New Jersey Shore and Maryland

[NY_RVer]

The wife and I are looking to spend some time in NJ by the shore and possibly taking the ferry to Maryland. Would really prefer to camp right by the shore, but have not been able to find any campgrounds on the ocean. Any suggestions?

[Doug33]

NY RVer wrote:
Last couple of days there were actually calm, so I put the awning out, but never for overnight, and always took it in when we left. Worth it anyway. Enjoy Lancaster!

Where in the Hudson Valley do you live? I grew up in northern Westchester County.

[NY_RVer]

Last couple of days there were actually calm, so I put the awning out, but never for overnight, and always took it in when we left. Worth it anyway. Enjoy Lancaster!

[Doug33]

NY RVer wrote:
I agree, but that's where the electric came in handy. Unfortunately the awning had to stay in most of the time due to the wind, that would have at least provided some shade. It definitely is in a good location for visiting popular local areas within a decent driving distance.

The wind at DSSP was the final straw that broke the camel's back, and made me upgrade from a PU to a TT in 2006. The canvas was blowing around so hard it sounded and felt like a freight train coming through. It actually lifted the end beds up in the air at times. I had no such issues in the TT. 🙂

[NY_RVer]

I agree, but that's where the electric came in handy. Unfortunately the awning had to stay in most of the time due to the wind, that would have at least provided some shade. It definitely is in a good location for visiting popular local areas within a decent driving distance.

[spoon059]

Good deal, glad to help you out! The only thing not to like is the lack of shade. Some mature trees would make that place darn near perfect!

[NY_RVer]

spoon059, your description was on the money! We just got back last night. We stayed 2 nights at DSSP and then had to leave as there were no sites available for the weekend, so we went to Castaways in the Ocean City area, and then back for another 3 at DSSP. We enjoyed it enough to reserve 10 nights for next year. 3 point hook up walking distance to ocean, what is there not to like?

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

[weathershak]

NY RVer wrote:
Thanks everyone. Seems like Delaware Seashore would be the place to go for some beach time, and some site-seeing within a short drive. I went online to check availability, and does not show Fridays available with full hook-ups, which means I would have to move for a day or two.

spoon059, I'm assuming you were in the North campground with full hook-ups, correct? Were the sites tight? Based on map layout, seems like the South campground is tighter. I've read a few reviews comparing it to a Walmart parking lot, and I would really hate to drive down to be in a parking lot setting.

Also, coming down from NY, but have to make a service stop in Northern NJ off of 287, what would be the best way to get there? Would it be worth taking the ferry in Cape May with truck and TT?

Don't know if you are on your way or not, but I can give you a travel option. Assuming you are taking the Tappan zee Bridge across to Rt 287. I take 287 to The Garden State Parkway south to the New Jersey Turnpike all the way south to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. There may be delays because they are doing paint work on the bridge, When in Delaware, follow signs to Dover which will eventually put you on Rt 1 South. Stay on Rt 1 South all the way down to Delaware Seashore State Park. You will Bypass most of the towns and Rt 1 is a nice ride (toll Road) You will have to deal with some traffic in the Lewes and Rehoboth area You will have a great time. I live not too far away :B

[NoVa_RT]

Assateague has 2 campgrounds, one with electric, one without. I've never stayed at either, but I have visited friends at the one with no electric. It is MISERABLE there. No shade, no electric for AC, no views of the ocean (dunes), large flies...

The non-electric loops of the State Park do allow generators (and the National Park may also) except for quiet hours (10:00PM - 7:00AM, IIRC), so there are some A/C options. No shade, so if it's really hot, it can be rough, but if the forecast is mid 80s in the day & 10-15° cooler at night, as it often is, it's pretty good. There is usually enough of an ocean breeze that bugs aren't a problem, but perhaps I've been lucky in my 3 trips in the last 2 years. It's true the dune blocks the view of the ocean from the campground, but walk 100 feet from many campsites over one small dune, and you have a great view - just ocean, no bridge, no road noise, no buildings, and very few people. Just a few dozen campers in space that would have thousands up in Ocean City.

[All_I_could_aff]

The closest we got in New Jersey to camping ON the beach in Wildwood two years ago. The town government sent out a crew in the off season to set up "sites" on the beach immediately east of the boardwalk. They were essentially just 4x4 posts driven into the beach with numbers on them. I believe approximately 40 of them. No water or electric.
Before it even opened, the town caved to pressure from the many hotel owners who felt the view from their oceanfront rooms would be ruined by Campers on the beach. A couple of council meetings later, and the numbered posts were removed.

[NY_RVer]

Thank you!!

[Busskipper]

spoon059 wrote:

NY RVer wrote:
spoon059, I'm assuming you were in the North campground with full hook-ups, correct? Were the sites tight? Based on map layout, seems like the South campground is tighter. I've read a few reviews comparing it to a Walmart parking lot, and I would really hate to drive down to be in a parking lot setting.

