3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Horse Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore offers designated equestrian campsites within the Berlin, Maryland district. The campground provides specific sites for horses, though no formal horse corrals are available on the property. Campers must bring their own portable corrals or high-line systems for containing horses overnight. Tent and RV camping are permitted in the equestrian camping area, with facilities including sanitary dump stations and toilets. Trail access is available directly from the campground, allowing riders to explore the natural surroundings without trailering horses to separate riding areas. The camping area accommodates both overnight visitors and day-use equestrians who want to access the trails. Horse owners must provide their own water and feed storage, as these amenities are not provided at the campsites.
The EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area in Maryland, approximately 25 miles from Fenwick Island, permits primitive horse camping with appropriate permits. Riders access miles of unpaved roads and trails through diverse coastal habitats including marshlands and forests. No developed facilities exist for horses, requiring complete self-sufficiency with portable corrals or tie-out systems. Camping areas accommodate tents and smaller RVs with pets allowed throughout the property. The terrain features a mix of sandy soil and maritime vegetation, making it suitable for casual trail riding rather than technical riding. Horse owners must follow strict waste management practices and pack out all manure. Most riding areas remain open year-round, though seasonal hunting activities may restrict access during certain periods. Advance planning is essential as the management area provides no potable water, electric hookups, or shower facilities.
"The sites are close together and pretty wide open, but this isn't unusual this close to the beach. Literally a couple hundred yards walk to tje beach."
"Park Name-Delaware Seashore State Park Date of Stay-June 2018
Site-237
This is one of favorite local parks!"
Available this weekend
from $35 - $352 / night
"Due to the location near Ocean City, this campground is primarily a resort for people staying 1 or more weeks."
"Shuttle to Ocean City, MD was convenient and general store was close by and stocked well!"
"As an equestrian this was a once in a lifetime adventure. Feral chincoteague ponies everywhere you look!"
"Some sites are on the beach, and you can position your tent to be on the dune looking at the water- some are inland a bit more but still a very short walk to the beach."
from $40 / 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."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $65 / night
"If you don’t mind wild horses joining you for dinner and trekking around your campsite at night, then this is your place!! The beach is absolutely gorgeous and so is the scenery."
"Sites were not too close to one another. We had site 13 on ocean loop 1. Just a few steps, and you’re on the beach. Nice picnic table and fire pit."
Available this weekend
from $40 - $80 / night
"People driving around in golf carts cheering, people playing board games at the campsite next door...sleep was difficult."
"Close to the Marina, Downtown, The Blvd and the Beach. Staff are helpful but also gives you space to live."
from $4200 / night
"The seasonal weekenders had gone home, and we preferred the larger, more private area behind the site to walk our dogs."
"We stopped for one night in order to see some friends and wished we would have had more time because the surrounding area looks like there is lots to do and see."
from $35 - $159 / night
"Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season. Roosters here"
"Trails end has gate with campground I.d. or sticker access."
GuidePretty easy camping trip, plenty of room to set up camp. Level spots. We stayed on south inlet campground. They have small camp store multiple laundry and bath houses. Great stay if you enjoy fishing, as. You can fish the inlet at the campground. They have a very nice playground for kids as well! Only negative is no camp fires allowed, they do have a community area you can have a camp fires allowed. Also no wifi
GuideEnjoyed the stay here June 19-21, 2026, in the tents-only section at a campground just 10 minutes from home. I've lived near this campground for 45 of my 66 years but never camped there.
The cramped campsites always turned me off but my wife and I decided to try it as a test run when we bought all new camping gear after not camping for 15 years(well, except for the 40-year-old Coleman stove that still works).
The campsites are tight and strictly BYOS(Bring Your Own Shade). The weather cooperated with temps in the low 80s and cool westerly winds. Because this campground sits adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Inlet and Indian River Bay, it fills up on weekends for camping, beach-going, fishing, kayaking and other water activities. I'd suggest going weekdays if you can.
Even with all the people, though, it was mostly quiet. The traffic from the Indian River Inlet bridge didn't bother me much but it did keep my wife up the first night. The bridge lights up at night and looks most spectacular at sunrise.
