Camping options near Springfield, New Jersey include multiple access types from boat-in sites at Round Valley to full-hookup setups at Liberty Harbor RV Park. The region spans coastal areas with views of the Manhattan skyline to wooded retreats in the Skylands region, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 1,000 feet. Most campgrounds operate seasonally with closures from November through March, while higher-elevation sites often experience cooler overnight temperatures even in summer.
What to do
Paddle sports on site: Turkey Swamp Park offers a 17-acre lake with multiple boat rental options. "Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," notes Dan W., who found "plenty to do over a 2 night stay" including "archery, boating, fishing, and hiking."
Beach access for swimmers: Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area provides ocean swimming with lifeguards. "Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people," explains Stanley S. The park also features "a trail that runs parallel to the beach making it a scenic ride," according to Maggie A.
Urban exploration and sightseeing: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers unique city access options. "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F. There is a great market about 1/4 of a mile away, and the path that can take you to WTC or 33rd Street area is only a mile away," reports Shawn B. Another camper adds, "Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!"
Wildlife observation and hiking: Harriman State Park provides extensive trail networks with wildlife viewing opportunities. "Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint," notes Megan B., who appreciated being "only an hour to central park" while still experiencing nature. The park also contains historic sites with "markers showing where a house was" along trails dating back to Revolutionary times.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park features well-spaced sites in forested settings. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forest," describes Katheryn N. Another camper notes, "Site came with fire pit, large picnic bench, and lamp stand. Plenty of parking space. Good tree coverage."
Cleanliness and facilities: Beaver Pond Campground maintains quality amenities despite high usage. "Full bathrooms and slop sinks throughout the campsite," reports a camper, who appreciated that "facilities were clean and what you'd expect from a campground." Another notes, "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September...The campground was clean and quiet."
Strategic location for regional access: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers a central location for exploring nearby attractions. "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. And yet it's only about a 15 minute drive to a large mall with movies, shopping, and restaurants," explains Jeff W. Another camper called it "convenient for hiking and exploring."
Water-centered activities: Multiple campgrounds feature lakes or ocean access. "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing," summarizes Tylen L. At Sandy Hook, visitors enjoy that there's "a nice lake to kayak or paddle boat on."
What you should know
Variable facilities and service levels: Campgrounds range from primitive to developed. At Round Valley State Park Campground, "There is a pump for potable water and vault/pit toilets," mentions one camper. While Liberty Harbor RV Park offers "a clean laundry room on site," another camper experienced issues when "the laundry was not working properly and ate a good $5 of our quarters."
Reservation and booking challenges: Popular sites fill quickly, especially in summer months. "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," notes Maggie A. about Cheesequake State Park. However, another camper warns about Turkey Swamp: "They don't have primitive campsites so you're stuck paying the higher rate even though you don't need the hookups."
Wildlife encounters are common: Bears and other wildlife require proper food storage. "Rangers always come by sites to check on campers and are nice," notes a Round Valley camper. At Turkey Swamp, one visitor reported, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2." Harriman State Park posts wildlife warnings, with one camper noting the ranger "gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Noise considerations vary by location: Some sites offer solitude while others have constant activity. At Cheesequake, a camper notes "the Parkway is right there so it's not a nice quiet place." Another camper warns about Beaver Pond: "Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy."
Tips for camping with families
Choose inclusive activity centers: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers numerous family-friendly amenities. "Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub," reports Cynthia H. Another camper confirms it's "great for families" with "nice atmosphere."
Consider accessibility and terrain: Some campgrounds require physical exertion to reach. Round Valley requires either "a 3 mile minimum 6 max" hike or boating across the reservoir. Sandy Hook has restrictions where "no cars are permitted in the campground, so you will have to lug your gear to your spot."
Look for dedicated play areas: Multiple campgrounds feature designated children's spaces. Beaver Pond has "a playground for the kids" and Turkey Swamp offers "centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door." Panther Lake features both "a nice pool" and "great pool and awesome hot tub."
Evaluate camping skill level requirements: Beginners may prefer certain campgrounds. Cheesequake is described as "a great site for those who are not avid campers" while another camper called it "perfect for first timers" because "it's close to town if you forget something and it has all the facilities you may need."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability varies significantly: Cheesequake State Park Campground provides limited utilities. "Stayed in the family campground in a travel trailer. Longish bike ride or shortish drive to the main park," notes Theresa G. At Mahlon Dickerson, "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."
Site dimensions and maneuverability: Some campgrounds accommodate larger rigs better than others. At Mahlon Dickerson, one camper found it "easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill." Meanwhile, another camper described Liberty Harbor as primarily "a parking lot with a dump station" where "larger rigs will barely have a yard."
Seasonal considerations for RV sites: Winter camping is limited with varying seasonal closures. "Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," reports a Turkey Swamp visitor, but the park only operates "Apr 1 to Nov 15." At Liberty Harbor RV Park, "sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump."
Road conditions to consider: Access roads vary in quality and maintenance. At Turkey Swamp, "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."
