Cape Henlopen State Park Campground
Cape Henlopen DE
Great place. Close to beach. No septic hookup
98 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Harrington, Delaware encompasses several state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, providing access to both inland water recreation and coastal experiences. Killens Pond State Park, located just 5 miles from Harrington, serves as a central camping hub with year-round availability for tents, RVs, and cabins. G & R Campground in nearby Houston offers similar accommodations with full hookups. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Trap Pond State Park in Laurel features a more diverse camping environment with yurts and island tent sites among its offerings.
Most campgrounds in the Harrington area require reservations, particularly during the peak summer season from May through September. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for camping. Winter camping is available at select locations like Killens Pond, though facilities may be limited. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with good coverage reported at most established campgrounds. Fire regulations vary by location, with some parks offering fire rings at individual sites while others, particularly those near the coast, restrict fires to communal areas.
The camping experience varies significantly between inland and coastal options. Inland parks like Killens Pond feature more wooded sites with shade and freshwater recreation, though campers note the sandy soil can be challenging. According to reviews, "The park seemed nice but the campground was a clay, dirt, sand, silt surface with ravines from rain." Coastal options like Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore State Parks offer beach access but typically have more exposed sites with limited shade. These coastal campgrounds tend to book quickly, with one visitor noting that "getting a reservation on the north side requires a year lead time if you want a site with a view." Most state park campgrounds accommodate large RVs, though interior roads can be narrow at some locations.
"First time staying overnight at a campground in Delaware. The cabins are tiny on the inside but that porch really provides very useful space.
No paper towels, soap or kitchen utensils.""Delaware seemed short on camping options and this one was probably top of the line 40 years ago. It's dated in every way, but it's in a good spot. Seemed to have some residents mixed in."
from $29 - $112 / night
Check Availability"Park is that the Electric loop (B) has all of the sites on the outside of the drive loop so you are not looking across the road at other campers."
"Just off highway, nice wooded area, access to a good boat ramp."
from $18 - $77 / night
Check Availability"Campground well maintained and relatively quiet given its peak season for Delaware beaches. Off the beaten path from beach noise but does require a 15-30 minute drive to popular beaches."
"Close proximity to the beach. Lots of family friendly activities. Full stocked camp store."
"Tuckahoe State Park is tucked away onto the Eastern Shore of Maryland, close to the Chesapeake Bay. It features every kind of camping you can imagine."
"It is less than 40 mins from Annapolis and close to DC and Baltimore. Yet it is isolated and quiet. There’s some great trails as well as walking between the camp loops and picnic areas. "
from $21 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Cape henlopen is one of five or six Delaware state parks that offer RV camping. Sites vary in size so make sure you check the details before you book."
"My group was there, on two adjacent sites, from Sunday to Tuesday, in early June. The weather could not have been more ideal! We were on sites G12 and G13, which were both really large."
from $42 - $136 / night
Check Availability"Was close to casino only like 7 min drive and shopping everywhere was a weekend full of busy even while it rained."
"We found this place by accident as us and several friends planned on attending the 45th Annual June Jam in Houston and wanted somewhere close to stay. "
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Quickly stopped through G&R which is a nice, quiet campground hidden in the middle of Delaware. Plenty of spaces for campers and more than enough utility spaces available."
"There is a smell due to being next to a chicken or animal farm; however, after a few minutes outside, the smell goes away."
"Wood was cheaper then usual (5 dollars per bundle) and is located under a self serve honor system payment across from site 3."
"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."
