Cape May's southern New Jersey location puts campers just 85 miles southeast of Philadelphia and only a mile from Delaware Bay. The area maintains mild temperatures compared to inland regions, with summer averages ranging 75-85°F. Most campgrounds near Cape May operate seasonally from April through October, with peak season reservations often filling 2-3 months in advance.
What to do
Beach activities: 5 miles from historic Cape May Cape Henlopen State Park offers unique coastal recreation beyond traditional beaches. "The cape is amazing. 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," notes Sarah S. The park combines nature with history as "a site for WWII soldiers to watch for enemy invaders. The towers are still there."
Cycling: convenient trail access The rail trail near Ocean View Resort Campground provides excellent riding opportunities. Joel A. shares, "There is an 11 mile rail trail across the street as well." At Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, "The trails are awesome and easy to walk or ride bikes on, with a few hills to muscle up, but it's mostly flat terrain and paved. There's a nature center nearby that also lets you borrow a bike for free if you didn't bring your own."
Hiking: woodland trails under 30 minutes away Belleplain State Forest provides extensive hiking options with natural diversity. "We biked the trails, and hiked others that didn't allow bikes," notes a camper. This state forest offers quieter alternatives to beach activities with "great hiking trails and playground. About 20 minutes away from the Cape May zoo."
What campers like
Swimming options: lakes and pools Many campgrounds offer water recreation beyond the ocean beaches. At Beachcomber Camping Resort, Dave R. appreciates "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." Similarly, Tiffany P. found "Lake, pool, ice cream, arcade, mini golf, mining station, activities" at Ocean View Resort.
Pet-friendly accommodations: variable restrictions Multiple campgrounds welcome pets with some limitations. Amanda R. notes that Cape Henlopen "is dog friendly! Our two dogs love it here - the smells, trails, the nice people, the water bowl outside of the camp store. The beaches also allow dogs, depending on the season or time of day." Janet P. confirms Sun Outdoors Cape May "is also very pet friendly ❤️."
Privacy levels: varies by campground Site spacing differs significantly between campgrounds. At Belleplain State Forest, campers appreciate that "Our site was HUGE!!!! It was also super private with trees and a lot of privacy from the road and our neighbors." This contrasts with many coastal campgrounds where sites are closer together.
What you should know
Campground layouts: tight spacing common Many Cape May area campgrounds maximize capacity with limited site separation. At The Depot Travel Park, Jackie F. notes, "These sites are right on top of each other. They really put as many as they could in here. If there's a tree or something in between you and your neighbors you're lucky!" Similarly, at Seashore Campsites, M J. reports, "Spots can tight and lots of trees, sometimes making it difficult to get in and out of."
Weather considerations: wind exposure Coastal campgrounds experience stronger winds than inland options. One camper at Delaware Seashore State Park reported, "The winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going."
Connectivity limitations: spotty service Cell and WiFi coverage varies significantly. At Belleplain State Forest, campers report "Virtually NO cell service with AT&T, TMobile or Verizon. AT&T we the better of the 3." Brett L. notes that at Seashore Campsites, "WiFi spotty. Bathrooms clean."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: multiple options Several campgrounds feature water recreation beyond beach access. Harry L. recommends Ocean View Resort Campground which has "a Great swimming Lake with a huge sandy beach" plus "a pirate themed splash pad by the pool." Ann Marie M. adds, "Ocean View Resort was an excellent resort for our family with two toddlers. kids loved the Splash Park, Arcarde, Tram Car, playgrounds and Lake."
Transportation considerations: golf carts popular Several campgrounds allow golf cart rentals, enhancing mobility for families. Dave R. found at Sun Outdoors Cape May that "We had a blast with a golf cart rental. The campground is rather large, so it felt like a necessity to having a secondary way of getting around easily as a family."
Mosquito preparation: essential Bug protection is necessary, particularly for tent campers. April L. warns that at Seashore Campsites, "the mosquitos were INSANE!" Bringing repellent, netting, and protective clothing helps ensure comfort, especially during evening hours.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: check measurements carefully RV campers emphasize the importance of confirming site specifications before booking. At Delaware Seashore State Park Campground, Stu T. advises, "If you have a trailer, make sure that you input your trailer length to find a site that fits as they vary." At 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."
Access challenges: tight turns and terrain Several campgrounds present maneuvering challenges for larger RVs. Anne H. reports at Belleplain State Forest, "there was a dip in the site when backing in and our fifth wheel was bending to the point of rubbing the top of our truck when backing in."
Dump station logistics: plan for delays Limited dump facilities can create congestion during busy checkout periods. One camper at Belleplain State Forest reported waiting "2 hours to dump!! Of course then we hit all kinds of traffic coming home." Morning departures should factor in potential dump station lines during peak weekends.
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