H
Henry 
Scout
ScoutCape Henlopen State Park Campground
Cape Henlopen DE
Great place. Close to beach. No septic hookup
Camping near Downe, NJ
131 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Southern New Jersey's coastal region surrounding Downe offers a diverse camping landscape with options ranging from primitive sites to full-service RV resorts. Belleplain State Forest, located about 25 miles west of Downe, provides year-round camping with spacious wooded sites that accommodate tents, RVs, and even yurts. Campers seeking proximity to the Atlantic Ocean can find several options along the Cape May peninsula, including Sun Outdoors Cape May and Beachcomber Camping Resort, both operating seasonally from April through October. The area features a mix of state-managed forests and privately-owned campgrounds, with many sites situated near lakes, rivers, or within a short drive of ocean beaches.
Most campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during the peak summer season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The sandy soil common throughout southern New Jersey affects campsite conditions, with some visitors noting challenges during rainy periods. As one camper at Belleplain State Forest observed, "Our site was HUGE and super private with trees providing privacy from the road and neighbors." Cell service varies significantly across the region, with state forest areas often having limited connectivity. Weather conditions remain mild through much of the camping season, though summer humidity can be significant. Pet policies vary by location, with most state parks allowing dogs for an additional fee, while private campgrounds often have breed or size restrictions.
Waterfront sites at places like Wharton State Forest receive consistently positive reviews for their kayak access and scenic views. According to one visitor, "Some sites have lake-side water access, so bring your canoes and kayaks and reserve these sites early as they are popular." Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with state forests generally offering more seclusion than private resorts. Many campers note the convenience of reaching Atlantic beaches from inland campgrounds, with most being within a 30-minute drive of ocean access. Seasonal amenities like swimming pools and organized activities typically operate from late May through early September. Winter camping options are limited primarily to Belleplain State Forest and a few private campgrounds that remain open year-round with reduced services.
Best Campgrounds near Downe (131)
1. Belleplain State Forest
"They allowed me to drive around first and pick out a campsite before checking in. They charge $5 extra for a dog. So far it is very quiet and that's what I was looking for."
"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."
2. Parvin State Park Campground
"There are grocery stores close by like Walmart about 20 minutes away. The beach is nice and clean. We rented canoes near the beach."
"Outside, to the back of the cabin, was a small deck with picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring. Beyond that you will find a path to the lake with beautiful swans."
from $20 - $65 / night
Check Availability3. Sun Outdoors Cape May
"Stayed in a drive through, patio site with full hook-ups. It was situated on a corner spot. A lot of RV, golf cart, bike, and people traffic due to the location."
"The front of the park is close to the pool and store- if pool noise is a concern you should stay further back. A mix of seasonal,"cabins" and overnight camping. Park was very clean."
4. Cape Henlopen State Park Campground
"My group was there, on two adjacent sites, from Sunday to Tuesday, in early June. The weather could not have been more ideal! We were on sites G12 and G13, which were both really large."
"Nice walking and biking trails. Trails and campground well maintained. Several beach access points and nice fishing pier. Nature center, historic military structures and watch towers."
from $42 - $136 / night
Check Availability5. Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort
"Great Location and close to Cape May City. 10 min drive to Washington Street Mall. Lots to do during the day."
"Beautiful main building. close to a lovely walking trail."
6. Ocean View Resort Campground
"It's very close to everything, but you don't even need to leave the campground! There are a ton of activities!"
"We went to Ocean View Resort in New Jersey to kick off the 2022 season in our new Fleetwood Discovery LXE. And we’re glad we did! "
7. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer
"They are new-ish Shasta campers, queen bed, 1 slide, rear bunks, 2 entrances. Very clean. Water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area."
"I think the lale could use a little cleanup with the amount of bobbers, string and mess left behind by people. There have ao many cabins its crazy and alot of seasonal rentals."
8. Spacious Skies Country Oaks
"As a returning traveler to Spacious Skies Campgrounds – Country Oaks in Dorothy, New Jersey, I continue to be impressed by the peaceful atmosphere, well-maintained facilities, and welcoming hospitality"
"There’s nothing much to do in the area without driving 45+ minutes away, so make this your destination of you’re looking for a restful time away from home. The Wi-Fi actually worked great."
from $36 - $999 / night
Check Availability9. Beachcomber Camping Resort
"A beautiful wooded campground close to the beaches of Cape May, New Jersey. Very family oriented and really a great place for adults too."
