Cheesequake State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Cheesequake State Park lies on more than 1,600 acres in the heart of New Jersey. It's a lush oasis tucked amid the state's urban and suburban areas, perfect for families, nature lovers, and adventure seekers. The Nature Center features exhibits that explain the unique mix of ecosystems in the park. You can experience open fields, hardwood forests, marshes, and swampland. It's an ideal spot for anyone wanting to take a boat out, hike, or picnic with friends.
Nearby Cities:
Matawan, NJ
South Amboy, NJ
Browntown, NJ
Old Bridge, NJ
Spring 36-72 F
Summer 54-85 F
Fall 41-77 F
Winter 28-45 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cheesequake State Park
Campground Accommodations
Cheesequake State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, in designated areas
Max RV length: 30 feet
Other amenities: Flush toilets, shower facilities, fire rings, picnic tables, and a nearby dump station
The Gordon Field Group Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: No
Max RV length: No RVs or vehicles are allowed in the group campground
Other amenities: Group campground has access to potable water, flush toilets, grills, and fire rings
Pine Cone Resort
Just a little over a half hour from the State Park in Freehold, NJ is Pine Cone Resort, a family-friendly campground with 125 campsites that is open year-round. With both wooded and open sites, the tranquil setting is perfect for kicking back, relaxing and enjoying all the amenities the campground has to offer! Rates begin at $50 a night.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: swimming pool, free cable TV, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, playground, soccer and softball field, laundry, camp store, restrooms, free hot showers and RV storage facilities.
Timberland Lake Campground
About 45 minutes from the state park, Timberland Lake Campground offers over 200 sites across 54 acres. The ideal location is nearby Six Flags Great Adventure Park, popular area beaches and much more. There’s plenty of fun nearby, but also lots of amenities to enjoy right at the campground like a swimming pool, lake for boating, themed weekends and much more. Rates begin at $55 a night.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi:
Pet-friendly:
Other amenities: free cable TV hookup, private lake for fishing and boating, Olympic sized pool (open Memorial Day-Labor Day), propane refills, pump out service and free dump station, camp store, arcade, three bath houses with free hot showers, theme weekends and hourly activities, evening events, playground with mini-golf, horseshoe pit, pool table, darts.
What to Do at
Cheesequake State Park
Whether you like hiking, fishing, or picnicking with your family, Cheesequake State Park has something to offer you. You can enjoy a day on Hook Creek Lake or hit one of the park's five trails. You can work up a sweat on cross-country skis or snowshoes in winter. There's also a Nature Center with educational exhibits, and the Interpretive Center teaches about the park's three distinct habitats. You can also learn about the Native American history in the area.
The varied terrain at Cheesequake State Park means that no two visits are ever the same. You can explore the forest, take a boat out on a lake, or hike through the marshes. During the summer, you can try crabbing near Hook Creek, where blueclaw crabs are abundant.
Inside Cheesequake State Park
From hiking through the two ecosystems that make Cheesequake State Park unique to swimming or even winter activities, there is so much to do and see inside the State Park. There is truly something for everyone in your family or group. Here are some of the must-do activities:
Trails – There are five designated trails within Cheesequake State Park, offering opportunities for hiking, running, walking, mountain biking and more. The trail lengths range from 1.5 to 3.5 miles and difficulty levels range from easy to moderate, with inclines, so there is a trail for every member of your family. The trails are one of the best ways to experience firsthand the unique ecosystems located throughout the park!
Fishing – Anglers will love trying their hand at freshwater fishing at the Hooks Creek Lake within the state park. There is also crabbing available from the Crabbing Bridge, which is ADA accessible. The six-acre lake offers trout, largemouth bass, catfish and sunfish.
Other Water Activities – If you’re not a fisher, there are plenty of other water activities to enjoy such as boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming! Boating, canoeing and kayaking is permitted Labor Day through Memorial Day weekend with car top boat launching only.
Swimming is permitted in the Hooks Creek Lake only while lifeguards are on duty, and a schedule can be found on the state park website. The beach area offers a changing area, restrooms, concession stand and first-aid station.
Picnicking – When you’re ready for a break from the fun, there are several picnic areas located throughout the park. These smaller areas have tables and grills. There are also two group picnic areas available to reserve for a fee, with the ability to hold up to 150 and 100 people, respectively. Reservations may be required.
Winter Activities – The fun doesn’t stop at Cheesequake State Park during the winter months! Enjoy wintertime fun like sledding, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. Cross-country skiing is permitted on the roadways and field areas and snow shoeing is permitted throughout the park during the winter months.
Fishing
Hook Creek Lake offers 6 acres for freshwater fishing. The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish.
Geocaching
With 1,600 acres, this park is a popular location for geocaching. However, it would be best to be careful in the park's more remote corners since black bears frequent the area.
Nature Watching
The different ecosystems offer an abundance of wildlife to view. Deer, crabs, and over 160 species of birds populate the park. In the marshes, you'll find plenty of frogs and other amphibian critters to view.
Flora and Fauna
Each spring, wildflowers bloom along the trails. You can view a variety of flora and fauna in the cedar swamp, such as wild geraniums and wood anemones. In the salt marsh, you'll find the rare large marsh pink plant.
Hiking
Cheesequake State Park boasts five trails. Their difficulty varies, making it possible for newbies and experienced hikers alike to get a good workout.
Boating
You can take kayaks and canoes on Hook Creek Lake. Each person on board must have an approved personal flotation device.
Swimming
Swimming is available at Hook Creek Lake during the summer when lifeguards are on duty. This means you can enjoy the lake from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Biking
The White Trail at Cheesequake State Park is open to both hikers and bikers. The other trails are for hikers only.
How to Get to
Cheesequake State Park
If you're approaching from the north, take SJ-35 south. You'll turn right on Morristown Road and then follow Gordon Road to the park's entrance. From the south, follow the Garden State Parkway to Old Bridge. You'll take Exit 120 to Matawan Road. From there, take Gordon Road to the park entrance.
Entering Cheesequake State Park
New Jersey residents pay $5 per weekday and $10 on weekends and holidays for entrance to Cheesequake State Park. For non-residents, it costs $10 on weekdays and $20 on holidays and weekends. You'll find parking near the main trailhead and the Hook Creek Lake day-use area.
Cheesequake State Park Residents : $5.0
$10 on weekends and holidays
Cheesequake State Park Non-residents : $10.0
$20 on weekends and holidays
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesequake State Park
You'll likely get the most out of a visit to Cheesequake State Park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The lake is open for swimming and other uses during these summer months. The trails are also more comfortable when the weather is warmer. However, if you're a fan of cold weather and you don't want to swim, you might enjoy strapping on skis or snowshoes and hitting the trails in January.
Cheesequake State Park is a bird-lover's paradise. From osprey to pelicans, you'll find several unusual species to spy on, more than 160 in total. The park is also home to black bears, crabs, squirrels, raccoons, and deer. You can apply for a permit if you're interested in deer hunting.
Yes. Cheesequake State Park's main campground has 23 spots where RVs can park. However, there's a covered bridge leading toward the camping spots. All RVs must be under 11 feet high to clear it. The campground with RV spaces closes from November 1 until April 1.
You should reserve a camping spot at Cheesequake State Park. It costs $20 per day for New Jersey residents and $25 per day for non-residents.
Yes! Your furry friends are more than welcome at Cheesequake State Park. It would be best always to keep your pup (or other pet) leashed. Please remember to clean up after your pet so that the park remains a place everyone can enjoy.
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