Cape May has some great campgrounds that let you stay near to nature without being too far from the waves, whether you are renting a small cabin, a tent, or an RV.
We pulled details from park websites, recent visitor feedback, and county regulations so you can compare sites on what really matters: distance to the beach, level of shade, how clean the bathhouses are, and whether there’s enough to keep kids or dogs busy when the weather turns.
From quiet, adults-only nooks to full-tilt resort parks with movie nights and splash pads, Cape May campgrounds cover every camping style—and keep the shore escape easy on the wallet.
1. Sun Retreats Seashore (Formerly Seashore Campsites & RV Resort)
Just ten minutes up Seashore Road from the Washington Street Mall, Sun Retreats Seashore feels more like a small resort than a typical campground.
Families come for the space and stay for the line-up of kid-friendly (and dog-friendly) perks.
Why many campers start here first:
• Plenty of room to spread out. A spring-fed lake surrounded by more than 90 acres of shaded sites does not feel crowded even with full-hook-up RV pads.
• A true activity calendar. Heated swimming pool, splash pad, 18-hole mini-golf course, two playgrounds, pickleball courts, evening hayrides, and Saturday bonfires with s’mores kits from the camp store. On rain days the arcade and craft barn save the afternoon.
• Pets welcome (really). There’s a double-gated dog run plus plenty of walking loops under the pines.
• Close, but not crowded. You’re five miles from Cape May’s beaches and lighthouse but far enough inland to skip ocean-front price tags and shore traffic.
Local tip: The best sunset view comes from Lakeside cottage 18. If you’re an early riser, grab a kayak (rentals at the store) and watch egrets cruise the shoreline before the pool opens.
2. Cape Island Resort — Season-Long Community, Five Minutes from Town
Tucked behind a line of tall pines on Route 9, Cape Island feels less like a weekend campground and more like a summer neighborhood.
Most of the 600 sites hold park-model cottages that families own (or buy second-hand) and return to every year—so the vibe is relaxed, friendly, and decidedly long-term.
A small handful of full-hook-up pads are released to short-term RV travelers when seasonal owners are away—call the office and they’ll let you know what’s open.
Worth noting:
• Near everything, but sheltered. Route 9 traffic disappears once you’re through the gate, and the pines knock down most highway noise.
• Roads are golf-cart and bike friendly—many seasonal folks leave the cars parked until checkout.
• No tent loop or bathhouse near the transient pads, so RV self-containment is required.
• Sunday mornings a small farmers’ market sets up by the rec hall (local produce & coffee).
3. Sun Outdoors Cape May, (formerly known as Holly Shores Camping Resort)
Tucked into 38 acres of oak and pitch-pine forest on Route 9, Sun Outdoors Cape May feels more like a summer camp than a campground.
Because the resort sits halfway between Cape May and Wildwood (about ten minutes either way), you can spend the morning on the beach, the afternoon in the pool, and still be back in time for s’mores at the community fire ring.
It’s the most activity-packed campground in the county—great if your crew wants pool time, crafts, and theme weekends after a morning at the beach.
What keeps families coming back are the themed weekends—“Christmas-in-July” snow-machine parades, Labor-Day foam parties, October’s three-weekend Halloween bash—and the fact that almost everything is walkable for kids on bikes or scooters.
Tent-only loops sit under deep shade, RV pads have full hookups plus Wi-Fi, and if you’d rather pack light there are loft cottages, safari tents, and even a couple of retro Airstream rentals.
Dogs get their own fenced run (and a dog-wash station), anglers can cast in the catch-and-release pond, and grown-ups sneak off to evening yoga or the Saturday wine tasting while the activity staff runs a tie-dye workshop. Book early; most summer weekends sell out before Easter.
Why campers like it
• The safari tents give you real beds, AC, and a front porch—perfect middle ground if half the family loves tents and half wants walls.
• Every Saturday night a food-truck row pulls in by the pavilion (tacos, BBQ, water-ice), saving you a drive to town.
• Staff will shuttle kayaks down to the salt-marsh launch on request—sunset paddles are gorgeous and quiet.