"Lots to do and the beautiful beaches of Cape May, New Jersey are a short 10 minute drive. The different types of camping/glamping experiences exceeded my expectations."
from $42 / night
Check Availability10. Lums Pond State Park Campground
"Our GPS wanted to take us to the main park entrance on Howell School Rd versus Red Lion Rd to the campground entrance on the other side of the pond."
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
from $29 - $51 / night
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Drive Time
- 29 min from Vineland, NJ
- 1 hr 4 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 1 hr 4 min from Atlantic City, NJ
- 1 hr 41 min from Dover, DE
Recent Camping Photos near Downe, NJ
257 Photos of 131 Downe Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Belleplain State ForestJ
Parvin State Park Campground
Sun Retreats Avalon
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer
Thousand Trails Sea Pines
Mays Landing Resort
Sun Outdoors Cape May
Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort
Ocean View Resort Campground
Ocean City Campground & Beach CabinsR
The Depot Travel Park
Huck and Buck FarmA
Recent Reviews near Downe, NJ
837 Reviews of 131 Downe Campgrounds
TaylorScoutYogi Bear's Jellystone Park At Delaware Beaches
Yearly goers
Love it every year . We g for mother's Day. And the schedule for the events they do during even just the weekend make for fun filled hassle free weekend
Mary S.ScoutLums Pond State Park Campground
Lums Pond campground
First time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
Patel D.
TravelerBig Oaks Campground
⚠️ Think Twice Before Booking— Our Family Felt Targeted and Intimidated
I am writing this review because I genuinely want to warn other families before they book this campground. What should have been a relaxing camping trip turned into an extremely upsetting experience for our family. From the beginning, we felt singled out and unwelcome. We arrived at our campsite and then went to the office. We did not know that the campground required every guest to go to the office before going to their site. This was an honest misunderstanding. Instead of simply explaining the rule and moving on, the situation became unnecessarily confrontational, and we felt like the staff was looking for reasons to have an issue with us. What was especially upsetting was how our children were treated. Our children were riding scooters and were stopped and told that scooters were not allowed. We were extremely confused because we could clearly see much younger children riding/driving around the campground. Our 14-year-old was not allowed to do so, while we observed significantly younger white children being allowed to ride. What made this even worse was the way our children were spoken to. They came running back to us scared and intimidated by the interaction. As parents, that was extremely upsetting to see. There is a huge difference between calmly explaining a campground rule to a child and speaking to a child in a way that makes them feel frightened. If there is a rule that scooters are not allowed, then the rule should be applied consistently to every child, regardless of age or background. What we witnessed did not feel consistent. As the experience continued, we felt increasingly targeted. We were left with the strong impression that they did not want our family there. At one point, it honestly felt like they were trying to find reasons to get rid of us, which made us question whether the campground had overbooked and was looking for a way to push us out. We also had a very concerning experience regarding payment. We were forced to pay in cash and were not provided with a receipt. As paying guests, we found this extremely troubling and unprofessional. The entire experience left our family feeling uncomfortable, intimidated, and unwelcome. Camping with children should be about relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, and making good memories—not having your children come running back to you because they are scared of how an adult spoke to them. I cannot speak to anyone else's intentions, but**based on what we personally experienced and witnessed, we felt that our family was being treated differently because of our background. Seeing younger white children being allowed to do something that our children were stopped from doing made the situation even more concerning.I strongly recommend that families think twice before booking this campground. If you do decide to stay, make sure you understand every rule before arriving, document your interactions, and keep proof of every payment. We are sharing this review because other families deserve to know what our experience was like before spending their money and vacation time here. No family should leave a campground feeling intimidated, targeted, or unwelcome.
- Patel D.Traveler
Big Oaks Campground
⚠️ Think Twice Before Booking - Our Family Felt Targeted and Intimidated.
