102 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Cape May, New Jersey range from full-service RV resorts to state park facilities with varying amenities. Sun Outdoors Cape May (formerly Holly Shores) and Beachcomber Camping Resort provide family-oriented camping experiences with multiple accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. The Cape May area features several established campgrounds within a 10-mile radius of the historic Victorian beach town, with most offering swimming pools, recreational facilities, and easy access to beaches. Belleplain State Forest, located about 25 miles northwest, provides a more natural camping environment with fewer amenities but more spacious sites.
Most campgrounds in the Cape May region operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with peak season running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when facilities reach capacity. "We've stayed here 2 years in a row. We returned due to all the activities the campground offers for the kids. The campground is a short 5 minute drive from Cape May," noted one visitor about Sun Outdoors Cape May. Weather conditions are generally mild during the camping season, though summer humidity can be high, and occasional coastal storms may impact outdoor activities. Many campgrounds offer full hookups for RVs, while tent campers should be prepared for sites that may have limited shade and potentially sandy soil.
Campers consistently highlight the convenient location of Cape May campgrounds relative to beaches, historic sites, and family attractions. The proximity to Cape May's Victorian downtown, lighthouse, and beaches represents a significant draw for visitors. Several reviews mention the value of having both on-site amenities and nearby attractions. "The different types of camping/glamping experiences exceeded my expectations," shared one camper about Beachcomber Camping Resort. Site spacing varies considerably between facilities, with some campgrounds offering more privacy than others. Many campgrounds feature lakes or ponds with swimming areas, fishing opportunities, and water activities. Seasonal campers occupy a significant portion of some campgrounds, creating established communities within these facilities. Families particularly appreciate the organized activities, playgrounds, and swimming pools available at the larger resorts.
"We took the ferry from Cape May & it was a novelty for us. We enjoyed it so much! The state park is just a half mile on the left when you pull out.
"
"It's such a great place because it's near the beach, it has nice picnic spots and playground areas for children. There is a learning center where you can see different sea creatures."
from $35 - $105 / night
Check Availability"A nice lake with a giant inflatable slide, floating trampoline, kayak and paddle board rentals. A decent pool that tends to get a bit crowded, but does the trick."
"This is a private campground located about 6 miles from Cape May Point and about 4 miles from the beaches."
"Great Location and close to Cape May City. 10 min drive to Washington Street Mall. Lots to do during the day."
"The first time there was staff riding around picking up garbage and keeping things neat. Last time it seemed like it was just a bunch of teenagers flying around on golf carts not doing much."
"A beautiful wooded campground close to the beaches of Cape May, New Jersey. Very family oriented and really a great place for adults too."
"Lots to do and the beautiful beaches of Cape May, New Jersey are a short 10 minute drive. The different types of camping/glamping experiences exceeded my expectations."
from $42 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in a full hook up site, and we found the campground to be clean, well maintained and so close to the beach."
"The really great aspect of Delaware Seashore State Park is your close proximity to the water. The park is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian River, and Indian River Bay."
from $35 - $352 / night
Check Availability"It is also reasonably priced, especially given the location that is within a bicycle ride to the beach, the ocean, and lots of shops and restaurants in Cape May."
"This campground is centrally located to many activities in Cape May. Campground is well maintained. Sites are very close together."
"We went to Ocean View Resort in New Jersey to kick off the 2022 season in our new Fleetwood Discovery LXE. And we’re glad we did! "
"Family-friendly campground in cape May!! Activities, swimming pool and of course the beach nearby! Definitely a good spot if you have a family"
"Very nice campground tucked away in southern NJ. Clean facilities. Plenty of space for our tent. lake for swimming and you can rent boats. nice hiking trails and playground."
"They allowed me to drive around first and pick out a campsite before checking in. They charge $5 extra for a dog. So far it is very quiet and that's what I was looking for."
"Great location close to Cape May and Wildwood."
"Very close to local shops and attractions. The pool was great. They have 2 on site with a shallower one and an 8ft. No real activities or events when we were there."
"Looking for a trip to the Jersey shore (near Stone Harbor, Avalon, Wildwood, Cape May, & more) - look no further than Shellbay Camping Resort."