We ate dinner at camp the first night and then went to the inlet walkway to watch the sun set. The sunsets over the Indian River Bay, serenaded by the U.S. Coast Guard station's bugle calls with the lowering of the colors at its station at the north side campground, are a must. We also got to see a green heron foraging on the rockpiles and a dolphin swimming through the inlet. Fishermen lined the walkway to add to the atmosphere.
The next morning we drove over to the north side of the inlet to the Burton's Island trail-- another first for me. The trail was probably a mile or so and took about an hour, though it looked like we could have gone further into the brush had we not been wearing shorts and t-shirts. We came across a horseshoe crab traveling along a dirt path and a turtle trying to hide itself under downed tree branches. Blue water surrounded us in the marshes.
An excellent dinner at Matt's Fish House capped off our anniversary and we returned to the campground to watch the sunset again.
The bathrooms were well-placed. They were mostly clean but the five-second" Navy shower" intervals in the showers were annoying. There's no water or electric at the tent sites but a high-powered community water tap works for cleaning dishes.
The ban on open fires at the campground did disappoint. There is a community fire pit but no one used it our two nights there.
Oh, I can't forget the Diamondback turtles. Be careful driving so you don't hit them as they wander through the campground. We saw several lay eggs on the sand volleyball court and one scurried through our campsite and under our picnic table on its way to points unknown. The picnic table at each site is heavy but movable.
The people were friendly even in such crowded conditions. Lots of kids on bikes, skateboards and scooters and at the playground. Basically, you don't come here as much for the camping as you do for the water sports and activities.
As a tent camper, I'd opt for the tent-only loops versus the Standard sites that accommodate tents and small RVs and popups. Our tent-only loops looked less congested than the Standard sites.
I'd give this campground 4.5 stars. It would be an easy 5 if not for the crowded conditions.
ScoutWe have stayed here twice and have our 3rd trip booked and we absolutely love it! The lazy river and kiddy water slide park is amazing and our kids love it!
LegendWe stopped for one night in order to see some friends and wished we would have had more time because the surrounding area looks like there is lots to do and see. This is a really beautiful area of the Delmarva Peninsula and just minutes away from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuges and Assateague Island NS.
This campground is huge with a great selection of standard and premium RV sites that provide full hookups and spacious gravel or paved pads. Some have water views and some are back-in sites with the water directly behind them. Our site was a buddy site which worked great for our stay with our friends. It was long enough so we didn’t have to unhitch our tow car but still had enough room to maneuver into and out of the site and could reach our hook-ups. The site was perfectly level (in fact, all sites in the park are level as this is a very flat area) and the area where we parked the RV was paved and the rest of the driveway was gravel. The patio had pavers and our fire pit was raised with bricks around it. The utilities were well-placed and the 50-amp was strong and the water pressure good. Our site was in the open which we loved because it was cool when we visited so we relished the sunshine. There are plenty of other sites located under tall pines (which we really don’t like because of all the sap that gets on our coach and car). Many of the sites are rented as seasonal sites but there are plenty left for transient campers. The list of amenities is a mile long and covers the typical ones you would find at a “resort.” Some of the best ones are the zero-entry pool (which was closed while we were there) and splash park and the private beach. The sandy beach would be a nice place to bring a chair and hang out admiring the view of the bay. Most of the amenities (like the pool, recreation hall, café, and bounce pillow) are centrally located so keep that in mind when you are booking your campsite as you may, or may not, want to be in that area. The restrooms were clean and newer (keep in mind we were there very early in the season when the campground was practically empty). The laundry facilities were clean and there were plenty of machines (all but one didn’t work) and were reasonably priced. We really liked the access to water that this park provides Pocomoke Sound and the tidal pond. It’s a great place to relax in a chair, swim, or put in a kayak.
GuideParked with my class B van! Amazing you can hear the ocean at night. No electricity so be prepared. Horses will walk through your campsite. Clean and quiet. No cell service. Lots to do with hiking and beaching! Be prepared for cold outdoor showers!
GuideWasn’t sure at first… kind of a lot of money for one night with no sewer hook up, but the amenities make up for the price! The western show was so fun! Frontier town was cute and not too cheesy! Loved walking all the way around the park! Dog friendly!
