Turkey Swamp Park features 64 campsites set on dirt roads and paths within a wooded environment 20 minutes from West Long Branch, New Jersey. The park sits at approximately 200 feet elevation in the coastal plain region with sandy soils typical of central New Jersey. Winter camping is available with seasonal ice skating opportunities on the park's lake when conditions permit.
What to do
Paddling activities: Turkey Swamp Park's lake provides various boating options during warm weather months. "Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone," notes Tylen L. about Turkey Swamp Park. Another visitor mentions, "In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental."
Winter recreation: Seasonal activities continue year-round at some parks. "Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," advises Patrick M. about his experiences at Turkey Swamp. For those seeking yurt camping near West Long Branch, New Jersey during colder months, Washington Crossing State Park offers winter options with nearby historical sites, though camping is group-oriented.
Biking trails: Several parks feature bike-friendly terrain suitable for various skill levels. "The biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between," notes Beau B. about Allaire State Park. For campers without bikes, "A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns" is possible from Allaire State Park according to Dan X.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Spacious camping areas with adequate separation are consistently mentioned in reviews. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest," describes Katheryn N. about Turkey Swamp Park. Similarly at Brendan Byrne State Forest, "the sites are a little bit close to each but didnt offer much privacy but they were right in top of each other."
Clean bathroom facilities: Well-maintained shower and restroom facilities are important to campers. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained," according to Katheryn N. at Turkey Swamp. Another camper noted, "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."
Water activities: Lakes and rivers provide recreation beyond swimming. "We really enjoyed our stay. There is a pretty lake with good fishing and they sell bait at the Ranger office," mentions Katheryn N. At Wading Pines Camping Resort, river tubing is popular: "We did have a great time tubing on the river. Have someone drop you off at Hawkins Bridge and float down to the campground. A little over 2 hour ride."
What you should know
Tick awareness: Insect protection is essential, especially during warmer months. "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," warns Laura Y. about Turkey Swamp Park. Conversely, at the same park another camper had a different experience: "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!"
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have terrain features that impact ease of use. At Round Valley State Park Campground, "it is the only NJ SP that actually offers up true wilderness camping(a.k.a. primitive), which can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles—or if you come with your own boat." Another camper notes, "I have hiked throughout the entire US and consider myself somewhere between a moderate to skilled hiker and I found these trails challenging and uneven."
Road conditions: Several campgrounds feature unpaved access roads. At Turkey Swamp Park, "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." Similarly at Timberland Lake Campground, "the roads need some work. There are many pot holes that need gravel."
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Parks offer varying levels of entertainment for young campers. At Timberland Lake Campground, "it happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating." The same campground "has friendly staff and plenty of activities for children of all ages. Play ground, basket ball, beautiful pool and for an extra fee beach access."
Safety considerations: Family campers should evaluate site-specific hazards. At Timberland Lake, one parent noted, "Our campsite was nice but far from the activities and to get there you must go around the lake using the same road the cars and golf carts are using. Wish it was a little safer as I have small children." For yurt camping options near West Long Branch, New Jersey, families should consider that some accommodations have restrictions.
Swimming options: Water access varies significantly between parks. At Turkey Swamp, facilities include "a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming." Meanwhile at Round Valley, despite the beautiful reservoir, "after hiking so far in to get to this location, you're not allowed to swim in the reservoir, which kind of defeats the entire point."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electrical and water connections vary by campground. At Turkey Swamp Park, "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." The park offers sites "with electric and water hookups. They don't have primitive campsites so you're stuck paying the higher rate even though you don't need the hookups."
Site surfaces: Ground conditions affect equipment setup and comfort. At Turkey Swamp, "all roads and camper pads are dirt." At Timberland Lake Campground, one RVer noted "Small camp site. Fire ring seemed to be an old truck rim (no grill, but they'll sell you one). Old beat up picnic table in the weeds."
Water hose requirements: Some campsites have specific equipment needs. "Bring a LONG water hose," advises Shawn about Turkey Swamp Park, indicating that hookups may be positioned at substantial distances from parking areas. Similarly, water spigot placement at Brendan Byrne State Forest means "the closest water spigot wasn't working. Not a big problem as there are plenty of others."
