Southern New Jersey's coastal camping near Downe offers a mix of sandy soil conditions and maritime pine forests situated at elevations ranging from sea level to 60 feet. Campers should be prepared for significant humidity levels from June through September when temperatures typically reach 85-90°F. The region experiences sandy trails and campsites that can be challenging during wet weather conditions.
What to do
Swimming lakes and beaches: Lake Nummy at Belleplain State Forest provides freshwater swimming with rental options. "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," notes camper April E.
Historic exploration: Cape Henlopen offers military history sites within the park. "As a former military installation, there are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such. There's a wonderful observation tower built on top of one of these that affords beautiful 360 degree views," explains Lisa B.
Fishing opportunities: Sites with lake access provide fishing options for anglers. At Parvin State Park Campground, one visitor mentions, "Good fishing and nice trails. Nice campsites, some big enough for trailers. Bathrooms were very clean."
Rail trail access: Several campgrounds provide access to biking trails in the region. At Holly Shores, "There is an 11 mile rail trail across the street as well," notes Joel A., making it convenient for cyclists looking to explore the area without driving.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites available at certain campgrounds. At Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort, "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."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms receive consistent praise. "The newly built bathhouses are great! They're always clean and I've yet to not get a hot shower, even though they get used a lot," reports Amanda R. about her experience.
Nature centers: Educational opportunities enhance camping experiences for many visitors. One camper at Sun Outdoors Cape May notes, "The nature center had planned activities for families each day," which provides structured learning opportunities.
Swimming options: Multiple water features at campgrounds are highly rated. "Great time spent 2 days. Rode our bikes and went to local winery. Cleanest bathrooms," reports Douglas G., highlighting the diversity of activities available within short distances.
What you should know
Winter access limitations: Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. At Spacious Skies Country Oaks, one camper notes, "Even in the colder months, this campground remains a quiet and relaxing escape. The grounds are clean and well-kept, with easy access to nearby nature spots."
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have water challenges. "The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing. Most of the showers were out of order. The toilets were clean but had the orange staining from the iron in the water," reports Frank J.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. "Virtually NO cell service with AT&T, TMobile or Verizon. AT&T was the better of the 3. Our Winegard/Gateway give us no internet which we normally get," reports one camper.
Dump station congestion: Limited facilities can cause delays during checkout. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Splash parks for children: Beachcomber Camping Resort offers water attractions specifically for families. "The entire family had fun. Kids were super happy about all the activities this campground has to offer. Staff is great as well," shares Stephanie G.
Free bike rentals: Some parks offer complimentary equipment. "Free bike rentals are available, some with baby seats and trailers," notes a camper, making family exploration more accessible without bringing all your gear.
Safety features: Gated campgrounds provide peace of mind. One visitor explains, "It's a gated resort which makes it incredibly safe and something that gives us piece of mind while out exploring."
Educational activities: Nature programs engage children throughout their stay. "The nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff," offers valuable learning experiences for children visiting the area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose sites carefully based on RV size. At Cape Henlopen, "None of the sites are level. Sites are mostly small and close together. The closer you are to the camp store, the louder and busier it is."
Arrival timing: Avoid late arrivals at some campgrounds. "Don't plan on arriving after dark as there is no type of lighting other than what the other campers have lit up," advises one RVer about navigating campgrounds.
Road conditions: Be prepared for challenging campground roads. "Very narrow roads to sites, so not big rig friendly there but most sites are quite large. No gravel or pads on sites, just bare ground."
Electric options: Many campgrounds offer varying electric service. "The CCC is the only one with electric and water hookups on site," notes a camper, emphasizing the importance of confirming utility options before booking.