"I remember my excitement to go camping, meet other kids at the campground, and have plenty of things to do close by (beach, shopping, swimming pool)"
TravelerMany long term seasonal sites. Good community. Large shower house good and clean . Pool. Game room. Off leash dog park. Wooded/shady sites or no shade sunny sites. Lots of area to walk or play. Large field, basketball couture, frisky golf, play area and laundry room. We were here all summer (June-october). Lots to do in the area. Good food nearby. Ocean city 10 minutes away.
ScoutThis is one of the largest, if not the largest, campgrounds in Southern New Jersey. While on the pricier side, everything is top-notch. The roads are all paved, and not gravel (I hate trying to sleep and listening to the sound of stones grating together). The sites are more spacious than most campgrounds, so it doesn't seem so crowded. The bathrooms are all modern and spotless. There are numerous bathrooms which means most sites have one nearby. They do charge a quarter for showers to encourage water conservation and donate the money to conservation causes. The pool is large, as is the lake. Both are well-maintained. The camp store is enormous and is really nice and well-stocked with everything one might need from food to pool and beach stuff to camping supplies and equipment. There is a nice cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. The camp store has a lending library of books and DVDs. There are numerous activities that appear to be well-run, The grounds are shaded with many trees for a great wooded campground feel. The campground is so large that it has an internal shuttle with stations scattered about to help people go between the various important sites such as at the pool, the lake and the store. I found other campers, particularly the seasonals, to be more friendly than other campgrounds at the shore. This requires constant tree care including removing dead trees and branches which they do regularly. The staff is friendly and well-trained. I was in a tent, and when a rare October nor'easter came through, I was offered the opportunity to use a cabin free-of-charge. Fortunately my tent and equipment made it through days of rain and high winds just fine . On my first stay in May, I had to run my dog back to Baltimore towards the end of my trip where he was sadly diagnosed with incurable metastatic cancer. When I returned, I was late and unable to check out by 11, but they allowed me to take as much time as needed to clear the site, as nobody was staying there the next day, which was deeply appreciated - I was an emotional wreck. Oh, and I found the complimentary Wi-Fi to be a great service, and sufficiently fast to allow me to stream ultra-high-definition movies at my site - Most campgrounds charge extra for less-than-good service - a lot more. I find that a big bonus. Overall, I LOVE this campground and highly recommend it.
ScoutI’ve stayed here multiple times over the past 15 years and I have enjoyed each trip.
Depot Travel Park is a well-maintained family-owned campground. It is also reasonably priced, especially given the location that is within a bicycle ride to the beach, the ocean, and lots of shops and restaurants in Cape May. It is the only campground on the Cape May side of the canal.
Please note that this is not a resort campground and it doesn’t have a pool. There is so much to do in Cape May that is doesn’t need to be a resort.
Since it’s not a resort campground, there are not many golf carts, so most people use their bicycles or cars to get around. That also makes the campground pretty quiet, even during the peak of summer.
The campground sells firewood and propane, but there is no camp store. Again, it doesn’t really need one, since there is a farmers market at the end of the driveway, and a CVS and an ACME supermarket within bicycle riding distance.
If your site doesn’t have a sewer hookup, the dump station is a little awkward to access, but they have a daily honey wagon for a reasonable fee, which is great. If you notify the office the day before you need it and they are usually there in the morning.
They close for the season n October, but they reopen briefly during the Cape May Christmas Parade weekend in December. That’s one thing that I’d like to do soon.
I really like this campground and I am always recommending it to friends.
