Camping options near Clementon, New Jersey offer varied terrain across southern New Jersey's sandy coastal plain region, typically ranging from 30-100 feet above sea level. The area's camping season generally extends from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F and significant humidity. Most campgrounds experience weekend capacity issues during July and August, with reservation wait times extending to three weeks for premium spots.
What to do
Fishing at lakeside spots: At Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake, visitors enjoy angling opportunities on the property. "Good fishing, good people, nice shaded and sunny spots, beautiful pool," notes Aimee D., though she cautions about "bugs" and recommends avoiding "the front middle spots, they flood when it rains."
Brewery visits: Village Scene Park provides easy access to local craft beer options. "When you get thirsty for some of the local stuff – and why wouldn't you here in a beer haven like Philly? – then head due south of VSP on Koffel Road, where you'll come across Imprint Beer Co, where you can try a nice native lager," suggests Stuart K.
Beach excursions: RV sites near Clementon, New Jersey serve as convenient bases for Atlantic coast adventures. At Sun Retreats Avalon, Laure D. reports, "We were close to the Cape May beaches. Cold Spring Brewery wasn't too far and was fun."
Walking trails: Nature preserves offer hiking opportunities within short drives of most campsites. Thomas Q. at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake describes it as "a nice spot to stop for some time away from the hustle and bustle of life," despite noting that "mosquitoes are bad but that's to be expected being near water of any kind."
What campers like
Quiet locations: Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp provides a peaceful setting. "Not a lot going on at the fam camp. Clean and gravel. Lots of military training nearby but overall a quiet stay. On the beaten path but a bit further into the trees so you're not hearing so much road noise," explains Rara B.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rank high in camper satisfaction. Amanda M. at Shady Pines Campground reports, "We have a small TT so my family did utilize the bathrooms for shower convenience after the beach and they were SUPER clean."
Swimming options: Multiple water recreation facilities enhance summer stays. At Thousand Trails Sea Pines, Patti K. notes, "Great pool and splash pad. Kids love the lake. Bathroom cleaned daily. Could use more showers. Nice and quiet at night."
Seasonal activities: Holiday weekends feature special programming at many parks. Herbert from Mays Landing Resort shared that "Halloween decorations were the best. The playground was great my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt," adding that "the miniature golf course could have been maintained better, but it was so inexpensive I couldn't consider it an issue."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Uneven terrain affects many campgrounds in the region. Matt S. at Shady Pines Campground encountered significant problems: "The much bigger problem was that it sloped so much it was impossible to level. I didn't have enough blocks to prop up the leveling jacks enough to level the RV."
Tight spacing: Most RV parks near Clementon have limited site dimensions. At Mays Landing Resort, Yamileth K. observed, "The spots were tight and when our neighbor parked his truck in his spot, my chair could almost touch it."
Seasonal park character: Many campgrounds primarily serve long-term or seasonal guests. Sonyia W. at Mays Landing Resort stated, "This is more like a long term stay place that has a couple of short term sites," noting that "there was trash in our fire ring and on our site, we were surrounded on all sides by permanent RVs."
Navigational difficulties: Large rigs face maneuvering challenges at several parks. Stephanie H. at Sun Retreats Avalon explained, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Swimming amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Belhaven Lake RV Resort, Pattie R. shares, "Great summers here for almost 60 years! Fun for all. This is a seasonal campground and everyone is so nice!!"
Playground options: Children's recreation areas differ in quality and maintenance. Herbert at Mays Landing Resort commented, "The playground was great my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt. The miniature golf course could have been maintained better, but it was so inexpensive I couldn't consider it an issue."
Weekend noise levels: Sound management policies vary widely between parks. Becca U. at Sun Retreats Avalon reported, "We were kind of annoyed by the loud music of other campers. It was late (but not yet quiet hours), we were in our camper, with our air conditioner running and our TV on, and we could still hear their music."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Some locations better accommodate children than others. William W. cautions about Thousand Trails Sea Pines: "Not a family friendly place; people skinny dipping in the lake, people smoking in public places, people cursing up a storm right next to our 3 and 4 year old, etc."
Tips from RVers
Reservation flexibility: Booking systems vary between campgrounds. Gayle B. at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake shares, "We booked through Thousand Trails and you can't reserve sites. Our trailer is 37 feet long, so there is always the concern we won't find any sites will fit in."
Access challenges: Entrance and internal road conditions affect arrival experiences. Joe D. at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake notes it's "right off the parkway- easy to get to and easy to go places," but lists cons including "small unshaded campsites."
Hookup reliability: Water and electrical service quality fluctuates seasonally. At Pomona RV Park and Campground, Jakob B. reports, "They have internet, TV, open gear around, city water, sewer, always there to help."
Site selection strategies: Specific location knowledge improves camping experiences. Amanda M. at Shady Pines Campground advises, "I can definitely see where the previous reviewer said they had trouble with leveling from to back. We have a very small TT and pulled back as far as we could otherwise we would have been on a slope as well."
