Belleplain State Forest encompasses 21,000 acres of protected Pine Barrens ecosystem just north of Woodbine, New Jersey, offering multiple camping areas with varying levels of amenities. The forest contains three distinct campground sections: North Shore, Miesle, and CCC, with only the CCC section providing electric and water hookups. Most sites maintain natural sand terrain with pine needle groundcover, creating a quintessential New Jersey Pinelands camping experience.
What to do
Explore nearby beaches: Cape May beaches are about 20 minutes from most Woodbine glamping sites. "The campground is a short 5 minute drive from Cape May. Which is also a big reason we've returned. Sunset Beach, The Open Air Mall, and the charm of Victorian Cape May are all great reasons to visit," notes a camper from Sun Outdoors Cape May.
Hike local trails: A rail trail near Woodbine offers easy hiking or biking opportunities. "There is an 11 mile rail trail across the street as well," reports a visitor to Sun Outdoors Cape May. Many campgrounds connect to trail systems suitable for different skill levels.
Rent watercraft: Lake Nummy and other water features provide recreational opportunities. A visitor at Ocean View Resort Campground shared, "They have a huge pool and unbelievable splash pad to a great swimming pond with a beach! They also have a cafe that also sells ice cream."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many Belleplain sites offer good separation from neighbors. "Our site was HUGE!!!! It was also super private with trees and a lot of privacy from the road and our neighbors," reports one camper at Belleplain State Forest.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and common areas receive frequent positive mentions. One visitor to Beachcomber Camping Resort noted, "Nice clean campsites with good electric and water hookups. Great activities at the lake and playground. Site was level."
Kid-friendly activities: Most resorts provide scheduled entertainment for children. A visitor to Ocean View Resort Campground commented, "This place had a lot to do with kids! Lake, pool, ice cream, arcade, mini golf, mining station, activities. Does get very crowded and definitely have to book ahead."
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Most luxury glamping operations near Woodbine have limited operating seasons. "We stayed in the off season so not sure how crazy it gets in the warmer months with the lake being there," notes a hiker who visited Belleplain State Forest.
Bathroom availability: Some campgrounds have bathroom closures or limited facilities. According to one camper at Belleplain State Forest: "The closest bathrooms were closed, so we had to drive a few minutes to a different set. That got annoying. Also, there is absolutely nowhere to leave your trash, so be prepared to pack in and pack out."
Wi-Fi limitations: Connection quality varies significantly between properties. A recent visitor to Seashore Campsites & RV Resort reported, "The WIFI is absolutely terrible! I have complained before and it never improves."
Tips for camping with families
Book well ahead: Popular family campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Does get very crowded and definitely have to book ahead," advises a camper who visited with children.
Consider site location: Areas near pools or common areas can be noisy. A visitor to Seashore Campsites noted, "The front of the park is close to the pool and store - if pool noise is a concern you should stay further back."
Review transportation options: Some larger properties require additional planning. One family at Mays Landing Resort commented, "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."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: RV sites may be smaller than advertised. "After some strategizing, I backed in on a diagonal or there'd be no way to open our slides. This was ok, but it meant forfeiting the use of about half of the concrete pad," warns an RV owner who visited Sun Outdoors Cape May.
Be prepared for uneven terrain: Many sites require significant leveling. A camper at Mays Landing Resort observed, "Sites are very unleveled so the staff switched us to a pull thru space that was a tad bit more level but still very unleveled."
Plan for dump station lines: Holiday weekends create congestion at service facilities. "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 Memorial Day weekend and the line at checkout caused us to wait 2 hours to dump!!"