GuidePretty easy camping trip, plenty of room to set up camp. Level spots. We stayed on south inlet campground. They have small camp store multiple laundry and bath houses. Great stay if you enjoy fishing, as. You can fish the inlet at the campground. They have a very nice playground for kids as well! Only negative is no camp fires allowed, they do have a community area you can have a camp fires allowed. Also no wifi
ScoutMy check in was for 8-6-2026, and bc I’m a new driver and wanted to beat traffic I got there early (7am) so I sit there waiting till check in time. When suddenly the park police show up. He’s accusing me of camping over night there. I told him simply I wasn’t and where I was night prior (would never sleep somewhere without permission). So we go to the store to kill time before we check in. Come back for Check in and the whole staff in just the office alone were so arrogant and cold to my mom and I, leaving rude comments to us and not only where they like that but the staff outside the office was acting like that alongside the rangers and park police. They would watch us the whole visit in the distance parking there cars a little ways watching everything we did,even driving by slowly a bunch of times in just an hour alone. My mom and I couldn’t do anything with out them showing up 2 mins later. Example we were walking our dog enjoying our time(trying to) and all of a sudden one of the office ladies pulls up right in front of us speeding, parks their car, gets out and walks a distance from us standing there and taking pictures of us…. For walking our dog who’s on a leash and didn’t even do anything. The whole trip we felt uncomfortable and unwanted and to find out they police when we were going on walks where coming up to campers near us bribing them with free firewood to get any information on use (told to us by other camper). I paid a lot of money to be harassed and followed the whole time. We never did anything we abide by every rule and keep to ourselves everywhere we go. They even made my mother cry…
ScoutGreat place. Close to beach. No septic hookup
ScoutLove it every year . We g for mother's Day. And the schedule for the events they do during even just the weekend make for fun filled hassle free weekend
TravelerI am writing this review because I genuinely want to warn other families before they book this campground. What should have been a relaxing camping trip turned into an extremely upsetting experience for our family. From the beginning, we felt singled out and unwelcome. We arrived at our campsite and then went to the office. We did not know that the campground required every guest to go to the office before going to their site. This was an honest misunderstanding. Instead of simply explaining the rule and moving on, the situation became unnecessarily confrontational, and we felt like the staff was looking for reasons to have an issue with us. What was especially upsetting was how our children were treated. Our children were riding scooters and were stopped and told that scooters were not allowed. We were extremely confused because we could clearly see much younger children riding/driving around the campground. Our 14-year-old was not allowed to do so, while we observed significantly younger white children being allowed to ride. What made this even worse was the way our children were spoken to. They came running back to us scared and intimidated by the interaction. As parents, that was extremely upsetting to see. There is a huge difference between calmly explaining a campground rule to a child and speaking to a child in a way that makes them feel frightened. If there is a rule that scooters are not allowed, then the rule should be applied consistently to every child, regardless of age or background. What we witnessed did not feel consistent. As the experience continued, we felt increasingly targeted. We were left with the strong impression that they did not want our family there. At one point, it honestly felt like they were trying to find reasons to get rid of us, which made us question whether the campground had overbooked and was looking for a way to push us out. We also had a very concerning experience regarding payment. We were forced to pay in cash and were not provided with a receipt. As paying guests, we found this extremely troubling and unprofessional. The entire experience left our family feeling uncomfortable, intimidated, and unwelcome. Camping with children should be about relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, and making good memories—not having your children come running back to you because they are scared of how an adult spoke to them. I cannot speak to anyone else's intentions, but**based on what we personally experienced and witnessed, we felt that our family was being treated differently because of our background. Seeing younger white children being allowed to do something that our children were stopped from doing made the situation even more concerning.I strongly recommend that families think twice before booking this campground. If you do decide to stay, make sure you understand every rule before arriving, document your interactions, and keep proof of every payment. We are sharing this review because other families deserve to know what our experience was like before spending their money and vacation time here. No family should leave a campground feeling intimidated, targeted, or unwelcome.
TravelerI am writing this review because I genuinely want to warn other families before they book this campground. What should have been a relaxing camping trip turned into an extremely upsetting experience for our family. From the beginning, we felt singled out and unwelcome. We arrived at our campsite and then went to the office. We did not know that the campground required every guest to go to the office before going to their site. This was an honest misunderstanding. Instead of simply explaining the rule and moving on, the situation became unnecessarily confrontational, and we felt like the staff was looking for reasons to have an issue with us. What was especially upsetting was how our children were treated. Our children were riding scooters and were stopped and told that scooters were not allowed. We were extremely confused because we could clearly see much younger children riding/driving around the campground. Our 14-year-old was not allowed to do so, while we observed significantly younger white children being allowed to ride. What made this even worse was**the way our children were spoken to. They came running back to us scared and intimidated by the interaction. As parents, that was extremely upsetting to see. There is a huge difference between calmly explaining a campground rule to a child and speaking to a child in a way that makes them feel frightened. If there is a rule that scooters are not allowed, then the rule should be applied**consistently to every child**, regardless of age or background. What we witnessed did not feel consistent. As the experience continued, we felt increasingly targeted. We were left with the strong impression that they did not want our family there. At one point, it honestly felt like they were trying to find reasons to get rid of us, which made us question whether the campground had overbooked and was looking for a way to push us out. We also had a very concerning experience regarding payment. We were forced to pay in cash and were not provided with a receipt. As paying guests, we found this extremely troubling and unprofessional. The entire experience left our family feeling uncomfortable, intimidated, and unwelcome. Camping with children should be about relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, and making good memories—not having your children come running back to you because they are scared of how an adult spoke to them. I cannot speak to anyone else's intentions, but**based on what we personally experienced and witnessed, we felt that our family was being treated differently because of our background.** Seeing younger white children being allowed to do something that our children were stopped from doing made the situation even more concerning.**I strongly recommend that families think twice before booking this campground.** If you do decide to stay, make sure you understand every rule before arriving, document your interactions, and keep proof of every payment. We are sharing this review because other families deserve to know what our experience was like before spending their money and vacation time here. No family should leave a campground feeling intimidated, targeted, or unwelcome.
