Sun Outdoors Cape May is a 38-acre wooded campground at 491 U.S. 9 in Cape May, New Jersey, roughly four miles from the beaches of Cape May and Wildwood. The resort has approximately 300 sites spanning RV hookups, tent camping, cottages, tiny houses, and glamping, plus a seasonal pool, dog park, and playground.
Key Takeaways
- Sun Outdoors Cape May sits on 38 wooded acres at 491 U.S. 9, about four miles from Cape May and Wildwood beaches.
- The campground has roughly 300 total sites, including RV hookups (50-amp and 30-amp), tent sites, 29 cottages, 7 tiny houses, 6 glamping sites, and 1 house.
- Base nightly rates for RV and tent sites typically range from about $70 to $100 depending on season and site type, according to the property’s own published information.
- The resort is seasonally open, generally mid to late April through late October or early November; the heated pool runs roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
- Reservations made within 30 days of arrival must be booked by phone, and a deposit equal to two nights or half the stay (whichever is greater) is required for stays under 30 nights.
- The property formerly operated as Holly Shores Camping Resort and has since been rebranded as Sun Outdoors Cape May, with recognitions that include ARVC’s Large Park of the Year and a Top Rated NJ Park nod from Trailer Life.
If you’re weighing a wooded campground against a walkable historic-district rental for your 2026 Cape May trip, this guide breaks down exactly what Sun Outdoors Cape May offers, from site types and pricing structure to seasonal hours and how the location actually compares to staying inside town. Cape May County pulled in $8.44 billion in visitor spending in 2026, a 4.2% jump over 2026, so demand for both camping and in-town lodging keeps climbing every year.
We run Cape del Mar, a handful of renovated condos inside Cape May’s historic district, and we get asked constantly how a stay at a campground like Sun Outdoors compares to staying a five-minute walk from Washington Street Mall. Both have their place depending on what kind of trip you’re planning, and we’ll lay out the honest tradeoffs below.
How Far Is Sun Outdoors Cape May From the Beach?
Sun Outdoors Cape May is approximately four miles from both Cape May and Wildwood beaches, positioning it as a midway base camp rather than a beachfront property. The campground sits just off Route 9, about one mile south of Garden State Parkway exit 4B, which makes it a quick highway hop to either beach town.
Because the resort is inland, you’ll need a car, bike, or rideshare to reach the sand, unlike a stay inside Cape May proper where you can walk straight from your door. Some online listings place the resort at roughly five miles straight-line from the center of Cape May, which lines up with the four-mile driving estimate to the closest beach access points.
For families who want to split time between the boardwalk energy of Wildwood and the quieter Victorian streets of Cape May, the in-between location has genuine appeal. First, it’s close enough that you’re not adding a long drive to your daily beach routine. Additionally, it puts both Wildwood’s amusement piers and Cape May’s historic district within a short drive rather than forcing a choice between them.
If walking to the beach without moving a car all week matters more to you than acreage and wooded privacy, an in-town rental changes that math entirely. Properties like Cape Belvedere, a top-floor 2-bedroom condo, sit a block from the sandy shores and about two minutes from Congress Hall, so beach access becomes a walk rather than a drive.
What Amenities Does Sun Outdoors Cape May Offer?
Sun Outdoors Cape May offers a heated outdoor pool, a fenced dog park, a playground, a game room, sports courts, and a camp store, positioning it as a self-contained family resort rather than a bare-bones campground. The property also includes free Wi-Fi, cable TV hookups, laundry facilities, and a jumping pillow for kids.
Specifically, the recreation lineup includes horseshoes, a kiddie pool, and a rec room for rainy-day activities, plus reported golf cart and canoe rental options at certain times of year. The campground borders a freshwater fishing lake with adjacent biking and walking trails, so anglers and casual cyclists have something to do without leaving the property.
Pet owners will find the fenced dog park a genuine draw, and the resort markets itself as pet-friendly across its camping sites and vacation rentals. As a result, families traveling with dogs have a real off-leash option on-site, something worth checking against your own rental if you’re staying elsewhere in the county.
For a broader look at what’s family-friendly beyond any single property, our guide to things to do in Cape May with families covers activities that work whether you’re camping at Sun Outdoors or staying inside the historic district.
Is Sun Outdoors Cape May Open Year-Round?
Sun Outdoors Cape May is not open year-round; it operates on a seasonal schedule that generally runs from mid to late April through late October or early November. Published dates vary slightly by source, with some listing an April 14 to 17 opening window and a closing date anywhere from October 31 to November 7.
