State parks and forests surrounding Ellendale, Delaware feature diverse camping environments within a relatively compact area. Cape Henlopen State Park Campground in Lewes offers tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options with beach access and maritime forest settings. Just 15 miles west of Ellendale, Killens Pond State Park provides year-round camping with electric and water hookups in a more wooded environment. Delaware Seashore State Park Campground, located about 25 miles southeast along the coast, features oceanfront camping with full hookups. Trap Pond State Park, known for its cypress swamps and water recreation, offers a more secluded camping experience with tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and yurts.
Reservations for Delaware state parks should be made well in advance, particularly for summer weekends and holiday periods. As one camper noted, "The sites go fast and I felt lucky to get the site I ended up with." Most campgrounds in the region have paved roads and level sites, though sandy soil is common, especially at coastal locations. Delaware's coastal campgrounds like Delaware Seashore typically have limited shade and can be windy, while inland options like Trap Pond offer more tree cover. Bathhouses and facilities are generally well-maintained across the region, with most campgrounds providing electric hookups, water, and dump stations. Cell service is reliable throughout the area.
Beach access represents a major draw for campers visiting the Ellendale region. At Delaware Seashore State Park, "beach access is so easy, my 80-year-old grandmother who came camping with us made it over with no problem." Cape Henlopen State Park is particularly noted for its extensive bike trail network, with one visitor highlighting that "biking is hugely popular and they have bike rentals at the nature center if you forgot yours." Fishing opportunities abound, with both freshwater options at Killens Pond and saltwater fishing at coastal parks. The proximity to towns like Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, and Bethany Beach provides convenient access to restaurants, shopping, and additional attractions, making the area suitable for both dedicated outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a mix of camping and amenities.
$30 - $99 / night
"Cape henlopen is one of five or six Delaware state parks that offer RV camping. Sites vary in size so make sure you check the details before you book."
"My group was there, on two adjacent sites, from Sunday to Tuesday, in early June. The weather could not have been more ideal! We were on sites G12 and G13, which were both really large."
$22 - $89 / night
"First time staying overnight at a campground in Delaware. The cabins are tiny on the inside but that porch really provides very useful space.
No paper towels, soap or kitchen utensils.""Delaware seemed short on camping options and this one was probably top of the line 40 years ago. It's dated in every way, but it's in a good spot. Seemed to have some residents mixed in."
"Campground well maintained and relatively quiet given its peak season for Delaware beaches. Off the beaten path from beach noise but does require a 15-30 minute drive to popular beaches."
"Close proximity to the beach. Lots of family friendly activities. Full stocked camp store."
$30 - $168 / night
"Park Name-Delaware Seashore State Park Date of Stay-June 2018
Site-237
This is one of favorite local parks!"
"The really great aspect of Delaware Seashore State Park is your close proximity to the water. The park is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian River, and Indian River Bay."
$22 - $56 / night
"This is Delaware which is flat land. The one issue with most every site are the trees. Most every site has a tree to watch out for."
"From well spaced sites to helpful staff, Trap Pond is Delaware state parks crown jewel. The pond itself is beautiful, camp sites are well maintained and spaced apart nicely."
$28 / night
"Wood was cheaper then usual (5 dollars per bundle) and is located under a self serve honor system payment across from site 3."
"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."
$67 / night
"I actually forgot it was in Delaware since it’s so close to where we grew up as kids in jersey!"
"A quick drive to the beaches and a gorgeous rail trail! Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming which was the biggest selling point for us."
$40 - $50 / night
"Was close to casino only like 7 min drive and shopping everywhere was a weekend full of busy even while it rained."
"We found this place by accident as us and several friends planned on attending the 45th Annual June Jam in Houston and wanted somewhere close to stay. "
"It’s also close to the other ocean beaches. The only downsides are sites are very close together and its a very expensive about double the cost of other near by non-waterfront campgrounds."
"** Located on Rehoboth Bay, this resort was a great place to spend a long holiday weekend. Our paved site was just a few steps to a private beach which was really nice and clean."
"Quickly stopped through G&R which is a nice, quiet campground hidden in the middle of Delaware. Plenty of spaces for campers and more than enough utility spaces available."
"There is a smell due to being next to a chicken or animal farm; however, after a few minutes outside, the smell goes away."
