Turkey Swamp Campground

- 5MXW+7H, Freehold Township, NJ 07728

For New Jersey residents seeking a true retreat into nature without sacrificing the comforts of a modern facility, Turkey Swamp Campground, part of the extensive Monmouth County Park System, represents an outstanding local gem. Nestled within the expansive 2,388-acre Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township, this destination is revered for its quiet, wooded setting and exceptionally well-maintained facilities.

The campground operates seasonally, typically welcoming campers from April 1st through November 15th, making it the perfect spring, summer, and fall getaway for locals. It offers 64 wooded campsites designed to accommodate both traditional tent campers and those traveling in RVs or travel trailers. The sites are known for being generously sized and surrounded by nature, creating a sense of privacy that is often difficult to find in densely populated New Jersey. One delighted camper noted that the sites are "large wooded sites," declaring it "one of the nicest campgrounds in NJ."

A significant draw is the park's dual focus on natural recreation and convenience. Within the campground itself, guests find clean, modern amenities like restrooms with hot showers and a laundry area—a detail highlighted by a recent cabin guest who praised the "tons of hot water with no wait" in the showers. The commitment to providing a clean, comfortable, and natural experience solidifies Turkey Swamp Campground as a premier public camping destination in Central New Jersey.

Turkey Swamp Campground is strategically located within Turkey Swamp Park in the heart of Monmouth County, New Jersey. The physical address often cited for the campground office is 200 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728. Its location on the northern fringes of the New Jersey Pine Barrens provides a unique, heavily wooded environment that feels remote while still being highly accessible to residents across the state.

Accessibility for New Jersey locals is excellent. The park is conveniently reached via major thoroughfares. For those coming from Northern or Southern Jersey, accessing the park is straightforward from Interstate 195 (I-195) at Exit 22 or via State Highway 9. This prime Central Jersey location allows residents to quickly escape the city or suburban hustle. The proximity to nearby Freehold provides easy access to essential supplies, dining, and shopping, offering the convenience of town life just a short drive from the rustic charm of the campsite.

The park's location also serves as an excellent jumping-off point for exploring broader Central Jersey attractions, including historic battlefields and numerous shopping districts. The well-maintained roads within the park and the smartly designed layout of the campground loops ensure easy navigation for RVs and trailers, a practical benefit for those utilizing the pull-through sites.

As a well-established facility managed by the Monmouth County Park System, Turkey Swamp Campground provides a strong lineup of services and accommodations designed to cater to a wide range of camping preferences, from rustic tents to comfortable cabins.

• Campsites and Hookups: The campground features 64 wooded pull-through sites suitable for tents, travel trailers, and motor homes up to 40 feet. All sites offer water service (seasonal, typically April 15 - Nov 15) and electrical hookups (20 amp and 30 amp).
• Forest View Cabins: Three rustic, two-room wooden cabins are available for rental, each sleeping up to six guests (one double bed and two sets of bunk beds). They include lights, electrical outlets, heating, and air conditioning, with a water spigot and fire pit outside. One cabin is ADA accessible.
• Sanitation and Convenience: The park provides a modern restroom facility, which includes clean, free hot showers and a coin-operated laundry area. A complimentary dump station is available for registered campers with holding tanks.
• Campfire Supplies: Each site includes a fire ring for charcoal cooking and campfires, and firewood can be conveniently purchased at the campground office.
• Group Camping: For chartered organizations, the Nomoco Activity Area provides a separate group campground with platform tent camping sites, picnic shelters, and showers, operational during the same April 1 - November 15 season.
• Lake Activities: Boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and paddle boats) are available on the 17-acre lake during the summer season, along with bait for fishing.

Turkey Swamp Campground offers features that enhance the camping experience by fully integrating the facilities with the beautiful natural environment of the park. These highlights make it a truly memorable destination for New Jersey families and outdoor enthusiasts.

• 17-Acre Lake Recreation: The centerpiece of the park is its large lake, which offers excellent opportunities for fishing (bass, catfish, bluegills) and boating. During winter, the lake is also used for ice skating when conditions are safe and posted by park staff.
• Extensive Trail System: The 2,388-acre park encompasses over 9 miles of multi-use trails suitable for hiking, bicycling, and equestrian use, allowing visitors to explore the pitch pine and oak trees of the wooded area, which boasts many plants and animals associated with the Pine Barrens.
• On-Site Sports and Play: Beyond the trails and lake, the park features four playgrounds (one located within the campground loop), open fields for sports like soccer, and an archery range that is open year-round for practice and training.
• Highly Wooded and Spacious Sites: The campground is widely noted for its private, wooded sites and well-maintained sand/gravel driveways. The sites are often described as "large" and "widely spaced apart," offering a genuinely peaceful forest feel.
• Monmouth County Park System Quality: Being managed by the county park system assures a high standard of maintenance, professional ranger supervision, and adherence to clear, consistent rules for a safe and enjoyable environment.

Turkey Swamp Campground is managed by the Monmouth County Park System. All camping reservations, inquiries about park rules, or questions about facilities should be directed to the campground office during operating hours.

Address: The main park entrance and often cited address for the campground is 200 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728. The coordinates provided (5MXW+7H) place the facility within Freehold Township.

Phone: (732) 462-7286

Note: Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekends and holiday periods, and require a two-night minimum stay on regular weekends. Reservations for the family campground are accepted starting January 1st for the current year. The campground operates seasonally, from April 1st to November 15th.

Turkey Swamp Campground is the perfect camping destination for New Jersey residents because it masterfully balances the desire for deep wilderness immersion with the essential comforts of home. As a county park facility, it offers budget-friendly rates for residents and a reliably clean, supervised, and well-maintained environment that is ideal for families.

For the Central Jersey local, its Freehold Township location is a major plus, eliminating the long drives required to reach state parks in the far north or south. You can leave work on a Friday and be set up by dinner time. The park’s massive 2,388 acres, combined with a beautiful lake and nine miles of trails, means there’s enough on-site recreation to keep a family entertained for a whole week without ever needing to leave the park. From fishing and cabin stays to clean, hot showers and private wooded sites, Turkey Swamp Campground provides an accessible, high-quality, and authentic New Jersey outdoor experience that locals will want to return to year after year.

Turkey Swamp Campground

5MXW+7H, Freehold Township, NJ 07728, USA