GuideRight off the beach wild horses, deer, turkeys, and birds. Woke up and walked right out on the beach for some early morning beach combing, was a bit windy
ScoutWe allways have a blast everybody is so nice and lots to do
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.
Equestrian camping near Fenwick Island, Delaware offers riders access to diverse coastal ecosystems within a short drive. The area sits at sea level with maritime forests transitioning to salt marshes and barrier islands, creating varied terrain for trail riding. Winter temperatures average 35-45°F while summer brings 75-85°F conditions, making spring and fall optimal for horseback excursions due to reduced insects and moderate weather.
Beach riding permits: At Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground, riders need special permits for beach access. "We've been going here as a family for over 6 years. Its a great place to relax with less people on the public and private beaches. The wild ponies and deer are beautiful!!" notes Ashley M.
Kayaking with horses: Combine equestrian activities with water sports near Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday which offers boat rentals. "There is a beach area to swim but also 2 pools. There are fishing piers and boat rentals," mentions Laure D. This allows riders to observe horses from water perspectives.
Nature photography: The wildlife management area trails provide excellent photo opportunities. "Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season. Roosters here," reports Wayne L. about EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area. Morning light creates optimal conditions for photographing horses in natural settings.
Wild horse encounters: Visitors appreciate respectful wildlife viewing opportunities. "Horses will roam right into campsite," explains Karen W. at Bayside Assateague Campground. The unique chance to observe wild horses creates memorable camping experiences.
Trail diversity: Riders value having multiple terrain options for equestrian activities. A camper at Delaware Seashore State Park Campground notes, "We spent most of our time at the beach anyway so the small site really didn't matter much." This park offers beach riding access points for those with proper permits.
Water access: Equestrians appreciate facilities for both horses and humans. "We enjoyed our stay very quiet and easy to find. It was nice being on the water two," shares Bud B. about Tom's Cove Park. This combination of water features and equestrian access creates versatile recreation options.
Horse management requirements: Riders must bring their own containment systems. "It's beautiful here, horses are cool, beach is great, but the bugs stink! Bring some deet it's the only thing that works!" advises Kirsten J. about camping at Assateague Island. Portable corrals must be secured against coastal winds.
Seasonal considerations: Bug populations affect both horses and riders. "Love this place but be prepared for the bugs. Even enjoyed this in the winter," shares Michael W. about Bayside camping. Late fall through early spring offers reduced insect activity for more comfortable riding.
Terrain challenges: Sand-based trails require proper hoof preparation. "Prepare for wind," warns Tori V., adding "It is really neat to be able to camp right on the sand dunes and by the beach but prepare for lots of wind. Check the weather a lot because the storms roll in quickly." Sandy soil can be demanding on horses not accustomed to it.
Wildlife education: Make horse observation educational for children. "The Ponies 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," advises Tony P. about Assateague Island. This teaches kids about wild animal behavior while ensuring safety.
Recreational alternatives: Plan non-equestrian activities for family members. "There is a jump zone and a rec room. There are fishing piers and boat rentals," notes a reviewer at Tall Pines Harbor. These options keep non-riders entertained during equestrian outings.
Weather preparation: Pack for variable coastal conditions with children. "We've been twice so I guess you could say we liked it :)" shares Kirsten J. about Assateague camping despite challenging weather. Children need extra layers due to coastal wind exposure even on sunny days.
Hookup availability: Limited full-hookup sites exist for equestrian camping. "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," shares Jim G. about Trap Pond State Park Campground. Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain.
Access considerations: Some equestrian access points have size restrictions. "This campground is very family friendly. There is so much to do. If you do go make sure you go for a week so you can try to do it all," recommends Wilson G. Larger rigs may need to park in designated areas and trailer horses separately to trail access points.
Manure management: Pack-out requirements exist for horse waste in most areas. "They also have a small grocery store that has all the essentials," mentions Julie F. about Tom's Cove Park. Stock up on waste management supplies before arrival as facilities typically don't sell equestrian-specific items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fenwick Island, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fenwick Island, DE is Delaware Seashore State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 57 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Fenwick Island, DE?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Fenwick Island, DE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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