When it comes to camping destinations, New Jersey may not be top of mind for most RVers. But this much-maligned state is home to one of the northeast’s best outdoor environments — the Jersey Shore. This roughly 140-mile stretch of beaches, bays, and inlets packs fun and exciting small towns and fantastic attractions. If you’re considering a trip to the Garden State, join us as we break down the best campgrounds in NJ.
Can You Camp in New Jersey?
Yes! Not only can you camp in New Jersey, but the state also offers an amazing diversity of natural environments. You’ll find mountains in the northwest, pine forests of the south, and of course, the shore.
Despite the state’s small size, there are dozens of campgrounds in NJ near the beach. You’ll almost always have a new place to explore.
The 7 Best Campgrounds in NJ Near the Shore
While New Jersey may have some incredible landscapes, the state’s biggest draw is the approximately 140 miles of beaches, inlets, and bays known as the Jersey Shore.
With some of the northeast’s best beaches, it’s a great destination for a summer trip with friends or family.
#1 Pine Haven Camping Resort
Address: 2339 Route 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Amenities: You can rent cabins or cottages or stay at the RV resort. The campground has a general store, fishing lake, Wi-Fi, and playgrounds. Cool off with a cone or enjoy an outdoor movie.
Why You’ll Love It: Just a short drive from Sea Isle City, you’ll enjoy the quaint town’s beaches and delicious seafood restaurants before you know it. Pine Haven is also close to the Garden State Parkway, providing quick and easy access to the entire southern New Jersey shore.
The scenic, historic town of Cape May is less than 30 minutes away. There are also many activities and amenities around the campground if you feel like sticking close to home.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10. A fun getaway with lots of on-site amenities.
#2 Jersey Shore Haven Airstream Park
Address: 728 Dennisville Rd, Cape May Court House, NJ 08246
Amenities: This campground offers full hookups, including cable TV. There’s a heated pool, restrooms and showers, on-site laundry, a dump station, Wi-Fi, and boat storage.
Why You’ll Love It: The Airstream is an iconic part of RV culture. Those who own one of these retro-futuristic homes on wheels will find a place to stay among like-minded travelers at this shady, peaceful Airstream-exclusive park tucked in the south Jersey woods.
It’s just 15-20 minutes from Sea Isle City, Avalon, and Stone Harbor. You’ll have your choice of beautiful beaches. The park is also adjacent to Cape May National Wildlife Refuge.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 7/10. A peaceful environment close to some of the shore’s best towns, but only available to those with an Airstream.
Pro Tip: Want to stream Netflix or do some work while camping? This is How to Find Campgrounds with WiFi.
#3 Frontier Campground
Address: 84 Tyler Rd, Ocean View, NJ 08230
Amenities: You get full hookups with Dish TV available. There’s also restrooms and showers, Wi-Fi, a playground, a recreation room, and propane available.
Why You’ll Love It: Frontier Campgrounds offers campers a rustic, woodsy option that’s still just minutes from several bustling beaches. The park offers a variety of spots for all budgets, from dry camping up to full hookups, including TV.
In addition, you’ll be just minutes away from the peaceful, free beaches of Strathmere, the seafood restaurants of Sea Isle City, or the family-friendly boardwalk of Ocean City. The campground is also close to protected areas like Cape May National Wildlife Refuge and Corson’s Inlet State Park. The latter preserves one of the few remaining undeveloped portions of the shore.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 7/10. Lighter on amenities but friendly to all budgets and a great location.
#4 Holly Shores Camping Resort
Address: 491 U.S. 9 S, Cape May, NJ 08204
Amenities: You’ll find full hookups including cable, Wi-Fi, bathhouses, a camp store, and a heated pool and hot tubs. You can enjoy the volleyball and basketball courts. Or check out the dog park, playground, game room, on-site laundry, and fishing lakes.
Why You’ll Love It: Holly Shores has so much going on that you may never want to leave this NJ campground. With multiple pools, sports fields and courts, and even on-site fishing, you can have a blast just feet from your campsite. The resort also offers daily activities and themed weekends.