Cape May camping options extend beyond the popular RV resorts, with tent sites available from May through October within a 25-mile radius. Sites range from wooded areas with privacy to more open sites with limited shade, especially at sites near the shore. Most campgrounds require advance reservations 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends, with cancellation policies typically requiring 7-14 days notice for refunds.
Beach activities: 5-15 minute drives from most Cape May campgrounds to public beaches. At Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, "You can walk into the water for what seems like miles and it only gets up to your shins. There is bay access for kayaking and fishing," according to Sarah S.
Historic exploration: WWII structures remain throughout the region. Cape Henlopen offers unique military history. Jennifer S. notes, "The historic aspect of the Cape amazed me. It was a site for WWII soldiers to watch for enemy invaders. The towers are still there."
Biking opportunities: Free rentals available at some parks. Lisa B. shares, "There are miles upon miles of walking and biking trails. There is a fantastic nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff. Free bike rentals are available, some with baby seats and trailers."
Rail trails: No vehicle needed to access from some campgrounds. At Sun Outdoors Cape May, Matt S. mentions, "There's a nice nature trail that starts at the back corner of the park" and other campers note "There is an 11 mile rail trail across the street as well."
Swimming lakes: Temperature differences from ocean beaches. At Beachcomber Camping Resort, visitors enjoy alternative water activities. Stephanie G. reports, "Kids were super happy about all the activities this campground has to offer. A nice lake with a giant inflatable slide, floating trampoline, kayak and paddle board rentals."
Security features: Gated access at premium campgrounds. Mark F. appreciates that Beachcomber is "a gated resort which makes it incredibly safe and something that gives us piece of mind while out exploring. Lots have plenty of trees and greenery to help keep you cool and RV in the shade during those hot muggy days."
State park affordability: $40-65 per night for tent sites with fewer amenities but more space. M J. reports at Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort, "Tent site was fantastic, level, trees are well trimmed, but still with good coverage, sites are a nice size. Close enough to the bathroom and water options. We paid $40 night in almost mid September."
Off-season experience: Fewer crowds from April-May and September-October. Chris G. shares about Cape Henlopen, "We visited off season (early April) and absolutely loved it. The location was great and the beaches are quiet. I hear it gets packed and I see that it's hard to book if you don't book early."
Site spacing variations: Request specific areas when booking. Adam and Suzanne B. advise about Cape Henlopen, "This is a VERY busy campground. Rigs in and out daily and nearly always full. None of the sites are level. Sites are mostly small and close together. The closer you are to the camp store, the louder and busier it is. If you want quiet stay to the ends of the rows. E and F are quieter too."
Wi-Fi limitations: Plan for poor connectivity throughout the area. At Shellbay Campgrounds, Brett L. notes, "WiFi spotty. Bathrooms clean." Similar issues exist at other campgrounds, with Joshua N. reporting, "The WIFI is absolutely terrible! I have complained before and it never improves."
Payment policies: Cash required at some facilities. Jackie F. warns about The Depot Travel Park, "This is a cash only establishment! Everywhere! You literally have to mail them a check to hold your reservation and also they do nothing online. You can't see availability or book on their archaic website."
