Near Thorofare, New Jersey, RV camping options span across two states with many parks offering access to both Pennsylvania Dutch Country and the Jersey Shore. These campgrounds typically operate from April through November, though select facilities like Shady Pines Campground remain open year-round. Winter temperatures in the region average between 30-45°F while summer highs regularly reach 85-90°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Lake-In-Wood Campground, visitors can fish in the stocked pond. "There is a huge pond for fishing, miniature gold, nice indoor and outdoor pool and a kiddie pool," notes a recent camper. The campground also features goats to pet and watch.
Family pool activities: Many RV parks near Thorofare offer swimming pools that stay open throughout the summer season. "We've stayed at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake several times. The girls loved swimming in the lake and the pool. We were only a short drive from the beach, as well," explains one family.
Seasonal events: Campers can participate in seasonal activities at most area campgrounds. "This weekend we stayed had a chicken dinner. It was actually very good. We experienced the hayride around the campground," reports a visitor to Lake-In-Wood. Halloween events are particularly popular, with one camper at Mays Landing Resort noting, "Halloween decorations were the best."
What campers like
Quiet surroundings: Some campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere at certain parks. At Sun Valley Campground, a reviewer noted it has "mature trees and lovely fall colors" and described it as a "peaceful park."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. "Bathhouses and restrooms are located in a few spots around the park," explains a Spring Gulch camper. Another visitor to Village Scene Park remarked, "On visiting the office the staff was very accommodating and helpful. The two ladies had a greater handle on the operations of the very nice facility."
Weekend entertainment: Live music is available at multiple parks during summer weekends. "The Saturday night bands are concert worthy," explains a seasonal camper at Sun Valley. Another camper at Mays Landing Resort mentioned, "It was definitely a vibe. If he's not on the payroll and the owners read this the person playing the music Oct 3rd deserves some sort of compensation."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven sites. A camper at Mays Landing Resort reported, "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." Similarly, at Shady Pines, a visitor mentioned, "The much bigger problem was that it sloped so much it was impossible to level."
Seasonal vs. transient sites: Many RV parks Thorofare, New Jersey visitors use actually function primarily as seasonal communities. "This is more like a long term stay place that has a couple of short term sites," notes one Mays Landing Resort reviewer. At Village Scene Park, a camper observed it appeared to be "a 55+ retirement community" and "trailer home park" that also accommodates overnight RV stays.
Navigation difficulty: Some campgrounds have tight roads that can be challenging for larger rigs. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," warns one Lake-In-Wood camper. Another noted, "The exit is very tight to get out of and all lanes are one way so be careful if you have a big rig."
Tips for camping with families
Check playground options: Several parks offer dedicated play areas for children. "The playground was great my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt," mentions a Mays Landing Resort visitor. Another family noted their campground "has a nice playground for the little kids."
Consider safety around water features: Parents should be aware of unfenced water areas. "The tent loop is surrounded by water on 3 sides. There is no safety fence. The water is mostly standing water so expect mosquitoes," cautions a camper at Mays Landing Resort who traveled with small children.
Look for recreation options: Family-friendly amenities vary considerably between parks. At Spring Gulch Resort Campground, "Lots of sports gear available for free to use within park, has to be returned by 5 when main office closes. Mini golf was fun but need to be regreened," according to a recent review.
Tips from RVers
Call ahead for site dimensions: Many RV parks near Thorofare have size limitations or challenging sites. "Our site was inadequately sized to accommodate the full length," reported an RVer at Shady Pines who provided accurate dimensions when booking but still encountered problems.
Verify bathroom accessibility: Bathhouse locations vary throughout campgrounds. "Clean bathhouses and showers are located in a few spots around the park," notes one visitor. Another camper mentioned, "The upper showers were much better, no bugs and water was hotter."
Check for noise sources: Be aware of potential noise from nearby facilities or weekend activities. "There is a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there," mentions a Lake-In-Wood camper. At Mays Landing, a visitor noted, "On Saturday night, there is a DJ and a dance party from 7-10 pm. It is extraordinarily loud."
