Near Villas, New Jersey, campers can enjoy Atlantic coast camping from April through October, with most facilities closing after Labor Day. Seasonal weather patterns dictate camping availability, with humid summers and mild spring and fall seasons. Many campgrounds in this region offer convenient access to beaches while maintaining wooded settings with moderate privacy between sites.
What to do
Explore historic military sites: At Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, visitors can discover preserved WWII structures. "There are miles upon miles of walking and biking trails. There are nice play facilities for kids, loads of water and beach access. As a former military installation, there are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such," explains Lisa B.
Enjoy water recreation: The lakes at many campgrounds offer swimming and boating options beyond ocean beaches. A visitor at Ocean View Resort Campground noted, "They have a Great swimming Lake with a huge sandy beach." Many facilities provide rental equipment for water activities, enhancing accessibility for all visitors.
Cycling on designated trails: The Cape May area features several bike-friendly routes connecting campgrounds to beaches and attractions. A Cape Henlopen visitor mentioned, "Free bike rentals are available, some with baby seats and trailers. The trails are awesome and easy to walk or ride bikes on, with a few hills to muscle up, but it's mostly flat terrain and paved."
What campers like
Lake swimming alternatives: When ocean beaches get crowded, campground lakes provide quieter swimming options. At Sun Outdoors Cape May, Dave R. appreciated "a nice lake with a giant inflatable slide, floating trampoline, kayak and paddle board rentals. A decent pool that tends to get a bit crowded, but does the trick."
Wooded campsites: Despite proximity to beaches, many campgrounds offer tree cover. "Our site was HUGE!!!! It was also super private with trees and a lot of privacy from the road and our neighbors," reports a camper at Belleplain State Forest.
Bathroom facilities: Campground bathhouses vary widely in quality and cleanliness. At Sea Pines, a camper noted, "Bathroom cleaned daily. Could use more showers," while at Cape Henlopen a visitor found "bathrooms were clean and modern."
What you should know
Site selection challenges: At many Cape May area campgrounds, site size and privacy vary significantly. A camper at Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort commented, "Tent site was fantastic, level, trees are well trimmed, but still with good coverage, sites are a nice size. Close enough to the bathroom and water options."
Reservation requirements: During peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), advance booking becomes essential. Some campgrounds have specific requirements: "This is a cash only establishment! You literally have to mail them a check to hold your reservation and also they do nothing online," explained a visitor to The Depot Travel Park.
Seasonal operations: While most facilities operate from April to October, hours for amenities vary seasonally. An Ocean View Resort visitor mentioned, "The negative would be the number of long term sites, but the campground was overall clean and the staff were all very nice."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for children: The best places to camp near Villas, New Jersey for families often include multiple water attractions. At Beachcomber Camping Resort, a camper shared, "The entire family had fun. Kids were super happy about all the activities this campground has to offer."
Transportation options: Consider campgrounds offering internal transportation. One Sun Outdoors Cape May visitor reported, "We had a blast with a golf cart rental. The campground is rather large, so it felt like a necessity to having a secondary way of getting around easily as a family."
Scheduled activities: Many campgrounds organize daily events during peak season. A Shellbay Campgrounds visitor mentioned, "There were a lot of things for kids to do but it was not the kind of camp ground for peace and quiet. Several sites were playing music until 11:00 every night."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: RV travelers should verify site measurements before booking. At Cape Henlopen, a visitor advised, "If you have a trailer, make sure that you input your trailer length to find a site that fits as they vary."
Dump station congestion: Holiday weekends create long lines at dump stations. A Belleplain camper complained, "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."
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in this region have uneven terrain. "None of the sites are level. Sites are mostly small and close together," reported a Cape Henlopen State Park camper. Pack leveling blocks and ensure your RV has functional stabilizers to address these conditions.
