Camping spots near West Long Branch, New Jersey feature a mix of heavily wooded inland sites and more open coastal options. The region sits at relatively low elevations, with most campgrounds positioned between sea level and 200 feet above it. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through August, while spring and fall camping seasons experience wider temperature fluctuations ranging from 45-75°F.
What to do
Kayaking and boating on Stockton Lake: At Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center RV Sites, you can enjoy water activities with direct lake access. "You have an unobstructed view of Stockton Lake & the horizon over the ocean," notes Jessica D., who adds that the "free beach just a few moments' walk down the road" provides additional recreation options.
Explore historic sites: The Sandy Hook area in Gateway National Recreation Area offers military history alongside camping. Susan B. describes the experience: "The history housed on this base, with a hanger were full of old planes where dedicated veterans worked diligently to restore them, provided us up close inspection of multiple planes, including a mini-sized glider which we were granted personal access to get into."
Lavender field relaxation: For a unique camping experience, Pleasant Valley Lavender offers tent camping near fragrant fields. Ellen K. shares: "So pleasant to sleep near the blooming fields. Campsite is tucked in the woods with. Tent camping in peace and quiet with easy access to major roads and highways to explore central NJ."
What campers like
Proximity to NYC: Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for city exploration. Jeffrey from NWS Earle RV Park mentions "It's only an hour from Manhattan & 20 more minutes from the shore. If you're planning a visit to either this campground is cheap, clean & quiet." Similarly, at Sandy Hook, Lindsey M. calls it a "Great way to escape the city for a night if you can't make it upstate!"
Family activities: Turkey Swamp Park receives praise for its diverse recreation options. Tylen L. explains: "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone."
Wooded privacy: Many campers appreciate the secluded feel at Butterfly Camping Resort. Tina D. describes: "the sites are cozy and each lined with natural shrubbery and in some cases fencing. they're well maintained and raked between campers." Caitlin F. confirms: "The sites had good tree coverage and we didn't feel like we were right on top of the next site."
What you should know
Sandy soil conditions: Many campgrounds in this region have sandy ground conditions. Matt S. observed at Butterfly Camping Resort: "The site was sandy. The whole place is sandy. This is messy, especially after a bit of rain(which we had), and makes it a constant challenge to keep the sand out of the RV."
Tick precautions needed: When camping at Turkey Swamp Park, be prepared for ticks, especially in warmer months. LAURA Y. warns: "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."
Variable water conditions: At Cheesequake State Park, some visitors note concerns with water areas. One camper mentions: "Bonus here, they do have a swimmable lake on the property. However, he water is pretty dirty. My friends and I walked out with green dirt on us. No worries it rinses right off in the shower!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground variety: Turkey Swamp Park offers family-friendly facilities that keep children engaged. Katheryn N. notes: "There are lots of trails and the packed dirt roads are nice for bike riding. There are playgrounds and picnic areas as well."
Educational opportunities: Sandy Hook provides learning experiences alongside camping. Susan B. recounts visiting a hangar with vintage aircraft: "The ability to view our military history was fabulous and, too, was our appreciation to those veterans for their past service. Then, there were pictures of the pilot, Amelia Erhart, on the wall of this base as she'd taken off from this base on her infamous flight."
Low-tech entertainment: Many campgrounds offer activities that get kids away from screens. Tylen L. appreciated that at Turkey Swamp Park, "every time I'm here I barely touch my phone." JAEWOOK P. adds: "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!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At some campgrounds, utility placement can be challenging. Jeffrey notes at NWS Earle RV Park: "Power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection."
RV site features: Turkey Swamp Park offers well-designed RV accommodations. Lee D. explains: "Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site."
Early noise considerations: Be prepared for early morning activity at some locations. Bill V. warns about Tip Tam Camping Resort: "The only downside I saw was people here are up way to early. 7am place was already loud. 7:45am a propane truck pulled in the full the propane and was extremely loud. 8am people with leaf blowers and chopping wood. Don't expect to sleep past 7:30am."
