Best Campgrounds near Bear, DE

Campgrounds near Bear, Delaware provide a mix of state park and private camping options within a short drive of urban areas. Lums Pond State Park Campground in Bear offers spacious sites with full hookups for RVs and designated areas for tent camping, while Elk Neck State Park Campground, located about 20 miles east in Maryland, features cabins alongside traditional camping areas. The region includes several developed campgrounds with amenities like electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, making it suitable for both tent campers seeking basic accommodations and RV travelers requiring full-service sites.

Camping availability throughout the area remains consistent year-round, with most state parks operating all seasons. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. The terrain is generally flat with sandy or clay soil at some locations, which can affect site conditions after rainfall. As one camper noted, "Not a huge fan. The park seemed nice but the campground was a clay, dirt, sand, silt surface with ravines from rain. I spent hours trying to get sand out of the camper days after my exit." Cell service is reliable throughout the region, and most developed campgrounds provide reasonable access to shopping and urban amenities within a short drive.

Several visitors mention the spacious nature of sites at Lums Pond State Park as a highlight, with one reviewer describing it as having "large spacious sites" that are "very level and spaced apart from neighbor if you pick the right spots." Campgrounds in the area typically feature wooded surroundings providing shade and privacy, though site quality and spacing vary considerably between locations. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at most parks, with hiking trails and water activities serving as primary recreation options. Campers frequently note the peaceful atmosphere despite proximity to urban areas, though some locations experience weekend crowding during peak summer months. The mix of state and private campgrounds provides options ranging from basic tent sites to full-service RV pads with 50-amp electrical service, sewer hookups, and amenities like picnic tables and fire rings.

Best Camping Sites Near Bear, Delaware (94)

    1. Lums Pond State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Kirkwood, DE
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 368-6989

    $22 - $40 / night

    "Great place to stay and check out “Lower, slower Delaware.”"

    "Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."

    2. Elk Neck State Park Campground

    60 Reviews
    Perryville, MD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 287-5333

    $21 - $55 / night

    "I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
    The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. "

    "Surrounding area
    There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."

    3. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA

    17 Reviews
    Downingtown, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (610) 486-0447

    $59 - $86 / night

    "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45’ motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle."

    "The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy."

    5. Blackbird State Forest Campground - CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE

    6 Reviews
    Townsend, DE
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 653-6505

    $25 / night

    "The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."

    "I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."

    6. Woodlands Camping Resort

    3 Reviews
    White Hall, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 398-4414

    7. Cecil County Permaculture

    1 Review
    North East, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (443) 945-5492

    $10 - $16 / night

    "Has outhouse, fire pit, running water on side of house near outhouse. An is a wonderful person. Good reception with T-Mobile!"

    8. French Creek State Park Campground

    81 Reviews
    Geigertown, PA
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (610) 582-9680

    $20 - $75 / night

    "We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"

    "If you want starlink, stay toward the entrance of the loop for a good view of the sky. If you want to be away from everyone and don't need a site that has good accessibility, stay in C27."

    9. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA

    20 Reviews
    Paulsboro, NJ
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (856) 423-6677

    "This is a very nice KOA, just over the Delaware River from Philly. The park is clean, quiet, full of families. The staff are friendly and welcoming."

    "They also have a catch and release pond and we found a pickleball court at a nearby city park."

    10. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer

    10 Reviews
    Elmer, NJ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (856) 451-7479

    "They are new-ish Shasta campers, queen bed, 1 slide, rear bunks, 2 entrances. Very clean. Water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area."

    "I think the lale could use a little cleanup with the amount of bobbers, string and mess left behind by people. There have ao many cabins its crazy and alot of seasonal rentals."

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Recent Reviews near Bear, DE

741 Reviews of 94 Bear Campgrounds


  • M
    Oct. 6, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Hard with a large group

    Harder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    French Creek State Park Campground

    Dog owners read!

