Best Campgrounds near Delaware City, DE

The Delaware City region offers limited camping options, with Lums Pond State Park Campground serving as the primary developed campground in the area. Located about 7 miles southwest of Delaware City in Bear, Delaware, this state park provides a mix of accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and yurts. Several other campgrounds within a 30-mile radius include Elk Neck State Park in Maryland and Blackbird State Forest Campground, though the latter is currently closed until further notice. The camping landscape predominantly features established campgrounds with amenities rather than primitive or dispersed camping options.

Reservations are essential for camping at Lums Pond State Park, particularly during peak seasons when sites fill quickly. The campground features concrete pads with 30-amp service and full sewer hookups at most sites, making it suitable for RVs. One camper noted, "Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer." Access roads are well-maintained, allowing for easy navigation even with larger rigs. Most campgrounds in the area are open year-round, though activities and amenities may be limited during winter months. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, and proximity to urban areas means supplies are easily accessible.

Campers consistently highlight the spacious sites at Lums Pond State Park as a major advantage. The campground surrounds a large pond with a 7.5-mile trail encircling it, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. Water activities are popular, with fishing, kayaking, and canoeing available on Lums Pond, though swimming is not permitted. The Go Ape zip line course represents another recreational highlight mentioned in multiple reviews. Several visitors have noted the clean bathhouse facilities and friendly camp hosts. As one reviewer described, "Whether it's the ropes course, hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, or cooking there is always something to do at Lums Pond." While most sites offer a mix of sun and shade, some campers note that certain areas provide better tree cover than others.

Best Camping Sites Near Delaware City, Delaware (97)

    1. Lums Pond State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Kirkwood, DE
    7 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
    21 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. Blackbird State Forest Campground - CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE

    6 Reviews
    Townsend, DE
    14 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."

    4. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer

    10 Reviews
    Elmer, NJ
    17 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."

    5. Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA

    20 Reviews
    Paulsboro, NJ
    25 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."

    6. Four Seasons Family Campground

    8 Reviews
    Pilesgrove, NJ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (856) 769-3635

    $50 - $150 / night

    "They have many amenities form a lake to swim or fish, to playgrounds,theres a convenient store and even an arcade, and the best part is all the farms around."

    7. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA

    17 Reviews
    Downingtown, PA
    25 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."

    9. Woodlands Camping Resort

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

    10. Old Cedar Campground

    11 Reviews
    Monroeville, NJ
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (856) 358-4881

    $31 - $50 / night

    "This row of sites lacked the trees for shade and privacy found at most other sites around the campground.  The pool was nice and clean."

    "Not close off the highway, but wooden sites. Seems as though people spend their summers there. Pool was beautiful and looked new. Mini golf was decrepit and looked abandoned. Store was nice."

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Recent Reviews near Delaware City, DE

781 Reviews of 97 Delaware City Campgrounds


  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Country Acres Campground

    Nice park

    This was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.

  • 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

    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 Delaware City

Camping near Delaware City, Delaware, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and beautiful scenery. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking and Biking: Many campgrounds have trails for hiking and biking. At French Creek State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, “Hiking and biking this park is fun.”
  • Water Activities: If you enjoy water sports, Cape Henlopen State Park Campground is a great spot. A camper shared, “This campground is beautiful!! There are paths to the beach that we rode our bikes on.”
  • Wildlife Viewing: Campers at Elk Neck State Park Campground have spotted various wildlife. One reviewer noted, “We loved it here and will definitely be back.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground said, “The bathrooms were clean.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Lums Pond State Park Campground mentioned, “Nice smaller campground with large spacious sites.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Tuckahoe State Park Campground said, “The woman who works there is so nice.”

What you should know

  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A reviewer at Susquehanna State Park Campground pointed out, “The only downside I could find was I10 is close enough to be heard.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, at Killens Pond State Park Campground, one camper noted, “There is one bathhouse which was dirty and outdated.”
  • Primitive Camping: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest offers primitive camping. One camper mentioned, “The roads are soft sand and can get rough after a rain storm.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, a reviewer said, “There are even bouncy houses and playgrounds for the kids.”
  • Plan for Bugs: Some areas can be buggy, especially near water. A camper at Killens Pond State Park Campground noted, “This place is BUGGY!”
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Campgrounds often have open spaces for games. One camper at French Creek State Park Campground suggested, “Enjoyed walking on the dock and view of the water.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground mentioned, “Watch the site dimensions or you might not be able to fit your vehicle AND camper on the site.”
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Some campgrounds have decent Wi-Fi. A visitor at Elk Neck State Park Campground said, “WiFi good enough to stream.”
  • Be Prepared for Road Noise: If you’re sensitive to noise, consider this before booking. A camper at Susquehanna State Park Campground mentioned the nearby highway noise.

Camping around Delaware City, Delaware, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Delaware City, DE?

According to TheDyrt.com, Delaware City, DE offers a wide range of camping options, with 97 campgrounds and RV parks near Delaware City, DE and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Delaware City, DE?

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

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Delaware City, DE?

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