Campgrounds near Atlantic City offer access to the unique New Jersey Pine Barrens ecosystem, characterized by sandy soil and dense pine forests. Most campgrounds sit 10-30 minutes inland from coastal beaches, providing a forest setting with convenient beach access. Temperatures range from 45-85°F during camping season, with heaviest rainfall typically occurring in July and August.
What to do
Lake activities: rent boats at Bass River State Forest where visitors can enjoy the on-site lake. "We walked and explored, kayaked, and sang by the fire. The camp sites have plenty of room for the kids to run around and set up there own areas," notes Matthew H. Bass River State Forest remains open for camping year-round, unlike many seasonal operations in the region.
Mini golf and swimming ponds: explore family recreation at Ocean View Resort Campground. "They just completed a new camp store building that has everything you could think of from camping gear to beach chairs and floats! They also have a cafe that also sells ice cream," according to Ray L. The campground features multiple water recreation options including a dedicated swimming pond.
Nature hiking: discover forest trails at Belleplain State Forest. "Nice trails. great location. Been there a few times. will definitely go back," writes Stacey R. The state forest maintains several marked trails suitable for day hiking with varying difficulty levels, all accessible from camping areas.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural spacing at campgrounds near Atlantic City. At Baker's Acres, Jim G. notes that sites are "decently sized, level, and nicely bordered with trees that gives you a sense of privacy." Campgrounds in the Pine Barrens region typically feature wooded buffers between sites.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At Whippoorwill Campground, Mark A. reports, "Bath houses were extremely clean. Camp Store had a lot of supplies if needed." This represents a common point of satisfaction among visitors to area campgrounds.
Proximity to multiple beaches: Campers value the ability to reach different shore points. "We stayed at Atlantic Shore Pines Campground in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey...This campground is about 20 minutes from LBI, and 35 minutes from Ocean City," explains Dave B. Most campgrounds provide access to multiple beach towns within a 30-minute drive.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Summer bookings require advance planning. At Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake, Gayle B. explains, "We weren't sure about this campground. We booked through Thousand Trails and you can't reserve sites. Our trailer is 37 feet long, so there is always the concern we won't find any sites will fit in." Most campgrounds fill completely on summer weekends.
Insect preparation: The Pine Barrens ecosystem harbors significant insect populations. "It's buggy... to be expected but the general vibe here was not my thing," shares Amanda M. about Bass River State Forest. Mosquitoes are most active during June through August, especially near water features and at dawn/dusk.
Site flooding concerns: Low-lying areas can collect water during storms. Aimee D. advises at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake to "stay away from the front middle spots, they flood when it rains." Sandy soil throughout the region typically drains quickly but depressions can retain water.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad options: Water features provide entertainment for younger children. At Ocean City Campground, Stephen W. notes sites are "very nice n level. Beautiful landscaping. Gravel under the trailer and small river rock around the picnic table and fire pit." Multiple campgrounds feature specialized water play areas.
Cabin alternatives: Families with reluctant campers can compromise with cabin accommodations. Michael M. at Whippoorwill Campground shared, "We stayed in one of the cabins. Which was a perfect compromise when dealing with a child that doesn't want to sleep outside 'in the dirt' as she likes to say. The cabin was very comfortable and spacious for the 2 of us."
Organized activities: Scheduled events keep children engaged. Scott K. at Bass River State Forest reports, "My first time solo camping and it couldn't have gone better. The staff there are top notch. Clean site. So much to do." Most campgrounds post weekly activity schedules during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra preparation for uneven terrain. Matt S. discovered at Shady Pines Campground, "Even though I provided accurate dimensions for our motorhome, the site was inadequately sized to accommodate the full length. The much bigger problem was that it sloped so much it was impossible to level." Bringing extra leveling blocks is advisable.
Site dimensions: Larger rigs should verify exact site measurements. Joe D. notes at Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake: "pull through... not far from Long Beach Island and Atlantic city... small unshaded campsites." Many campgrounds in the Atlantic City area were developed before the era of larger RVs.
Dump station logistics: Plan extra time for departure when using shared facilities. Anne H. warns at Belleplain State Forest, "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! It was very unlevel and not easy to fully dump our tanks."
