Most tent and RV campgrounds near Ocean City, New Jersey operate seasonally from April through October, with peak activity between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The region features sandy pine forests with elevations near sea level, typically experiencing summer daytime temperatures between 75-85°F with moderate humidity. Campgrounds range from 5-30 minutes from Ocean City's beaches, with most offering hookups and established facilities rather than primitive camping.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Belleplain State Forest offers well-maintained trails through pine forests. "Plenty of space for our tent. lake for swimming and you can rent boats. nice hiking trails and playground. About 20 minutes away from the Cape May zoo," notes April E. from Belleplain State Forest.
Kayaking and paddle sports: Most campgrounds feature lakes or ponds where watercraft can be rented. "The lake is huge, the pools are crowded but fun. There is a splash pad for little ones. Our 3 yr old loved it," says Kirsten J. from Ocean View Resort Campground.
Beach access: Campsites typically require a short drive to reach Ocean City beaches. "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," according to Dave R. from Sun Outdoors Cape May.
What campers like
Site privacy and spacing: Belleplain State Forest offers more secluded sites. "Our site was HUGE!!!! It was also super private with trees and a lot of privacy from the road and our neighbors," writes Anne H., though she notes the campground has infrastructure issues: "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!"
Water activities: Nearly every campground features swimming areas. "They have a nice swimming Lake with a huge sandy beach," says Harry L. from Ocean View Resort, who appreciates their ongoing improvements: "They unveiled a brand new mini golf course. Bathhouses are very clean and updated."
Yurt camping options: For those seeking yurt camping near Ocean City, New Jersey, several options exist. "We stayed in a yurt. it was a great experience that we would definitely do again. There is a small lake that was great to kayak on," shares Lisa S. from Belleplain State Forest.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds close entirely from November through March. "The lake was so warm that it made us wonder what kind of bacteria was growing in it," cautions Becca U. from Sun Outdoors Cape May about summer conditions.
Reservation requirements: Advance bookings are essential during summer months. "Does get very crowded and definitely have to book a head. We loved where our site was located," mentions Tiffany P. from Ocean View Resort.
Site variations: Site quality and size vary widely even within the same campground. "Very wooded, close to eachother," notes a reviewer about tent sites, while another mentions: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid activities: Choose campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. "Ocean View Resort was an excellent resort for our family with two toddlers. kids loved the Splash Park, Arcarde, Tram Car, playgrounds and Lake," recommends Ann Marie M..
Beach day planning: Schedule beach time during weekday mornings for minimal crowds. "Close driving distances to local beaches and boardwalks. The pool and pirate splash pad are great for kids!" suggests Brandon W. from Ocean View Resort.
Rainy day options: Pack indoor activities as summer thunderstorms frequently interrupt outdoor plans. "We also left the resort and went crabbing and went to the Cape May zoo. great family vacation," recommends one family camper with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request specific sites based on rig size. "We ended up down the wrong way on a one-way road because there was no signage... After some strategizing, I backed in on a diagonal or there'd be no way to open our slides," explains Matt S. from Sun Outdoors Cape May.
Campground navigation: Narrow roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "The spots were tight and when our neighbor parked his truck in his spot, my chair could almost touch it," reports one camper about the congested conditions at some resorts.
Utility considerations: Water, electric and sewer connections vary by campground. "Bathhouses are very clean and updated," mentions one reviewer, while another notes, "nice clean campsites with good electric and water hookups. Bath house was a little run down, but serviceable. Overall good value for the price."
