RV campgrounds near Gibbsboro, New Jersey offer access to the New Jersey Pinelands, a unique ecological region characterized by sandy acidic soils and pine-oak forests. The area sits at approximately 50-100 feet above sea level and experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching 90°F in July and August. Many campgrounds in the region are built on sandy terrain, which can create challenges during heavy rainfall but provides good drainage.
What to do
Visit local breweries: Travelers staying at Shady Pines Campground can explore nearby craft beer options. According to one camper, "There's a cute brewery right around the corner and a burger place called Tony Beef. We liked them both!"
Beach excursions: Access multiple coastal destinations from centrally located campgrounds. At Echo Farms RV Campground, one visitor noted it was "centrally located around 4 beaches" making it convenient for day trips despite having "very small sites with no grass and no privacy."
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature stocked lakes for recreational fishing. A visitor to Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake mentioned "the lake has plenty of fish" among the park's positive attributes.
Historical exploration: Several historic sites lie within a short drive of local RV parks. One guest at Village Scene Park recommended checking out "nearby Morgan Log House, which has some nice historical significance and is super close."
What campers like
Spacious pool facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-maintained swimming areas. A visitor to Thousand Trails Sea Pines reported a "great pool and splash pad" and noted "kids love the lake."
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. One camper at Shady Pines noted that "the bathrooms were SUPER clean" despite the campground's other limitations.
Community atmosphere: Many parks host organized activities, particularly during holidays and summer weekends. At Mays Landing Resort, a tent camper was impressed with a DJ event: "I don't know if the person playing the music was a professional DJ, he was incredible. He has to be the greatest campsite DJ ever."
Family-friendly amenities: Recreation options for children exist at several parks. One visitor to Mays Landing Resort commented, "The playground was great, my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt."
What you should know
Uneven terrain: Many sites require significant leveling equipment. A visitor to Shady Pines reported, "The much bigger problem was that it 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."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the region close during winter months. Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake operates from "April 1 to November 1" according to their seasonal schedule.
Site selection challenges: Trees and narrow roads can complicate positioning larger rigs. At Sun Retreats Avalon, one RVer noted, "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...there are trees all the way up to the street which limits your turn radius."
Long-term vs. short-term mix: Many parks cater primarily to seasonal residents. A camper at Mays Landing Resort observed it was "more like a long-term stay place that has a couple of short-term sites."
Tips for camping with families
Check for weekend activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events specifically for children. At Mays Landing Resort, a parent shared, "Halloween decorations were the best. The playground was great, my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt."
Verify pool availability: Not all pools open early in the season. One family at Echo Farms was disappointed: "Upon arrival we found that the pool was closed, as was the playground. We were not informed by management."
Assess site privacy: Many campgrounds have limited separation between sites. A visitor to Sun Retreats Avalon noted, "There was foliage between sites though they were close together."
Consider lake swimming alternatives: Not all water features are suitable for young children. A visitor to Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake warned about "bugs, no store, stay away from the front middle spots, they flood when it rains."
Tips from RVers
Plan for tight navigation: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. At Sea Pines, campers report "spots can be tight and lots of trees, sometimes making it difficult to get in and out of."
Prepare for sandy sites: The regional soil conditions affect parking surfaces. A visitor to Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp described the conditions as "clean and gravel" which can be preferable to sandy options during wet conditions.
Research dump station hours: Limited access can complicate departure plans. One visitor to Village Scene Park reported that the dump station carried a "$20 flat dump fee, opened 9-4pm M-F, but closed on the weekends."
Consider noise levels: Activity patterns vary significantly between parks. A camper at Sun Retreats Avalon mentioned, "We were kind of annoyed by the loud music of other campers. It was late (but not yet quiet hours), we were in our camper, with our air conditioner running and our TV on, and we could still hear their music."