When you do venture out to the shore, you’ll find yourself in between two of the southern Jersey Shore’s top towns. A trip to Cape May will allow you to enjoy unique and finely finished Victorian homes.
Wildwood offers retro-style “doo-wop” motels and an exciting and lively boardwalk. Both boast miles of incredible beaches. You even have quick access to the beautiful sights along the Delaware Bay side of New Jersey.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 9/10. Close to excellent beaches and shore towns and packed with amenities and activities.
#5 Ocean View Resort Campground
Address: 2555 Route 9, Ocean View, NJ 08230
Amenities: Like many campgrounds in NJ, this one offers full hookups with cable, bathhouses, Wi-Fi, a camp store, and a cafe and snack bar.
Thanks to the laundromat, swimming pool with splash pad, and a freshwater lake, you barely need to leave the site. It also has a fishing pond, mini-golf course, playgrounds, an arcade, sports fields and courts, paddleboat rentals, ice, firewood, and propane.
Why You’ll Love It: Another full-featured spot, Ocean View Resort is New Jersey’s largest privately-owned campground. It even offers its very own lakefront beach. Kids and families will enjoy the splash pads and mini-golf, while all campers will enjoy the fully-stocked store, multiple places to grab a bite to eat, and regular campground activities.
Ocean View is just a few minutes from the beaches of Sea Isle City. With its location close to the Garden State Parkway, nearly any beach town on the southern part of the shore lies within easy reach. It’s a perfect launching point for exploring the entire region.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10. While the immediate location might not be as great as others, the amenities and easy transportation up and down the shore make it a worthwhile stop.
#6 Surf & Stream Campground
Address: 1801 Ridgeway Rd, Toms River, NJ 08757
Amenities: Surf & Stream has full hookups with TV, riverfront sites, Wi-Fi, a pool, a picnic area, a playground, mini-golf, and a bocce ball/volleyball court.
Why You’ll Love It: RVers who want to explore the more northern reaches of the Jersey Shore should head here for a perfect home base. While most RV campgrounds in NJ lie southward, this Toms River facility is just over 10 miles from Seaside Heights. Seaside Heights offers an iconic boardwalk and beautiful beaches.
The unspoiled habitats of Island Beach State Park are only a few minutes farther down the road, as are many smaller beach towns. As for Surf & Stream itself, campers certainly won’t need to rough it. With full hookups sites (including some along the river that flows through the park), a swimming pool, and on-site activities, you’ll have plenty to do even around your campsite.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 7/10. A valuable campground for its location alone, even if it doesn’t have some of the resort-style amenities of others.
Pro Tip: Before you set up camp in your RV park of choice, make sure to read up on these 5 Weirdest Rules You’ll Find in RV Parks.
#7 Sea Pirate Campground
Address: 148 Main St, West Creek, NJ 08092
Amenities: It offers full hookups, bathhouses, a dump station, and a camp store. You can enjoy the pool, playground, fishing pond, activity hall and arcade, dog park, and sports fields.
Why You’ll Love It: The many small communities spread along Long Beach Island are some of the New Jersey coast’s top destinations. Sea Pirate Campground is the best choice for RVers looking to stay in the area. You can reach your favorite beach in just 15-20 minutes.
This central NJ campground sits along US Route 9, which parallels the Garden State Parkway running up and down the shore. Around the campsite, you’ll find all the amenities you rely on at a quality park, along with an arcade, fishing pond, and even opportunities for crabbing.
Morton Road Trip Rating: 8/10. Ideally located for day trips anywhere along the Jersey Shore and a comfortable place to stay with plenty of amenities.
Don’t Put Off Your Jersey Shore Trip Any Longer!
Don’t let snarky jokes or MTV shows fool you. The Jersey Shore is a beautiful place, home to some of the region’s best oceanside beaches and a diverse group of shore towns.
With so many excellent campgrounds in NJ near the shore, you’ll go from hanging at your campsite to having your toes in the sand in just minutes. Now’s the time to plan your trip to the Garden State and enjoy everything the shore has to offer.
Have you ever been to the Jersey Shore? Drop a comment below!
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