from $28 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $49 - $57 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $66 / night
Check Availability











Great place. Close to beach. No septic hookup
Love it every year . We g for mother's Day. And the schedule for the events they do during even just the weekend make for fun filled hassle free weekend
First time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
I am writing this review because I genuinely want to warn other families before they book this campground. What should have been a relaxing camping trip turned into an extremely upsetting experience for our family. From the beginning, we felt singled out and unwelcome. We arrived at our campsite and then went to the office. We did not know that the campground required every guest to go to the office before going to their site. This was an honest misunderstanding. Instead of simply explaining the rule and moving on, the situation became unnecessarily confrontational, and we felt like the staff was looking for reasons to have an issue with us. What was especially upsetting was how our children were treated. Our children were riding scooters and were stopped and told that scooters were not allowed. We were extremely confused because we could clearly see much younger children riding/driving around the campground. Our 14-year-old was not allowed to do so, while we observed significantly younger white children being allowed to ride. What made this even worse was the way our children were spoken to. They came running back to us scared and intimidated by the interaction. As parents, that was extremely upsetting to see. There is a huge difference between calmly explaining a campground rule to a child and speaking to a child in a way that makes them feel frightened. If there is a rule that scooters are not allowed, then the rule should be applied consistently to every child, regardless of age or background. What we witnessed did not feel consistent. As the experience continued, we felt increasingly targeted. We were left with the strong impression that they did not want our family there. At one point, it honestly felt like they were trying to find reasons to get rid of us, which made us question whether the campground had overbooked and was looking for a way to push us out. We also had a very concerning experience regarding payment. We were forced to pay in cash and were not provided with a receipt. As paying guests, we found this extremely troubling and unprofessional. The entire experience left our family feeling uncomfortable, intimidated, and unwelcome. Camping with children should be about relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, and making good memories—not having your children come running back to you because they are scared of how an adult spoke to them. I cannot speak to anyone else's intentions, but**based on what we personally experienced and witnessed, we felt that our family was being treated differently because of our background. Seeing younger white children being allowed to do something that our children were stopped from doing made the situation even more concerning.I strongly recommend that families think twice before booking this campground. If you do decide to stay, make sure you understand every rule before arriving, document your interactions, and keep proof of every payment. We are sharing this review because other families deserve to know what our experience was like before spending their money and vacation time here. No family should leave a campground feeling intimidated, targeted, or unwelcome.
I am writing this review because I genuinely want to warn other families before they book this campground. What should have been a relaxing camping trip turned into an extremely upsetting experience for our family. From the beginning, we felt singled out and unwelcome. We arrived at our campsite and then went to the office. We did not know that the campground required every guest to go to the office before going to their site. This was an honest misunderstanding. Instead of simply explaining the rule and moving on, the situation became unnecessarily confrontational, and we felt like the staff was looking for reasons to have an issue with us. What was especially upsetting was how our children were treated. Our children were riding scooters and were stopped and told that scooters were not allowed. We were extremely confused because we could clearly see much younger children riding/driving around the campground. Our 14-year-old was not allowed to do so, while we observed significantly younger white children being allowed to ride. What made this even worse was**the way our children were spoken to. They came running back to us scared and intimidated by the interaction. As parents, that was extremely upsetting to see. There is a huge difference between calmly explaining a campground rule to a child and speaking to a child in a way that makes them feel frightened. If there is a rule that scooters are not allowed, then the rule should be applied**consistently to every child**, regardless of age or background. What we witnessed did not feel consistent. As the experience continued, we felt increasingly targeted. We were left with the strong impression that they did not want our family there. At one point, it honestly felt like they were trying to find reasons to get rid of us, which made us question whether the campground had overbooked and was looking for a way to push us out. We also had a very concerning experience regarding payment. We were forced to pay in cash and were not provided with a receipt. As paying guests, we found this extremely troubling and unprofessional. The entire experience left our family feeling uncomfortable, intimidated, and unwelcome. Camping with children should be about relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, and making good memories—not having your children come running back to you because they are scared of how an adult spoke to them. I cannot speak to anyone else's intentions, but**based on what we personally experienced and witnessed, we felt that our family was being treated differently because of our background.** Seeing younger white children being allowed to do something that our children were stopped from doing made the situation even more concerning.**I strongly recommend that families think twice before booking this campground.** If you do decide to stay, make sure you understand every rule before arriving, document your interactions, and keep proof of every payment. We are sharing this review because other families deserve to know what our experience was like before spending their money and vacation time here. No family should leave a campground feeling intimidated, targeted, or unwelcome.