GuideThis is such a perfect way to hang by the ocean. Some sites are close but tenting is key. Showers and outdoor showers are my favorite. There isn’t much to dislike if anything? Oh, ai know. Light pollution. There is no light pollution and we always bring our telescope and then rvs will keep their leds on, but unless that is enforced. There isn’t much that can be done. 🤷🏼♀️
ScoutWe allways have a blast everybody is so nice and lots to do
TravelerWe had a nice visit. Sun is in the process of fixing the place up. The swim up bar was being restored. My only negative was the site two places up played there stereo live music loud. BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM. They did get called out for it by management.
GuideFrom well spaced sites to helpful staff, Trap Pond is Delaware state parks crown jewel. The pond itself is beautiful, camp sites are well maintained and spaced apart nicely.
TravelerTrap Pond SP is a lovely park that has everything you need. Electric/water hookups, docks on the pond at each loop, clean bathhouses, and the "day" side of the park on the other side of the pond! A few miles of walking trails, and an incredible, prehistoric feeling paddle trail through gorgeous bald cypress trees. Reasonable camp store. Sites are a wee bit close, but comfortable and level.
GuideWebsite says RV Resort and cabins. Turns out 75%+/- of camping area is made up of Tiny Homes, owned by people, and some for rent, plus cabins.
In fairness, this isn't our type of camping. Many RV's were season with no one there. Thursday was dead, but Friday campers came in for Mother's Day weekend. We went to the bathhouse only to find out it was closed (seasonal). So a nice easy walk to do laundry turned into a lengthy walk or drive. Made no sense. Then on Friday, I was outside reading a book and an employee rolled into our site on a riding mower kicking up dirt all over me and into the trailer, with rocks kicked up into the picnic table. Lucky, no broken windows. Lippert no longer makes the window, so they would have been buying five (5) ones
This is a great place for families with young children. Just not our cup of tea
ScoutWe stayed at this campground for approximately one month and paid full price with the expectation of reliable utilities and access to advertised amenities. The property itself is nice and quiet, which we appreciated, but unfortunately that did not outweigh the issues we experienced.
During our stay, we had ongoing electrical problems at our site. Our air conditioner would not function properly, and we were unable to use it for essentially the entire month, including during several hot days. Our hot water heater also could not reliably run on electric, which forced us to operate it on propane and refill our tanks twice at our own expense.
In addition to the electrical issues, the water quality was also a concern. The water from the faucet would often come out brown and murky for a period of time when first turned on, and at times even after it had been running.
Our site also did not include basic amenities such as a fire ring or picnic table, which are typically expected and commonly included with full-price sites.
At one point, the entire campground lost power. Despite that, we were told our pedestal had been tested and was functioning properly, which was not possible given the campground-wide outage at the time.
After leaving and connecting to power at a different campground, all of our systems—including AC and hot water—worked immediately without issue. This confirmed the problem was not with our RV, but with the power supply at this campground.
Additionally, one of the listed amenities (the pool) was unavailable when we attempted to use it.
We brought these concerns to the owner and requested a reasonable refund or adjustment based on the lack of usable electrical service and the additional expenses we incurred. That request was refused.
We are sharing this so others are aware. If you rely on consistent electrical service, clean water, and standard site amenities, this is something to seriously consider before booking.
GuideWe arrived on a beautiful mid April day. We were walk-ins and had the choice for a site on the beach or the inland campground. The inland sites were in a very open, treeless circle along the marshlands. Not particularly attractive or ugly, not private, but WARM compared to what we experienced mid April along the beach. Although beautiful and right on the beach, the wind nearly blew us over. Fires were impossible due to wind and damp wood purchased at a beach kiosk. No one could brave those winds for more than a short time. Showers are cold water. Pit toilets were good. That being said, what a unique experience with the horses and proximity to the beach.
ScoutThe area was well maintained, lots for the kids to do, and everyone that worked there was so nice. Close to beaches and food. We’ll be back!
Camping near Ellendale, Delaware provides access to diverse water bodies including inland cypress swamps, freshwater ponds, and Atlantic Ocean beaches. The region's flat, sandy terrain creates well-drained camping conditions, though coastal sites can experience strong winds from May through September. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, making water-adjacent camping particularly popular.
Paddle through cypress trees: Trap Pond State Park Campground offers a rare opportunity to kayak among northernmost natural stands of bald cypress trees. "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 one visitor. Rentals include canoes, kayaks and paddleboats.
Free bike rentals: At Trap Pond State Park Campground, campers can borrow bikes at no cost. "They have a bike shed where you can sign out bikes for free for the day which was super neat," shares a reviewer. The park maintains several miles of trails suitable for both casual riders and more experienced cyclists.
