Delaware's coastal campgrounds near Millville offer varying terrain with sites typically situated on sandy soil at elevations of 10-30 feet above sea level. Coastal camping provides access to both beach and inland water activities with temperatures averaging 75-85°F during summer months. Wind exposure affects camping conditions significantly, especially at oceanfront locations where steady breezes can exceed 15 mph during afternoon hours.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing at Trap Pond: Explore the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees in the United States at Trap Pond State Park Campground. "We walked around the pond and rented boats and kayaks for the day and rowed back to our site which the kids loved. They got to spend the day learning to paddle on the pond," notes camper Lucia B. Boat rentals are available from late spring through early fall.
Wild horse viewing on Assateague: Schedule early morning or sunset visits to view wild ponies at Assateague State Park Campground. "We visited in May - it was very windy and a bit cold, but no bugs! We loved the horses, but you do have to be very mindful and careful with food and trash," advises Melanie. Safety rules require staying at least 40 feet from horses at all times.
Explore historic Berlin: Take a day trip to the small town of Berlin, just 6 miles from Assateague Island. "Also nearby is the cute small town of Berlin," mentions camper Jen V. The town features boutique shopping, historic architecture, and was the filming location for the movie "Runaway Bride."
Nighttime stargazing: Take advantage of minimal light pollution at barrier island campgrounds. "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," describes Paully B. about the Assateague National Seashore.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Millville maintain high-quality amenities. At Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay, campers appreciate the "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," according to April L. The campground also offers "multiple clean bath houses throughout, each with laundry."
Beach proximity: Oceanside camping provides immediate beach access at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground. "The trails are awesome and easy to walk or ride bikes on, with a few hills to muscle up, but it's mostly flat terrain and paved. There's a nature center nearby that also lets you borrow a bike for free if you didn't bring your own," says Amanda R. The campground is approximately one mile from the beach.
Historical exploration: Military history buffs appreciate Cape Henlopen's preserved World War II sites. "As a former military installation, there are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such. There's a wonderful observation tower built on top of one of these that affords beautiful 360 degree views," describes Lisa B. Self-guided tours are available year-round.
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds in the region remain open during off-season months. According to Alisha M., Trap Pond "has great warm bathrooms that are very clean and sanitary they clean them everyday faithfully we have hot showers we have laundry facilities" even during winter camping.
What you should know
Wind exposure considerations: Oceanside sites experience strong, persistent winds. At Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground, camper Tori V. advises to "prepare for lots of wind. Check the weather a lot because the storms roll in quickly." Wind speeds frequently exceed 20 mph during storm systems.
Seasonal bugs: Insect activity varies dramatically by season. "We've been twice so I guess you could say we liked it. It's beautiful here, horses are cool, beach is great, but the bugs stink! Bring some deet it's the only thing that works!" warns Kirsten J. about Assateague Island. Bug pressure is typically highest from late May through August.
Variable campsite privacy: Site separation differs significantly between campgrounds. At Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay, "The only downsides are sites are very close together and its a very expensive about double the cost of other near by non-waterfront campgrounds," notes Isaac R. Researching specific site locations before booking is recommended.
Limited shade coverage: Most coastal campgrounds have minimal tree cover. "Almost a mile walk to the beach - great trails for bike riding. Sites are close together - full campground even in the middle of the week after school started - but quiet at night," reports Stu T. at Cape Henlopen. Consider bringing shade structures during summer visits.
Tips for camping with families
Free bike rentals: Several state parks offer complimentary bicycle usage for exploring trails. Trap Pond State Park "also had a bike shed where you can sign out bikes for free for the day which was super neat. They also have wheelbarrows to borrow so if you have a drive up site you can use them," shares Lucia B.
Water park access: Sun Outdoors Ocean City Gateway provides free access to sister campground water attractions. "Your camping also includes FREE admission to Frontiertowns water park, which is pretty good on a hot day," advises Sue V. Shuttle transportation between facilities is available during summer months.
Educational wildlife programs: Families can participate in ranger-led activities focused on coastal ecosystems. "If you have kiddos, try and get a site in Loop A – 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," mentions Lee D. about Trap Pond State Park.
Pet-friendly beach areas: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Millville offer designated beach access for dogs. "The campground has a beach on site(soundfront) and a dog beach area as well," reports April L. about Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay. Dog beaches typically have specific access hours, often before 10am and after 5pm during peak season.
Tips from RVers
RV site leveling: Many campgrounds require additional equipment for proper leveling. At Trap Pond, "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," shares Jim G.
Power connection details: Power capacity varies between campgrounds. "We stayed on site #I328, in the I loop at the very end of the campground. The site was level but on the small side; I wouldn't recommend attempting to fit in with anything larger than a pop-up or hybrid. That said, it had electrical service(a hot commodity in this park!)," notes Jen V. about Assateague State Park.
Site size verification: Carefully verify measurements before booking. "If you have a trailer, make sure that you input your trailer length to find a site that fits as they vary," advises Stu T. about Cape Henlopen. Some sites are unsuitable for longer rigs despite being categorized for RVs.
Seasonal site availability: Book far in advance for prime RV locations. "This is a very busy campground. Rigs in and out daily and nearly always full. None of the sites are level. Sites are mostly small and close together," reports Adam and Suzanne B. about Cape Henlopen, where reservations often fill 6-9 months ahead during peak season.
