Camping near Leesburg, New Jersey offers access to diverse wetland ecosystems within the state's coastal plain. The region's relatively flat terrain creates a unique setting for camping, with sandy soils that drain quickly after rain but can become buggy in warm weather. Most campgrounds in the area sit between 5-50 feet above sea level, creating distinctive microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the seasons.
What to do
Boat rentals at Belleplain State Forest: Lake Nummy provides calm waters for kayaking and canoeing with rental options available on-site. "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. About 20 minutes away from the Cape May zoo," notes April E. about Belleplain State Forest.
Hiking opportunities: The region features numerous flat, accessible trails suitable for all skill levels. "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," shares Maggie H. about the dog-friendly trails at Belleplain.
Mini golf and family activities: Some campgrounds offer on-site recreational facilities. "They just completed a new camp store building that has everything you could think of from camping gear to beach chairs and floats! They also have a cafe that also sells ice cream. The food was very reasonably priced and good," explains Ray L. about Ocean View Resort Campground.
Pirate-themed water features: Several resorts have installed splash pads and water attractions. "Great family fun. Very clean. Close driving distances to local beaches and boardwalks. The pool and pirate splash pad are great for kids!" shares Brandon W. about Ocean View Resort Campground.
What campers like
Privacy at certain sites: Some campsites offer more seclusion than others. "Stayed in site 116 in CCC section (only section with electric and water). Good privacy. Check-in went smoothly. Staff at office said all the roads in the CCC section were 2-way. Not wide enough in my opinion but we didn't have a problem," reports Frank J. about his experience at Belleplain.
Seasonal transformations: Fall camping provides unique experiences with changing foliage. "First time here and will be back…. Best state run campground I've been to. Friendly staff, clean facilities, so much to do. Offers more than some private campgrounds," writes Heather F. about her fall camping trip to Parvin State Park Campground.
Lake swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain swimming lakes as alternatives to pools. "The lake is huge, the pools are crowded but fun. There is a splash pad for little ones. Our 3 yr old loved it," shares Kirsten J. about Ocean View Resort.
Large pull-through sites: Some campgrounds feature accommodating layouts for larger rigs. "We stayed in pull-thru site#12 which was level, covered in clean gravel, had a concrete patio with picnic table and Adirondack chairs, and a nice fire ring. The site was big enough for our motor home," reports Matt S. about Spacious Skies Country Oaks.
What you should know
Variable bathroom conditions: Maintenance quality differs between campgrounds. "Bathroom was clean but needs to be updated a bit. My husband and son kept saying they didn't have soap in their public bathroom but I had no problems in mine," notes Yamileth K. about Mays Landing Resort.
Dump station limitations: Some facilities have inadequate 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," warns Anne H. about her stay at Belleplain.
Cellular connectivity challenges: Service can be unreliable in wooded areas. "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. There'd be way too many trees for Starlink," shares Anne H. regarding connectivity at Belleplain.
Iron content in water: Some campgrounds have distinctive water quality issues. "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. about Parvin State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for water features: Multiple water options keep children entertained. "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 ahead. We loved where our site was located," recommends Tiffany P. about Ocean City Campground & Beach Cabins.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds have livelier atmospheres than others. "We were very pleased with the size of our site. The campground was quiet and the bathhouses were clean. We happened to be there when it was 100 degrees so we definitely noticed that the bathhouses weren't air conditioned," notes Becca U. about Sun Outdoors Cape May.
Bring quarters for showers: Many facilities require coins for shower operation. "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. Campground well appointed. Nice pool, clean showers, quarters for a shower," advises M.J. about Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites.
Check site location carefully: Some sites offer better positioning than others. "If you want privacy, don't choose them," warns Frank J. about sites positioned next to hiking trails at Parvin State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. "Site was ample sized as most sites were. The front of the park is close to the pool and store- if pool noise is a concern you should stay further back. Plenty of space for 33 ft motorhome and toad," advises Steve W. about Sun Outdoors Cape May.
Level sites can be hard to find: Come prepared for adjustments. "Site was level. Bath house was a little run down, but serviceable. Overall good value for the price," notes Brett D. about Belleplain State Forest.
Navigate narrow roads carefully: Some campgrounds have challenging access routes. "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. My rig is 31 ft class C and it was fine for me but a larger rig may have a tough time maneuvering the narrow roads," cautions Cynthia about Parvin State Park.
Anticipate seasonal crowds: Book well ahead during peak periods. "It was a maze. Really nice area but the park is a little run down and spots are super crowded with really narrow, winding streets," reports Cyn D. about the layout at Mays Landing Resort.
