Cape May Court House camping areas range from densely forested state parks to open sandy sites near the Jersey shore. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with fewer insects. Most campgrounds in the area have sandy terrain requiring additional stakes for tents and specialized equipment for RVs.
What to do
Beach access within 15 minutes: Sun Outdoors Cape May places campers near multiple beach options. "The campground is a short 5 minute drive from Cape May. Which is also a big reason we've returned. Sunset Beach, The Open Air Mall, and the charm of victorian Cape May are all great reasons to visit," notes Dave R.
Cycling on rail trails: Several campgrounds connect to paved biking routes. "There is an 11 mile rail trail across the street as well," mentions Joel A. about Sun Outdoors Cape May. Nearby, Belleplain State Forest offers additional trails where "We biked the trails, and hiked others that didn't allow bikes."
Kayaking and paddle sports: Multiple campsites offer water access with equipment rentals. "A nice lake with a giant inflatable slide, floating trampoline, kayak and paddle board rentals," reports Dave R. about Sun Outdoors. At Belleplain State Forest, "The Kayak and Canoe rentals were right near us. The nature center had planned activities for families each day."
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy of shaded sites. At Thousand Trails Sea Pines, Michael J. notes "Some sites are very tough and have some trees that occasionally make it so only a dead perfect backing could get you in." Belleplain campers report "Our site was HUGE!!!! It was also super private with trees and a lot of privacy from the road and our neighbors."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are frequently mentioned. "The bathhouses were clean. We happened to be there when it was 100 degrees so we definitely noticed that the bathhouses weren't air conditioned," shares Becca U. about Sun Outdoors. At Ocean City Campground, a camper notes "Everything we saw was in great condition, perfectly working order, clean, and looked new."
Diverse water amenities: Swimming options vary across properties. "The pool was warm but it could have been cleaner. The lake was so warm that it made us wonder what kind of bacteria was growing in it," comments Becca U. At Ocean View Resort, Ray L. appreciates "a huge pool and unbelievable splash pad to a great swimming pond with a beach!"
What you should know
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation between sites. At Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites, M J. explains "Tent site was fantastic, level, trees are well trimmed, but still with good coverage, sites are a nice size." However, Cynthia D. notes "We had a large pull through lot with our 36 foot fifth wheel. Friends had a tiny lot with their shorter camper. They had no privacy."
Seasonal crowd differences: Campground atmosphere changes throughout the season. At Belleplain, Jonathan L. reports "The staff was completely absent when we tried to check in, so we went right to the site." During peak periods, Amanda M. observed "To be expected, this place was packed on a nice October weekend. Boy Scouts and families."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly. At Belleplain State Forest, Anne H. notes "Virtually NO cell service with AT&T, TMobile or Verizon. AT&T we the better of the 3. Our Winegard/Gateway give us no internet which we normally get." Similarly, Brett L. reports "WiFi spotty" at Sun Retreats Seashore.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Beachcomber Camping Resort offers numerous family amenities. "Lake was fun, sites were big, playground was great! You can rent golf carats which the kids loved and we used the whole weekend since it was so cheap & campground is huge," shares Kirsten J. Victoria K. adds they have "an arcade, laundromat, lakes with beach space, pools, a tugboat, golf carts, hay rides, bonfires, a playground, activities, etc."
Budget-friendly entertainment: Some campgrounds offer free activities. At Belleplain State Forest, April E. recommends "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."
Weather considerations: Summer heat impacts bathroom comfort. Becca U. found at Sun Outdoors Cape May that "We were really happy we didn't have to shower in them since they were so hot." At Ocean View Resort, Christine L. suggests visiting during non-peak times: "We stayed here because it was within biking distance of the beaches at Stone Harbor, Wildwood, and Cape May."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility challenges: Many campgrounds have narrow roads and tight turns. At Sun Retreats Avalon, one camper explains "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. We have a 42 ft 5th wheel but the website said it could accommodate the size."
Dump station planning: Timing matters when using shared facilities. At Belleplain State Forest, Anne H. warns "The worst was the dump station. It is just a little hole on the side of the road and the ONLY dump station for the 3 campgrounds! It was very unlevel and not easy to fully dump our tanks. It was also Memorial Day weekend and the line at checkout caused us to wait 2 hours to dump!!"
Leveling requirements: Many sites require additional equipment. At Sun Retreats Seashore, Cynthia D. notes "We had a nice experience. Everybody was friendly. We had a large pull through lot with our 36 foot fifth wheel." At Ocean City Campground, Matt S. cautions "Our site(#220) could barely accommodate our 45' motorhome—but we made it work."
Legend
