Camping options near Deptford, New Jersey sit within the Atlantic Coastal Plain, characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain with elevations rarely exceeding 100 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid subtropical climate with warm, muggy summers where temperatures frequently climb above 90°F and moderate winters. Rainfall distribution remains fairly consistent throughout the year, with summer thunderstorms often creating temporary flooding on unpaved campground roads.
What to do
Beach access: 30-45 minute drive to Atlantic Ocean beaches from most Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake sites. "We were only a short drive from the beach, as well. It was a very nice campground," reports a camper with two young children.
Fishing opportunities: Stocked ponds available at several campgrounds in the region. At Lake Kandle, visitors appreciate the "Lake with swing and fishing and two pools," though they recommend getting "an end campsite or your table will be by the sanitary dump."
Recreation facilities: Swimming pools open seasonally at most rv campgrounds near Deptford. The "nice pool and playground" at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake are noted as well-maintained, while campers appreciate being "close to Long Beach Island and Atlantic city" for additional entertainment options.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance receives positive mentions from campers at most Deptford area RV parks. At Shady Pines Campground, one visitor noted "the bathrooms for shower convenience after the beach and they were SUPER clean."
Quiet atmosphere: Lower noise levels outside of holiday weekends. A visitor to Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp observed "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."
Family programming: Scheduled activities during peak season at select campgrounds. At Mays Landing Resort, a camper mentioned their child "really enjoyed the scavenger hunt" and appreciated that "Halloween decorations were the best," adding entertainment value beyond standard amenities.
What you should know
Site conditions: Uneven terrain challenges reported at multiple parks. A camper at Mays Landing Resort found "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."
Seasonal population: Year-round residents occupy many sites at certain parks. "This is more like a long term stay place that has a couple of short term sites," noted one Mays Landing Resort visitor, adding that they were "surrounded on all sides by permanent RVs."
Reservation challenges: Phone booking recommended over online systems at some locations. At Thousand Trails Lake & Shore, a camper advised "calling rather than using the Thousand Trails app" after learning "there were plenty of empty sites all the previous week" despite the app showing no availability.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple water facilities at several parks provide alternatives. "The girls loved swimming in the lake and the pool," reported a family staying at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake, offering varied swimming experiences for different age groups.
Playground access: Kid-friendly amenities vary significantly between parks. Lake Kandle earns praise as being "Great for kids" with its "Lake with swing and fishing and two pools," providing diverse recreation options.
Entertainment schedule: Weekend activities often include organized events at Thousand Trails Lake & Shore. "I did like the lake and waterpark. However, the water in the waterpark was ice cold," noted one visitor traveling with family, suggesting checking facility temperatures before promising water play to children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Bring extra blocks for challenging sites. At Shady Pines Campground, an RVer warned that their site "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."
Site selection: Scout first when possible at self-selection campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Lake & Shore, management "did not reserve a particular site and suggested that we drive around and select the one we liked," allowing RVers to find "a nice level site with a concrete pad under the picnic table."
Length accommodations: Verify site dimensions before arrival at Village Scene Park. A visitor with a 37-foot motorhome found their site "inadequately sized to accommodate the full length" and measured "just 3-inches of air between the back of my RV and the back of our neighbor's RV."
