Best Campgrounds near South Dennis, NJ

South Dennis, New Jersey sits within a diverse camping landscape that stretches from the Pine Barrens to the Atlantic coast. State parks and private campgrounds within 30 minutes of South Dennis provide options ranging from rustic tent sites to full-service RV resorts with amenities. Belleplain State Forest, located about 15 miles west, offers year-round camping with spacious wooded sites and water recreation opportunities. Ocean View Resort Campground, just 10 miles east, features both primitive and developed sites operating from April through October. The region balances natural settings with proximity to shore attractions, making it popular for families seeking beach access while maintaining a camping experience.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Reservations become essential during summer weekends and holidays when shore-bound tourists fill the region. Sandy soil conditions are common throughout the area, particularly at coastal campgrounds where campers often note challenges keeping sand out of their equipment. As one visitor to Belleplain State Forest mentioned, "It's very quiet and that's what I was looking for. It's just a short drive to the ocean at Cape May and Ocean City." Cell service varies significantly by provider and location, with AT&T generally providing better coverage than other carriers in wooded areas. Many campgrounds offer WiFi, though connection quality is frequently described as inconsistent.

Waterfront access ranks highly among camper priorities, with lakeside sites at state forests and ocean-proximate private campgrounds booking fastest. "The different types of camping/glamping experiences exceeded my expectations," noted one visitor to Beachcomber Camping Resort near Cape May. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with state forest locations typically offering more separation between campsites than private RV parks. Several reviewers mentioned the sandy terrain as both a characteristic feature and occasional challenge. Facilities at private campgrounds typically include swimming pools, camp stores, and organized activities, while state parks offer more natural recreation options including hiking trails, fishing, and boat rentals. Most campgrounds accommodate pets with additional fees, though specific restrictions may apply.

Best Camping Sites Near South Dennis, New Jersey (114)

    1. Belleplain State Forest

    22 Reviews
    Woodbine, NJ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 861-2404

    "They allowed me to drive around first and pick out a campsite before checking in. They charge $5 extra for a dog. So far it is very quiet and that's what I was looking for."

    "Very nice campground tucked away in southern NJ. Clean facilities. Plenty of space for our tent. lake for swimming and you can rent boats. nice hiking trails and playground."

    2. Ocean View Resort Campground

    15 Reviews
    Dennis, NJ
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 624-1675

    "It's very close to everything, but you don't even need to leave the campground! There are a ton of activities!"

    "We went to Ocean View Resort in New Jersey to kick off the 2022 season in our new Fleetwood Discovery LXE. And we’re glad we did! "

    3. Sun Outdoors Cape May

    26 Reviews
    Tabernacle, NJ
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 886-1234

    "Stayed in a drive through, patio site with full hook-ups. It was situated on a corner spot. A lot of RV, golf cart, bike, and people traffic due to the location."

    "The front of the park is close to the pool and store- if pool noise is a concern you should stay further back. A mix of seasonal,"cabins" and overnight camping. Park was very clean."

    4. Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort

    18 Reviews
    Tabernacle, NJ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 884-4010

    "Great Location and close to Cape May City. 10 min drive to Washington Street Mall. Lots to do during the day."

    "Beautiful main building. close to a lovely walking trail."

    5. Ocean City Campground & Beach Cabins

    7 Reviews
    Dennis, NJ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 309-3649

    "Gravel under the trailer and small river rock around the picnic table and fire pit."

    "THINGS I LIKED: 

    • Park is within 30-minutes drive-time to Cape May, Ocean City, and Wildwood 

    • Everything we saw was in great condition, perfectly working order, clean, and looked new 

    *"

    6. Thousand Trails Sea Pines

    6 Reviews
    Cape May Court House, NJ
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "well maintained, wonderful pool and splash pad, great location!!"

    "Kids love the lake. Bathroom cleaned daily. Could use more showers. Nice and quiet at night."

