K
Karen G.
Scout
ScoutElk Neck State Park Campground
Clean bathrooms and hot showers, great hiking and beautiful sites.
Tent Camping near Claymont, DE
1 campground with availability next weekend
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State parks and forests within driving distance of Claymont, Delaware offer a variety of tent camping options, from walk-in sites to primitive backcountry areas. Blackbird State Forest, located about 30 miles south in Smyrna, provides tent-only camping with spacious sites that include fire pits, grills, and picnic tables. Wharton State Forest in neighboring New Jersey features several tent campgrounds including Goshen Pond and Batona, both offering walk-in tent sites with varying levels of privacy. Hibernia County Park in Coatesville, Pennsylvania provides wooded tent campsites with basic amenities in two distinct camping loops.
Most tent campsites in the region feature dirt or grass surfaces with minimal grading. Blackbird State Forest sites include woodchip-covered ground that campers report is comfortable for tent sleeping. Water access varies significantly between locations, with many campgrounds offering only basic pump water sources. Hibernia County Park provides porta potties and limited running water, while Wharton State Forest's Batona Campground has pit toilets and a water pump that isn't available during winter months. Fire rings are standard at most sites, though Green Lane Park's elevated fire grates reportedly consume firewood quickly. Reservations are required at most locations, with Hibernia County Park operating primarily on weekends.
In early spring and late fall, tent campers often find greater solitude at these campgrounds. One visitor to Blackbird State Forest noted, "The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy," though they mentioned occasionally seeing hikers passing by on nearby trails. At Goshen Pond in Wharton State Forest, a camper appreciated that "you park off and walk in to your site," resulting in less vehicle noise. Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with multiple reviewers describing Green Lane Park's tent sites as "lined up against one another" with "absolutely no privacy" between spots. Tent campers seeking seclusion should consider Wharton State Forest's backcountry tent camping options, which require hiking in but reward with greater isolation.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Claymont (25)
1. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park
"Terrific space for exploring"
"well marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $57 / night
2. Tinicum Island
3. Hibernia County Park
"Inexpensive $15 a night, but you only get picnic table and fire ring. No hook ups. Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."
"We loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12. There’s running water available, porta potties are very clean and don’t smell and are lit with a street lamp. Very quiet at night."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $50 / night
4. Fort Washington State Park Campground
"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"
"The give you firewood—-if you bring your own, leave with any left over."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $72 / night
5. Evansburg State Park Campground
"Lots of tree cover running along a small running creek"
"You need a license to fish, and if you plan on catching Trout you need the Trout endorsement on the fishing licence, currently$9.90.The restroom facilities we're clean."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $43 / night
6. Blackbird State Forest Campground
"This is a good free state forest with maybe 10 (or less) designated tent-camping sites, and designated areas for deer hunting."
"Spent a weekend in BO1, spacious campsite, grill, picnic table, firepit, parking for 2-3 cars plus overflow parking. Firewood was easy to get and was plenty of it."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
7. Alverthorpe Private Park
"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"
Check Availabilityfrom $1 - $100 / night
8. Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
"Clean restrooms, lots of open space!"
"Large sites, clean bathrooms, lots of hiking trails"
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $30 / night
9. Batona — Wharton State Forest
"Bears frequent this campground so be bear aware and practice proper food storage. "
"The Batona Campground is in the northern area of the Wharton State Forest and is a bit removed from most trails and other campgrounds in the park."
10. Goshen Pond — Wharton State Forest
"I like campgrounds which have you park off and walk in to your site. There is more foot traffic, but you don't hear as many cars coming and going and driving past your site all the time."
"The boyfriend and I stayed for a weekend at one of the primitive tent sites. Our site was private and secluded. We had a great time."
