Camping options near Felton, Delaware offer various amenities across relatively flat terrain with hardwood forests and freshwater ponds. While dedicated equestrian camping with corrals isn't available, several state parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation throughout the typical camping season of March through November. The region experiences humid summers and mild winters with occasional storms.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing: At Tuckahoe State Park, visitors can enjoy water activities on Tuckahoe Creek and Lake. "There's a kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake (no gasoline motors) with more of the creek on the other side of the lake," notes reviewer Mary S.
Free biking: Trap Pond State Park offers free bike rentals. "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals (in season)," shares Lee D. The park includes about 4.5 miles of trails around the pond.
Hiking and trails: State parks near Felton contain miles of marked trails. "Lots of trails to hike. Beautiful, peaceful. Some sites not level," says reviewer Shawn about Tuckahoe State Park. For hikers concerned about hunting seasons, Mary S. advises, "I am extremely wary of hiking in parks at a time when hunting is allowed."
What campers like
Secluded wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural settings. At Martinak State Park, Andrew M. notes, "The cabins are clean and tidy and the campground is well run. It's small and the sites are quite close together. There is a good trail around the campground, not long because it's a small park, but the views of and access to the river are lovely."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards receive positive mentions. "The bathhouse is dated and was clean enough to use. Good dump station and potable water fill. Spigots throughout the campground," reports Adam and Suzanne B. about Tuckahoe State Park.
Specialized amenities: Unique features enhance camping experiences. A Tuckahoe State Park reviewer praises, "I LOVE the commercial-sized washing sink for your dishes, since you don't have full hookups its a BIG deal." At Delaware Seashore State Park, the proximity to beaches is valued: "Ocean was a short 5 minute walk from our campsite— along with a playground and delicious restaurant."
What you should know
Limited privacy at some parks: Site spacing varies considerably between parks. At Delaware Seashore State Park, Lee D. cautions, "There is NO privacy/separation between sites, however, we were there on a Monday the week after Memorial Day and while the sites with the hookups were completely full, there were plenty of empty non-hookup sites."
Weather considerations: The area can experience challenging conditions. One camper at Lums Pond State Park noted, "The winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going."
Seasonal closures: Facilities may have limited operations outside summer. At Trap Pond, "We missed being able to rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboat by a week," reports a visitor during shoulder season. Call ahead to confirm which amenities are available during your planned visit.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas. "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," recommends a Trap Pond reviewer.
Educational opportunities: Blackbird State Forest offers nature experiences with minimal facilities. "This is a good free state forest with maybe 10 (or less) designated tent-camping sites... There are plenty of hiking trails in the state forest, complete with mushrooms, and deer-hunting-stands," notes D.R., making it suitable for nature study with older children.
Consider site layouts: Some campgrounds have unusual configurations. At Trap Pond, "Sites 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," explains Jim G.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Tuckahoe State Park, Buck P. warns, "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 with were an issue. The firepit was about 3-4 feet from our door. No camp fires as it was not safe."
Full hookup options: For those seeking all utilities, consider Lums Pond State Park which offers complete services. "We paid $46 per night plus fees for a FHU 50 Amp Back-in site(#56). This place is a gem, even among nice state parks," reports Matt S.
Driving access: Roads around some parks may present challenges. At Tuckahoe State Park, Sean R. notes "The farm roads around the park are very bumpy," which can be an issue for larger RVs or those towing trailers.
