Camping near North Wildwood offers diverse experiences beyond traditional tent sites, with glamping options available across southern New Jersey's pine barrens and coastal areas. The region sits at just 7 feet above sea level and experiences summer temperatures averaging 85°F with high humidity from June through September. Winter camping is limited as many facilities close after October due to temperatures dropping into the 30s.
What to do
Swimming opportunities: Cape Henlopen State Park features both ocean beaches and a swimming lake. "The bathhouse and concession stand at the beach is very nice. Sunset on the beach is absolutely serene," notes Amanda R. The park maintains designated swimming areas with seasonal lifeguards.
Biking trails: Sun Outdoors Cape May provides easy access to an 11-mile rail trail directly across from the campground. According to Joel A., "There is an 11 mile rail trail across the street as well." Several campgrounds offer bike rentals for visitors who don't bring their own.
Wildlife observation: At Cape Henlopen State Park, historical observation towers provide unique vantage points. One camper shares, "There's a wonderful observation tower built on top of one of these that affords beautiful 360 degree views and photo opportunities." The towers originally served as military lookouts during WWII.
Historic exploration: Cape Henlopen features preserved military installations from World War II. Sarah S. mentions, "Over 20 miles of trails through pine trees, with views of sand dunes. It also has historic ruins from ww2." Self-guided tours with interpretive signs explain the strategic importance of these coastal defenses.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded feel at Belleplain State Forest. One visitor noted, "Our site was HUGE!!!! It was also super private with trees and a lot of privacy from the road and our neighbors." Sites in wooded areas offer natural separation.
Clean facilities: Facilities at several campgrounds receive positive reviews. At Holly Shores Camping Resort, Dave R. shares, "Bathhouses were clean and well maintained." Newer bathhouses tend to be air-conditioned, while older ones may lack cooling.
Lake activities: Many campgrounds feature freshwater swimming lakes as alternatives to ocean beaches. Christopher E. comments about Shellbay Campgrounds, "We stayed here because it was within biking distance of the beaches at Stone Harbor, Wildwood, and Cape May." Lakes typically offer calmer swimming conditions compared to ocean beaches.
Seasonal decor: Long-term campers often create elaborate seasonal displays. Dina S. observed at Holly Shores, "Nice pool and some of the best looking seasonal Ive seen decked out with tiki bars, etc." These decorated sites add character to campgrounds throughout the season.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Cape Henlopen fills quickly, especially for summer weekends. Chris G. advises, "I hear it gets packed and I see that it's hard to book if you don't book early." Most glamping accommodations near North Wildwood require bookings 6-12 months in advance.
Off-season options: Many campgrounds operate with reduced services in spring and fall. According to Frank J. at Belleplain State Forest, "Stayed in site 116 in CCC section (only section with electric and water)." Some facilities close bathhouses or water hookups during cooler months.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across campgrounds. One Belleplain camper reported, "Virtually NO cell service with AT&T, TMobile or Verizon. AT&T was the better of the 3." Heavily wooded sites typically have weaker signals compared to more open areas.
Campground rules: Each facility maintains different policies about visitors and vehicles. At Ocean View Resort Campground, Diane T. cautions, "There is also a unique payment structure for guests (day pass, night pass after 4pm, or day + overnight are all different prices)." Most glamping sites near North Wildwood enforce quiet hours starting at 10pm.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Ocean View Resort Campground offers multiple water features. Ray L. shares, "This campground had it all from a huge pool and unbelievable splash pad to a great swimming pond with a beach!" Most family-oriented resorts provide structured activities during summer weekends.
Transportation options: Golf cart rentals provide convenient transportation around larger campgrounds. Dave R. notes about Holly Shores, "We had a blast with a golf cart rental. The campground is rather large, so it felt like a necessity to have a secondary way of getting around easily as a family." Rental rates typically run $50-75 per day.
Arcade access: Many campgrounds maintain game rooms for rainy days. According to Tiffany P., Ocean View Resort has "Lake, pool, ice cream, arcade, mini golf, mining station, activities." Bring quarters as most arcade games require coins rather than tokens.
Camping near attractions: Consider location when booking glamping close to North Wildwood. "The campground is a short 5 minute drive from Cape May. Sunset Beach, The Open Air Mall, and the charm of victorian Cape May are all great reasons to visit," suggests Steve W. of Holly Shores Camping Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking, specify your exact RV length. Matt S. from Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites recounts, "We were disappointed by the cramped site assignment because I'd indicated the size of our RV when making the reservation. There were a handful of empty sites that could have more easily accommodated our rig."
Seasonal considerations: Spring camping often means dealing with standing water. Anne H. at Belleplain notes, "Also, there was a dip in the site when backing in and our fifth wheel was bending to the point of rubbing the top of our truck when backing in. It also had rained and there were puddles in the sand."
Dump station logistics: Plan extra time for campground departure. Anne H. warns, "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."
