Best Equestrian Camping near Clayton, DE

We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations.

Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well.

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. Book early because it fills up fast!

Tuckahoe is a hidden gem on Maryland’s mid-Eastern Shore region. With many of your standard amenities and a quiet atmosphere, it was a great spot for my first time camping with my kids.

Our campsite was on the non-electric loop. We had a small creek and trail back up to our campsite. We only had a handful of neighbors and foot traffic at the time was almost nonexistent, so we practically had the park to ourselves.

There is an electric loop with electric hookup, but no water or sewer. Those can be found at the campground entrance. Each loop has a wood shed and clean, well-appointed bathhouse. There are water pumps along the road for refills.

There are 4 basic cabins on each loop and most sites are designed for RV and/or tent use. There are 3 sites that are tent-only on the non-electric loop.

Multiple trails in the area are widespread. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring a map! They also have equestrian trails with an equestrian center nearby. The lakefront boasts a picnic area with individual tables and grills, recycled tire playground, and kayak rentals (for a fee). Fishing is allowed, but no swimming (which was a bummer for us, but exploring some of the local creeks helped provide some relief from the summer heat).

Nearby is Atkins Arboretum. Their 5 mile trail system covers around 400 acres. There are woods, “grasslands,” and “wetlands” to explore the various ecosystems of the Eastern Shore. They also had a goat area and garden play area for children. There is a fee through the Visitor’s Center which supports the center, but some of the trails can be accessed via other Tuckahoe trails.

Centrally located, you’re still within easy access to a local town center (Denton), supplies, and dining. I can’t recommend Tuckahoe enough if you just want a quiet spot or you’re new to camping!

I understand why it is so difficult to get a reservation at Lums Pond.  I don't know if it's the host campers or the management, but they're definitely doing something right.  

I have to say, Jim, the host camper by us was fantastic.  As it was our first trip after a long winter, I managed to forget to put the anode back in our water heater.  I went over and sheepishly asked him if I could borrow a 1 1/2" socket.  He not only lent us a socket, but asked if I needed help, and if I had teflon tape (which I did) and was willing to lend a hand.

The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back.  That was a bonus.

Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards). The only complaint I have is that the kiddie swings seem to be modeled after the seasickness machine that they had on Mythbusters (https://archive.org/details/MythBusters..Season.3..480p576P..DVDripHDTV..X265HEVC..O69..FIXED/Mythbusters+-+S03E26+-+Seasickness+-+Kill+or+Cure.mkv).  I could only go on the swing with her for a little bit before I started to turn green.  Other than that?  She fought us about leaving the playground, and really would have been content if that was all we did.

I took her older cousins to  the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore.

The trails were well marked, and the day we took a hike, we ended up on the equestrian trail that runs all the way around the pond.  It was a long, but easy hike.

The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip, and I hope to go back soon.

This State park campground is very well maintained. The staff is friendly. Quiet, clean area and had no problem navigating in our 40’ 5th wheel. Great place to stay and check out “Lower, slower Delaware.”

My family had a great time here. The camp sites are spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy. There are multiple port a potties here but some sites are a bit far from them. Each site has a fire pit, a grill, and two tables with a decent amount of space for tents. I would highly recommend this campground and will be returning.

This is a good free state forest with maybe 10 (or less) designated tent-camping sites, and designated areas for deer hunting. Each campsite features a picnic table or two, and a fire pit, plus one bundle of firewood. The ground is dirt covered with woodchips and sometimes evergreen needles -- pretty easy to sleep in a tent. There are a couple portapotties in the camping area, which are a few feet from one campsite, or a few blocks from another. There is one water pump. And there are plenty of hiking trails in the state forest, complete with mushrooms, and deer-hunting-stands.

RV camping is not encouraged. Horseriding is encouraged. And you may regret not brining mosquito repellent. The blood-suckers are relentless.

My only beef is that it's a legitimate campground, which means, neighbors. But the neighbors aren't unreasonably close, so it's actually pretty good.