    There’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Village Scene Park

    Tucked-Away Community Vibe

    I’m following up on my review from over a year ago with updated insights, additional photos and a quick breakdown of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: 

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Convenient suburban location near Philadelphia yet surprisingly quiet; (2) Full-hookup RV sites with 30 / 50 amp, water, and sewer; (3) Affordable rates compared to other campgrounds in the region; (4) Smaller, tight-knit atmosphere with friendly long-term residents; (5) Pet-friendly, with walking areas and green space; and (6) Nearby restaurants include Franconi’s Pizzeria for classic pies and cheesesteaks and Appalachian Brewing Company with pub fare and house-brewed beers. 

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) Sites are narrow and can feel cramped, so don’t expect big pull-throughs; (2) Limited amenities with no pool, clubhouse, or playground; (3) Grounds feel more like a residential mobile home park than a campground; (4) Some infrastructure is dated and could use upgrades; and (5) Not much in the way of natural scenery because, um, this is urban camping. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Fort Washington State Park Campground

    Where George Washington Would've Ditched His Tent PPE

    I’m following up on my review from over a year ago with new photos, updated weathered campers’ tales and a quick snapshot of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS:

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Rustic group camping nestled in nearly 500 acres of lush forest that is perfect for history buffs and nature lovers alike; (2) Potable water and non-flush restrooms available year-round, because even Revolutionary War re-enactors need coffee breaks; (3) Over 3.5 miles of trails leading to Hawk Watch observation decks, which birders will marvel at and the rest of us will simply appreciate the vista; (4) Group tenting area that fits 20 to 100 people that is ideal for clans, clubs or covert woodland think tanks; and (5) Convenient to Philly (25 min), great for escaping crowds while still being able to Uber for donuts.

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) No RV or tent-by-the-river solo camping: group-only policy means solo adventurers need to carpool or carry heavy guilt; (2) Bathrooms are primitive and non-flush, so BYOTP as it’s campground chic here, not hotel lobby convenient; (3) Carry-in / carry-out trash policy means becoming one with your garbage until civilization or squirrels show up; (4) Cell service is ‘iffy’ at best, depending on how hard the woods are trying to keep you offline; and (5) No campfire tales about campers as noise is limited and so are late-night s'mores sessions.

    Happy Camping!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Alverthorpe Private Park

    Urban Camping Bliss

    I’m following up on my review from over a year ago with some refreshed insight, additional photos and, well, because once wasn’t enough, here’s a quick reel of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: 

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Hidden slice of suburban woodland tucked just outside Philly that is serene enough to reset your social media–addled brain; (2) Flat, open terrain scattered with tall shade trees makes pitching your tent feel practically pastoral; (3) Surprisingly solid cell signal (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T all wave hello), which is rare in inner-density camping and handy for emergency pizza delivery orders; (4) Short walk to a quaint lake and four-sided chimney for marshmallow toasting that offers low-key charm with built-in ambiance; and (5) Tons of shade completely shroud the entire campground area, so no need to bring those pesky shelters for added coverage. 

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) No restroom drama on the way in, but once you’re past the control building, basic camping reality bites; (2) Ancient shelter and group pavilion are charming in a ‘needs new plumbing’ sort of way; (3) Reaching the camping area involves navigating uneven steps as you won’t be able to drive to your actual campsite, which is great for adventure, but bad for sprained ankles; (4) Feels like a weekend-only myth where the park closes on holidays and deals in ‘control building hours’; and (5) This place is known to be full of litter and in dire need of some ground maintenance, so you might just want to bring an extra garbage bag and a rake to help out.

    Happy Camping!

  • Scott K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Winding River Campground

    Great Place

    Really enjoyed everything about this place. Kayaks. Camping. All of it. Clean and friendly.


Guide to Bear

Camping near Bear, Delaware offers a variety of terrain conditions from flat woodlands to more hilly sites around water features. During summer months, temperatures frequently exceed 85°F with high humidity levels, making swimming access particularly valuable. Campsites throughout the region feature predominantly clay and sandy soil composition, which affects drainage especially after rainfall.

What to do

Kayaking on local waterways: Lums Pond State Park Campground provides electric-only boating opportunities on their pond. "Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking. There's an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp," notes one camper.

