Camping sites near Carteret, New Jersey range from accessible drive-in campgrounds to wilderness areas requiring boat access. The region sits at the edge of the Atlantic Coastal Plain with elevations generally below 100 feet, creating mostly level terrain for camping. Summer humidity levels typically reach 65-75% with temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months.
What to do
Hiking at various difficulty levels: Trails at Cheesequake State Park Campground range from easy to moderate with multiple lookout locations. "This park is on the list of 50 top NJ Hikes, and it has a few great trails. The trails range from easy to moderate with quite a few lookout locations. The elevation of the trails is not too strenuous," notes one visitor.
Kayaking and canoeing: Turkey Swamp Park offers various boating options on their lake. "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."
Visit historic sites: The region contains preserved locations and structures. At Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area, a reviewer discovered "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."
What campers like
City access with nature balance: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers a strategic location for exploring both urban and natural areas. A camper noted, "This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8."
Water recreation: Multiple campgrounds feature lakes or ocean access. At Round Valley State Park Campground, a camper reported, "Really nice spot to camp very peaceful and quit. Gorgeous sunset, Beautiful views. Really helpful people at the office."
Beginner-friendly options: Some campgrounds cater to first-time campers. At Cheesequake State Park, a visitor shared, "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, bathroom, shower, etc."
What you should know
Traffic noise levels: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. At Turkey Swamp Park, one camper described the experience as having "sites in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest."
Site spacing and privacy: Campgrounds vary in how close sites are to each other. At Allaire State Park, a visitor observed "Close campsites, no privacy. Close to the parkway, constant road noise."
Bathroom and shower facilities: Quality and accessibility of facilities differs significantly. At Turkey Swamp Park, a camper reported, "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained."
Insect considerations: Ticks can be an issue in some locations. One camper at Turkey Swamp Park noted, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Several camping areas offer play equipment. Turkey Swamp Park has "Centralized playground for the kids with bathrooms and showers next door."
Consider short-trip starter locations: For families new to camping, certain locations make easier introductions. A visitor to Allaire State Park shared, "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."
Bug prevention essentials: Some areas have minimal bugs while others require preparation. At Turkey Swamp Park, one family reported, "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!"
Check seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the region have limited seasons. Turkey Swamp Park operates from April 1 to November 15, while Cheesequake State Park Campground runs from April 1 to October 31.
Tips from RVers
Limited sites with full hookups: Most campgrounds offer partial hookups only. At Liberty Harbor RV Park, an RVer noted, "They have hook ups and big laundry room."
Parking and site access: RV sites vary in quality and accessibility. A visitor to Turkey Swamp Park mentioned, "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. As mentioned, all roads and camper pads are dirt."
Urban RV options: For RVers wanting city access, specialized parks exist. At Skyline RV Camp - Waterfront, a visitor described the experience: "It's essentially a spacious parking lot with electrical pedestals but the view of the skyline across the water is spectacular and there's a metro station within a 10-minute walk."
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds require navigation through tight areas. An RVer at Liberty Harbor RV Park 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."
