RV campgrounds near National Park, New Jersey offer year-round camping opportunities with distinct seasonal variations. Located in the Pine Barrens region, campsites sit on sandy soil that drains quickly after rain but can create tracking issues inside RVs. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-40°F while summer temperatures often exceed 85°F with high humidity. Cell service reliability varies considerably throughout Atlantic and Burlington counties.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake, visitors can enjoy fishing in the stocked lake. A camper noted, "Good fishing, good people, nice shaded and sunny spots, beautiful pool."
Mini golf courses: Several campgrounds maintain mini golf facilities, though conditions vary. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Mini golf was fun but need to be regreened….several holes needed maintenance."
Swimming options: Multiple swimming facilities are available throughout the region. Lake Kandle provides "Lake with swing and fishing and two pools," while another camper at Spring Gulch Resort noted, "Heated spa/pool in upper area are a bonus."
Live entertainment: Weekend performances happen at several locations, particularly during peak season. A Sun Valley camper commented, "The Saturday night bands are concert worthy. We have enjoyed our stay more than you ever imagined."
What campers like
Spacious premium sites: Some campgrounds offer larger, more private sites for an upcharge. At Sun Valley Campground, visitors appreciate "very nice, new and well-maintained area with mature trees and lovely fall colors."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and common areas are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. A visitor to Lake-In-Wood Campground shared, "Very nice campground, well kept, paved roads, plenty to do."
Family-friendly activities: Organized events for children occur regularly at many locations. A camper at Lake-In-Wood Campground mentioned, "Great pools and classes (water aerobics was fun for everyone)."
Proximity to attractions: Many campgrounds offer convenient access to regional attractions. A visitor at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake appreciated being "only a short drive from the beach" and "close to Long Beach Island and Atlantic city."
What you should know
Seasonal demographics: Many campgrounds transition from transient to predominantly seasonal guests during summer months. At Mays Landing Resort, a visitor observed, "This is more like a long term stay place that has a couple of short term sites."
Site conditions: Some campgrounds struggle with uneven terrain. A Mays Landing camper reported, "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."
Navigation challenges: Internal roads can be difficult to navigate, especially for larger rigs. A camper at Lake-In-Wood noted, "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees."
Varied facilities: Amenity quality differs significantly between campgrounds. A Spring Gulch Resort visitor mentioned, "Staff was nice but not enough staffing to keep amenities like pool open after 5 during the week."
Tips for camping with families
Book end sites when possible: Corner locations often provide more space and privacy. At Lake-In-Wood Campground, a camper advised, "Our site was a drive-through but slanted. There wasn't much room on our site to do anything else."
Consider campgrounds with recreation programs: Organized activities keep children entertained. A visitor to Village Scene Park suggested, "Should you need to let the kids unwind for a bit to run around and explore, I would suggest the Amazing Escape Room, just due east of here by 5 minutes."
Check pool and amenity schedules: Operating hours vary seasonally and sometimes unexpectedly. A Spring Gulch camper noted, "Lots of sports gear available for free to use within park, has to be returned by 5 when main office closes."
Consider cabin options: Many parks offer alternative accommodations with varying amenities. A Lake-In-Wood visitor shared, "There are a lot of really neat and different rentals here like a tree house, double decker bus, among others."
Tips from RVers
Inspect sites before setup: Given variable site conditions, preliminary inspection can prevent problems. At Shady Pines Campground, a visitor warned, "The site had not been checked since its last guests left because there was refuse (used bandages, a used propane canister, etc.) that should have been cleaned prior to check-in."
Plan for tight navigation: Internal roads can be challenging for larger RVs. A visitor at Mays Landing Resort cautioned, "The exit is very tight to get out of and all lanes are one way so be careful if you have a big rig."
Check hookup configurations: Verify that promised amenities are actually available. At Shady Pines Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "The water, 50-amp electric, and sewer hookups worked fine" but noted site size limitations.
Be prepared for drainage issues: Sandy soil can create tracking problems inside RVs. A Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake camper advised, "Stay away from the front middle spots, they flood when it rains."
