State Forest, located about 30 miles west of Seaside Park, provides a more secluded camping option within the unique ecosystem of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. According to reviews, many sites feature sandy soil characteristic of the Jersey Shore region, which can create challenges during wet weather.
Most campgrounds in the Seaside Park area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Turkey Swamp Park is open April 1 to November 15, while Butterfly Camping Resort operates from April 15 to October 6. Summer months bring hot, humid conditions with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s, making campgrounds with swimming facilities particularly popular. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though signal strength varies at more remote sites. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and campers should check current regulations before arrival. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when shore-bound tourists fill the area.
The camping options vary significantly between coastal and inland locations. Campgrounds closer to Seaside Park tend to be more developed with full hookups, camp stores, and organized activities. One camper noted that Turkey Swamp Park offers "lots of vegetation for privacy" and features a 17-acre lake for fishing and non-motorized boating. Inland sites in the Pine Barrens provide a more rustic setting with fewer amenities but greater seclusion. Most campgrounds are pet-friendly with proper registration. Families will find numerous options with playgrounds and recreational facilities, while those seeking water activities can choose from locations with lake access, swimming pools, or proximity to ocean beaches.
Best Campgrounds near Seaside Park (61)
1. Turkey Swamp Park
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $42 - $79 / night
2. Allaire State Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
"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."
3. Butterfly Camping Resort
"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! "
Check Availabilityfrom $64 - $78 / night
4. Tip Tam Camping Resort
"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."
5. Brendan Byrne State Forest
"Campsite decent size, but some don't have clear boundaries to neighbors, and sometimes not optimally configured (e.g., the site next door's fire pit was placed on the edge of its site/right next to my"
"First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed!"
Check Availabilityfrom $3 - $60 / night
6. Baker's Acres Campground
"We stayed at Baker’s Acres Campground in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, for a weekend in mid-August. So did the rains of Hurricane Henri! "
"Our site was decently sized, level, and nicely bordered with trees that gives you a sense of privacy."
Check Availabilityfrom $43 / night
7. Bass River State Forest
"We have never camped here before, but wanted to hike the Batona trail nearby."
"I'm particularly fond of the dog friendly loop, its a newer loop and the bathrooms are more modern than the others scattered around. "
8. Timberland Lake Campground
"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."
10. Long Beach RV Resort
Drive Time
- 53 min from Atlantic City, NJ
- 55 min from Trenton, NJ
- 1 hr 14 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 1 hr 20 min from Vineland, NJ
Recent Camping Photos near Seaside Park, NJ
126 Photos of 61 Seaside Park Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Seaside Park, NJ
375 Reviews of 61 Seaside Park Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Lowe's - W Windsor
Upscale Parking Paradise at This Home Fixer-Upper
Located just off US Route 1 in the upscale Princeton area, this spacious Lowe's serves up a surprisingly pleasant patch of pavement for weary road warriors looking to catch some shut-eye. Set back roughly 80 yards from the highway, this big blue home improvement retailer offers a generously sized parking lot with relatively manageable traffic, good maneuverability and a quieter atmosphere than you might expect from such a busy suburban retail corridor. The western and southern edges of the lot are particularly appealing for an overnight stay, and with Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several other retailers nearby, convenience certainly isn't in short supply. Better yet, the store management was friendly and accommodating when we called ahead to arrange our overnight visit.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, paved parking lot with plenty of room to maneuver larger rigs; (2) Convenient access to US Route 1 and nearby I-95; (3) Western and southern parking areas offer quieter spots away from the busiest customer traffic; (4) Excellent nearby conveniences, including Trader Joe's, Starbucks and several dining options; and (5) Friendly store management that welcomed our overnight stay, plus surprisingly good opportunities for outdoor recreation nearby.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some daytime retail traffic and occasional road noise, although nothing terribly disruptive; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated overnight camping facilities; (3) Parking areas closest to the store can become crowded during business hours; (4) Limited greenery and little of the scenery you'd expect from a traditional campground; and (5) While the overnight experience was excellent, this is still a commercial parking lot rather than a destination for an extended stay.
Happy Overnighting!
- bbob J.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Pine Barrens New Jersey
This 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.
- DDiane M.Scout
Brendan Byrne State Forest
Just ok
Restrooms 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.
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On 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.
Adeline M.GuideBrendan Byrne State Forest
Beautiful campground, loud campers
Beautiful 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.
- CCarlos E.Scout
Turkey Swamp Park
Really nice campground
Stayed 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.