The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce listing specifically notes an April 15 through October 31 operating window, which is a useful anchor if you’re planning a shoulder-season trip. Quiet hours run from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily throughout the operating season, a detail worth knowing if you’re a light sleeper or traveling with young kids who go to bed early.
Because the campground closes for winter, snowbird-style long stays and off-season Cape May visits aren’t an option there the way they are with a year-round rental. If you’re drawn to Cape May in the quieter months, an in-town condo like Cape Oar, an 800-square-foot renovated apartment inside an 1860 Victorian house one block from Washington Street Mall, stays bookable well outside the traditional camping season.
Cape May County’s tourism data backs up the appeal of shoulder-season travel: 52% of visitors indicated they visit the county two or more times per year, and year-round tourism has been climbing steadily according to county tourism reporting. Fall and spring trips avoid peak crowds while still delivering mild weather.
Does Sun Outdoors Cape May Have a Pool?
Yes, Sun Outdoors Cape May has a heated outdoor swimming pool, though it operates on a seasonal schedule rather than year-round. The pool typically opens around Memorial Day weekend and closes around Labor Day weekend, which lines up with peak family travel season and New Jersey’s warm-weather months.
A kiddie pool is also available for younger children, separate from the main pool area. Outside of the Memorial Day to Labor Day window, the pool is closed, so guests booking spring or fall camping trips shouldn’t count on swimming as part of the itinerary.
If pool access matters to your trip regardless of season, that’s another place where an in-town rental has an edge. Cape Belvedere doesn’t have a private pool, but its cupola with panoramic ocean views and four complimentary seasonal beach passes give guests direct ocean access instead, which many travelers consider a fair trade for open water over a chlorinated pool.
What Site Types and Hookups Does Sun Outdoors Cape May Offer?
Sun Outdoors Cape May offers a mix of RV hookup sites, tent sites, and furnished accommodations across its roughly 300 total sites. Some listings break the inventory down further into 117 RV sites, 29 cottages, 7 tiny houses, 6 glamping sites, and 1 house, in addition to standard tent camping spots.
Electrical service includes 50-amp and 30-amp hookups, with some sites likely offering 20-amp service for smaller rigs or tent campers who need minimal power. Pad configurations include both pull-through and back-in sites, with certain pull-through spots reportedly accommodating rigs up to 30 by 55 feet, useful information if you’re towing a larger fifth-wheel or Class A motorhome.
The table below breaks down the general site categories based on publicly available property data:
| Site Type | Approximate Count | Typical Features |
|---|---|---|
| RV Sites | 117 | 50-amp/30-amp hookups, paved or gravel pads, pull-through and back-in options |
| Cottages | 29 | Furnished, heat/AC, full kitchens per vacation rental listings |
| Tiny Houses | 7 | Compact furnished units, private bathrooms |
| Glamping Sites | 6 | Furnished tent-style accommodations |
| House | 1 | Standalone rental unit |
| Tent Sites | Remaining inventory of ~300 total | Basic tent camping, some with electric access |
Sanitation is handled through a dump station and pump service, standard for a property of this size. Vacation rentals on-site typically include heat, air conditioning, a full kitchen, a private bathroom with shower, a living and dining area with a TV and sleeper sofa, and a screened porch, essentially a step up from tent or RV camping without leaving the wooded property.
What Are the Check-In Times, Deposit Rules, and Rates at Sun Outdoors Cape May?
Sun Outdoors Cape May uses a 2:00 p.m. check-in and 11:00 a.m. check-out for RV and tent sites, while vacation rentals check in slightly later at 3:00 p.m. with the same 11:00 a.m. check-out. Early check-in and late check-out are both available for an additional $30 fee, according to the property’s published policy.
Base nightly rates for RV and tent sites generally range from about $70 to $100 depending on the season and specific site type. Rates climb during peak summer weekends and holiday periods, so booking well ahead for July and August dates is worth doing if you have specific site preferences.
Deposit rules follow a straightforward structure: stays under 30 nights require a deposit equal to two nights or half the total stay, whichever amount is greater. Longer stays of 30 nights or more require a flat $500 deposit instead. If your arrival falls within 30 days, the resort requires you to book by phone at (609) 886-1234 rather than online.
For an apples-to-apples comparison, in-town rentals like Cape Wave, a renovated two-bedroom loft in an 1860 Victorian house a five-minute walk from the beach, typically use standard 3 to 4 p.m. check-in windows without the same phone-booking requirement for last-minute dates. Our FAQ page covers our own booking and deposit process if you’re comparing options side by side.
