Atlantic City area campgrounds operate in a sandy, coastal plain environment with elevations typically under 50 feet above sea level. Most RV parks near Atlantic City operate on level but often sandy terrain, requiring careful leveling strategies during setup. The region's pine barrens ecosystem creates unique camping conditions with sandy soil that drains quickly after rainfall.
What to do
Beach access opportunities: Thousand Trails Sea Pines offers a convenient base for coastal activities with options beyond the immediate campground. "Explore cape may and the boardwalk while in the area," notes one visitor, highlighting the proximity to shoreline attractions within easy driving distance.
Brewery visits nearby: Several Atlantic City area campgrounds are located within minutes of local breweries. "There's a cute brewery right around the corner and a burger place called Tony Beef. We liked them both!" reports one guest at Shady Pines Campground, making it easy to sample local craft beverages after a day of camping.
Fishing opportunities: Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake provides fishing access for campers seeking freshwater angling. One visitor notes "Lake has plenty of fish," while another mentions "good fishing" as a primary benefit of staying at this location, making it suitable for anglers looking to incorporate fishing into their camping trip.
What campers like
Pool facilities: King Nummy Trail Campground offers aquatic options for guests wanting water recreation without beach sand. "They have 2 on site with a shallower one and an 8ft," reports one camper, indicating the availability of swimming options for different skill levels and preferences.
Lake swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature lake access beyond traditional pools. "The girls loved swimming in the lake and the pool. We were only a short drive from the beach, as well," shared a visitor at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake, highlighting the variety of water recreation choices available at a single location.
Family-friendly activities: Mays Landing Resort provides scheduled events for younger campers. "The playground was great my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt," notes one reviewer, while another appreciated that "Halloween decorations were the best," showing the campground's emphasis on seasonal family programming.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many Atlantic City area campgrounds have uneven terrain that complicates setup. "Site are very unleveled so the staff switched us to a pull thru space that was a tad bit more level but still very unleveled," reports a visitor at Mays Landing Resort, indicating the need to bring adequate leveling equipment.
Seasonal fluctuations in guest experience: Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort shows significant variation between early and peak season. "First time everything was very clean and lots to do. The last time things had slipped a little bit," observed a repeat visitor, suggesting that facility maintenance may vary throughout the operating season.
Mosquito preparation needed: The coastal wetland ecosystem creates insect challenges at many locations. "The mosquitos were INSANE!" reported one tent camper at Sun Retreats Seashore, while another at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake listed "bugs" as one of the primary cons, indicating the importance of bringing insect repellent.
Tips for camping with families
Pool and water feature options: Several RV parks Atlantic City, New Jersey offer water recreation specifically designed for children. One visitor at Sea Pines noted "Great pool and splash pad," while another mentioned "Kids love the lake," indicating multiple water recreation options within the same facility.
Playground availability: Pomona RV Park and Campground and several other locations provide play structures for younger visitors. At Mays Landing Resort, a camper observed it "has a nice playground for the little kids," making it suitable for families needing structured play areas.
Safety considerations: Water features require parental supervision at many Atlantic City area campgrounds. One tent camper at Mays Landing cautioned, "Parents of small children and toddlers: the tent loop is surrounded by water on 3 sides. There is no safety fence," highlighting the need for vigilance with young children.
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Some Atlantic City RV sites present maneuvering difficulties for larger rigs. At Sun Retreats Avalon, a camper with a large fifth wheel found "The roadways are narrow and there isn't a lot of maneuvering room. We stayed in site 402a and it was a nightmare backing in and getting out of... It took us a crew of fellow campers to get us in and out of site."
Tree interference: Overhanging branches and site placement create positioning problems at certain campgrounds. At Sea Pines, a camper observed "Spots can tight and lots of trees, sometimes making it difficult to get in and out of," suggesting careful site selection for larger recreational vehicles.
Utilities reliability: Full-service RV parks Atlantic City provide consistent hookups despite other limitations. At Echo Farms RV Campground, one reviewer appreciated the "pull through" sites while noting the central location made it a good base despite site size limitations. Another camper at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake noted "free cable" as a positive feature.
