Cape May campgrounds operate in a seasonal pattern with most facilities opening from April through October. Several RV-friendly campgrounds near Cape May span across areas like Swainton, Cape May Court House, and Ocean View. During peak summer months, interior roads at many campgrounds become congested with golf carts and other vehicles, requiring careful navigation especially for larger rigs.
What to do
Water activities at the lake: Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort offers a small man-made beach in the center of the campground. "There were so many great things about this campground. It was beautiful and had so many different amenities including a little man made beach in the center of the campground," notes April L.
Live entertainment: Treasure Beach RV Park & Campground hosts regular weekend entertainment at their beachfront. "Every weekend there's a band or Dj at the beach at night and every visit we have made friends. There are usually food trucks and things for the kiddos like bounce houses during the day," shares Kristan E.
Fishing opportunities: The stocked lakes at campgrounds offer fishing without leaving the property. "We enjoyed fishing in the stocked lake, caught some bass and large brim," explains Penny C. from Treasure Beach RV Park, which also features boat docks and waterfront access for anglers.
What campers like
Convenient beach shuttles: Sun Outdoors Frontier Town provides transportation to nearby beaches. "Located about 15 min from ocean city and assateague with a shuttle to take you when you don't want to drive," mentions Liz Y., making beach access easier without moving your vehicle.
Waterparks included with stays: Some RV parks near Cape May include waterpark access with your camping fee. "They have a water park that is included in your stay," notes Dawn T. about Sun Outdoors Frontier Town, which features water attractions beyond standard swimming pools.
Biking-friendly terrain: Thousand Trails Lake & Shore offers good biking opportunities. "We biked around the area and along the beach it was very nice," reports Nicole S., with many campgrounds featuring flat terrain suitable for family bike rides.
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance varies: Cleanliness standards fluctuate between parks and seasons. "Clean bathrooms but needs to be updated a bit. My husband and son kept saying they didn't have soap in their public bathroom," reports Yamileth K. about Mays Landing Resort.
Rules enforcement: King Nummy Trail Campground and other parks have rules that may be inconsistently enforced. "Seasonal campers are entitled and don't follow rules. Loud. F/bombing. Dangerous golf carts going the wrong way at high speeds," warns Tim S. about issues with seasonal residents.
WiFi limitations: Internet connectivity remains problematic at many campgrounds despite advertised WiFi. "The WIFI is absolutely terrible! I have complained before and it never improves," reports Joshua N. about Sun Retreats Seashore, echoing a common complaint across multiple parks.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Plan around limited-access facilities during busy periods. "They have 2 pools and a splash pad but due to Covid they are only open for 2 hour time slots and you must get passes. People line up at 8am to get passes," explains Penny C. about Treasure Beach RV Park & Campground.
Bring noise mitigation: Golf cart traffic creates consistent noise at many parks. "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," warns Matthew E. about Sun Retreats Seashore.
Playground options: Seek out campgrounds with updated play areas. "A well-equipped and maintained playground was another feature of Treasure Beach. The playground offered a safe and enjoyable space for them to burn off energy," Jason G. reports.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Sun Retreats Avalon requires careful consideration for larger rigs. "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," cautions Stephanie H.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling adjustments. "Sites were sandy. There was foliage between sites though they were close together," notes Laure D. about Sun Retreats Avalon, with site unevenness reported across multiple campgrounds.
Reservation planning: Booking through phone often works better than online systems. "The app did not allow us to book a stay starting on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday so we checked in on Sunday... our neighbor told us that there were plenty of empty sites all the previous week - he stays here frequently and recommended calling rather than using the app," advises Carl S. about his stay at a seasonal park.