Drive Time
- 24 min from Philadelphia, PA
- 49 min from Dover, DE
- 50 min from Vineland, NJ
- 1 hr from Reading, PA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Claymont, DE
27 Photos of 25 Claymont Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Evansburg State Park Campground
Blackbird State Forest Campground
Blueberry Morning
Deep Creek Campground at Green Lane Park
Goshen Pond — Wharton State ForestA
Mullica River — Wharton State ForestR
Lower Forge Camp
Batona — Wharton State ForestM
Rolling Hills RetreatsA
Mill Creek Camping Area
Hawkins Bridge — Wharton State Forest
Tent Camping Reviews near Claymont, DE
799 Reviews of 25 Claymont Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendWashington Crossing State Park - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2024
Revolutionary History near Delaware River
Nestled along the picturesque Delaware River in beautiful Bucks County, Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of those destinations where American history practically jumps out from behind every tree. This sprawling, beautifully preserved historic park commemorates George Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware in 1776, with charming colonial buildings, expansive green spaces, shaded walking paths and lovely riverfront scenery. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, the park offers plenty to explore, from historic homesteads and interpretive exhibits to scenic picnic areas and the impressive Bowman's Hill Tower. Unfortunately, while the park delivers a wonderful outdoor experience, traditional overnight camping isn't part of the equation unless your a Boy Scout or accompanying one of their troops.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spectacular Revolutionary War history at the very site of Washington's legendary Delaware River crossing; (2) Beautifully maintained grounds featuring mature trees, open lawns and scenic riverfront views; (3) Fascinating colonial-era buildings, historic demonstrations and educational exhibits that bring America's founding history to life; (4) Wonderful recreational opportunities, including walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking and picnicking; and (5) Convenient proximity to charming New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath and Bowman's Hill Tower, offering plenty of opportunities to extend your adventure.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) No conventional public tent or RV camping, with overnight group camping restricted to organized Scout groups by prior arrangement; (2) No dedicated RV campsites, electrical hookups, water connections or dump station; (3) Park grounds generally close at sunset, limiting opportunities to linger into the evening; (4) Some historic buildings and attractions require admission fees or operate on limited schedules; and (5) Periodic restoration projects and special events can restrict access to certain areas, while the historic Washington Crossing Bridge's three-ton weight limit makes it unsuitable for larger RVs.
Happy Camping!
Peggy C.
TravelerCountry Acres Campground
Lovely campground!
Country Acres is a lovely, well maintained campground. Sites are level and bath house facilities clean and modern. Friendly staff in the office. Dog friendly. Local to all the Lancaster attractions. A complimentary farmland tour is offered by bus and it was great. They take you out into an area of Amish farms and shops and make a stop at 2 of these. The fresh Amish pretzels are amazing!
- LLynn C.Scout
Old Mill Stream Campground
Never Again
The advertisements for Olde Mill Campground were disingenuous. The campsite was 20 yards from a roller coaster. The NOISE of the roller coaster and children on it screaming was as relentless and unnerving as any train we have ever slept near. There was no quiet until almost midnight. The “pull-through” site left my truck almost in the road and our 25’ Airstream slightly over the road on the backside. The site was not level. The sites were close enough to hear a neighbor’s snoring.
- bbob J.
GuideAtsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest
Pine Barrens New Jersey
This campground is part of the Wharton State Forest and has several campgrounds in the area. Great wooded sites right on a lake. Pretty good separation between sites with good tree separation between sites. Some road noise not overly affecting site.
Adam and Suzanne B.GuideBeacon Hill Camping
Great location
We stayed here to go to the Hershey RV show—about 55 min drive. Right in the center of Amish country. Campground is adults only. It was very clean. The bathrooms were very clean with great water pressure. The roads are tight for getting into sites. Site 5 was not level side to side. We met great people there.
Thomas B.
RangerTohickon Family Campground
Simple, peaceful FHU
We stayed just a couple nights here on our way north. The camp host was helpful before our stay and during check-in. Our site was pretty isolated from the others, so it was very quiet (no complaints here). There is a decent mix of sunny sites by the river and shady sites under the trees. The weather was perfect mid September. There wasn't anything spectacular for me, but it was a good experience and it was a nice taste of fall PA scenery. Beware that the roads are tight for a big rig. Side note, it did seem like most campers lived there.
Brian T.ScoutCountry Acres Campground
Excellent But.
The campground is in excellent condition. The facilities are top notch. The excellence and care of the campground is evident. The 4 stars is only due to the road noise and many of the sites are on top of each other. You feel like your neighbor is at your camp fire.
