Campgrounds and RV parks near Seaside Heights, NJ

Seaside Heights sits on the Barnegat Peninsula in Ocean County, New Jersey, at the eastern edge of a barrier island fronted by the Atlantic Ocean and backed by Barnegat Bay. The town itself is a dense boardwalk-and-beach destination with no on-island campgrounds, so RV travelers base themselves on the mainland and drive over the Route 37 bridge into town. Most campgrounds sit in the pinelands and Ocean and Monmouth County suburbs west of the bay, generally within a fifteen to forty-five minute drive. Options range from wooded family parks such as Tip Tam Camping Resort in Jackson and Butterfly Camping Resort, to a state-park option at Allaire State Park in Monmouth County, and a larger resort-style park at Sun Retreats Long Beach Island in Barnegat. Cedar Creek Campground and Canoe Rent in Bayville, long a landmark for paddlers on Cedar Creek, has ceased camping operations after its property was acquired by the Ocean County Land Trust for preservation. Drivers reach the area from the Garden State Parkway, which connects the inland campgrounds to the beach, the boardwalk, and Six Flags Great Adventure to the north.

State park sites at Allaire are booked through the New Jersey Outdoors reservation system at camping.nj.gov, or by phone to the park office at 732-938-2371. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. Day passes are required for all vehicles at New Jersey State Parks, and a per-booking reservation fee also applies. Private campgrounds each use their own systems. Tip Tam Camping Resort takes reservations directly by phone or through its website and is also listed on Good Sam. Sun Retreats Long Beach Island accepts online bookings within 30 days of arrival, takes phone reservations at (609) 698-5684, and is also bookable through Campspot. Butterfly Camping Resort books directly through the operator. For peak summer weekends, book early. Holiday weekends around Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day fill first, particularly at parks with full hookups.