Seasonal campgrounds near Ocean City, New Jersey typically operate from April through October, with most closing for winter. Located on the Atlantic coast, Ocean City sits on a barrier island with flat, sandy terrain and pine-forested inland areas. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder camping conditions with fewer crowds at nearby RV parks.
What to do
Visit Cape May beaches: Located about 20 minutes from Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort, these beaches offer excellent swimming and sunbathing opportunities. "We had a large pull through lot with our 36 foot fifth wheel. The sites were wooded and there were so many leaves all you could hear was leaf blowers throughout the day," noted one camper.
Play miniature golf: Many campgrounds offer on-site mini-golf courses, including Mays Landing Resort. "The miniature golf course could have been maintained better, but it was so inexpensive I couldn't consider it an issue," one visitor mentioned about their experience.
Explore local breweries: Several breweries are located near camping areas. "Cold Spring Brewery wasn't too far and was fun," shared a camper staying at Sun Retreats Avalon. Another visitor 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!"
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area prioritize cleanliness. At Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake, visitors appreciate the "clean showers and toilet" as mentioned by a recent guest. Another camper at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake noted it has "well kept area" and a "nice pool and playground."
Swimming options: Many RV parks near Ocean City feature pools or lake swimming. "The girls loved swimming in the lake and the pool. We were only a short drive from the beach, as well," shared a family who stayed at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake. At Mays Landing Resort, "the playground was great my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt."
Friendly staff: Helpful employees enhance the camping experience. At King Nummy Trail Campground, "The staff are absolutely amazing! So friendly and caring! Our cat got out/lost during our stay and they all went above and beyond to help us." Similarly, at Shady Pines Campground, "Staff was friendly and accommodating."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Mays Landing Resort, "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." Another camper noted, "It's an ok campground, nothing really special. It does have a nice playground for the little kids."
Varying site privacy: Some campgrounds offer more private sites than others. At Thousand Trails Lake & Shore, "the sites are way too close for me and your practically on top of your neighbors," according to one reviewer. At Sun Retreats Avalon, sites have "foliage between sites though they were close together."
Seasonal populations: Many campgrounds have long-term residents. At Mays Landing Resort, one camper observed, "This is more like a long term stay place that has a couple of short term sites." At Shady Pines Campground, "there are several contract workers staying there and we found them to be really helpful and knowledgeable about the surrounding area and RV care."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Pools and playgrounds keep children entertained. At Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort, there are "activities for kids" and "a little man made beach in the center of the campground." One visitor shared, "My daughter made friends with kids her age in the pool."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours better than others. At Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake, one family noted, "We moved the next morning and our next site was wonderful- much larger and quieter." However, another camper mentioned, "There were a couple obnoxious parties going on."
Check bathroom facilities: Clean restrooms make family camping easier. At Shady Pines Campground, bathrooms were described as "SUPER clean" by one family who noted, "My family did utilize the bathrooms for shower convenience after the beach and they were SUPER clean."
Tips from RVers
Know your site dimensions: Many RV camping spots near Ocean City are tight for larger rigs. At Shady Pines Campground, one RVer reported, "Even though I provided accurate dimensions for our motorhome, the site was inadequately sized to accommodate the full length."
Prepare for seasonal closures: Most RV parks in the region operate seasonally. Echo Farms RV Campground runs from May 1 to October 15, while Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake is open April 1 to November 1. King Nummy Trail Campground operates from April 15 to October 27.
Consider location convenience: Proximity to attractions varies by campground. At Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake, one RVer appreciated being "close to Long Beach Island and Atlantic city" and noted it's "right off the parkway- easy to get to and easy to go places."
