WoodHaven Park Campsite, Bukit Mertajam — A Chill Spot for Penang Families

The Vibe

Let me be straight with you first — this is a public recreational park with a camping area, not a deep jungle setup. You're in the middle of Bukit Mertajam, right next to the MPSP stadium and swimming pool. So don't come expecting waterfall views or campfire vibes under a canopy of old-growth trees. That's not what WoodHaven Park is about.

What it is, though, is a genuinely nice neighbourhood park that allows overnight camping. For the BM community especially, this is a solid win. There's a walking and jogging path that loops around a water catchment and runs along the river — one section is a raised wooden walkway, which gives the place a bit of character. The surrounding greenery is okay but not dense, so shade can be limited when the sun is out. Go in the evening or early morning and it's actually quite pleasant.

Crowd-wise, expect families, joggers, and weekend picnic groups. It's safe — the lights stay on at night. It's not remote. It's basically a nice town park where you can pitch a tent and call it a night.

Getting There

The address is 95, Lorong Tembikai 1, Kawasan Perniagaan Sungai Rambai, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang. Easiest landmark: it's right next to the MPSP stadium and the public swimming pool on that side of BM town. Just key in "WoodHaven Park" on Google Maps — it should pull up fine. Road access is normal tarmac, no 4WD needed. Parking is available on-site and reviewers say there's a decent number of bays. Apparently another parking lot was still under construction as of mid-2023, so once that's done capacity should improve further. Straightforward drive in, no drama.

What to Expect

This is a beginner-friendly, family-oriented spot. Flat ground, accessible facilities, well-lit at night. The raised wooden boardwalk section along the river is a highlight — it's not something you see at every park, and it makes for a nice evening stroll. Just note that it's regular wood, so longevity under Malaysian humidity and rain might be a question mark over time.

The park is still fairly new (reviews are mostly from 2023), so some things were still being finished off — the playground had some sections taped off, extra parking was under construction. Give it time and it'll probably settle into a solid spot. For now it's functional and clean enough. Rubbish bins are sparse though — reviewers flagged this and some litter is visible around the grounds. Pack your own rubbish bag and carry out what you bring in.

If you have kids, they'll enjoy the playground and the walking path. For campers who want something more adventurous, this probably won't scratch that itch — but for a low-effort overnight trip close to town, it works. The Pavilion Family Camp Bundle (4 pax) would be a solid choice here if you're a first-time family doing an overnight — it covers your tent, sleeping gear and essentials in one shot, and a flat town park like this is honestly a great place to test your setup before heading somewhere more remote.

Facilities

Toilets

Available near the parking area and multiple reviewers say they're clean. One of the better things going for this park, actually.

Electricity

No plug points on site as of 2023. One reviewer specifically called this out — hopefully management adds some eventually. Bring a powerbank for now.

Lighting

Park lights are switched on at night. Decent coverage and reviewers say it feels safe after dark.

Parking

Multiple bays available. Fills up on weekends but generally manageable. Additional lot was still under construction in mid-2023.

Rubbish Bins

Only one bin spotted near the toilet area. Not enough for the size of the park — some litter issues reported as a result. Pack your own disposal bag.

Kids Playground

Present, but was partially taped off in July 2023 as it wasn't fully complete yet. Didn't stop kids from using it anyway.

What Campers Are Saying

One local resident was genuinely happy — he called it well-deserved for the BM community and highlighted the wooden walkway along the water catchment as a unique touch. He does warn that the lack of shade trees means you'll want to avoid going during peak afternoon heat.

A camper who stayed overnight said it was a nice place to camp out, but flagged the missing plug points as a gap management should address. Positive overall, hopeful that facilities will improve as the place matures.

Another visitor — who gave it 3 stars — appreciated the clean toilet and ample parking but noticed there's basically just one rubbish bin for the whole park. He felt it needs to be on guard despite the lighting, which is fair.

On the less enthusiastic end, one reviewer thought there was nothing special about it and suggested the money could've gone toward fixing the swimming pool next door that had been closed for months. Bit harsh, but it gives you a realistic picture — this isn't a showstopper destination. It's a neighbourhood park that happens to allow camping.

A few people echoed the litter concern — plastic bags and rubbish scattered around despite the general cleanliness of the toilet. The bin situation definitely needs attention.

TAHAN Tip

Since the park has lights on all night, bring something to block light from your tent opening if you're a light sleeper — a spare sarong over the door works fine. And because there's no electricity on site, the TAHAN Luminate Multifunction Lantern is actually useful here — it doubles as a powerbank, so you can charge your phone overnight without needing a wall socket. Small thing, makes a big difference when you're camping somewhere with zero plug points.

Timing-wise, come on a weekday if you want a quieter setup. Weekends draw the joggers, families and picnic crowd early in the morning, so you won't get much of a peaceful sunrise experience. Weekday evenings are the sweet spot.

Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years — from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.

You Might Also Like

• Teluk Bahang Recreational Park — another Penang option, this time with actual forest and a beach nearby if you want something with more nature.
• Monkey Beach Campsite — also in Penang but on the national park side — proper beach camping if WoodHaven Park feels a bit too urban for you.