Camping sites near Ellendale, Delaware offer a mix of pine forest settings and coastal access with average summer temperatures in the mid-80s. The area sits at just 46 feet above sea level, creating fairly level terrain for setting up camp. Most campgrounds report minimal mosquito populations despite the wooded environments, a surprising benefit for outdoor enthusiasts.
What to do
Kayaking at Trap Pond: Paddle among the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees at Trap Pond State Park Campground. "The kayak for exploring the pond" makes this a popular activity, with one camper noting, "We walked around the pond and rented boats and kayaks for the day and rowed back to our site which the kids loved."
Wildlife spotting: Visit Adventures Await Retreat to interact 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," notes one camper who enjoyed the unique camping experience.
Beach exploration: Camp within driving distance of ocean beaches. At Cape Henlopen, "The cape is amazing. You can walk into the water for what seems like miles and it only gets up to your shins. There is bay access for kayaking and fishing."
Bike rentals: Several campgrounds offer free or low-cost bicycle options. "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted)," notes a camper about Trap Pond State Park, which has several miles of trails to explore on two wheels.
What campers like
Private island camping: For a truly secluded experience, Trap Pond State Park Campground offers unique island sites. "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. I couldn't imagine sharing the secluded site with strangers."
Historical elements: Several areas feature military history. At Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, "The historic aspect of the Cape amazed me. It was a site for WWII soldiers to watch for enemy invaders. The towers are still there."
Diverse fungal ecology: Nature enthusiasts appreciate the biodiversity. One camper at Killens Pond noted, "The woods are full of nature and diverse species. We counted over 17 different species of fungi in a 25 foot stretch!"
Level sites: Most campgrounds feature fairly level terrain. At Delaware Seashore State Park, "All of the non-hookup sites are sand/grass/gravel and completely level; the hookup sites have paved camper pads (and are also level)."
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Redden State Forest Campground has changed its policies. "This is no longer a first come, first served campground. Reservations must be made in advance at bookyoursite.com, only 3 days consecutive allowed," notes a recent camper.
Site privacy differences: Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. At Delaware Seashore State Park, "there is zero privacy/separation between sites, but this is the price you pay for easy and close beach access!"
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds limit vehicle size. At Redden State Forest, "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."
Off-season benefits: Visiting outside peak seasons offers advantages. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park At Delaware Beaches offers water-based entertainment. "My kids had a blast in the water area with the pool and large slides. It was our first time camping and we had trouble sleeping due to groups around us having fun until 11, but overall it was a really great experience."
Nature centers: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Ellendale offer educational opportunities. Killens Pond State Park has "a nature center, very nice campground and clean bath houses. Has events for children for Easter and at the Nature Center."
Kid-focused activities: Scheduled events keep younger campers engaged. "There are a TON of mostly free activities for kids, which is awesome," reports a camper at Jellystone Park, making it ideal for families seeking pet-friendly camping options.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. At Cape Henlopen, one 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."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling blocks at some locations. At Killens Pond State Park Campground, "Sites 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."
Golf cart traffic: At several pet-friendly campgrounds near Ellendale, golf cart use is common. "Golf carts are completely out of control with no enforcement by staff. Reckless driving by minors is common. I saw crashes and people falling from carts."
Site measurements: Verify actual site dimensions before booking. At Delaware Seashore, "I believe online it says they're 45x30 but I find that hard to believe. Our trailer is almost 38 feet and we only had a little room left over."
Hookup quality: Water pressure varies between locations. One camper at Tall Pine Campground noted, "the water pressure was very low, the dump station was gross," while others report excellent utilities at other campgrounds.