Nadine R.GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Not my vibe
I personally did not like this campsite. First of all, our site tag was leftover from SEPTEMBER. Did no one look at any of these sites and leave someone else’s registration posted there for almost a year? Wild. Our campsite had trash leftover from previous campers. The whole campground was loud - from other campers to just the sounds from the nearby road. If you are looking for peace it is NOT here. If you’re looking to have loud music time all night with no repercussions as your kids ride around yelling and carrying on past midnight then you’ll have a blast. The pros of this campsite was supposed to be the access to Lake Atsion but we were turned away at the gate at 12:30 as they stated they were at capacity. Checking into our campsite they specifically asked if we would be utilizing the recreation area so we would have a pass for entry, but that’s seemingly not in their logistical headcount. I would not visit here again.
Guide to Seaside Park
Camping sites near Seaside Park, New Jersey feature predominantly sandy soil characteristic of the Pine Barrens ecosystem. The region's water table fluctuates seasonally, creating unique camping conditions where sites can range from dry and sandy to occasionally damp after heavy rainfall. Most tent and RV sites in the area sit at elevations between 20-50 feet above sea level, with inland campgrounds in the Pine Barrens typically situated on higher ground than those closer to the coast.
What to do
Archery practice: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers archery facilities for camping visitors. As camper Patrick M. notes: "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels."
Biking to ocean towns: Allaire State Park provides direct cycling routes to coastal communities. One cyclist reported: "A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns. There are outlets in the bathroom and someone put a fullass drip coffee machine in one of the sinks."
Paddle sports: Multiple sizes of watercraft are available for rental at Turkey Swamp Park, with a 17-acre lake for non-motorized boating. According to Dan W.: "Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from. Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door."
Winter camping: Unlike many Jersey Shore campgrounds that close in colder months, some sites remain open year-round. One winter camper at Allaire State Park reported: "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."
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers secluded camping with significant natural buffers. A camper mentioned: "Sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking! Plenty of room for a few tents at each site."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high-standard restrooms and showers despite their rustic settings. A recent visitor to Turkey Swamp Park observed: "Bath/Shower House: Very clean. Soap and paper towels are provided. The only thing missing were hooks or shelves for toiletries but there was a large bench that could be used."
Natural privacy barriers: Butterfly Camping Resort offers sites with natural boundaries for added seclusion. A camper noted: "The sites are cozy and each lined with natural shrubbery and in some cases fencing. They're well maintained and raked between campers."
Lake swimming and fishing: Several campgrounds feature lakes with fishing docks and swimming access. A visitor to Bass River State Forest commented: "We walked and explored, kayaked, and sang by the fire. The camp sites have plenty of room for the kids to run around and set up their own areas."
What you should know
Sand management challenges: Most campsites have predominantly sandy soil that can become messy. One camper at Timberland Lake Campground mentioned: "Two things I loved: 1. Cost 2. Shade. One thing didn't love: 1. Sand… so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer."
Tick prevalence: The Pine Barrens ecosystem harbors ticks, particularly during warmer months. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park warned: "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper."
Road conditions: Several campgrounds have unpaved access roads that may present challenges. One visitor noted: "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
Bathroom locations: Some campgrounds have centralized bathroom facilities that may be distant from certain sites. A Bass River State Forest camper observed: "Bathrooms and showers can be a hike. If you can bring a portable toilet, I'd recommend that."
Tips for camping with families
Check Halloween events: Timberland Lake Campground offers extensive fall programming. One family noted: "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!"
Look for private bathroom options: Some facilities offer individual bathroom units rather than communal spaces. A camper at Baker's Acres highlighted: "The bathhouses near our site were cleaned 2x daily and the best part is, they're private! (Shower, sink, toilet in a 10 room bathhouse)."
Consider noise factors: Highway proximity can impact the camping experience. One visitor to Allaire State Park mentioned: "Sites are a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though."
Seek shaded sites in summer: The Jersey Shore region experiences hot, humid summers, making shade essential. A camper at Butterfly Camping Resort observed: "The sites had good tree coverage and we didn't feel like we were right on top of the next site."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup placement: At some of the best places to camp near Seaside Park, water connections may be positioned away from electrical hookups. A visitor to Baker's Acres advised: "Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric."
Site navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight turns for larger rigs. One RVer at Butterfly Camping Resort noted: "I am a little concerned about moving to the site they want me to move to in the Spring the corners around the campground seem tight with trees."
Pull-through availability: Some campgrounds offer pull-through sites to accommodate larger vehicles. A camper at Baker's Acres observed: "This campground has all pull-through sites. Nicely wooded with water and electric. Sites are level and well maintained."
Off-season availability: For RVers seeking less crowded conditions, several campgrounds offer extended seasons. An off-season visitor to Turkey Swamp Park reported: "Since it is located in the D Loop it would have been helpful to have pathways leading from the other loops. The campground was only about 20% occupied when we were there at the end of April."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Seaside Park, NJ?
What camping is available near Seaside Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Seaside Park, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 61 campgrounds and RV parks near Seaside Park, NJ and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Seaside Park, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Seaside Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Seaside Park, NJ is Turkey Swamp Park with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Seaside Park, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Seaside Park, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Seaside Park, NJ.
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