Campgrounds near Williamstown, New Jersey offer access to the pine forests and wetlands of the New Jersey Pinelands. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 30-100 feet above sea level, with sandy soil that drains quickly after rain. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons feature milder conditions with daytime temperatures between 65-75°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Thousand Trails Chestnut Lake features a lake stocked with fish for campers. "Good fishing, good people, nice shaded and sunny spots, beautiful pool," notes one regular visitor, though they warn to "stay away from the front middle spots, they flood when it rains."
Beach excursions: Sun Retreats Avalon serves as a convenient base for coastal activities. "We were close to the Cape May beaches. Cold Spring Brewery wasn't too far and was fun," shares a camper who stayed in July. The campground is approximately 45 minutes from several ocean beaches.
Local breweries: Several campgrounds provide easy access to regional craft breweries. A visitor to Shady Pines Campground mentioned, "There's a cute brewery right around the corner and a burger place called Tony Beef. We liked them both!" These establishments typically offer tastings between $8-15.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept washroom facilities. A camper at Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites noted, "Cleanest bathrooms," while another visitor mentioned, "The bathhouse was clean AND air conditioned!!!!!" However, at some locations showers require quarters to operate.
Swimming options: Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort offers both pool and natural swimming areas. According to a reviewer: "Pros love the pool, lake, waterslides, and proximity to cape may." Water amenities typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with some extending into September.
Level camping spots: While some campgrounds struggle with terrain issues, others provide properly graded sites. At King Nummy Trail Campground, visitors report "beautiful views of the marsh and sunset" from their sites, with one long-time camper stating, "Have been coming to king nummy for 30 years! Now I bring my wife and son! We love it."
What you should know
Seasonal vs. transient camping: Many campgrounds primarily serve seasonal campers. A visitor to Echo Farms RV Campground observed, "This is a nice place but they could definitely do with better communication," explaining that "being as this is mostly seasonal sites and we were one of only a few transient campers, they could have called" about closed amenities.
Golf cart traffic: Multiple campgrounds permit golf carts, which creates mixed experiences. "The golf carts were the absolute worst, people don't obey the speed limit on these things (and there are a lot of them whizzing around...) Many were driven by underage kids (against rules, but clearly not enforced)," reported one camper at Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites.
Site privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. A visitor to Sun Retreats Avalon noted that "sites were sandy. There was foliage between sites though they were close together." At other locations, reviewers mention tight spacing with minimal separation between RVs.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for children. A visitor to Mays Landing Resort commented, "The playground was great my daughter really enjoyed the scavenger hunt. The miniature golf course could have been maintained better, but it was so inexpensive I couldn't consider it an issue."
Mosquito preparation: Insect protection is essential, especially in wetland areas. One camper at Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites warned, "the mosquitos were INSANE!" Campers should bring strong repellent, mesh screens for dining areas, and consider camping in spring or fall when insect activity decreases.
Kid-friendly activities: Military Park Fort Dix Range 14 Camp offers a quieter camping experience away from louder family campgrounds. "Clean and gravel. Lots of military training nearby but overall a quiet stay. On the beaten path but a bit further into the trees so you're not hearing so much road noise," reported one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers should bring extra leveling blocks when camping near Williamstown. A camper at Shady Pines noted, "The much bigger problem was that it sloped so much it was impossible to level. I didn't have enough blocks to prop up the leveling jacks enough to level the RV."
Maneuvering space: Many campgrounds have tight roads and limited turn radius at sites. "The roadways are narrow and there isn't a lot of maneuvering room," reported an RVer with a 42-foot fifth wheel at Sun Retreats Avalon, adding they needed "a crew of fellow campers to get us in and out of site."
Site length verification: RV campers should confirm exact site dimensions before booking. One motorhome owner reported, "Our site was too short for our 37' motorhome. I made it fit, but measured just 3-inches of air between the back of my RV and the back of our neighbor's RV."