    7. Whippoorwill Campground

    8 Reviews
    Ocean City, NJ
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 390-3458

    $43 / night

    "The only thing that concerned us was there were a lot of little kids walking around unattended. We will def go back."

    "Close to beaches and lots to do in the area."

    8. Beachcomber Camping Resort

    10 Reviews
    Tabernacle, NJ
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 886-6035

    $42 / night

    "A beautiful wooded campground close to the beaches of Cape May, New Jersey. Very family oriented and really a great place for adults too."

    "Lots to do and the beautiful beaches of Cape May, New Jersey are a short 10 minute drive. The different types of camping/glamping experiences exceeded my expectations."

    9. Ocean City Campground & Beach Cabins

    3 Reviews
    Dennis, NJ
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 390-3649

    "This campground is about a 15 minute drive from Ocean City. There are plenty of stores close by as well."

    10. Sun Retreats Avalon

    3 Reviews
    South Dennis, NJ
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 465-4456

    "We were close to the Cape May beaches. Cold Spring Brewery wasn’t too far and was fun."

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Recent Reviews near South Dennis, NJ

645 Reviews of 114 South Dennis Campgrounds


  • Tiffany P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Ocean View Resort Campground

    Lots of fun

    This place had a lot to do with kids! Lake, pool, ice cream, arcade, mini golf, mining station, activities. Does get very crowded and definitely have to book a head. We loved where our site was located. Will definitely be visiting again.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Redden State Forest Campground

    Secluded and improving

    8/15/2025

    Arrived after dark to find that I had the campground to myself. As noted in other reviews, turn right as you drive past the office/house and let yourself in through the closed (but unlocked) gate. Since the last review, it appears they've added 11 sites on a branch if you bear left after the gate. These sites (8-18) are level, packed gravel pads with benches, fire pit, grill, and picnic table. The restroom featured on the map is just a portalet, but there is plenty of overflow parking in that branch. Apparently you're not supposed to pull onto the gravel with your vehicle, just park parallel to the road alongside it. 

    Another note about the gravel - can't get stakes in. Plus, it's a pine forest and I didn't want to get sap on my tent so I didn't tent adjacent to the pad amidst the pine needles. I did drive around the right branch (sites 1-7) in the morning to find that they are dirt/grass sites and probably would be ideal for tenting/staking (and in case you haven't guessed, I don't have a freestanding tent). The area is densely forested with pines and is quite pleasant in that regard.

  • colleen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay

    Awesome!

    We loved it. Great for a long getaway or a quick one like ours. Loved our stay. It was clean and full of fun.

  • C
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort

    Pros and cons

    We have been to this campground twice. First time everything was very clean and lots to do. The last time things had slipped a little bit. Campground was definitely not as clean. The first time there was staff riding around picking up garbage and keeping things neat. Last time it seemed like it was just a bunch of teenagers flying around on golf carts not doing much. Almost all the games were broken in the arcade. Plus a lot more seasonals. The seasonals also have a lot of political flags with profanities. Not very family friendly! Pros love the pool, lake, waterslides, and proximity to cape may Cons broken equipment, kids racing golf carts all hours of the nights, lots of seasonals with over the top decorations, with flags with profanities and cleanliness slipping. We will try it again. Hopefully they were just having an off year.

  • Scott K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Bass River State Forest

    Fantastic Experience

    My first time solo camping and it couldn’t have gone better. The staff there are top notch. Clean site. So much to do. Couldn’t recommend enough.

  • Frank J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Belleplain State Forest

    Relatively new to this

    Stayed in site 116 in CCC section (only section with electric and water). Good privacy. Check-in went smoothly. Staff at office said all the roads in the CCC section were 2-way. Not wide enough in my opinion but we didn't have a problem. Restrooms/showers were ok. Sea Isle City is not too far away if you're into the Jersey shore, restaurants, live music.

