Private camping options near Kirkwood, Delaware range from tent-only areas to full-service RV resorts within a 30-mile radius. The inland campgrounds of northern Delaware and nearby Pennsylvania sit at elevations under 400 feet, with the region experiencing humid summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds in this area feature level terrain with clay or sandy soil bases requiring proper tent stakes or leveling blocks.
What to do
Paddle sports on site: Lake-In-Wood Campground in Narvon offers fishing in a stocked pond and seasonal water activities. "Very nice and clean campground. Store, pool and cafe. Firewood and minature golf available. Nice fishing in the lake," notes Edward M.
Go Ape adventure course: Lums Pond State Park Campground features a high ropes course along with biking and kayaking opportunities. "Bike trails, Going Ape, kayaking and peaceful," mentions Leah H. The park offers a 7-mile hiking trail and 8-mile multi-purpose trail system circling the pond.
Miniature golf and arcades: Several campgrounds offer miniature golf courses and arcade facilities, including Spring Gulch Resort Campground where families can enjoy various activities. "Tons of amenities for families including mini golf, an arcade, pools, fishing ponds, etc. Not to mention live music on the weekends!" according to Paulina B.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies significantly between campgrounds. Lums Pond State Park receives consistently high marks for its facilities. "Great bath houses, always super clean," reports al K., though he notes that "Some engineering genious put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most. Tent campers... keep your shoes handy, its a hike."
Spacious full hookup sites: Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina receives positive reviews for its waterfront positioning. "Beautiful family owned campground. Kinda small but has a lot to offer. A nice clean pool, camp store, clean bathroom/showers, full hookups, surrounded by water," states Lisa T., who appreciates fishing opportunities directly from campsites.
Weekend entertainment: Many campgrounds schedule regular entertainment during peak season. Spring Gulch Resort offers "a live band one evening. Activities though the day were fun," according to Dawn T., who also noted the friendly staff. Thousand Trails Circle M features scheduled activities for both children and adults throughout the season.
What you should know
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds experience seasonal water quality problems. "The water stank and was straight brown," reported one camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Elmer. When camping during rainy periods, consider bringing additional drinking water.
Site selection challenges: At Sun Valley Campground, site placement can be tricky. "Our particular site was a bear to park in but once situated we were very happy," explains Becca U., who appreciated the friendly atmosphere despite parking difficulties. Many campgrounds place transient visitors among seasonal campers.
Flooding concerns: Low-lying sites in several campgrounds can flood during heavy rain. One camper at Mays Landing Resort described having to dig trenches around their tent after a significant downpour. At Sun Valley, "We stayed in loop 700 - very nice, new and well-maintained area with mature trees and lovely fall colors."
Tips for camping with families
Weekend activity scheduling: Thousand Trails Circle M organizes activities specifically for children and families. "The kids enjoyed the indoor pool. Looking forward to coming back in the summer," says Davie Q. Many campgrounds offer themed weekends throughout the season.
Playground access: Most campgrounds feature playground equipment, though quality varies considerably. At Lums Pond, "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards). The only complaint I have is that the kiddie swings seem to be modeled after the seasickness machine," notes Mark, describing his family's experience.
Height restrictions: Water features often have minimum height requirements. As Nicole S. explains about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, "The pool and splash park were great but you needed to be at least 42 inches to go on the slide or bounce house." Check attraction requirements before promising specific activities to younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling preparation: RV sites near Kirkwood, Delaware often require leveling adjustments. "Sites are very unleveled so the staff switched us to a pull thru space that was a tad bit more level but still very unleveled," reports Daniel C. about Mays Landing Resort. Bring extra leveling blocks, especially for larger rigs.
Navigation challenges: Many campgrounds have narrow access roads through residential areas. "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees," warns Mary C. Larger motorhomes should plan routes carefully, particularly when accessing campgrounds during evening hours when visibility is limited.
