Camping near Dorothy, New Jersey offers opportunities within a landscape of sandy pine forests and wetland ecosystems typical of the New Jersey Pinelands. The region experiences hot, humid summers with average temperatures in the mid-80s and mild winters that limit camping to primarily April through October. Most campgrounds in the Dorothy area sit at elevations below 50 feet above sea level, creating relatively flat terrain ideal for new campers and families with children.
What to do
Water recreation on Cranes Lake: Hospitality Creek Campground provides multiple water-based activities on their private lake. One camper noted, "We rode our bikes around, enjoyed time on the lake in a rented paddleboat, and had a blast at the 70s-themed live concert at the pavilion on Saturday night."
Hiking through pine forests: Parvin State Park Campground offers multiple hiking trails through typical Pine Barrens habitat. A visitor mentioned, "The hiking is also very accessible because it's basically pancake flat terrain," making it suitable for casual hikers and families.
Kayaking excursions: Winding River Campground organizes kayak trips with shuttle service. A camper explained, "They have kayaking and tubing available with their own transport 2, 3 and 5 hour trips and you come right back down to the campsite! Bring your own and just pay a small transport fee."
Beach access planning: For those camping near Dorothy with beach visits in mind, Ocean View Resort Campground sells beach badges on-site. A reviewer pointed out, "Ocean City beaches and boardwalk are just a short drive away and you can get beach badges right at the campground."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Belleplain State Forest receives high marks for site size. One camper raved, "Our site was HUGE!!!! It was also super private with trees and a lot of privacy from the road and our neighbors. We had friends stay in the lean-tos nearby and others visit. We had room to park several cars."
Reliable hookups: Many sites at Spacious Skies Country Oaks feature quality utility connections. A reviewer noted, "Our site(#15) was a pull-thru with 50-amp electric, water, sewer, and cable. The hook-ups were all well-maintained and worked fine."
Swimming options: Multiple pools and swimming areas keep campers cool during hot summer months. At Hospitality Creek, a visitor observed, "The pools are nice and have on-duty lifeguards all day," providing supervised swimming areas for families.
Planned activities: Weekend programming adds structure to camping trips. A Belleplain State Forest visitor mentioned, "The nature center had planned activities for families each day," while another camper at Spacious Skies Country Oaks appreciated the "lots of activities planned for kids over weekends."
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have water with high mineral content. At Parvin State Park, a camper warned, "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."
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require leveling equipment. A camper at Mays Landing Resort observed, "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."
Dump station limitations: Facilities for waste disposal may be insufficient. At Belleplain State Forest, a reviewer complained, "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."
Seasonal population: Many campgrounds have a high percentage of seasonal campers. At Mays Landing Resort, a visitor noted, "It's more of a closed net group of people as we rarely had anyone wave to us. It just wasn't as friendly as so many other sites."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Ocean View Resort Campground offers multiple water features for children. A parent shared, "There is a splash pad for little ones. Our 3 yr old loved it," while another mentioned that "Lake, pool, ice cream, arcade, mini golf, mining station, activities" made for a well-rounded family experience.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play structures near campsites. At Parvin State Park, a camper noted the "great site for people with families as there was a playground within 50 feet," though mentioned this means "it is a bit louder and busier."
Wildlife education: Belleplain State Forest provides nature programming. A visitor explained, "The nature center had planned activities for families each day," offering structured learning opportunities during camping trips.
Entertainment options: During rainy weather, indoor activities become essential. At Mays Landing Resort, a camper praised the "nice playground for the little kids" and mentioned their child "really enjoyed the scavenger hunt."
Tips from RVers
Road navigation: Whippoorwill Campground presents challenges for larger vehicles. A camper noted, "Roads are tight to navigate and our site was a little difficult to back into," suggesting caution for those with larger rigs.
Spacing considerations: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Winding River, a camper warned about "super tight sites for RVs," while Belleplain State Forest offers "a good size for our tent" according to reviewers.
Connectivity options: Internet access varies widely across the Dorothy camping area. At Belleplain State Forest, a camper reported "Virtually NO cell service with AT&T, TMobile or Verizon. AT&T was the better of the 3. Our Winegard/Gateway gave us no internet which we normally get."
Site surface types: Campsite surfaces range from sand to gravel. At Whippoorwill Campground, a visitor described sites that were "level, gravel and concrete site with small grassy area too," providing stable surfaces for RV leveling and outdoor activities.