Also, coming down from NY, but have to make a service stop in Northern NJ off of 287, what would be the best way to get there? Would it be worth taking the ferry in Cape May with truck and TT?

Yes, we stayed in the north campground. The spots weren't huge, but they also weren't "tight" in my opinion. The campground is pretty sparse, no big trees, no real shade. The bath house is nice, the laundry is nice. Access to the park is great from Rt 1. Coming across the ferry with a trailer will be EXPENSIVE. You save some time, but the cost might make it unreasonable.

Here is a pic of our site. The pad is asphalt, then crushed gravel, then sand. I've stayed in parking lots before... like Liberty Harbor Marina in NYC. This is not a parking lot... but its also not a tree filled state park either.
Here is a night time pic of the bridge. Its there, the day time views aren't great, but noise isn't bad and the beach is right on the other side. Its a 2 minute walk to the water... not bad at all!
This was our favorite spot in the morning... sitting on the river during the morning dog walk and watching the boats go out. This is looking south to the older side of the campground.

Godd info and Great Pic's

Thanks,

[spoon059]

NY RVer wrote:
spoon059, I'm assuming you were in the North campground with full hook-ups, correct? Were the sites tight? Based on map layout, seems like the South campground is tighter. I've read a few reviews comparing it to a Walmart parking lot, and I would really hate to drive down to be in a parking lot setting.

Also, coming down from NY, but have to make a service stop in Northern NJ off of 287, what would be the best way to get there? Would it be worth taking the ferry in Cape May with truck and TT?

Yes, we stayed in the north campground. The spots weren't huge, but they also weren't "tight" in my opinion. The campground is pretty sparse, no big trees, no real shade. The bath house is nice, the laundry is nice. Access to the park is great from Rt 1. Coming across the ferry with a trailer will be EXPENSIVE. You save some time, but the cost might make it unreasonable.

Here is a pic of our site. The pad is asphalt, then crushed gravel, then sand. I've stayed in parking lots before... like Liberty Harbor Marina in NYC. This is not a parking lot... but its also not a tree filled state park either.
Here is a night time pic of the bridge. Its there, the day time views aren't great, but noise isn't bad and the beach is right on the other side. Its a 2 minute walk to the water... not bad at all!
This was our favorite spot in the morning... sitting on the river during the morning dog walk and watching the boats go out. This is looking south to the older side of the campground.

[NY_RVer]

Thanks everyone. Seems like Delaware Seashore would be the place to go for some beach time, and some site-seeing within a short drive. I went online to check availability, and does not show Fridays available with full hook-ups, which means I would have to move for a day or two.

spoon059, I'm assuming you were in the North campground with full hook-ups, correct? Were the sites tight? Based on map layout, seems like the South campground is tighter. I've read a few reviews comparing it to a Walmart parking lot, and I would really hate to drive down to be in a parking lot setting.

Also, coming down from NY, but have to make a service stop in Northern NJ off of 287, what would be the best way to get there? Would it be worth taking the ferry in Cape May with truck and TT?

[spoon059]

OP, we stayed at Delaware National Seashore park in August. Its about as close to the ocean as you can get and still have full hookups. Its right on the Indian River Inlet, which cuts the park in two. Its a 2 minute walk to the sand and ocean. Fair warning... you have to cross Rt 1 to get to the ocean. You actually walk under the large bridge that goes over the river, so you aren't crossing a road... but you are parked right next to it. The views aren't the best towards the ocean. You are there for the convenience and full hookups for a reasonable price.

15 minutes north gets you to Rehoboth Beach, DE which is a family friendly beach and boardwalk with fun shops and a funky downtown area. 5 minutes south gets you to Bethany Beach, DE which is a much smaller family friendly beach town with a small boardwalk and some shops. Half hour south gets you to Ocean City, MD which is a large beach town with all kinds of stuff.

Another option, if you can do without electric, is Cape Henlopen State Park. This is literally just across the street from where the ferry lands in Deleware. Gorgeous state park, easy access to the beach (but not as close as Indian River), great hiker/biker trails, they have a small restored WWII Army base with an observation tower you can climb. Lots of beach, a parking lot and bath house at the beach. The RV parking spots are essentially parallel parking along a street with no hookups, but the park is beautiful.

Assateague has 2 campgrounds, one with electric, one without. I've never stayed at either, but I have visited friends at the one with no electric. It is MISERABLE there. No shade, no electric for AC, no views of the ocean (dunes), large flies... No thank you. Having electric might make things better, but in the summer you will basically spend your entire time inside in the AC... why bother going to the beach to sit inside your trailer??? As you can tell, I don't see the appeal of these campgrounds.