Camping areas near Wall Township, NJ offer options for outdoor stays within 25 miles of the Jersey Shore. The area's coastal plain topography features mostly flat terrain with elevations under 200 feet, creating accessible camping conditions. Sandy soil drainage works well after rain, though summer temperatures often exceed 85°F with high humidity.
What to do
Water recreation on-site: Turkey Swamp Park provides a small lake with diverse boating options. "Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on," notes reviewer Tylen L. The lake includes a boat dock and boardwalk for easy water access.
Hiking diverse terrain: Allaire State Park offers trails ranging from beginner to intermediate levels. "Lots to do in the area! Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between," explains Beau B. The park combines flat walking paths with more challenging woodland routes.
Winter activities: Turkey Swamp Park remains operational through mid-November with cold-weather options. As Patrick M. shares, "Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods." The park's 64 sites provide late-season access when many other campgrounds have closed.
Archery practice: Several local campgrounds maintain designated archery ranges with target setups. "Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," reports Dan W. about Turkey Swamp's facilities, which include hay bales for target practice.
What campers like
Space between sites: Turkey Swamp Park earns praise for its generous campsite layouts. "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy," writes Lee D. The wooded setting enhances the sense of seclusion.
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance varies across dog-friendly campgrounds near Wall, but some maintain high standards. "The bathhouse has on male and one female stall each. Laundry facilities are free for use and in like new condition," notes Jeffrey about NWS Earle RV Park's amenities.
Family programming: Butterfly Camping Resort offers structured activities for children. Caitlin F. reports, "Both nights we were there, there were events being put on (a tractor ride, kickball, and a pool movie night). There was also a dog park which was very nice!" The campground combines recreation with organized entertainment.
Shade coverage: Many sites feature mature trees providing relief during hot summer months. "Sites are all in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," explains Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park, where the forest canopy helps moderate temperatures.
What you should know
Sandy campsites: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near the Wall area feature sandy soil that presents challenges. Robyn W. notes at Timberland Lake Campground, "My biggest issue is the sand for all pull-throughs... Sand… so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer." Sand tracks easily into tents and RVs.
Traffic noise: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. At Cheesequake State Park, one camper reports, "The Parkway is right there so its not a nice quiet place." Consider site selection carefully if seeking quiet with pets.
Insect concerns: Ticks appear frequently in wooded campgrounds, particularly during warm months. "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2," warns Laura Y. at Turkey Swamp Park. Tick prevention becomes essential when camping with pets.
Water hose requirements: Several campgrounds require longer-than-standard water connections. "Bring a LONG water hose," advises Shawn about Turkey Swamp Park. Water spigots may be positioned far from RV hookup points.
Tips for camping with families
Off-season advantages: Cheesequake State Park Campground offers year-round accessibility for families with pets. "We found this campground one night when we were in NJ. It ended up snowing that night. the bathrooms were clean and warm," shares Lisa S., highlighting winter camping options.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds maintain child-friendly play areas. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park facilities, which include structures for different age groups.
Bug management: Camping with children requires insect preparation, though experiences vary widely. "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!" shares Jaewook P. about their late-summer stay at Turkey Swamp Park.
Entertainment proximity: Timberland Lake Campground provides convenient access to major attractions. "Great location... Very close to Six Flags Great adventure. You can hear the lions in the morning," notes Jessica D., mentioning the unexpected wildlife sounds from the neighboring safari park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Several campgrounds have unusual utility layouts requiring planning. "Power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection," explains Jeffrey about NWS Earle RV Park's configuration.
Road conditions: Interior campground roads often remain unpaved. Lee D. observes, "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."
Laundry access: While limited across the area, some campgrounds provide washing machines. "There is a dump station and laundry facility with brand-new washers and dryers (however, you need to pay using an app on your phone)," notes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park's amenities.
Low-clearance branches: Some sites present challenges for larger rigs. Matt S. warns about Adventure Bound Camping, "This place is not big-rig friendly, difficult to navigate some of the turns in our 45' motorhome and taking scratches from tree branches that should be trimmed." Tree limbs can damage taller RVs.
