Campgrounds near Columbus, New Jersey range from military facilities to family-friendly resorts with varying levels of amenities. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging in the 80s and moderate rainfall that can create muddy conditions at some campsites. RV parks in this area typically sit on flat terrain with limited natural shade and operate primarily between April and October.
What to do
Lake activities: swim or fish: Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake in Port Republic offers both a swimming pool and fishing opportunities. "The girls loved swimming in the lake and the pool. We were only a short drive from the beach, as well," reports one camper who enjoyed the water amenities with young children.
Visit nearby attractions: 1-hour to Manhattan: NWS Earle RV Park in Colts Neck provides a convenient base for exploring major cities. "It's only an hour from Manhattan & 20 more minutes from the shore. If you're planning a visit to either this campground is cheap, clean & quiet," notes a visitor who appreciated the strategic location.
Holiday celebrations: check seasonal events: Mays Landing Resort offers special holiday activities that appeal to families. "Halloween decorations were the best. My daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt," shared one first-time camper who visited during the fall season.
What campers like
Clean facilities: frequently maintained bathrooms: Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake maintains its facilities well according to visitors. "Clean showers and toilet, free cable, great lounge, close to Long Beach Island and Atlantic city, well kept area, nice pool and playground," lists a camper who appreciated the cleanliness and amenities.
Quiet environment: especially weekdays: Many campers value the peaceful atmosphere at several parks in the region. "We stayed here in November-December to do some exploring around Jersey. Not a lot going on at the fam camp. Clean and gravel. Lots of military training nearby but overall a quiet stay," writes a visitor to Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp.
Helpful staff: especially for first-timers: Indian Rock RV Resort and Campground in Jackson gets praise for their customer service. "The hostess was very friendly and helpful. Our site was a big pull through site... It was our very first camping day. We are newbies, so can't compare it, but no complaints and would definitely go again," notes a first-time camper.
What you should know
Site conditions: uneven terrain common: Many rv sites near Columbus, New Jersey have leveling challenges. "Site are very unleveled so the staff switched us to a pull thru space that was a tad bit more level but still very unleveled," reported a visitor to Mays Landing Resort.
Seasonal operations: check opening dates: Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Indian Rock RV Resort runs from May 1 to September 30, while NWS Earle RV Park opens April 1 through November 15. Belhaven Lake RV Resort has a shorter season from April 15 to October 1.
Utility connections: placement issues: Shady Pines Campground and other parks sometimes have awkward hookup positioning. "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," notes a camper about site layout challenges.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: various quality levels: Parks with play areas receive mixed reviews. "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," writes a visitor to Mays Landing Resort.
Water safety: supervise near ponds: Some camping areas have unfenced water features. "Parents of small children and toddlers: the tent loop is surrounded by water on 3 sides. There is no safety fence. The water is mostly standing water so expect mosquitoes," warns a camper about one section at Mays Landing Resort.
Noise considerations: weekend events: Weekend entertainment can be loud at some campgrounds. "On Saturday night, there is a DJ and a dance party from 7-10 pm. It is extraordinarily loud and somewhat impossible to navigate a car through that many people," advises a camper about planning around scheduled activities.
Tips from RVers
Beach access: military facilities closest: Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center RV Sites in Sea Girt offers exceptional proximity to the shore. "Free beach just a few moments' walk down the road. Close to shore towns & many restaurants," reports a camper who appreciated the waterfront location.
Sewer connections: elevated hookups: Several campgrounds have raised sewer connections that require special hose positioning. "Only annoying thing was the sewer hookup is about 18 inches off the ground so you need to lift the hose when emptying the tanks to ensure it actually fully drains," notes a visitor to the Military Park NJ National Guard facility.
Site selection: request specific numbers: At Village Scene Park and other campgrounds, site quality varies significantly. "Sites are narrow and can feel cramped, so don't expect big pull-throughs," warns a visitor, suggesting calling ahead to request specific sites rather than accepting random assignments.
