Campsites near Mays Landing, New Jersey offer diverse terrain across the Pine Barrens region, with sandy soil characteristic of the area's unique ecology. The region sits at a modest elevation of about 40 feet above sea level, creating relatively flat camping areas that can sometimes collect water during heavy rainfall. Most campgrounds in the area contain a mix of wooded sites with pine trees providing natural shade and open areas more suitable for groups and larger rigs.
What to do
Lake activities at Belleplain State Forest: Visitors can rent boats or bring their own kayaks for exploring Lake Nummy. "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 the Pine Barrens: The trails through Wharton State Forest offer accessible hiking options through unique pine barrens ecology. A visitor shared: "Wharton Forest has several campgrounds. We wanted a more rustic experience and tent camped at Bodine campground in 2018. Our site was right on Wading River and we launched our kayaks right at the site!"
Mini-golf and recreation areas: Some campgrounds offer on-site recreational amenities. At Holly Acres RV Park, guests can enjoy various activities. "Camp sites well spaced out. Plenty of privacy. We brought our dogs. They ended up swimming in the pond. We also enjoyed the pool," reports Layne about their experience.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds near Mays Landing feature ponds or lake access for fishing. Arnold M. notes about Hospitality Creek Campground: "Staff was great. Plenty of things to do for the kids. We love the lake side campsites."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Many campers praise the size and natural screening at sites. "Our site(#57) was superb! It was between a small, paved boat ramp and a row of arborvitae trees on the other side separating us from the neighboring site. The entire site was level and covered in mulch," notes Matt S. about their stay at Hospitality Creek Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and shower facilities receive positive mentions. A reviewer at Spacious Skies Country Oaks shared: "The campground was clean and well-maintained. The swimming pool was large and the water crystal clear. The game room included air hockey, pinball, video games, and a few arcade games."
Easy water access: Sites with direct water access are particularly valued. At Bass River State Forest, Jeff J. noted: "A beautiful camping area that is affordable, each site is very large, very clean and well maintained, bathrooms and showers 24/7. The camp ground area is very large and signed extremely well making finding your campsite easy."
Proximity to Atlantic City: Campers appreciate being close to area attractions while maintaining a natural setting. Matt S. observed about Holly Acres RV Park: "This park is just a few minutes from the Garden State Parkway and close to Atlantic City, Brigantine, Historic Smithville, and Absecon— all within 30-minutes drive-time."
What you should know
Variable site conditions: Site quality and levelness can vary significantly. "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," reports Daniel C. about Mays Landing Resort.
Seasonal operation schedules: Most campgrounds operate on different seasonal schedules. At Winding River Campground, operations run from May 1 to October 15, with Michelle F. noting: "This was our first time camping with our new to us pop up trailer and we decided to stay local Incase we ran into any problems!"
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow roads that can be difficult to navigate. Anne H. observed at Belleplain State Forest: "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."
Weather considerations: The sandy soil can present drainage challenges during heavy rain. Danielle S. shared about Mays Landing Resort: "Site F 17 is the lowest point of the tent loop, which won't be a problem unless it rains. Unfortunately, it rained 3 inches one day and I literally dug a trench around the tent to keep it dry."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with organized activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities for children. Chris W. mentioned about Spacious Skies Country Oaks: "Small but very clean campground. Great swimming pool. Lots of activities planned for kids over weekends. Hay ride etc."
Consider waterfront sites for added entertainment: Sites near water features provide natural entertainment for children. Matthew H. noted about Bass River State Forest: "This is a cool little area with trails and a lake. We walked and explored, kayaked, and sang by the fire. The camp sites have plenty of room for the kids to run around and set up there own areas."
Check playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer better play areas than others. Herbert shared about Mays Landing Resort: "The playground was great my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt. The miniature golf course could have been maintained better, but it was so inexpensive I couldn't consider it an issue."
Prepare for insects: The Pine Barrens area can have significant insect activity, especially in warmer months. Gennifer K. advised about Bass River State Forest: "The campground was clean and well maintained. It's very close to civilization but you get the camping experience. There were a lot of ticks when we stayed in May so keep that in mind."
Tips from RVers
Bring extra hookup equipment: Some sites have hookups placed inconveniently. Michelle F. noted about Winding River Campground: "We ended up pulling in after dark since we both ended up working late and took us about 1 1/2 hours to set up our water and electrical lines were short from where we parked and they lent us loaners for the weekend."
Check dump station availability and timing: Limited dump facilities can cause delays during busy checkout times. Anne H. warned about Belleplain State Forest: "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."
Consider site spacing for larger rigs: Some campgrounds pack RV sites closely together. Michelle C. observed at Winding River Campground: "Your rig will be covered in sand and it's quite buggy. However, it has a state park feel with the trees."
Watch for low-hanging branches: The wooded nature of many sites means potential clearance issues. While specific quotes aren't available about this issue, multiple campground reviews note the heavily wooded nature of the sites, suggesting RVers should proceed with caution when navigating to their sites.