I am writing this review because I genuinely want to warn other families before they book this campground. What should have been a relaxing camping trip turned into an extremely upsetting experience for our family. From the beginning, we felt singled out and unwelcome. We arrived at our campsite and then went to the office. We did not know that the campground required every guest to go to the office before going to their site. This was an honest misunderstanding. Instead of simply explaining the rule and moving on, the situation became unnecessarily confrontational, and we felt like the staff was looking for reasons to have an issue with us. What was especially upsetting was how our children were treated. Our children were riding scooters and were stopped and told that scooters were not allowed. We were extremely confused because we could clearly see much younger children riding/driving around the campground. Our 14-year-old was not allowed to do so, while we observed significantly younger white children being allowed to ride. What made this even worse was**the way our children were spoken to. They came running back to us scared and intimidated by the interaction. As parents, that was extremely upsetting to see. There is a huge difference between calmly explaining a campground rule to a child and speaking to a child in a way that makes them feel frightened. If there is a rule that scooters are not allowed, then the rule should be applied**consistently to every child**, regardless of age or background. What we witnessed did not feel consistent. As the experience continued, we felt increasingly targeted. We were left with the strong impression that they did not want our family there. At one point, it honestly felt like they were trying to find reasons to get rid of us, which made us question whether the campground had overbooked and was looking for a way to push us out. We also had a very concerning experience regarding payment. We were forced to pay in cash and were not provided with a receipt. As paying guests, we found this extremely troubling and unprofessional. The entire experience left our family feeling uncomfortable, intimidated, and unwelcome. Camping with children should be about relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, and making good memories—not having your children come running back to you because they are scared of how an adult spoke to them. I cannot speak to anyone else's intentions, but**based on what we personally experienced and witnessed, we felt that our family was being treated differently because of our background.** Seeing younger white children being allowed to do something that our children were stopped from doing made the situation even more concerning.**I strongly recommend that families think twice before booking this campground.** If you do decide to stay, make sure you understand every rule before arriving, document your interactions, and keep proof of every payment. We are sharing this review because other families deserve to know what our experience was like before spending their money and vacation time here. No family should leave a campground feeling intimidated, targeted, or unwelcome.
- CChris C.Traveler
Adventures Await Retreat
Perfect campground for our family of 4
They have a meadery and fishing pond and everything my kids love. Been here several times great place for kids and everyone else
Nadine R.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Not my vibe
I personally did not like this campsite. First of all, our site tag was leftover from SEPTEMBER. Did no one look at any of these sites and leave someone else’s registration posted there for almost a year? Wild. Our campsite had trash leftover from previous campers. The whole campground was loud - from other campers to just the sounds from the nearby road. If you are looking for peace it is NOT here. If you’re looking to have loud music time all night with no repercussions as your kids ride around yelling and carrying on past midnight then you’ll have a blast. The pros of this campsite was supposed to be the access to Lake Atsion but we were turned away at the gate at 12:30 as they stated they were at capacity. Checking into our campsite they specifically asked if we would be utilizing the recreation area so we would have a pass for entry, but that’s seemingly not in their logistical headcount. I would not visit here again.
Isabel Z.ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Great for families
This campsite was amazing for our first tent camping experience. The park was a godsend for keeping our toddler occupied and we felt very safe overall. While the beach is pretty, be careful about the water condition. We were warned before entering and informed of the risks. They were very clear on the condition of the water that day which was a yellow, slight risk. But normally it should be okay. We would definitely camp here again.
John L.ScoutWading Pines Camping Resort
Poor sites
I recently stayed at Site 36, and unfortunately, my experience was very disappointing. The biggest issue was the campsite itself. Site 36 is extremely small, with neighboring campers only about 5 feet away on one side and roughly 12 feet behind the site. There was very little privacy, which made it difficult to relax. Many of the nearby sites appeared to be occupied by long-term or permanent residents. Several had large amounts of personal belongings stored under tarps, giving the area an unkempt appearance. In addition, the neighboring campsite had children's bikes, large toys, and other miscellaneous items overflowing onto the site I had rented, making it feel even more cramped. Another major concern was the constant cigarette and marijuana smoke. It was noticeable throughout much of the day, and because of the smoke, I couldn't comfortably leave my camper windows open. At over $110 per night for a full hookup site, I expected a much better experience. I understand the campground told me there were no other sites available, although I did notice a few empty sites during my stay. Whether those sites were reserved or unavailable for another reason, I can't say, but Site 346 should not be rented at this price given its condition and lack of privacy. Overall, I would not stay here again and cannot recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing camping experience. Its great for daily tubing but as a camper they lock the fence that gets you to the bridge so you have to take a long walk around although non campers can pull right up, it makes no sense to have a pass through that's locked.
