Spring into the season by spending a night under the stars at the Monmouth County Park System’s family campground in Turkey Swamp Park, Georgia Road, Freehold Township.
The campground opened for the season on April 1 and features 64 wooded campsites (52 which can be reserved; 12 which are available on a first come, first served basis). All campsites are pull-through and offer water and electric hookups, according to a press release.
The facility features drinking water, a dump station, picnic tables, modern restrooms with hot showers and laundry, and fire rings for charcoal cooking and campfires. Quiet hours are observed from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The rates per night are as follows: a tent site is $30 for Monmouth County residents and $34 for non-residents; a recreational vehicle/trailer site is $36 for county residents and $40 for non-residents.
The campground also offers three cabins. The cabins have two rooms and feature a double bed and two sets of bunk beds as well as lights and electrical outlets. Outside each cabin is a water spigot and a picnic area with a fire pit. The cabins offer air conditioning. One of the cabins is ADA accessible. The cost of each cabin is $65 a night for county residents and $75 a night for non-residents. Weekly rates are $310 for county residents and $360 for non-residents, according to the press release.
This summer, the park system will continue its campfire programs in Turkey Swamp Park. Held on Saturday evenings from June through August, these family friendly offerings include Swamp Things, a Buccaneer Bonfire and a Jersey Devil Hunt. Interested campers can register for free with the campground office on the day of the program. Campers can also enjoy free wagon rides through the park on Saturday evenings starting Memorial Day weekend.
Turkey Swamp Park features a lake where visitors can bring or rent canoes, kayaks, rowboats and paddleboats. Rentals are available weekends starting May 5 and daily starting June 16. Visitors with a New Jersey fishing license (under age 16, license not required) can try their luck with the bass, crappie, catfish and bluegills that call the lake home. The park offers picnic areas with charcoal grills, four playgrounds, more than 8 miles of multi-use trails and open space, according to the press release.
Reservations are available for stays of at least two nights (Friday through Sunday) and must be prepaid. Reservations may be made in person at the campground office in the Oak Point shelter building in Turkey Swamp Park, through the mail, or by calling 732-462-7286. MasterCard, Visa and Discover accepted.