Kelvin R.ScoutTohickon Valley County Park
First time camping
As far as experience it was good. The main issue was the campsite where we were was uneven and caused many of the sleeping arrangements that we had to be not level. This seems to be a specific issue to the group campsite number two as when we went inwards it seemed like everything else was much better.
Guide to Claymont
Tent campsites near Claymont, Delaware range from rustic to accessible, with many positioned in the densely forested Pine Barrens of New Jersey or the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Most sites sit at elevations between 200-500 feet above sea level, experiencing humid continental climate patterns that bring hot summers and moderately cold winters. The camping season typically runs April through October, with many facilities closing during winter months due to freezing temperatures and limited water access.
What to do
Hiking the Pine Barrens: Access miles of sandy trails directly from Batona Campground in Wharton State Forest. "Trails vary in length but all are flat and easily accessible," notes reviewer Meghan G., who appreciates that "trailheads begin directly from campsites."
Fishing opportunities: Chamber's Lake at Hibernia County Park offers stocked fishing areas specifically for younger anglers. "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," writes Anna, who visited with children ranging from 3-12 years old.
Bird watching: Fort Washington State Park provides observation platforms for seasonal raptor migration. "If you are a bird watcher, you'll be particularly interested as from this very spot you can view the beautiful raptors that migrate here on a seasonal basis in both the Spring and Autumn," notes Stuart K., who visited the park's observation deck.
What campers like
Wooded isolation: Blackbird State Forest provides secluded tent sites within reach of Claymont. "The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy," writes Blind, who adds that "each site has a fire pit, a grill, and two tables with a decent amount of space for tents."
Water access: Goshen Pond Campground in Wharton State Forest offers convenient water access for paddlers. "Our site was right next to the Mullica River, and had excellent views if you walked just a couple steps from the tent. We were able to put our kayaks in right next to the site which was very convenient," reports Anna D.
Ground surface quality: Several campgrounds feature woodchip-covered sites for comfortable tent sleeping. "The ground is dirt covered with woodchips and sometimes evergreen needles -- pretty easy to sleep in a tent," notes D R. about Blackbird State Forest's camping area, which has around 8 designated tent-camping sites.
What you should know
Water availability limitations: Most campgrounds offer minimal water sources that may be seasonal. At Batona Campground, "Water is seasonal. Be bear aware," warns Trip Over Life, while Meghan G. notes the "Fresh water pump is located at entrance to campground."
Restroom facilities: Toilet options vary widely across the region's campgrounds. "There are only pit toilets in Fiddler's loop, however there is a bathroom with running water, flush toilets and electric outlets (no shower) within walking distance of the loop," explains Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park's facilities.
Privacy considerations: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are close to each other with absolutely no privacy," reports Tiffany B. about Green Lane Park, while at Goshen Pond, "Our site was very quiet, but a lot of the sites are close together without any barriers, so if the campground got crowded it wouldn't be very private," notes Anna D.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Hibernia County Park offers family-friendly amenities within walking distance of campsites. "The park ranger this weekend was the nicest and very helpful with directions to walk to the playground and indoor restrooms," writes Anna, adding that "we loved the lake campground. My kids are age 3-12."
First-time camping location: Ridley Creek State Park provides excellent beginner-friendly campsites with moderate amenities. "This place is great for first time campers," explains David K., who continues, "I go camping here almost every year and they have a nice open field with two sites and two fire pits. They also have a tone of trails to hike on."
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming areas separate from camping zones. About Goshen Pond, Anna D. notes, "It's also a 5 minute drive from Atsion lake, a great place for kayaking and swimming."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup sites: RV camping near Claymont requires careful planning for water and electrical needs. "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV," warns Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park, advising, "If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."
Dump station access: Many campgrounds lack on-site dump facilities. "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home," explains Jennifer S. about Hibernia County Park.
Site leveling challenges: Expect to make adjustments for uneven terrain at most campgrounds. About Hibernia's sites, Jennifer S. notes "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Claymont, DE?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Claymont, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Claymont, DE is Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Claymont, DE?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Claymont, DE?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Claymont, DE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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