Camping options near Newark, Delaware range from established state parks to private campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Lums Pond State Park Campground, located in Bear just 7 miles south of Newark, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and yurt accommodations. Elk Neck State Park Campground in North East, Maryland, approximately 20 miles southwest, provides cabin camping along with tent and RV sites. The region includes several KOA locations like Philadelphia-West Chester KOA in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, which features cabin rentals alongside traditional camping options.
Access to campgrounds in the Newark area varies with the seasons, though many remain open year-round. Most established campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Lums Pond State Park offers full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections, making it popular for RV campers. The relatively flat terrain throughout the region makes most campgrounds accessible without specialized vehicles or equipment. Visitors should be aware that some campgrounds have specific pet policies, with designated pet-friendly loops at certain parks. A camper at Elk Neck State Park noted, "The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. Site 166 offered a wooded path directly back to the nearby bathhouse, which was otherwise inconspicuous from my site."
Campers consistently mention the spacious sites and natural settings as highlights of the Newark area camping experience. Lums Pond State Park receives praise for its well-maintained facilities and large, level sites. According to one visitor, "This State park campground is very well maintained. The staff is friendly. Quiet, clean area and had no problem navigating in our 40' 5th wheel." Many campgrounds in the region feature water access, with Lums Pond offering fishing and boating opportunities. Elk Neck State Park provides hiking trails with scenic water views, though reviews mention trails can become muddy after rain. Several developed campgrounds in the area include amenities like clean bathhouses, laundry facilities, and camp stores, though amenities vary by location. Proximity to Philadelphia and other attractions makes these campgrounds convenient bases for exploring the region.
$17 - $32 / night
"Great place to stay and check out “Lower, slower Delaware.”"
"Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."
$21 - $55 / night
"I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. ""Surrounding area
There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."
$59 - $86 / night
"I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45’ motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle."
"The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy."
$21 - $50 / night
"Had a great weekend trip here, close to DC and Delaware. Wonderful hiking trails with river views. Only caveat- got pretty muddy since it rained the day before and our site didn’t have a tent pad."
"I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"
"It’s a clean, well kept space, completely surrounded by state forest, very close to shore access along the rivers/bay, hiking/biking trails right out of the campground."
"We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."
"The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."
$10 - $16 / night
"Has outhouse, fire pit, running water on side of house near outhouse. An is a wonderful person. Good reception with T-Mobile!"
$20 - $90 / night
"We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"
"If you want starlink, stay toward the entrance of the loop for a good view of the sky. If you want to be away from everyone and don't need a site that has good accessibility, stay in C27."
ScoutOkay so I haven't actually been here yet I am looking for somewhere to put my rv long term. I guess I was just wondering why the other person made this place sound so horrible. Is it because of the people who can only afford to survive long term at this campsite or was this another time that stigma took over instead of knowledge or is the place a real dangerous dump. I guess I need to check this place out for myself.
ScoutLove the staff the community and the solitude. All the amenities are up and working all the time.
ScoutSmall family owed for 50 plus years. They care about their guests and treat everyone like they are part of the family. The only thing about this campground is that it doesn't allow tents. Only RVs and pull behind.
ScoutI used to visit this campground when I was younger, and I finally got the chance to camp here as an adult. I love that it offers a little bit of everything; fishing, trails, hiking, nature walks, playgrounds, swimming, and more. I had a great time. The people camping near us were really friendly; they mentioned they had been staying there for about six weeks. If a long stay is worth it, their experience definitely proved it.
GuideLots of seasonal parked campers and only a few campers here. Nice peaceful quiet stay. Our site was very spacious. Level side to side. Gravel site with plenty of room for our truck n trailer.
ScoutThis place was great! We stayed here for 5 weeks while working in the area. It’s a clean, well kept space, completely surrounded by state forest, very close to shore access along the rivers/bay, hiking/biking trails right out of the campground. Half of it is long term residents, half for short term.
TravelerThis was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.
TravelerHarder to do with a large group due to the early quiet hours, but park is very nice and well kept
RangerThere’s four loops. All connected A through D. We just needed a place to park and sleep so I got D011. Got there at 11pm and the D loop says no pets allowed. Not sure why when they are at every other loop but we had no where else to go and the area is pretty far off from anywhere else so the ol lab stayed in the camper. The bathrooms are tile and really nice with showers. And it was really quiet and chilly so a nice fall camp site. Just know ahead of time if you’re a dog owner!
