Campgrounds near South Dennis, New Jersey operate primarily on sandy terrain characteristic of this coastal region. Located in Cape May County, South Dennis sits at just 10 feet above sea level with wetlands that transition to pine forests moving inland. During summer months, daytime temperatures average 85°F with high humidity, while evening temperatures typically drop to the mid-60s. The sandy soil throughout most campsites near South Dennis presents consistent challenges for tent stakes and equipment setup.
What to do
Lake activities at Lake Nummy: Belleplain State Forest offers water recreation at Lake Nummy with boat rentals and a designated swimming area. "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," notes April E. in her review of Belleplain State Forest.
Splash pads for children: Ocean View Resort Campground features a pirate-themed splash pad that appeals to families with young children. "This place had a lot to do with kids! Lake, pool, ice cream, arcade, mini golf, mining station, activities. Does get very crowded and definitely have to book a head," writes Tiffany P. about her experience at Ocean View Resort Campground.
Rail trail access: Some campgrounds provide easy access to local biking paths. As one camper at Sun Outdoors Cape May notes, "There is an 11 mile rail trail across the street as well." This paved path offers a car-free cycling option connecting multiple towns in the area.
What campers like
Large swimming lakes with beaches: Many campgrounds feature substantial lakes with designated swimming areas. "First time camping at the Jersey shore. This campground had it all from a huge pool and unbelievable splash pad to a great swimming pond with a beach!" says Ray L. about Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort.
Multiple water features: Campgrounds often offer both pools and lakes. "The 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," explains Kirsten J. from her stay at Beachcomber Camping Resort.
Wooded sites with privacy: Many sites provide tree coverage for shade and separation. "Our site was HUGE!!!! It was also super private with trees and a lot of privacy from the road and our neighbors," notes Anne H. about her experience at Belleplain State Forest.
What you should know
Limited cellular connectivity: Cell service varies significantly by location and provider. "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," reports a camper at Belleplain State Forest.
Reservations essential during peak season: Most campgrounds fill quickly from late June through August. "Definitely would camp here again. Staff was great. Plenty of things for the kids to do. Does get very crowded and definitely have to book a head," advises a Tiffany P. about Ocean View Resort Campground.
Quarter-operated showers: Some facilities charge for showers. "Tent site was fantastic, level, trees are well trimmed, but still with good coverage, sites are a nice size. Close enough to the bathroom and water options. Quarters for a shower," explains M J. from Ocean City Campground & Beach Cabins.
Tips for camping with families
Free activities: Look for campgrounds with no-cost recreation options. "Mini golf was Free yes free and also new. They also had a nice corn hole area," notes Ray L. about Ocean City Campground & Beach Cabins.
Age-appropriate water features: Some resorts offer specialized water areas for different age groups. "The pool and pirate splash pad are great for kids! There is a splash pad for little ones. Our 3 yr old loved it," reports Kirsten J. from Ocean View Resort Campground.
Crabbing opportunities: Local waters offer wildlife interaction possibilities. "Ocean View Resort was an excellent resort for our family with two toddlers. kids loved the Splash Park, Arcarde, Tram Car, playgrounds and Lake. So much to do at this resort. We also left the resort and went crabbing and went to the Cape May zoo," shares Ann Marie M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: Many campgrounds have trees that complicate parking larger rigs. "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. The bad thing is that there are trees all the way up to the street which limits your turn radius," warns Stephanie H. about her experience at Sun Retreats Avalon.
Limited dump station capacity: Some facilities have minimal waste disposal options. "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," explains Anne H. about Belleplain State Forest.
Road navigation issues: Internal campground roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. "The roadways are narrow and there isn't a lot of maneuvering room," notes Stephanie H. about Sun Retreats Avalon.