Military history exploration: Cape Henlopen State Park Campground preserves significant World War II historical sites. "As a former military installation, there are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such. There's a wonderful observation tower built on top of one of these that affords beautiful 360 degree views," explains one camper who explored the area.
Night swimming and family activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park At Delaware Beaches offers evening pool access. "The kids love the night swimming while adults can sit at the swim up bar," notes a frequent visitor. The campground schedules regular activities throughout peak season, making it ideal for families with children of various ages.
Secluded island camping: At Trap Pond State Park Campground, adventurous campers can stay on a small island. "My sons and I spent four nights on the island site and loved it. We lucked out and had both sites to ourselves which I recommend. We set up our hammocks on the edge of the water," writes one camper who enjoyed the unique experience.
Diverse shower facilities: Delaware state parks generally provide clean bathhouses with varying styles. At Delaware Seashore State Park, "Bathhouses are reasonably clean, especially being so close to the ocean." Meanwhile, Cape Henlopen campers appreciate that "The newly built bathhouses are great! They're always clean and I've yet to not get a hot shower, even though they get used a lot."
Proximity to restaurants and entertainment: Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay offers on-site dining and entertainment. "The Tiki Bar had amazing drinks and bar food. And the bartenders were super nice and accommodating," reports one visitor. The campground also provides "a free shuttle to rehoboth" beach town, giving campers access to additional dining and shopping options without driving.
Fishing diversity: Killens Pond State Park Campground offers freshwater fishing in a peaceful setting. "Can't swim only in water park but only 20/40 minutes to beaches. Trails around pond are taken care of quite well," notes one reviewer. Bass fishing can be particularly productive in the early morning hours.
Reservation timing varies by location: During peak season, campgrounds fill quickly with different booking windows. "Delaware Seashore is extremely well staffed, with all staff members in high vis matching shirts," notes one camper, but also mentions the need to book well in advance for summer weekends.
Site privacy differences: Campgrounds vary significantly in site separation. At Redden State Forest Campground, "The campsites are small and close together. A total of 7 campsites" with limited privacy. More secluded options exist at other locations, with varying levels of tree cover and site separation.
Seasonal weather considerations: Coastal campgrounds experience strong winds, especially at Delaware Seashore. "We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going. The winds were nuts and over 50mph," warns one RVer. Inland locations like Killens Pond typically offer more protection from coastal winds.
Noise levels vary by location: Some campgrounds have unexpected noise sources. At Delaware Seashore, "The noise of the coast guard waking up is alarming, but neat. It was trumpets and sounded like a horse race at 7am!" Meanwhile, Redden State Forest campers note "you can hear the traffic on the busy road not too far away."
Playground proximity matters: At Cape Henlopen, site selection can affect children's experience. "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," explains one parent, making specific site selection important for families.
Waterpark access: Killens Pond State Park Campground features a water park that attracts families. "My son absolutely loved this place. There's anything and everything you could think of available to keep everyone busy. A water park, volley ball field, playgrounds, amphitheater, nature center, nature trails, and boat rentals at the lake," shares one parent.
Nature education opportunities: Many campgrounds offer ranger-led programs for children. "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). They were both enjoyable," notes a Killens Pond visitor.
Animal encounters: Adventures Await Retreat offers unique interactions with farm animals. "Lots of animals with personality fresh eggs for purchase and good catch and release ponds caught 4 bass in like 20 min big guys," reports one visitor. The farm atmosphere provides educational opportunities for children to learn about animals.
Site leveling challenges: Many Delaware campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. At Trap Pond, "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."
Compact campsite dimensions: Space can be tight at popular parks like Cape Henlopen. "This is a VERY busy campground. Rigs in and out daily and nearly always full. None of the sites are level. Sites are mostly small and close together," warns an experienced RVer.
Seasonal limitations for larger rigs: Redden State Forest restricts vehicle sizes. "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," cautions a recent visitor.
Utility inconsistencies: Water and electric hookups vary in reliability across campgrounds. At G & R Campground, campers report "plenty of spaces for campers and more than enough utility spaces available," though quality may vary. When camping during shoulder seasons, checking which facilities remain operational becomes particularly important.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ellendale, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ellendale, DE offers a wide range of camping options, with 99 campgrounds and RV parks near Ellendale, DE and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Ellendale, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ellendale, DE is Cape Henlopen State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 68 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ellendale, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Ellendale, DE.
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