Camping near Wildwood Crest, New Jersey often requires advance planning, especially during peak season when sites at popular campgrounds can fill up 6-12 months ahead. The region features a mix of sandy coastal sites and wooded inland campgrounds, with summer temperatures frequently reaching into the 90s with high humidity levels. Cell service reliability varies significantly between coastal and inland locations, with the best reception found at oceanside facilities and diminished coverage in densely forested areas.
What to do
Biking on trails: Cape Henlopen State Park Campground offers excellent cycling options with mostly flat terrain. "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. There's a nature center nearby that also lets you borrow a bike for free if you didn't bring your own," notes one visitor to Cape Henlopen State Park Campground.
Explore military history: Several campgrounds provide access to historic sites. "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 and photo opportunities," shares a camper at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground.
Water activities: The inland lake at Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort provides swimming options away from ocean waves. "Kids love the lake," notes one reviewer, while another mentions, "Great pool and splash pad." Most campgrounds with water features have structured swimming hours with lifeguards present during peak season.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: While coastal campgrounds tend to be more exposed, inland options offer more seclusion. At Belleplain State Forest, campers appreciate the space: "Our site was HUGE!!!! It was also super private with trees and a lot of privacy from the road and our neighbors." The forest also features recently paved roads and various camping areas with different amenity levels.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathhouses. At Sun Outdoors Cape May, a visitor notes: "Bathhouses were clean and well maintained." Another camper at a different facility remarked on "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."
Seasonal activities: Campgrounds organize regular events throughout the camping season. "We've stayed here 2 years in a row. We returned due to all the activities the campground offers for the kids. A nice lake with a giant inflatable slide, floating trampoline, kayak and paddle board rentals," shares one camper about Sun Outdoors Cape May. Activities typically ramp up on weekends and holidays.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Ocean View Resort Campground, site location can significantly impact your experience. As one reviewer explains, "The closer you are to the camp store, the louder and busier it is. Lots of kids. If you want quiet stay to the ends of the rows."
Weather considerations: Coastal sites experience strong winds, particularly at exposed locations. "The winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going," advises one camper at Delaware Seashore State Park Campground.
Reservation systems vary: While many campgrounds use online booking, some still operate with traditional methods. One camper notes about The Depot Travel Park: "This is a cash only establishment! Everywhere! You literally have to mail them a check to hold your reservation and also they do nothing online. You can't see availability or book on their archaic website."
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Beachcomber Camping Resort offers multiple water options for different age groups. "Lake was fun, sites were big, playground was great! You can rent golf carts which the kids loved and we used the whole weekend since it was so cheap & campground is huge," one family shares. Most campgrounds charge separate fees for water attractions.
Transportation options: Several campgrounds allow golf cart rentals, which families find useful. "We had a blast with a golf cart rental. The campground is rather large, so it felt like a necessity to have a secondary way of getting around easily as a family," notes a visitor at Sun Outdoors Cape May. Golf cart rentals typically range from $50-75 per day.
Proximity to attractions: When choosing a campground, consider travel time to beaches and boardwalks. "First time camping at the Jersey shore. This campground had it all from a huge pool and unbelievable splash pad to a great swimming pond with a beach!" shares a camper at Ocean View Resort Campground, adding that it's close to multiple beach towns.
Tips from RVers
Site challenges: Many campgrounds have tight sites or challenging access. At Belleplain State Forest, one RVer noted: "There was a dip in the site when backing in and our fifth wheel was bending to the point of rubbing the top of our truck when backing in. It also had rained and there were puddles in the sand."
Dump station logistics: Plan for potential wait times during checkout at busy campgrounds. "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. It was also Memorial Day weekend and the line at checkout caused us to wait 2 hours to dump!" warns a camper at Belleplain State Forest.
Site selection based on size: When booking, verify your RV will fit the assigned space. "If you have a trailer, make sure that you input your trailer length to find a site that fits as they vary," advises a camper at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, where sites range considerably in size and configuration.
