Escape to the tranquility and serene beauty of the woods, without surrendering simple comforts and close-by convenience with an RV weekend getaway to Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township, New Jersey.
Located on the northern edge of the Pine Barrens, Turkey Swamp Park is part of the Monmouth County Park System and has something for everyone in its more than 2,000 acres.
Acquired and developed with camping in mind, Turkey Swamp Park is an ideal getaway choice for novice campers looking for a shakedown weekend, seasoned RVers looking for a place with activities that appeal to multiple generations, or couples looking to get away from the bustle of city life without the hassle of a long journey.
Sites, Amenities
Turkey Swamp Park and campground is an RV-friendly park, with large, wooded sites that offer plenty of privacy and shade. The campground includes 64 pull through sites with water and electric hookups suitable for tents, travel trailers or RVs. Of the 64 sites, 52 can be reserved and 12 are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The campground also includes a centrally located bathhouse with modern restrooms and hot showers. A coin-operated laundry facility is also located at the bathhouse. Also centrally located is a large, well-maintained playground. A dump station is also available at the campground.
For your group outing, Turkey Swamp Park has platform tent campsites in the park’s Nomoco Activity Area, a mile southwest of the main entrance. Three rustic “forest view cabins” that sleep six each are also available for rental at the campground.
The park accepts reservations for the April 1 through Nov. 15 camping season beginning on Jan. 1.
What To Do
Once your RV is leveled and the awning is out, enjoy all that Turkey Swamp Park has to offer, from walking trails to fishing, boating and archery.
At the heart of Turkey Swamp Park is a 17-acre lake where anglers can try their luck catching bluegill, bass and catfish from the shore or from rented kayaks, rowboats or canoes. From April to November, bait can be purchased at the campground office. Boat rentals are weekends only May 1 through June 19, but daily through the rest of the summer.
Paddleboats for tooling around the lake on a warm summer day and swimming holes for cooling off are also favorites at the lake.
Enjoy acres of primitive wilderness that are home to a range of native plants and animals while experiencing more than nine miles of well-maintained multi-use trails. Explore on foot, horseback or bike to find pitch pine and oak trees shading bracken fern, pepperbush, blueberry and catbriar, native to the New Jersey Pine Barrens on trail hikes.
The park also features an archery range, playing fields and soccer fields for league use.
Getting There
The Monmouth County Park Service offers these driving directions:
From NJ Turnpike Exit 7A: Take I-195 east to Exit 22. Turn left onto Jackson Mills Rd., north. Follow to Georgia Rd. and turn left. Follow Georgia Rd. for 1.7 miles to main park entrance on left.
From Garden State Parkway, Exit 98: Take I-195 west to Exit 22. Turn right onto Jackson Mills Rd., north. Follow to Georgia Rd. and turn left. Follow
Georgia Rd. for 1.7 miles to main park entrance on left.
From State Hwy. 9 South: In Freehold, turn right onto Route 524 west (Elton-Adelphia Rd.). Follow for 1.2 miles to Georgia Rd. and turn left. Follow Georgia Rd. for 1.7 miles to main park entrance on right.
Fun Fact
Despite the name, Turkey Swamp Park does not include a swamp, nor is it typically a habitat for turkeys.