Guide to Downe
Southern New Jersey's coastal camping near Downe offers a mix of sandy soil conditions and maritime pine forests situated at elevations ranging from sea level to 60 feet. Campers should be prepared for significant humidity levels from June through September when temperatures typically reach 85-90°F. The region experiences sandy trails and campsites that can be challenging during wet weather conditions.
What to do
Swimming lakes and beaches: Lake Nummy at Belleplain State Forest provides freshwater swimming with rental options. "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 camper April E.
Historic exploration: Cape Henlopen offers military history sites within the park. "As a former military installation, there are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such. There's a wonderful observation tower built on top of one of these that affords beautiful 360 degree views," explains Lisa B.
Fishing opportunities: Sites with lake access provide fishing options for anglers. At Parvin State Park Campground, one visitor mentions, "Good fishing and nice trails. Nice campsites, some big enough for trailers. Bathrooms were very clean."
Rail trail access: Several campgrounds provide access to biking trails in the region. At Holly Shores, "There is an 11 mile rail trail across the street as well," notes Joel A., making it convenient for cyclists looking to explore the area without driving.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites available at certain campgrounds. At Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort, "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."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms receive consistent praise. "The newly built bathhouses are great! They're always clean and I've yet to not get a hot shower, even though they get used a lot," reports Amanda R. about her experience.
Nature centers: Educational opportunities enhance camping experiences for many visitors. One camper at Sun Outdoors Cape May notes, "The nature center had planned activities for families each day," which provides structured learning opportunities.
Swimming options: Multiple water features at campgrounds are highly rated. "Great time spent 2 days. Rode our bikes and went to local winery. Cleanest bathrooms," reports Douglas G., highlighting the diversity of activities available within short distances.
What you should know
Winter access limitations: Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. At Spacious Skies Country Oaks, one camper notes, "Even in the colder months, this campground remains a quiet and relaxing escape. The grounds are clean and well-kept, with easy access to nearby nature spots."
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have water challenges. "The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing. Most of the showers were out of order. The toilets were clean but had the orange staining from the iron in the water," reports Frank J.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. "Virtually NO cell service with AT&T, TMobile or Verizon. AT&T was the better of the 3. Our Winegard/Gateway give us no internet which we normally get," reports one camper.
Dump station congestion: Limited facilities can cause delays during checkout. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Splash parks for children: Beachcomber Camping Resort offers water attractions specifically for families. "The entire family had fun. Kids were super happy about all the activities this campground has to offer. Staff is great as well," shares Stephanie G.
Free bike rentals: Some parks offer complimentary equipment. "Free bike rentals are available, some with baby seats and trailers," notes a camper, making family exploration more accessible without bringing all your gear.
Safety features: Gated campgrounds provide peace of mind. One visitor explains, "It's a gated resort which makes it incredibly safe and something that gives us piece of mind while out exploring."
Educational activities: Nature programs engage children throughout their stay. "The nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff," offers valuable learning experiences for children visiting the area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose sites carefully based on RV size. At Cape Henlopen, "None of the sites are level. Sites are mostly small and close together. The closer you are to the camp store, the louder and busier it is."
Arrival timing: Avoid late arrivals at some campgrounds. "Don't plan on arriving after dark as there is no type of lighting other than what the other campers have lit up," advises one RVer about navigating campgrounds.
Road conditions: Be prepared for challenging campground roads. "Very narrow roads to sites, so not big rig friendly there but most sites are quite large. No gravel or pads on sites, just bare ground."
Electric options: Many campgrounds offer varying electric service. "The CCC is the only one with electric and water hookups on site," notes a camper, emphasizing the importance of confirming utility options before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Downe, NJ?
What camping is available near Downe, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, Downe, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 131 campgrounds and RV parks near Downe, NJ and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Downe, NJ?
Which is the most popular campground near Downe, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Downe, NJ is Belleplain State Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Downe, NJ?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Downe, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Downe, NJ.
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