Camping options within a 20-mile radius of Newark, Delaware include several state parks with varied amenities and a few private campgrounds that maintain full hookup sites year-round. The area's relatively mild climate allows for extended camping seasons, with most campgrounds open from March through November, though some maintain winter operations. Unlike mountainous camping regions, the terrain around Newark is mostly flat to gently rolling, making most sites accessible without specialized equipment.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Lums Pond State Park offers year-round fishing opportunities with species including northern pike, bass, and various panfish. According to a visitor at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, "This campground is right on a creek with availability to use canoes," making it ideal for water activities.
Hiking through historic areas: Several trail networks connect camping areas to historic sites. A camper at Susquehanna State Park noted, "We hiked over a bridge and stream which was full of fish I could see! Turned around after I got to the Susquehanna itself. The river was running pretty high and fast, pretty cool to see."
Off-season adventures: Winter camping is available at select locations. One camper shared, "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! If you're traveling through, there are many places to eat nearby," about their experience at French Creek State Park.
Privacy between sites: Campground layout is a frequent highlight. A camper at Elk Neck State Park praised, "This campground is very family friendly. We saw so many children running around having a great time! They have fairly many camp sites with an amazing view."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. According to one review at Susquehanna State Park, "Bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Must have been recently renovated."
Honor system availability: Some campgrounds offer after-hours access to essentials. One camper noted, "They also sell ice and firewood at the campstore AND there is an honor system with it available to you after the campstore hours," making late arrivals easier to manage.
Site surface variations: Not all tent sites offer level, root-free surfaces. A camper at French Creek State Park observed, "It was a little bit of a struggle getting on a level and rock-free spot large enough for our tent, but we managed!"
Bathhouse maintenance schedules: Cleanliness can vary by time and season. One reviewer mentioned, "Our specific site was supposed to have a tent pad but there wasn't a spot cleared for our tent and we had to move the heavy picnic table so we weren't putting up our tent on top of the fire ring."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the Newark area require advance booking, especially during peak season. One camper advised, "We do Lums Pond at least twice a year if we can get reservations. Book early because it fills up fast!"
Playground proximity: When booking sites with children, check distance to play areas. A reviewer at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park shared, "Super clean, beautiful campground. So many activities to entertain kids, we couldn't fit it all in!"
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds program specific activities for younger campers. "Fun fun and more fun loads of activities for the kids! Breakfast with Yogi!" noted one parent about their experience at Jellystone Park.
Multi-generational options: Consider sites that accommodate various comfort levels. A camper mentioned, "We spent a long weekend with family at Lums Pond State Park Campground and so glad we did," highlighting facilities that work for both tent campers and those needing more amenities.
Site approach angles: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger rigs. One RVer at Philadelphia-West Chester KOA cautioned, "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45' motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle. So difficult, that I cracked the bottom of my front cap catching the grass and gravel beside the grave road."
Hookup locations: Check utility placement before setting up. A camper noted, "About what you expect from a KOA. If you can manage without full hookups, choose the spots down by the creek. The views are the best in the place."
Winter utility access: Some campgrounds maintain water service during colder months. An RVer shared, "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November," which can be crucial information for shoulder-season camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any tent camping sites available near Newark?
Susquehanna State Park Campground offers excellent tent camping with wonderful hiking trails and river views. It's a convenient weekend destination from Newark, though sites can get muddy after rain as some don't have tent pads. Another great option is French Creek State Park Campground, which features nice car camping spots with easy hiking trails and a lake. While you can't swim in the lake, the park does have a public pool available for cooling off during summer months.
Where are the best campgrounds near Newark, Delaware?
Lums Pond State Park Campground is one of the best options directly in Delaware, offering well-maintained facilities with friendly staff and easy navigation for large RVs. For those willing to venture slightly into Maryland, Elk Neck State Park Campground provides peaceful surroundings with pet-friendly options and is particularly quiet during weekdays. Both locations are excellent bases for exploring the region while enjoying natural settings with good amenities.
What amenities do campgrounds with pools offer near Newark?
Pequea Creek Campground doesn't have a traditional pool but offers refreshing water activities with creek access for splashing and floating. The campground features large, tree-covered sites and hosts fun activities like Saturday night music bingo. For a more traditional pool experience, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area provides basic amenities including water and toilet facilities in a natural setting. Many campers visiting this region during summer months also enjoy nearby river tubing as an alternative to pool swimming.
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