If you crave a wooded setting but still want resort-style amenities and quick beach access, Sun Outdoors Cape May checks every box.
Local Tip: Tent Loop C backs up to the nature trail—quiet, quick walk to bathrooms, and you’ll spot deer at dawn. Book direct to dodge third-party fees: sunoutdoors.com
4. Adventure Bound Cape May (the longtime “KOA” a few locals still remember)
Adventure Bound sits just off Route 9, hidden by a wall of tall pines that muffle the traffic and give the whole place a “secret-camp” feel.
The loops are shady and laid-back, a little pond flashes between the trees, and and enough kid-friendly programming to keep them busy.
Most days start slow. Parents nurse a mug of coffee on the deck while the dog gets a quick lap around the bark park; early-riser kids race each other to the playground before the sun gets hot.
It’s the sort of campground where nobody’s in a hurry until the pool gate clanks open.
By noon the place flips. Splash-pad fountains are launching squealing toddlers, the gem-mine trough is lined with kids panning for “emeralds,” and the gaga-ball pit is a nonstop tournament. It’s happy, low-key chaos: jump in when you want the buzz, wander back to your hammock when you don’t.
Because Adventure Bound sits almost dead-center between Cape May and Wildwood (both about ten minutes away), families split their days: beaches early, pool and splash pad after lunch, s’mores at the community fire ring once the movie on the lawn wraps up.
Theme weekends keep the calendar full—Foam-Fest, Super-Hero Saturday, three separate Halloween bashes in October—and most of it is walkable for kids on bikes or scooters, so the car can stay parked all week.
Why campers like it
• The jumping pillow and pirate-ship playground sit next to the pool—kids bounce, then cool off, while parents watch from a shaded cabana.
• Every Saturday the hay wagon loops to the pond for a “catch-release & photograph” bass derby—bait provided.
• Cabins have full bathrooms plus AC, but still give you a fire-ring and that woods-at-night smell you drove here for.
Local Tip: Ask for Loop B, Site 24. It backs onto the footpath to the pond (great for sunrise or fishing at dusk) and puts you two minutes from the bathhouse without facing the main road noise.
5. Depot Travel Park – Roll-in, Hook-up, Bike to the Beach
Most Cape May campgrounds make you choose between shade and sand. Depot Travel Park drops you a mile from the surf without giving up either.
Tucked behind Broadway in West Cape May, it’s an old-school RV park: wide pads, mature trees, and just enough lawn for a picnic table and a ring of camp chairs.
Mornings are pure convenience. A flat mile puts you on the sand at Grant Street or in line at Coffee Tyme; hit the Acme on your way back and you can forget the truck keys all week.
By mid-day the hum of window A/C units mixes with gull calls—half the campground heads to the shore, the rest settle into books, cornhole, or a chat at the little camp store.
Nights feel like a small neighborhood cookout: porch lights strung between ladders, local scallops on the griddle, and the Phillies game streaming on someone’s tablet. Nothing flashy, just clean, close, and easy—Depot’s three best selling points.
Why campers like it
• Everything—groceries, coffee, the beach—is a five-to-ten-minute pedal away.
• Bathhouses are cinder-block solid, scrubbed twice a day, and never feel overrun.
• A tiny on-site playground keeps littles busy while adults prep dinner.
• Owners live on-site and know most guests by name by the second day.
Local Tip: Ask for Site 47 or 48. They back onto the tree line—morning shade, evening firefly shows, and zero headlights from the main lane.
6. Acorn Campground – Room to Breathe, Easy on the Budget
Acorn sits ten minutes north of downtown Cape May in Green Creek, on a 30-acre patch of oak woods that feels farther inland than it really is. Sites are roomy, prices are lower than the beach-close parks, and the pace is pure “lazy-Saturday,” even in July.
Mornings start with birdsong and kids drift from the pool to the mini-golf course while parents top off coffee at the camp store.
After dark the place turns fire-ring mellow. Families gather for movie night in the rec hall or swap s’mores tips under lantern light.
