Campgrounds near Bethany Beach range from oceanfront locations to wooded inland retreats throughout the Delaware coastal area. Summer temperatures average 80-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while fall camping brings cooler 60-70°F days and fewer bugs. The region's predominantly flat terrain makes most sites accessible for campers of all experience levels.
What to do
Beach-to-bay exploration: 4.5 miles of trails connect the various natural environments at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground. "There are miles upon miles of walking and biking trails. There are nice play facilities for kids, loads of water and beach access. Great fishing, with a large open pier complete with well stocked, well informed and reasonably priced tackle shop on the pier," notes a visitor.
Wild pony viewing: 20-minute observation periods recommended to respectfully watch the famed Assateague wild horses. "The wild ponies with their new foals and a beautiful full moon rounded out our stay," shares one camper at Assateague State Park Campground. Stay at least 40 feet away and never feed them.
Paddling cypress groves: 30-45 minute kayak rental available at Trap Pond State Park. "We wanted to kayak among the bald cypress trees (I highly recommend this). Glad we came back!" says a visitor. The park offers free bike rentals with optional donations accepted.
Swimming options: 2 dedicated pools plus additional water attractions at Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay. "They have a beautiful heated pool, waterfront tiki bar, on site store and restaurant, kayak and golf cart rental and they seem to be adding more every year," explains a camper.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: South side unit offers direct beach access at Delaware Seashore State Park Campground. "We were almost directly under the bridge (and also a power pole!) but this was cool, especially at night when the bridge was lit up blue," reports a visitor. Sites range from sand/grass/gravel non-hookup areas to paved camper pads with full hookups.
Educational facilities: Free admission to nature centers with hands-on exhibits. "There is a fantastic nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff. Free bike rentals are available, some with baby seats and trailers," explains a camper at Cape Henlopen State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Daily appearances by various native species. "Falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean is one of the relaxing thing there is. Waking to see wild horses each morning is an experience I'll never forget," shares a visitor at Assateague Island National Seashore. The area supports diverse bird populations visible from campsite viewing areas.
Evening entertainment: Multiple nighttime options including illuminated bridges and campground events. "At night time the pool is lit up with different lights, the pool nearest the swim up bar is heated and the live band plays till about 10 pm," notes a visitor describing the amenities available at resort-style campgrounds.
What you should know
Weather adaptation: Significant wind exposure affects camping at beach locations. A camper at Assateague Island advises, "It is really neat to be able to camp right on the sand dunes and by the beach but prepare for lots of wind. Check the weather a lot because the storms roll in quickly." Pack stabilizing stakes and weather-resistant gear.
Reservation requirements: 6-9 month advance booking recommended for prime sites. "We booked a two day stay here for our first leg of our journey south from New Hampshire in late December and absolutely loved the park," explains a camper who planned ahead for their visit to Assateague State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Insect populations vary dramatically by season and wind direction. "Be prepared and you will have a great time, the horses are not shy and will be all up in your space if they like what they smell," notes a visitor at Trap Pond State Park Campground, emphasizing the importance of proper food storage.
Proximity trade-offs: Noise levels increase at sites closer to amenities. "The closer you are to the camp store, the louder and busier it is. Lots of kids. If you want quiet stay to the ends of the rows. E and F are quieter too," advises an experienced camper.
Tips for camping with families
Free activity options: No-cost amenities available at several parks. "You can enjoy free mini golf, free pool and waterslide, free canoeing, and free billiards. It is about 20 min to ocean city but they have a free bus to take you to ocean," reports a visitor at Sun Outdoors Ocean City Gateway, formerly known as Fort Whaley RV Resort.
Kid-friendly site selection: Playground-adjacent locations offer convenience. "Highly recommend our site to anyone with littles as you can literally relax at your site while your child plays at the playground!" suggests a parent who camped at Sun Outdoors Ocean City.
Educational opportunities: Junior ranger programs engage children while teaching about local ecology. "There is a nice and educational play area (plus a game I'd never heard of– Gaga ball). There is an additional playground in the day-use area, plus a volleyball net. There is also a nature center," describes a visitor at Trap Pond State Park.
Weather preparation: Multiple activity options important for inevitable rain days. "We visited off season (early April) and absolutely loved it. The location was great and the beaches are quiet," notes a visitor who found enjoyment despite potentially challenging weather.
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: Wind exposure considerations particularly important for larger rigs. "Sites are a reasonably good size, but close together. We were able to fit our 32 ft. Camper, a truck, a car and a tent on our site with ease. We backed onto red beard lake so we felt more isolated than some of the other sites," shares an RVer at Treasure Beach RV Park & Campground.
Seasonal differences: Off-season camping offers better availability and quieter experience. "We stayed in the 'big rig' site within Club Castaway right on the water as we have a 40ft rig. Amenities are clean, staff friendly and helpful. Our dog, Daisy, loved the beach and the dog park and socialization with her pooch friends," says a visitor highlighting the dog friendly campgrounds near Bethany Beach.
Utility considerations: Hookup availability varies significantly between parks. "Sites are fairly spacious and have an interesting semi-circle pull through layout so backing in not required. They are not level and have a sandy base so it took a bit of work to finally get the rig level, even with auto-levelers," warns an RVer about terrain challenges at some sites.
Pet accommodation: Dedicated pet recreation areas available at select locations. "The campground is SUPER pet friendly!" mentions a visitor, underscoring the availability of pet-friendly campsites near Bethany Beach with dedicated amenities for four-legged campers.