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. Nice hikes in the area, great weekend!

super pretty. shower up in the dark but was super easy to navigate with a map. people super friendly.

Only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room, very much enjoyed our stay and will return! No running water- only port a potties but they were clean

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

Lums Pond is one of my least favorite places to camp! We arrived to find what seemed more like a large field! Very few trees, not much shade at all! The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both. Some of the campers that were there looked like they lived there and did not tend to their sites. There was trash and broken down cars! The bathrooms were awful. Looked like they were rarely cleaned! To do activities at the park you have to drive to a different area, there is a charge but not if you are a registered camper. We spent most of our time there. They have a large pond that you can rent paddle boats and small v-bottom boats! We did enjoy the paddle boats and saw a few cranes! They offer fishing at the pond which was also enjoyable! Good for a day trip, no for camping! Happy Camping!

Great campground for groups! We were camping with 3 other families with small children and had a fantastic open area site to accommodate all the kids. Plenty of room to run and play.

There are small hiking trails to the pond where you can go to rent various types of watercraft for use on the Pond. Highly recommended for traveling families!

I try to do Lums pond each fall. The camp area is quiet, well managed, etc. We usually book a site over near the trails and farther from the entrance/families. Dog friendly, gorgeous water views, plenty of kindling, etc. The picnic tables at the sites are a great touch. There's a good 7 mile loop to hike, kayak launches, frisbee golf course... Close to home, simple, a great first time camp site/group site.

This is a beautiful wooded campground with sites you can access easily. It has access to Lums pond where you can fish, boat, swim. There are trail for hiking and biking. Picnic tables and fire ringsat site.Spring, Summer, Fall

Sites are full hook up with about 5 tent sites.

All are pretty much level.

Close to shopping if needed.

Convenient to MD, PA, and DE side trips. Campground has 2 yurts right by the lake. There is no swimming, but your yurt rental gets you a double sit on top kayak, paddles, and PFDs. A/C has been added to the yurts. There is one bunk bed with a full size bottom bunk and a single top. A futon is also in each yurt. Across the lake is Going Ape Zip Line. An 8 mile loop trail circumnavigates the lake and can be used my bikers, walkers, or runners.

Campground sites are nice and spacious, bathrooms are good, and there’s plenty to do for everyone. We hiked the 7.5mile lake trail with our two pups. It was beautiful and along the way there were opportunities to kayak/sup, beach it, or even play on a ropes course. We always travel with our dogs and this place has the BEST dog park. Big open space with access to lots of water play. We definitely recommend this spot!

This campground was completely redone last year and is really great. There is plenty to do here including, kayaking/ canoeing, hiking, disc golf and they even have a zip line course (additional fee). This place books fast so schedule early if you want a site.

Great RV amenities. large spots. nice pond with a nice trail for mtb or hiking. very easy trail for both. boat ramp onsite. zip line. overall very nice place

A small state park surrounding a large pond. The campground is located on the backside of the park, with its own entrance, so follow directions carefully. Because of this, it’s slightly removed from the beach and other service areas of the park, but is connected by multi use trails. Great for biking, as the recently finished Mike Castle trail along the C&D Canal is right across the street.

Perfect place to hike, bike and picnic!!

We stayed at the tent only site 1, which was a decent distance from the other sites.

The restrooms were really clean and it was nice that each was separate.

The camp store/ office section was closed during most of our visit, but the rest of the campground, including the nature center, was open.

The sites are big and spaced far apart. Lots of privacy. Bathhouse new condition. Nice trails.

Very spacious and the state park has many things to do like zip lining, hiking, bike riding, fishing, and you can even rent kayaks. It is a nice place also to relax if that’s what your into.

Whether it’s the ropes course, hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, or cooking there is always something to do at Lums Pond. This park itself is pretty run of the mill, it’s got some trees and bushes and a water feature.

Wow! Truly nice Hugh quiet sites. Lots of shade, animal friendly, big pond, excellent zip line fun for beginners and experienced. I’m spoiled after this weekend