Trap Pond State Park provides an appealing mix of water recreation and woodland camping for outdoor enthusiasts near Delmar, Delaware. The park sits at just 50 feet above sea level in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, creating a unique ecosystem where America's northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees thrive. During spring and fall, temperatures range from 45°F to 75°F, making it an ideal season for extended outdoor activities without summer's humidity and insect pressure.
What to do
Kayaking through cypress trees: At Trap Pond State Park Campground, the distinctive cypress trees create a memorable paddling experience. "We loved riding the bus to the water park (which is free) but we chose to drive to Assateague because they only drop off and pick up at the visitors center and the distance from there to the beach was a little far," notes one visitor to nearby Sun Outdoors Frontier Town.
Mountain and gravel biking: The trails provide varying terrain for cyclists of all skill levels. "Great biking(mountain and gravel). All in..would stay again," reports Gary D. about Trap Pond. Some parks offer complimentary equipment: "There is a bike shed where you can sign out bikes for free for the day which was super neat."
Hiking with wildlife viewing: Multiple trails of varying lengths wind through forests and around waterways. "The Bob Trail around the pond provides an excellent 4.5-mile path for dog walking, with most of the route shaded by trees that protect pets from summer heat," explains a ranger. At Pocomoke River State Park, "We are kayakers in the warm weather and hikers when its cooler. We have kayaked north to Snow Hill, Md, south to Milburn Landing, west up Nassawango Creek, and Corkers Creek at the campsite."
What campers like
Pull-through site layouts: Many campers appreciate the thoughtful site design at area campgrounds. "Sites are fairly spacious and have an interesting semi-circle pull through layout so backing in not required," notes Jim G. about Trap Pond. However, 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."
Free recreational equipment: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Delmar offer complimentary gear. "They have pedal boats and canoes that you can take out on the lake, which you can also fish in," shares a visitor to Fort Whaley RV Resort. Another adds, "There is a variety of sporting goods to borrow at the store, horseshoes, basketballs, and whiffle ball sets to name a few."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high on campers' appreciation list. At Assateague Island National Seashore, "the best thing about this place are the sparkling clean bathrooms with flush toilets and free hot water showers. They also offer sinks with running hot water for washing dishes which makes more ambitious campsite cooking a breeze."
What you should know
Weather challenges: Coastal campgrounds experience significant wind and rapid weather changes. "Check the weather a lot because the storms roll in quickly," advises a camper at Assateague. At Delaware Seashore State Park, "The winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going."
Insect preparation: Depending on location and season, insects can impact your experience. "This was a very nice campground close to the beach. Full hook up sites and pull-through. The only negative was how bad it smelled from all the dead horseshoe crabs!" reports William H. about Delaware Seashore State Park.
Wildlife interactions: Wild animals frequent some campgrounds and require specific precautions. "The horses are giant trash pandas. They're smart and can open latches so do bring bungee cords, kayak straps, or ratchet straps to lock all of your food in cases or coolers," warns an Assateague visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activity variety: Campgrounds with multiple recreation options keep children engaged. "This campground has a new golf course that is free to campers. They offer shuttles to the beach or their sister Campground Frontiertown. Your camping also includes FREE admission to Frontiertowns water park, which is pretty good on a hot day," notes a visitor to Fort Whaley.
Educational opportunities: Cape Henlopen State Park provides learning experiences woven into recreation. "There is a fantastic nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff," explains a reviewer. "As a former military installation, there are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such."
Family-friendly layouts: Consider campgrounds with specific family amenities. "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," recommends Lee D. about Trap Pond.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose your site based on noise preferences and privacy needs. "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 RVer at Cape Henlopen State Park.
Leveling challenges: Many coastal sites require extra effort for leveling. "Sites are level and paved along with some sand and grass. Also a picnic table- no fire rings at the sites, but there were a couple campfire areas scattered around the park," notes a Delaware Seashore camper.
Seasonal timing: Visit during shoulder seasons for better camping conditions. "We went during the winter or early spring months to avoid the bugs as they are awful during the spring and summer," recommends a visitor to Oceanside Assateague, highlighting how pet-friendly campgrounds near Delmar can offer very different experiences depending on timing.
Scout