Acorn is light on frills (no organized theme weekends), but big on elbow-room, friendly owners, and easy access to both Cape May and the Wildwoods without Cape May prices.
Why campers come back
• Shady, extra-wide pads mean you’re not awning-to-awning with the neighbors.
• Free mini-golf and pool (no wristband fees).
• Owners live on-site; they’ll run firewood out in a golf cart if you roll in late.
Local Tip: Loops D & E back up to undeveloped woods—site E-6 is a favorite for hammock hangers and gets a steady ocean breeze after 3 p.m.
Sites on Loop F face west over a meadow—book F-3 or F-4 and you’ll catch fiery sunsets right from your picnic table.
7. Beachcomber Camping Resort – Lakes, Pools Jersey-Shore Style
Spread across nearly 100 wooded acres just off Seashore Road, Beachcomber feels like somebody dropped a small resort in the middle of the pines.
Three spring-fed lakes shimmer behind the gate; two are for swimming, one’s stocked for catch-and-release fishing.
Add in a pair of pools, a sandy “lake beach,” and nightly events and you’ve got the busiest campground calendar in Cape May County.
Best part if you travel with a pup? Beachcomber carved out a fenced “Bark Beach” where dogs can splash safely off-leash, then zip to a separate run for fetch while you hose the sand off. No other Cape May campground gives pets their own swim zone.
Usually starting with paddle-boats gliding across the lake, or children hustling to the craft pavillion for tie-dye.
At lunchtime, the snack bar is making soft-serve cones, the geysers on the splash pad are going full blast, and music is playing from the pool deck.
Evening events include bingo in the recreation hall, flashlight lollipops searches, and on the weekends there is a DJ under the pavillion lights.
Why campers book early
• The lake beach lets little ones dig sand castles while older kids leap from the floating raft.
• Holiday “mega” weekends—Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day—pack in everything: food-truck, fireworks over the lake.
• The rental cabins range from basic bunkhouses to deluxe models equipped with full kitchens, air conditioning, and a screened porch.
Local Tip: Ask for sites H-12 through H-18—they back onto Lake 2, giving you sunset water views and a 30-second walk to the paddle-boat dock, but they’re far enough from the pavilion that evening DJ sets won’t keep toddlers awake.
Camper Tips for Cape May
(A quick reality-check before you lock the hitch and hit the Parkway)
• Reserve early—really early. Fourth-of-July and Labor Day weekends at the big resort-style parks (Sun Outdoors, Beachcomber, Sun Retreats) are usually sold out by February. Even the smaller spots like Depot Travel Park fill up once spring hits. If summer is your only window, try to book the minute New Year’s decorations come down.
• Pack for shore and woods. Ocean breezes keep days pleasant, but twilight in the pines belongs to the mosquitoes. A good pump-spray repellent, a couple of beach chairs, and a collapsible wagon make life easier whether you’re headed to Sunset Beach or just schlepping firewood from the camp store.
• Beach tags: required on all City of Cape May beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day (kids 11 & under are free). Stay at Depot or Sun Retreats? Your front desk sells day and week tags at the same price as the booth on the sand—grab them the night you arrive and skip the line.
• Firewood & quiet hours. Cape May County asks campers to burn local wood only (to keep invasive pests out). Every park on our list sells bundles for $8–$10. Typical quiet hours run 10 p.m.–7 a.m.; rangers do enforce, so save the Bluetooth speaker for daylight.
• Trash & critters. Black-trash bags at night = raccoon buffet. Slide garbage into the locked dumpsters before bed and you won’t hear the “midnight can-tipping”.
• Quick grocery & breakfast runs.
Route 9/Rio Grande strip – Acme, ShopRite, Aldi, and a big Walmart (all 5-10 min from most parks).
• Fuel-plus-snack stop – Wawa on Seashore Rd. (coffee / ice / shorti hoagies).
• Sit-down pancakes – Uncle Bill’s or The Mad Batter (Craving a nicer night out? Browse our Best Restaurants in Cape May article).
