Delaware's Delmarva Peninsula offers diverse camping environments within a 30-minute radius of Ellendale. The region sits at elevations mostly under 60 feet above sea level with sandy soils that drain quickly after rain. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons bring more comfortable temperatures in the 60-75°F range with fewer insects.
What to do
Kayaking among cypress trees: Trap Pond State Park Campground provides access to one of the northernmost natural stands of bald cypress trees. "We spent four nights on the island site and loved it. 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 a camper at Trap Pond State Park Campground.
Free bike rentals: Several parks offer complimentary bicycle use. "The camp store had lots of little items that I needed. And there was a Little Library. They also have a bike shed where you can sign out bikes for free for the day which was super neat," shares a visitor about Cape Henlopen State Park.
Disc golf courses: Tuckahoe State Park features an established disc golf course among its recreational options. "Nice pads, even with rain none were flooded. The wooded area makes you feel a little more secluded from any neighbors. The state park has two playgrounds that are both open and trails to hike," reports a camper at Tuckahoe State Park Campground.
Secluded forest camping: For a quieter experience away from the beach crowds, consider Redden State Forest. "Secluded. Spacious sites. Firewood available. No facilities. Quiet," states a reviewer about the primitive camping options at this location.
What campers like
Affordable beach access: Campgrounds provide economical alternatives to pricey coastal accommodations. "This campground is large and spots are close together and crowded during summer beach weekends. The owners are wonderful, the facilities are well maintained. Close to the beach, state park, the outlets and a great bike path," says a visitor at Big Oaks Campground.
Yurt camping in Ellendale region: For those seeking a glamping experience, yurt accommodations offer comfort without sacrificing the outdoor connection. A recent guest at Trap Pond State Park Campground noted, "There are 8 camper cabins, 4 on each loop. There are beds for 4 or 6 people, and the cabins have air conditioning, a ceiling fan and electricity. These are a nice alternative to camping in a tent." The park also features yurts with similar amenities.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathhouses. "The bathhouse has showers which do have hot water and have a button you push. The showers are relatively small, but do have one hook on the interior to hook a bag or your clothes," reports a visitor at Killens Pond State Park.
Water park access: Killens Pond offers a water park within the boundaries of the state park. "Pros: this campground was nice and clean, with decent amenities (including FREE hot showers!). They had a few ranger-led events that night that I was able to partake in (a hay ride for a small fee, and a night hike that was free)," shares a reviewer.
What you should know
Site sizes vary significantly: Check dimensions carefully before booking. "We watched people with 25+ footers struggle to back into the sites. We booked site 21, blind. The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small. We have a 25' camper, and it barely fit, length and width were an issue," warns a camper at Tuckahoe State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Delaware camping experiences change dramatically by season. "We visited off season (early April) and absolutely loved it. The location was great and the beaches are quiet. I hear it gets packed and I see that it's hard to book if you don't book early," notes a Cape Henlopen visitor.
Hunting seasons: Be aware of hunting activity in state forests. "This is no longer a first come, first served campground. Reservations must be made in advance at bookyoursite.com, only 3 days consecutive allowed. Hunting is prohibited on Sundays," explains a visitor at Redden State Forest Campground.
Specific yurt booking requirements: Yurt camping near Ellendale requires advance planning. "Trap Pond offers two yurts, and eight cabins. All are level and sand/grass. There are many trees and reasonable separation between sites (although you can easily see your neighbors)," shares a recent visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose sites near recreational areas for convenience. "This site is also the closest to the playground. You can't hear the kids on the playground, but it's close enough to be able to send them in a group and call for them," advises a camper at Killens Pond State Park Campground.
Educational activities: Several parks offer nature programming for children. "The upper level of the nature center has a few herps in cages to view and an interactive touch screen. The lower level has a small room that has coloring pages and a video for kids," notes a Killens Pond visitor.
Beach shuttle options: Some campgrounds provide transportation to nearby beaches. "Great Location with bus service to the beach. Lots of playground equipment for the kids. Big pool and nightly entertainment," reports a Big Oaks camper.
Cabin alternatives for comfort: When yurt camping in the Ellendale area with young children, consider cabins for added amenities. "My wife and I took our 2 grandkids on their first real camping trip. They had a blast. The campground people were extremely nice, the pool was nice and clean, the camp site was nice and big enough for our larger tent," shares a Big Oaks Campground reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Site layout challenges: Many campgrounds have unique configurations. "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," advises an RV camper at Trap Pond.
Electric-only sites: Most state parks offer electric hookups without full connections. "The campground is wooded and only has electric hookups available. The sites are well spaced. Good dump station and potable water fill. Spigots throughout the campground," notes a visitor at Martinak State Park Campground.
Size restrictions: Some parks limit RV length. "This is no longer a first come, first served campground. Reservations must be made in advance at bookyoursite.com. Travel trailers, pull behinds, motorhomes are not allowed. Tents, cars, overlander SUVs, minivans and small Class B camper vans are allowed. Nothing over 25 ft allowed," warns a Redden State Forest camper.
Dump station availability: Prepare for limited services at some locations. "Easy to navigate through with a trailer. Nice trails and playground. Bathrooms were like brand new. Water and electric on our loop," shares a Martinak State Park visitor.
