Millville's camping scene features sites settled amid southern New Jersey's Pine Barrens, creating a unique Atlantic coastal plain ecosystem with sandy soils and pine forests. Most campgrounds sit at elevations under 100 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and moderate humidity levels that can increase mosquito activity near water features. Winter camping options remain available at select locations like Belleplain State Forest, though temperatures can drop to freezing.
What to do
Trail exploration: 11-mile rail trail spans across from Sun Outdoors Cape May, offering accessible biking opportunities. "There is an 11 mile rail trail across the street as well," notes a camper, highlighting the flat terrain perfect for family rides.
Fishing opportunities: 2 dedicated areas at Old Cedar Campground provide freshwater angling without needing a boat. "Nice pool, good fishing, staff is great," writes one regular visitor. The campground maintains stocked fishing areas throughout the season.
Historic exploration: WW2 military sites around Cape May provide educational opportunities within 45 minutes of Millville. "As a former military installation, there are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such," explains a visitor about the coastal defense structures.
Kayaking rentals: Launch directly from waterfront sites at Wharton State Forest's Atsion area. "Our site was right on Wading River and we launched our kayaks right at the site!" shares an enthusiastic camper who enjoyed direct water access from their camping spot.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Tent areas at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground offer natural separation. "There is a lot of privacy between the tent sites because of the trees," notes a camper who appreciated the screening vegetation that creates individual camping spaces.
Clean facilities: Recently upgraded bathhouses receive regular maintenance. "The bathrooms were clean and modern. The camp store had lots of little items that I needed," reports a visitor who found the facilities well-maintained despite heavy use.
Unique wildlife viewing: Cow pasture at Old Cedar Campground creates an unexpected camping backdrop. "The most unique aspect we found was the cow pasture. It was a lot of fun watching the cows eating and interacting," explains a camper who intentionally reserved a site near this feature.
Nature trails with nighttime astronomy: Sites at Wharton State Forest provide excellent stargazing. "Our tent has a full view of the sky and at night it was like a planetarium as we admired the sky from our cots," describes a camper who enjoyed the minimal light pollution.
What you should know
Sites may require leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. At Mays Landing Resort, "Site 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 a recent visitor, suggesting bringing leveling blocks.
Seasonal camping restrictions: Operating schedules vary widely between parks. Parvin State Park runs from April through October, while Wharton State Forest remains open year-round with limited winter services.
Water quality varies by location: Some areas have high mineral content. One camper noted at Parvin State Park, "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."
Weekend crowds impact experience: Expect busier conditions Friday through Sunday. "We went during the week, there were 4 sites taken adjacent to me, the rest of the campsite barely had anyone," shares a mid-week visitor at Wharton State Forest, highlighting the quieter weekday experience.
Tips for camping with families
Free bike rentals: Nature center at Belleplain State Forest offers daily planned activities specifically for families. "The Kayak and Canoe rentals were right near us. The nature center had planned activities for families each day," explains a visitor who appreciated the organized options.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas when booking with children. At Parvin State Park, "Site is great for people with families as there was a playground within 50 feet so it is a bit louder and busier," notes a camper, suggesting noise-sensitive campers should select sites further from recreation areas.
Swimming options: Dedicated kids' areas at several campgrounds accommodate different ages. "Great activates at the lake and playground," mentions a Belleplain visitor, while another notes "The swimming lake was beautiful" when describing the natural swimming area.
Activity scheduling: Weekend programming increases at most campgrounds. "Every Saturday they had an organized activity for the kids," explains a visitor to Old Cedar Campground, recommending weekend stays for families wanting structured recreation.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Check utility locations before setting up. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, "Beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved," notes a visitor, contrasting with challenges at other parks where hookup placement requires creativity.
Length restrictions: Verify site dimensions before booking glamping close to Millville, New Jersey. "If you have a trailer, make sure that you input your trailer length to find a site that fits as they vary," advises a Cape Henlopen camper who encountered size limitations.
Water hose requirements: Bring extra hoses for shared hookups. At Old Cedar Campground, "The water hookups are shared every other site. I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed," warns a camper who nearly came up short.
Seasonal site differences: Premium locations become available in shoulder seasons. "We were very pleased with the size of our site. The campground was quiet and the bathhouses were clean," shares a Millville-area camper who visited during an off-peak period.
