Pet friendly camping near Lawrence, New Jersey offers campgrounds throughout Gloucester and Atlantic counties with accessible nature trails and water features. The terrain consists primarily of flat, sandy ground with pine forest ecosystems predominant throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity levels, while spring and fall camping seasons offer more moderate conditions with temperatures between 50-75°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Hospitality Creek Campground provides waterfront sites with a swimming lake that permits personal kayaks. "Plenty of things to do for the kids. We love the lake side campsites," notes Arnold M. The lake offers good fishing according to most campers.
Hiking trails: Belleplain State Forest features multiple dog-friendly trails through pine forests. "We have walked through the site areas and they seem to be a nice size but not offering too much privacy. We are usually there in the off season so not sure how crazy it gets in the warmer months with the lake being there," mentions Maggie H. Trails range from 1-7 miles in length.
Water recreation: Cape Henlopen State Park Campground offers ocean and bay access within a mile walk from campsites. "The ocean is beautiful but a bit of a walk from the tent campsites," notes Jennifer S. The park also contains "miles upon miles of walking and biking trails" with historical military installations throughout.
What campers like
Privacy levels: At Old Cedar Campground, campers appreciate the quiet atmosphere. "Very quiet Campground. Easily can sleep late here! Clean, woodsy and nice staff," reports Robin D. Most sites feature adequate spacing between neighbors with tree coverage for privacy.
Clean facilities: Most pet-friendly campgrounds maintain their bathroom facilities well. "Bath houses were clean. The campground was quiet and the bathhouses were clean," notes Becca U. about Sun Outdoors Cape May (formerly Holly Shores). Restrooms typically include hot showers and dish washing stations.
Lakefront amenities: Hospitality Creek Campground receives praise for its multiple water features. "This Campground has 2 pools and swimming lake. Waterfront sites are my favorite as you can bring your own kayaks," states Denise P. The campground also offers a 2-mile trail circling the property.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience issues with their water systems. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, one camper noted, "The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing... The toilets were clean but had the orange staining from the iron in the water."
Site surface variations: Many campgrounds feature sand or dirt sites rather than gravel. "No gravel or pads on sites, just bare ground," reports Cynthia about Parvin State Park. This can lead to muddy conditions during rainstorms despite some sites having partial gravel coverage.
Weekend crowds: Most campgrounds experience significant increases in visitors Friday through Sunday. "Stayed here Oct 14-16. Very narrow roads to sites," notes one reviewer, indicating navigation challenges during peak periods when sites are fully occupied.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Spacious Skies Country Oaks provides a well-maintained pool area. "The swimming pool was large and the water crystal clear," notes Matt S. Most pet-friendly campgrounds with pools require dogs to remain away from swimming areas designated for humans.
Playground accessibility: When camping with children and pets, consider proximity to play areas. "Our site is great for people with families as there was a playground within 50 feet so it is a bit louder and busier," mentions Rosie R. about her experience at Parvin State Park.
Scheduled activities: Many campgrounds organize regular events for families. At Sun Outdoors Cape May, "They had a breakfast, games and crafts geared towards it [Father's Day]. The pool and splash park were great but you needed to be at least 42 inches to go on the slide or bounce house," reports Nicole S. These activities typically run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: When booking at pet-friendly campgrounds, verify your site can accommodate your rig. "Woodsy, nice lake and nature trails. Sites were a little too close to each other. I'd recommend renting 2 sites if there are more than 2 in your party," advises Ella P. about Cape Henlopen State Park.
Road conditions: Many campgrounds have narrow access roads that can challenge larger RVs. "The roads are dirt but well maintained," notes a camper at Sun Outdoors Cape May. Several reviewers mention challenges navigating tight turns with larger rigs, particularly at campgrounds with many trees.
Hookup placement: Check the location of utilities before setting up. "The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both," reports Amanda H. Carrying extension cords and longer water hoses can help resolve these situations.
