North Wildwood camping options exist within a coastal barrier island ecosystem characterized by maritime forests, salt marshes, and sandy beaches. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 85°F and mild winters rarely dipping below freezing. Seasonal population swings create distinctive camping experiences, with summer sites often requiring reservations 3-6 months in advance while off-season camping offers more availability and reduced rates.
What to do
Fishing at lake beaches: Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort features a man-made lake beach where campers can fish. "Our site was fantastic, level, trees are well trimmed, but still with good coverage, sites are a nice size. Close enough to the bathroom and water options," reports one visitor who enjoyed both the campground amenities and nearby beaches.
Explore nearby breweries: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to local breweries within 15 minutes of camp. One camper at Shady Pines Campground noted, "There's a cute brewery right around the corner and a burger place called Tony Beef. We liked them both!"
Water recreation options: Multiple water activities are available at Treasure Beach RV Park & Campground, including early morning kayaking. "The early morning kayaking allowed the kiddos to explore the safe, surrounding waters," writes one family who stayed during July.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers specifically mention bathroom cleanliness as a standout feature. At Thousand Trails Sea Pines, visitors appreciate the "Nice pool and splash pad. Kids love the lake. Bathroom cleaned daily." Another reviewer noted, "Spots can be tight and lots of trees, sometimes making it difficult to get in and out of."
Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds in the region offer varied entertainment options for children. One visitor to Mays Landing Resort reported, "This was my daughters and I first camping trip. The place seemed like it was a lot of regulars so it had a community vibe. The staff was very accommodating and gracious. The onsite stores prices were very inexpensive which surprised me."
Seasonal events: Many campgrounds host regular weekend entertainment. "Every weekend there's a band or DJ at the beach at night and every visit we have made friends. There are usually food trucks and things for the kiddos like bounce houses during the day," according to a Treasure Beach visitor.
What you should know
Site variability: The quality and size of campsites vary significantly even within the same campground. At King Nummy Trail Campground, "These sites have beautiful views of the marsh and sunset. Clean facilities. Great location close to Cape May and Wildwood," though another visitor noted management issues with reservations.
Seasonal population: Many campgrounds primarily house seasonal or permanent residents. A visitor to Shady Pines observed, "There are several people working on assignment for a nearby decommissioned nuclear power plant who live at this campground. Shady Pines caters to long-term and year-round guests as well as manufactured homes/trailers that are permanent."
Golf cart traffic: Multiple reviews mention issues with golf cart use. At Mays Landing Resort, one camper reported, "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. Almost no one wore masks around so that made me think they must know each other."
Tips for camping with families
Check pool policies: Pool access may be restricted or require passes at peak times. A visitor to Treasure Beach noted during COVID restrictions: "They have 2 pools and a splash pad but due to COVID they are only open for 2 hour time slots and you must get passes. People line up at 8am to get passes but I was able to go to the front desk in the afternoon to get passes for the afternoon/evening swims."
Water safety considerations: Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake offers lake swimming but parents should be prepared for bugs. "Pros; good fishing, good people, nice shaded and sunny spots, beautiful pool. Cons; bugs, no store, stay away from the front middle spots, they flood when it rains," writes one regular visitor.
Playground conditions: Check recent reviews for playground status as maintenance varies. At Sun Retreats Avalon (formerly Big Timber Lake), visitors noted, "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."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Several RV campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional equipment. One RVer at Shady Pines reported, "The site sloped so much it was impossible to level. I didn't have enough blocks to prop up the leveling jacks enough to level the RV. I called the front office and was given another site to try. That didn't work any better."
Tight navigation: Roads within campgrounds can be narrow with limited turning radius. At Sun Retreats Avalon, a visitor with a large rig observed, "The roadways are narrow and there isn't a lot of maneuvering room. We stayed in site 402a and it was a nightmare backing in and getting out of. We have a 42 ft 5th wheel but the website said it could accommodate the size."
Optimize site selection: When possible, drive through the campground before selecting a site. At Thousand Trails Lake & Shore, "The resort did not reserve a particular site and suggested that we drive around and select the one we liked. That was ok and we got a nice level site with a concrete pad under the picnic table."