Golf cart traffic: Speed concerns at larger resorts. Matthew E. cautions, "The golf carts were the absolute worst, people don't obey the speed limit on these things (and there are a lot of them whizzing around...) Many were driven by underage kids (against rules, but clearly not enforced)."
Lake swimming alternatives: Less crowded than pools during peak periods. Ray L. recommends Ocean View Resort Campground, which has "a huge pool and unbelievable splash pad to a great swimming pond with a beach! They just completed a new camp store building that has everything you could think of from camping gear to beach chairs and floats!"
Activity scheduling: Daily programs at larger resorts. Joel A. notes about Sun Outdoors Cape May, "Despite the shutdowns with Corona, they made every attempt to hold activites every day. You had to sign up for pool slots, but there was plenty of openings."
Nature centers: Interactive exhibits for educational opportunities. At Cape Henlopen, Harry L. reports, "There is a fantastic nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff. Free bike rentals are available, some with baby seats and trailers."
State forest options: More natural setting with lower prices. April E. recommends Belleplain State Forest: "Very nice campground tucked away in southern NJ. Clean facilities. Plenty of space for our tent. lake for swimming and you can rent boats. nice hiking trails and playground. About 20 minutes away from the Cape May zoo."
Site dimensions: Confirm actual measurements before booking. Steve W. advises about Sun Outdoors Cape May, "Site was ample sized as most sites were. Plenty of space for 33 ft motorhome and toad. Reasonably easy access to Cape May attractions."
Seasonal sites: Understand ambiance before booking short stays. Cynthia D. observes, "Several sites were playing music until 11:00 every night. The bathrooms were a little worse for the wear but the pool looked nice."
Leveling challenges: Bring extra blocks for some campgrounds. At Delaware Seashore State Park Campground, Lee D. notes, "All of the non-hookup sites are sand/grass/gravel and completely level; the hookup sites have paved camper pads (and are also level)."
Sand management: Floor mats essential at beachside locations. Mark F. shares, "All the lots have sand which can make the RV messy but it's the Jersey coast so it's to be expected."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find camping cabins in Cape May for a beach vacation?
Sun Outdoors Cape May offers cabin-style accommodations often referred to as "cabins" in their mix of lodging options. Located about 4 miles from Cape May beaches and 6 miles from Cape May Point, it provides a convenient base for beach vacations. The resort also features a lake with inflatable slides, a swimming pool, and kayak rentals, adding to your beach vacation experience. Belleplain State Forest provides cabin options in a more natural setting, located about 20 minutes from Cape May attractions including the zoo, making it a good alternative for those who prefer a forest setting with beach access nearby.
What are the best campgrounds in Cape May near the beach?
Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort offers an excellent beach camping experience just a 10-minute drive from Cape May's Washington Street Mall, lighthouse, and beaches. The campground maintains clean sites and features amenities including a pool. For a unique beach camping option, Beachcomber Camping Resort provides a beautiful wooded setting approximately 10 minutes from Cape May beaches. This family-oriented resort offers various camping experiences, including glamping options like teepees, making it ideal for those wanting proximity to the ocean while enjoying a forest setting.
What are the rates for campgrounds in Cape May during peak season?
Peak season rates in Cape May vary by campground and accommodation type. Ocean View Resort Campground offers competitive rates for RV sites during the summer months, with proximity to Cape May being a factor in their pricing. Rates typically reflect the high demand during summer, especially on weekends and holidays. King Nummy Trail Campground provides another option with varying price points depending on amenities and site location. Generally, expect to pay $50-100 per night for standard sites at most Cape May area campgrounds during peak summer months, with premium waterfront or full-hookup sites commanding higher rates. Advance reservations are essential as most campgrounds fill quickly during summer.
Are there RV parks and campgrounds in Cape May with full hookups?
Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay provides premium RV sites with full hookups on paved sites. While technically across the bay from Cape May (accessible via ferry), this resort offers an excellent alternative with waterfront sites on Rehoboth Bay. For those wanting to stay on the New Jersey side, The Depot Travel Park offers full-hookup RV sites in the Cape May area. Most Cape May area RV parks feature water, electric, and sewer connections, with many also providing cable TV and WiFi access. Sites are typically spacious enough to accommodate slides and larger rigs, though it's always best to check specific site dimensions when booking, especially for big rigs over 40 feet.
Keep Exploring