They have a meadery and fishing pond and everything my kids love. Been here several times great place for kids and everyone else
Manager is very friendly and helpful. Lovely, peaceful place to spend a few nights. Plus it's reasonably priced and convenient to dining and shopping.
One of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.
This campsite was amazing for our first tent camping experience. The park was a godsend for keeping our toddler occupied and we felt very safe overall. While the beach is pretty, be careful about the water condition. We were warned before entering and informed of the risks. They were very clear on the condition of the water that day which was a yellow, slight risk. But normally it should be okay. We would definitely camp here again.
Camping near Harrington, Delaware offers a mix of state forests, family-friendly parks, and water-based recreation within driving distance. The area sits at elevations of 30-50 feet above sea level with predominantly sandy soil and mixed pine-hardwood forests. Seasonal considerations include high humidity from June through August, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms during summer months that can disrupt camping activities.
Kayaking the cypress trees: At Trap Pond State Park Campground, campers can paddle among rare northern bald cypress trees. "We took a day and rented boats and kayaks and rowed back to our site which the kids loved. They got to spend the day learning to paddle on the pond," notes one visitor. The park also offers 45-minute pontoon boat tours on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Explore historical military sites: Visit Cape Henlopen State Park Campground to see WWII observation towers and underground bunkers. "There are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such. There's a wonderful observation tower built on top of one of these that affords beautiful 360 degree views," explains a reviewer.
Free bike rentals: Several parks in the region offer complimentary bicycles. At Trap Pond, "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals." Similarly, Cape Henlopen provides "free bike rentals... some with baby seats and trailers."
Wooded sites with privacy: Tuckahoe State Park Campground receives praise for its natural setting. "Spacious, wooded sites with privacy" make it popular, with one camper noting "lots of shade and trees on large sites and space between sites make this a pleasant campground." Sites are arranged around central facilities for convenience.
Clean facilities: Martinak State Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "Campsites and bathrooms are clean. Beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports," reports one visitor. Another adds, "Bathhouses are kept clean. They have quite a few playgrounds throughout the park, which was a major plus for us."
Island camping spots: For a unique experience, Trap Pond offers 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. We set up our hammocks on the edge of the water," shares one camper. These sites provide a more secluded experience but require planning as they're accessible only by water.
Fire restrictions vary widely: Many campgrounds have specific fire rules. At Killens Pond, "Some sites are very close together or are basically surrounded by other sites" which affects fire safety. One camper noted, "You have to put your fire out before midnight & they will come around to check."
Reservation lead times: The region's popularity requires advance planning. For tent camping at Redden State Forest Campground, "This is no longer a first come, first served campground. Reservations must be made in advance at bookyoursite.com, only 3 days consecutive allowed."
Tent site limitations: Some campgrounds prioritize RVs over tents. "If you're going to camp at one of the RV sites, you'd better have an RV. They are neither RTT nor tent friendly. The sites are packed in so closely that if you don't have the privacy of a camper, everyone will see your business," warns a Cape Henlopen visitor.
Water parks and pools: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park At Delaware Beaches offers water recreation for children. "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," shares one family.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing enriches children's experiences. At Killens Pond, families enjoy "a nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff." Another camper at Tuckahoe mentioned "if you're looking to learn and explore with your kids, there is an extensive junior ranger program."
Animal interactions: Several campgrounds feature animal encounters. At Adventures Await Retreat, visitors enjoy "Lots of animals with personality fresh eggs for purchase and good catch and release ponds caught 4 bass in like 20 min big guys." Another camper noted it would be "a gem of a find with children" because of the animal interactions.
Limited large rig access: Some forest campgrounds restrict 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."
Hookup availability: Most parks offer partial hookups. At Tuckahoe, "Sites are laid out in a circle with the bathhouse in the center. You can purchase ice and firewood from the ranger station and some other odds and ends." RVers should note that many state parks provide electric and water only, with dump stations available upon departure.
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require leveling equipment. At Trap Pond, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Harrington, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, Harrington, DE offers a wide range of camping options, with 98 campgrounds and RV parks near Harrington, DE and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Harrington, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harrington, DE is Killens Pond State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Harrington, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Harrington, DE.
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