  • A
    Jul. 23, 2025

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park At Delaware Beaches

    Great First Camping Trip

    My family tent camped for 1 night here at site 190. Decent array of electrical hookup options. My kids had a blast in the water area with the pool and large slides. It was our first time camping and we had trouble sleeping due to groups around us having fun until 11, but overall it was a really great experience and we will be returning

  • Joshua N.
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort

    Some issues

    The campsite is very nice except for a few issues not have not been addressed over the many years we have been coming here. First, the WIFI is absolutely terrible! I have complained before and it never improves. 2nd, when we checked in, we were told that there currently no cable TV. We were told to stream which was terrible as I stated above. Last, there was an older gentleman that works there as a pool attendant. He told one of the guests that vaping is not allowed in the fenced area of the swimming lake in a scolding tone and told the guest that it's against the rules and that he did not make up the rules. He then ran off to find the woman in charge of the pools(her name is Marie). She came in hot on her golf cart like Bo Luke in the Dukes of Hazzard and came over to the guest and started yelling at the guest like she committed murder. Totally uncalled for!!! She has an absolutely terrible personality and should not be working in the hospitality industry. There were a few other staff members that were very rude towards guests(including us). When I'm paying over$1000 for a week here, I expect to be treated much better. We almost felt like we were bothering the staff. We have seen Marie many times over the years and never see any behavior changes. The staff could use a good training session on hospitality and appreciation that guests come here to relax and spend a lot of money here to do so, so they are employed.

  • M
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Holly Acres RV Park

    Nice campground

    The sites are on the smallish side, but the staff is super nice and the facilities are maintained and clean


Guide to South Dennis

Camping near South Dennis, New Jersey, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds are close to the beach. For example, at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy biking to the beach and exploring the nature center. One reviewer mentioned, "There are paths to the beach that we rode our bikes on. Breathtaking sites for camping."
  • Historical Sites: Check out Fort Miles for a dose of World War II history. Campers at Sun Outdoors Cape May appreciate the nearby attractions, with one saying, "Beautiful setting, all blacktopped sites, clean functional bathhouses."
  • Outdoor Activities: Hiking and biking trails are abundant. Campers at Belleplain State Forest enjoy the spacious sites and activities at the lake, with one reviewer noting, "Great activities at the lake and playground."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of bathhouses and sites. At Ocean View Resort Campground, one visitor said, "Bathrooms were clean and staff were helpful and friendly."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds have a welcoming vibe. A reviewer at Hospitality Creek Campground shared, "Everyone was extremely friendly. I will definitely return - best kept secret!!"
  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate having room to spread out. At Old Cedar Campground, one guest noted, "There are few nice spots tucked away in the woods with plenty of privacy."

What you should know:

  • Busy Weekends: Many campgrounds fill up quickly on weekends. A camper at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground mentioned, "Very hard to snag a spot for a weekend. It's always busy."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer said, "The water stank and was straight brown."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of ticks and other wildlife. A reviewer at Belleplain State Forest warned, "Definitely beware of chiggers and ticks! Deet is necessary."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with organized activities for kids. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer, one parent said, "The pool and splash park were great but you needed to be at least 42 inches to go on the slide or bounce house."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids, especially around water. A visitor at Sun Outdoors Cape May noted, "The people that worked there seemed nice."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check if the campground has a store. A camper at Ocean View Resort Campground mentioned, "The store is one of the most comprehensive I've ever seen."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground advised, "Watch the site dimensions or you might not be able to fit your vehicle AND camper on the site."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A visitor at Holly Shores Camping Resort said, "If you are a master maneuver-er then this wouldn't be a concern for you."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A camper at Hospitality Creek Campground noted, "The site was a good size, covered in heavy mulch, and is level."

Camping near South Dennis, New Jersey, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near South Dennis, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, South Dennis, NJ offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near South Dennis, NJ and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near South Dennis, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Dennis, NJ is Belleplain State Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Dennis, NJ?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near South Dennis, NJ.