Aerial adventure course: The Go Ape zipline and obstacle course at Lums Pond offers a unique treetop adventure. A camper mentioned this feature: "From the moment I pulled in and observed how large the sites were, I was hooked. Bike trails, Going Ape, kayaking and peaceful."

Historic site exploration: Visitors staying at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA can explore nearby Longwood Gardens and historical attractions. "Close to Longwood Gardens; Wilmington, Delaware; and a handful of local museums and gardens. Not too far from Philadelphia," reports one camper.

Lighthouse hike: At Elk Neck State Park Campground, a short drive leads to a scenic lighthouse trail. "The lighthouse trail is a must. It is about a five minute drive to get to the trail though, but is worth it!" according to a visitor who enjoyed the views of Chesapeake Bay.

Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer fishing access, with species varying by location. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, "Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float."

What campers like

Spacious, well-maintained sites: Campers consistently praise the generous spacing at Blackbird State Forest Campground. "Only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room, very much enjoyed our stay and will return!" notes one visitor.

Privacy between campsites: Natural barriers create separation at many locations. "My family had a great time here. The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy," reports a Blackbird State Forest camper.

Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies by location, but some receive high marks. At Elk Neck State Park, "The lovely camp host, Carol, kept the bathhouse spotless." Another camper noted, "The bathrooms were nothing fancy but I was impressed with the cleanness."

Proximity to urban areas with natural setting: Many sites offer a woodsy feel despite being close to cities. "This campground is close to Philly but has some wonderful tent sites," reports a camper at French Creek State Park Campground.

Year-round availability: Several campgrounds remain open during winter. A French Creek visitor shared, "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby."

What you should know

Reservations essential for summer weekends: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially at Lums Pond State Park. "We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations. Book early because it fills up fast!" advises one regular visitor.

Weather impacts on site conditions: Sandy or clay soil can create challenges after rain. At Cecil County Permaculture, facilities are basic but functional: "Has outhouse, fire pit, running water on side of house near outhouse. An is a wonderful person."

Cell service variability: Coverage differs by location and carrier. One Cecil County Permaculture camper noted "Good reception with T-Mobile!" while other campgrounds may have limited connectivity.

Distance to amenities: Some campgrounds are isolated. A Philadelphia-West Chester KOA camper advised, "Make sure you bring everything you need with you, because this place is literally in the middle of nowhere and a minimum 15 minutes ride to any type of civilization."

Limited shower facilities at some locations: Primitive campgrounds have basic amenities. At Blackbird State Forest, "No running water- only port a potties but they were clean."

Tips for camping with families

Water recreation options: Jellystone Park - Elmer offers extensive water features. "Water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area," reports one family. Another mentions, "The pool was heated."

Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Jellystone Park, "I would come back again my 3 yr old loved the playground and pool."

Family-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep kids entertained at certain locations. "They have recreational activities for kids and families from ice-cream parties to bingo to hayrides to movies on a giant screen in the rally field," notes a Jellystone visitor.

Child safety considerations: Some areas require supervision. "The kiddie swings seem to be modeled after the seasickness machine," cautions a parent at French Creek State Park about playground equipment.

Noise levels: Family-oriented campgrounds can be lively during peak season. A Jellystone camper reported, "The place is very quiet until Friday but noise is no issue to us as we love being in the middle of the action."

Tips from RVers

Site sizing and access: Large rigs may face challenges at some locations. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, one RVer warned, "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle."

Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the region. At French Creek State Park, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other."

Electric amp options: Amperage varies by campground. At Elk Neck State Park, campers note availability of "full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November."

Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. One RVer at Woodlands Camping Resort noted, "No sewer hookup, but there is a dump station in the seasonal/permanent section."

Site leveling considerations: Terrain affects setup ease. "Sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface. Back in and pull through sites available," reports an Elk Neck State Park visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bear, DE?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bear, DE offers a wide range of camping options, with 94 campgrounds and RV parks near Bear, DE and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Bear, DE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bear, DE is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 48 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bear, DE?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Bear, DE.