What Does the History and Rebranding of Sun Outdoors Cape May Tell You?
Sun Outdoors Cape May formerly operated under the name Holly Shores Camping Resort before its rebranding under the Sun Outdoors network, a chain of camping resorts operating across multiple states. The name change reflects a broader trend of independent campgrounds being absorbed into national hospitality brands over the past several years.
Despite the corporate rebrand, the property has maintained recognition within the New Jersey camping community. It has received the ARVC Large Park of the Year award, a Best Campground nod from CapeMay.com, and a Top Rated NJ Park designation from Trailer Life magazine. These accolades speak to consistent grounds maintenance and programming rather than novelty.
Notably, a separate dog-friendly campground in the area, Holly Shores, allows two dogs per campsite across 38 wooded acres, worth checking if you’re researching options under the historical Holly Shores name and want to confirm which property you’re booking.
The rebrand matters for practical reasons too. Reservation systems, contact numbers, and online booking portals changed with the transition, so if you find an old listing referencing “Holly Shores Camping Resort,” double-check you’re looking at current information through the official Sun Outdoors Cape May website rather than an outdated cached page.
How Does Sun Outdoors Cape May Compare to Staying in Cape May’s Historic District?
Staying at Sun Outdoors Cape May means trading in-town walkability for wooded acreage, resort-style pool amenities, and camping-specific activities like a dog park and fishing lake access. Staying inside Cape May’s historic district, by contrast, means walking to the beach, Washington Street Mall, and restaurants without ever moving your car.
Neither option is objectively better; the right choice depends on what your trip actually needs. A family with an RV, several kids who want a pool and playground on-site, and a dog that needs off-leash time will likely prefer the campground setup. A couple celebrating an anniversary, a group of friends wanting walkable nightlife, or anyone without a vehicle will get more value from an in-town rental.
Cape May’s historic district was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 11, 1976, and its late-Victorian architecture is part of what makes staying inside town feel different from any wooded campground. Guests at Cape Surf, a renovated condo in the historic Baronet Mansion, step outside to preserved 1800s buildings rather than pine trees, and the beach itself is just steps away rather than a four-mile drive.
For pet owners specifically, the comparison gets more nuanced. Sun Outdoors offers a dedicated fenced dog park, while Cape del Mar’s pet-friendly units, Cape Whale, Cape Surf, and Cape Pelican in Cape Coral, allow well-behaved dogs with the request to keep them off furniture. Our pet-friendly Cape May guide breaks down exactly which properties welcome dogs and what restrictions apply, since not every rental in town does.
What Should Families Weigh Before Booking a Campground vs. a Rental?
Choosing between a campground and an in-town vacation rental in Cape May comes down to five practical factors: transportation needs, group size, desired activities, pet requirements, and how much you value proximity to the beach and downtown dining.
Here’s a straightforward way to think through the decision:
- Do you own an RV or want to rent one? If yes, a campground like Sun Outdoors makes financial sense since you’re already equipped for that style of travel. If no, hauling gear for a tent stay adds cost and hassle that a furnished rental avoids entirely.
- How many people are in your group? Larger multigenerational groups often need more bedrooms and bathrooms than a single campsite provides. Cape Pelican in Cape Coral, for example, sleeps up to 10 across four bedrooms, useful context even for Jersey Cape trip planners comparing formats.
- Do you need beach access daily without driving? If yes, prioritize an in-town rental. If you’re fine driving four miles each way, the campground’s wooded setting and pool become more appealing.
- Are you traveling with pets? Confirm pet policies either way. Sun Outdoors has a dedicated dog park; several Cape del Mar units allow dogs with simple furniture restrictions.
- What’s your budget for the full stay? Campground nightly rates in the $70 to $100 range can add up with add-on fees for early check-in, while an in-town condo often includes beach tags, parking, and linens in the base price.
One detail generic guides tend to skip: parking. Sun Outdoors includes parking with your site, but driving into Cape May proper during peak summer means competing for street spots or paying for a municipal lot near the beach. Rentals like Cape Belvedere include dedicated off-street parking plus additional street parking, which removes that daily hunt entirely.
What Else Should You Know About Visiting the Area in 2026?
