Recreational vehicle camping options near Lawrence, New Jersey provide access to Atlantic coastal attractions while maintaining proximity to urban amenities. Most campgrounds in the region are situated within 90 minutes of Lawrence, with concentrations toward Atlantic City and Cape May. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers milder conditions with temperatures ranging 60-75°F.
What to do
Beach exploration: 15-20 minute drive from Thousand Trails Lake & Shore to nearby shore towns. "The beach is within 10ish minutes and is beautiful but you're supposed to have passes. We biked around the area and along the beach it was very nice," notes a visitor.
Brewery visits: Under 10 minutes from several campgrounds. A camper at Shady Pines Campground mentioned, "There's a cute brewery right around the corner and a burger place called Tony Beef. We liked them both!"
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds have stocked lakes for on-site fishing. "Lake has plenty of fish," reported a Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake visitor, making it convenient for campers wanting to fish without leaving the grounds.
Mini golf: Family activity available at several locations. One guest appreciated "the mini golf" at Pomona RV Park, though noted some equipment maintenance issues at other campgrounds where "almost all the games were broken in the arcade."
What campers like
Clean facilities: High standards at most campgrounds. A visitor at King Nummy Trail Campground noted, "The facilities and pool are good," while another camper at Shady Pines specifically mentioned, "The bathrooms were SUPER clean."
Waterfront views: Sites overlooking marshlands or lakes. "These sites have beautiful views of the marsh and sunset," commented a King Nummy Trail camper, highlighting the natural scenery available at coastal campgrounds.
Pool and splash areas: Popular during hot summer months. At Sun Retreats Avalon, "The grounds were well kept, the pool was clean, the bathhouse was clean AND air conditioned!" appreciated a summer visitor.
Level sites with concrete pads: Available at select campgrounds. "Our site was perfectly level," mentioned one camper at Sun Retreats Avalon, though experiences vary significantly between campgrounds and specific sites.
What you should know
Site selection challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Mays Landing Resort, one camper found "sites 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 camper presence: Most parks have long-term residents. "This is more like a long term stay place that has a couple of short term sites," noted a Mays Landing Resort visitor, while another observed, "It just wasn't as friendly as so many other sites."
Variable site sizes: Check dimensions carefully before booking. "Our parents stayed in a cabin which was very nice with a bedroom, living/kitchen, and bathroom," reported a Sun Retreats Avalon visitor, contrasting with tent sites that may be smaller.
Narrow roads: Maneuvering large rigs can be difficult. "The roadways are narrow and there isn't a lot of maneuvering room," cautioned a Shady Pines visitor, suggesting campers with larger units should call ahead to ensure access.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Kid-friendly options available. At Thousand Trails Sea Pines, "Kids love the lake. Nice and quiet at night," reported one visitor, while another mentioned "a nice lake and waterpark. However, the water in the waterpark was ice cold."
Playground facilities: Available at multiple parks. "It has a nice playground for the little kids," noted a Mays Landing visitor, providing an activity option during downtime at camp.
Bike-friendly terrain: Good for family cycling. "This is a nice, flat campground so great for bike riding," mentioned a Sun Retreats Avalon camper, suggesting families bring bicycles.
Safety considerations: Some sites have unfenced water features. At Mays Landing Resort, a visitor warned, "The tent loop is surrounded by water on 3 sides. There is no safety fence. The water is mostly standing water so expect mosquitoes," important information for families with small children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Bring extra blocks for sloped sites. "I didn't have enough blocks to prop up the leveling jacks enough to level the RV," reported a camper at Shady Pines, who had to try four different sites before finding one that worked.
Site length verification: Confirm actual dimensions rather than advertised capacity. At Sun Retreats Avalon, a 42-foot fifth-wheel owner reported difficulties: "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 as well as cement marker poles."
Site surface quality: Varies between dirt, gravel, and concrete pads. "Sites were sandy. There was foliage between sites though they were close together," noted a Sun Retreats Avalon visitor, suggesting RVers should prepare for various ground conditions.
Hookup reliability: Full service available at most parks. "The water, 50-amp electric, and sewer hookups worked fine," confirmed a Shady Pines visitor, even after experiencing other site issues.
