Motorhome travelers exploring RV camping near West Long Branch, New Jersey can access multiple campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region features sandy coastal terrain with elevations rarely exceeding 50 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions between 60-75°F.
What to do
Kayaking on park lakes: Turkey Swamp Park offers boat rentals including kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and row boats during summer months. A visitor noted, "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental."
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range within the park boundaries. According to a camper, "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from."
Mountain biking trails: Allaire State Park offers various difficulty levels of bike paths from paved routes to technical single track. A regular visitor states, "Great camp ground and State Park. Very clean with professional staff. Lots to do in the area! Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between."
NYC sightseeing access: From Liberty Harbor RV Park, visitors can easily reach Manhattan attractions via nearby public transportation. A reviewer explains, "This is a great spot with views of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, etc. Expect to pay pretty good to be gear, but from here you can pretty much easily get anywhere in NYC."
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Turkey Swamp Park campsites offer substantial room between neighbors with natural screening. A camper reports, "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forest. There are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge."
Clean facilities: Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center maintains well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. One visitor noted, "We stayed in site #1 with our 21' travel trailer. In our opinion this is the best site because you have an unobstructed view of Stockton Lake & the horizon over the ocean."
Convenient beach access: Several campgrounds provide direct or short-distance access to ocean beaches. A Military Park camper shared, "Free beach just a few moments' walk down the road. Close to shore towns & many restaurants. Plenty of space for kids to play in the field/grass area."
Winter camping options: Allaire State Park remains open year-round, allowing for off-season experiences. A camper recalls, "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 you should know
Reservation requirements: Advance booking is essential during summer months, particularly at military facilities with limited sites. At NWS Earle RV Park, a camper observed, "Small campground W/ 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio."
Tick prevalence: Turkey Swamp Park has significant tick populations, especially in warmer months. One camper warned, "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But by the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2."
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience highway traffic sounds due to proximity to major roads. An Allaire State Park visitor mentioned, "Clean bathrooms. Sites are a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though. Ticks galore."
Limited primitive camping: Most area campgrounds focus on RV accommodations with hookups rather than primitive tent sites. A Turkey Swamp visitor noted, "They don't have primitive campsites so you're stuck paying the higher rate even though you don't need the hookups."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Indian Rock RV Resort and Turkey Swamp Park offer dedicated playgrounds within the campground areas. A Turkey Swamp visitor shared, "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door. Staff was awesome! Attentive and outgoing. We really enjoyed our stay."
Theme park proximity: Indian Rock provides convenient access to Six Flags Great Adventure. A camper advised, "We stayed two nights at this park because we wanted to spend a day at Six flags. We would camp here again to go to six flags because it was easy to drive back a few minutes after a long day at the park."
Bug preparation: Pack insect repellent for summer camping, though experiences vary by timing. One Turkey Swamp camper reported a positive 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!"
Nature programs: Several parks offer seasonal ranger-led activities for children. An Allaire Park visitor mentioned, "Working village and antique train are available most of the year. There are also lots of festivals throughout the summer months."
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: At NWS Earle RV Park, hookup placement requires planning your parking position. A visitor explained, "Power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection."
NYC access considerations: When staying at Liberty Harbor RV Park for city exploration, transit options determine your experience. A camper advised, "Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze."
Military campground benefits: Military facilities offer better value and quieter environments. One camper at Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp noted, "We stayed here in November-December to do some exploring around Jersey. Not a lot going on at the fam camp. Clean and gravel. Lots of military training nearby but overall a quiet stay."
Extended hookup equipment: Many sites have water connections positioned away from electrical hookups. A Turkey Swamp camper recommended, "This campground has all pull-through sites. Nicely wooded with water and electric. Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric."