Cape May County’s tourism economy is entering 2026 on strong footing, with visitor spending reaching $8.44 billion in 2026, a 4.2% increase over the prior year, and the county projecting robust summer demand tied to regional events including the FIFA World Cup and America 250 celebrations. That means booking early, whether for a campsite or a rental, matters more this year than in a typical season.
The county also reports one of the highest visitor loyalty rates in New Jersey: 84% of visitors return, and 44% have been visiting for 20 years or more. That kind of repeat business tends to mean locals and regulars have strong opinions about where to stay, and campground versus in-town debates come up constantly among people who’ve tried both.
If you’re weighing where to base a longer trip, our neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to where to stay in Cape May covers how different parts of town compare for walkability, and our first-timer’s guide to planning a Philadelphia day trip is worth a look if you’re combining a Jersey Cape stay with a city excursion, since Philadelphia sits within a manageable drive for many Cape May visitors.
For accessibility-minded travelers, note that Cape May’s public beaches offer surf chairs and accessible parking through the Cape May Beach Patrol’s free surf chair program, a detail worth checking regardless of whether you’re camping or renting, since campground guests still need to access town beaches by car.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Sun Outdoors Cape May from the beach?
Sun Outdoors Cape May sits approximately four miles from both Cape May and Wildwood beaches. The campground is inland off Route 9, so guests need a car, bike, or rideshare to reach the sand rather than walking directly from their site.
Is Cape May dog friendly?
Yes, Cape May is broadly dog friendly, though rules vary by beach and season. Dogs are generally restricted from many public beaches during peak summer hours (roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day) but allowed at other times of year, and specific municipal codes govern promenade and beach access. Sun Outdoors Cape May has an on-site fenced dog park, and Cape del Mar’s Cape Whale, Cape Surf, and Cape Pelican properties all welcome well-behaved dogs.
Why is Cape May called Cape May?
Cape May takes its name from Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, who charted the area’s coastline in the early 1600s. The “Cape” refers to the peninsula’s geographic point, and the name has stuck through nearly four centuries of settlement, making it one of the oldest continuously named seaside destinations in the country.
When was Cape May founded?
Cape May is widely recognized as America’s oldest seaside resort, with organized tourism dating back to the early 1800s. The city’s Victorian architecture, much of it built after an 1878 fire prompted a wave of rebuilding, earned the historic district a National Historic Landmark designation on May 11, 1976.
How far is Cape May from Philadelphia?
Cape May is generally a 90-minute to two-hour drive from Philadelphia, depending on traffic and the route taken via the Garden State Parkway or Atlantic City Expressway. It’s a popular weekend escape for Philadelphia residents looking for a coastal reset without a long travel day.
Are dogs allowed on Cape May beaches?
Dog access to Cape May beaches depends on the specific beach, municipality, and season. Several nearby areas, including Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area and Cape May Point, have seasonal restrictions, generally banning dogs during peak summer months and allowing access in the off-season. Always check current municipal or state signage before bringing a dog to a specific beach.
How far is Cape Coral from the beach?
Cape Coral itself is not a beach town; its own shoreline is limited, and most visitors drive roughly 10 minutes to Cape Coral’s public beach access points or closer to 35 to 40 minutes to Fort Myers Beach or Sanibel Island. Cape Pelican, our Cape Coral villa, is about a 10-minute drive from Cape Coral Beach and roughly 40 minutes from Sanibel Island.
Does Sun Outdoors Cape May allow same-day or last-minute bookings?
Reservations made within 30 days of arrival at Sun Outdoors Cape May must be booked by phone at (609) 886-1234 rather than through the online system. This is worth knowing if you’re planning a spontaneous trip, since online availability may not reflect the most current inventory that close to arrival.
Where This Leaves You for 2026
Sun Outdoors Cape May works well if you own an RV, want a wooded resort setting with a pool and dog park, and don’t mind a four-mile drive to the beach each day. Its roughly 300 sites, seasonal April-through-October operation, and $70 to $100 nightly rate range make it a solid, established option for camping-focused families visiting the Jersey Cape in 2026.
If walkability, historic architecture, and stepping outside straight onto Cape May’s beach streets matter more to your trip, an in-town rental delivers a different but equally valid experience. Either way, Cape May County’s tourism momentum, with $8.44 billion in 2026 visitor spending, means booking ahead for peak summer dates is worth the effort regardless of which format you choose.
If you’d rather trade the four-mile drive for a walk straight to the sand, Cape Belvedere puts you a block from the beach and two minutes from Congress Hall, with a private rooftop cupola for watching the sunset without leaving the building. Check availability and photos here.