• Rain-day plan. A lighthouse climb, the Aviation Museum, or the County Zoo all stay open year-round. More ideas are in our Things to Do in Cape May with Kids guide.
With a little prep you’ll spend less time in line and more time chasing crabs at low tide, paddling the salt marsh at sunset, or swapping stories around the fire. See you under the pines!
Wrapping Up
If the Jersey Shore is on your bucket list, skip the three-nights-and-out hotel routine and pitch your home base under Cape May’s pines instead.
Spending a week at one of these campgrounds is more affordable than staying in town for a weekend, and it offers a whole new experience on the trip.
Fun activities like mini-golf, splash pads, and movie nights ensure that kids never get bored.
After a day of play, they can go home with a little sand in their shoes and a whole new group of friends they made at tie-dye.
Got a dog? Bring the leash, not the guilt. Most Cape May parks have fenced runs, shaded walking loops, and even a “Bark Beach” where pups can splash off-leash.
Some Cape May beaches allow dogs in the season also, so your four-legged friend also gets a vacation—no expensive pet-sitter, no wondering about their situation back home.
Bottom line: Pack the cooler, load up the bikes, and come make the memories you actually meant to have at the shore.
Need a roof before or after the campfire?
Sometimes you want a night of air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a real mattress. Browse our hand-picked Cape May vacation rentals—run by local hosts who know the fastest route to the beach tags and the best place for sunset take-out.
Book direct, skip the hidden fees, and keep that camp budget happy. We’ll leave the porch light on.
F&Q about camping in Cape May
1. How early do I have to book?
If you want the big holiday weekends, think “New Year, new reservation.”
Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day weekends are often gone by Valentine’s Day.
So if you’re eyeing a prime July weekend, book as soon as the park’s reservation window opens (generally 6-12 months out).
For an ordinary mid-week stay in May or September, a month or two ahead is usually fine.
2. Are beach tags included with my stay?
Only a few parks (Sun Retreats and Depot Travel Park) sell City of Cape May beach tags at their front desk for the same price you’d pay on the sand.
All others require you to purchase tags at beach entrances or online; kids 11 and under are always free.
3. Can I bring my dog—and where can they swim?
Every campground on our list welcomes leashed dogs; most also have fenced runs.
Beachcomber adds a dedicated “Bark Beach” swim zone, while Sun Outdoors and Sun Retreats each have sizable dog parks plus wash stations.
Off property, Cape May Point allows dawn swims before 10 a.m. in summer, and most city beaches open to dogs November through April. Always pack poop bags; rangers do check.
4. Do any campgrounds open year-round?
Nope. Once Halloween passes, everyone pulls the gates until spring, but Cape May itself stays very much alive.
For a cozy base, book a shore cottage through NewJersey.Rentals—a local platform that lets you rent straight from Cape May hosts at wallet-friendly off-season rates.
5. What’s the largest RV these parks can handle?
Sun Retreats and Beachcomber both accommodate rigs up to 45 ft on select pull-through pads.
Adventure Bound and Sun Outdoors top out around 40 ft, while Depot Travel Park prefers 38 ft or less.
Always mention slide-outs when reserving—some shaded loops have tree-clearance limits.
6. Are campfires allowed?
Absolutely. Each site has a ring or you can bring a raised pit. Cape May County requires locally sourced firewood (sold at each camp store) to prevent the spread of tree pests.
Typical quiet-hour curfews mean flames must be low or out by 10 p.m.
7. Is the Wi-Fi good enough for remote work?
It depends. Sun Outdoors, Sun Retreats, and Beachcomber offer free basic Wi-Fi plus paid “turbo” upgrades near office clusters.
In the wooded loops a phone hotspot is safer. Depot’s signal is surprisingly solid unless half the park starts streaming Netflix after dark.
8. What rainy-day activities are nearby?
Climb the lighthouse, watch jets at the Naval Air Station museum, prowl the boutiques on Washington Street Mall, or hit the free county zoo. Need more ideas? Our Things to Do in Cape May with Kids guide is packed with boredom-busters that work even when the clouds roll in.
Happy planning, and see you under the pines!
