Camping sites near Hockessin, Delaware span across three states in the Mid-Atlantic region, with options scattered throughout northern Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, and northeastern Maryland. The terrain primarily consists of rolling hills with elevations ranging from 100-300 feet above sea level. Winter camping is available at several year-round facilities like Lums Pond State Park, where sites remain open even during January and February when temperatures typically drop to the 30s.
What to do
Hiking trails at Turkey Point: At Elk Neck State Park Campground, the lighthouse trail is a must-visit attraction. "Definitely drive to, and then hike to the light house (open most weekends) the light house and the view are definitely worth it," notes David G. The park offers "lots of great hiking" with well-marked trails.
Water activities on multiple lakes: French Creek State Park Campground provides two lakes for recreation. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by," says Jen R. The campground also features "lots to do with plenty of access to water and hiking," according to another camper.
Family recreation facilities: Year-round activities are available at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA, where "they have pickleball, mini golf and a lovely pool." One visitor mentioned, "They have activities like mini golf, pedal carts, jump pillow and a pool. Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float."
What campers like
Well-maintained bathroom facilities: Lums Pond State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its clean facilities. One camper noted, "The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms." Another camper explained, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease."
Creekside tent sites: Many campers appreciate the waterfront locations at various campgrounds. At Brandywine Creek Campground, "The tent sites are spacious and they all border the creek which is a nice sound at night, as well as a good morning view." Similarly, tent campers at French Creek mention "a nice picnic area with grills and picnic tables right by the boat landing."
Privacy between sites: Site layout and vegetation create separation at several campgrounds. At French Creek State Park, "The campsites are not right on top of one another. There is a lot of shade and the campground is laid out well." One visitor observed, "There are so many trees and brush in between most sites you can't even really see your neighbors."
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Peak season bookings require advance planning. At Lums Pond, a camper commented, "I understand why it is so difficult to get a reservation at Lums Pond... They're definitely doing something right." Another visitor advised, "Book early because it fills up fast!"
Bathroom distance issues: Some campgrounds have inconvenient bathroom layouts. A camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park observed, "Some engineering genius put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most. Tent campers... keep your shoes handy, it's a hike." Other sites may require walks uphill to reach facilities.
Seasonal limitations: Facility availability changes by season. "We arrived to find what seemed like a large field! Very few trees, not much shade at all," reported one off-season visitor. Several campgrounds close entirely during winter months, with Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA closing from late fall until April.
Tips for camping with families
Age-appropriate activity planning: Different campgrounds target specific age groups. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, a visitor cautioned, "We returned this year with my 12 and 14 year olds and a 12 year old friend. The kids were bored." However, another camper noted it's "very family friendly. We saw so many children running around having a great time!"
Kid-friendly water features: Swimming options vary across campgrounds. Hibernia County Park offers specialized fishing areas, as one visitor described: "The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing." At French Creek, "There is a huge lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. A huge pool that has a beautiful view overlooking the lake."
Playground accessibility: Consider proximity to play areas when selecting sites. One camper appreciated that French Creek has a "nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Campground roads can present challenges for bigger vehicles. At Philadelphia-West Chester KOA, one RVer warned, "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."
Leveling considerations: Site preparation varies widely between campgrounds. At French Creek State Park, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze." However, at Hibernia County Park, "They aren't level, but nothing a little creative positioning can't fix."
