Stephen W.
Guide
GuideMill Bridge Village & Camp Resort
Great olacevto camp in Lancaster County
We camp here several times thru out the year. Always an enjoyable stay. Staff is very friendly and accommodating.
Explore Top Rated Campgrounds near Kirkwood, DE
Campgrounds near Kirkwood, Delaware range from state parks to privately owned facilities, providing a mix of amenities and natural settings within a short drive of urban areas. Lums Pond State Park Campground, located in nearby Bear, Delaware, offers year-round camping with accommodations for tents, RVs, and glamping options including yurts. Just across the state line, Maryland's Elk Neck State Park Campground features similar mixed-use options with cabins, tent sites, and RV hookups. Both developed campgrounds maintain wooded settings while providing modern amenities such as electric hookups, showers, and sanitary dump stations.
Most developed campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when demand peaks. As one camper noted about Lums Pond, "Nice smaller campground with large spacious sites. Very level and spaced apart from neighbor if you pick the right spots." The sandy soil common to the Delaware region can affect site conditions, especially after rainfall. Several campgrounds report issues with runoff and flooding during wet periods. Kirkwood's proximity to the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay influences local weather patterns, creating humid summers and mild winters that support year-round camping opportunities. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region's established campgrounds.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Kirkwood area. Lums Pond offers water recreation opportunities, while campgrounds like Susquehanna State Park provide river views and water activities. A visitor to Susquehanna mentioned, "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." The best campgrounds near Kirkwood feature tree cover and adequate spacing between sites, creating a more private outdoor experience. Several reviews highlight the importance of site selection, as some campgrounds feature a mix of open and wooded sites with varying degrees of privacy. The region's established campgrounds typically offer clean facilities and well-maintained grounds, though bathroom proximity and cleanliness occasionally appear as concerns in user feedback.
Best Camping Sites Near Kirkwood, Delaware (97)
1. Lums Pond State Park Campground
49 ReviewsKirkwood, DE2 milesWebsite+1 (302) 368-6989$27 - $45 / 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."
2. Elk Neck State Park Campground
60 ReviewsPerryville, MD16 milesWebsite+1 (410) 287-5333$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."3. Blackbird State Forest Campground - CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE
6 ReviewsTownsend, DE14 milesWebsite+1 (302) 653-6505$25 / night
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
4. Woodlands Camping Resort
4 ReviewsWhite Hall, MD10 milesWebsite+1 (410) 398-4414"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."
5. Susquehanna State Park Campground
24 ReviewsDarlington, MD25 milesWebsite+1 (410) 557-7994$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"
6. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area
2 ReviewsNewark, MD13 milesWebsite+1 (410) 398-12467. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA
17 ReviewsDowningtown, PA25 milesWebsite+1 (610) 486-0447$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."
8. Delaware Motel and RV Park
2 ReviewsNew Castle, DE7 miles+1 (302) 328-31149. Cecil County Permaculture
1 ReviewNorth East, MD13 milesWebsite+1 (443) 945-5492$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!"
10. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer
10 ReviewsElmer, NJ22 milesWebsite+1 (856) 451-7479"They are new-ish Shasta campers, queen bed, 1 slide, rear bunks, 2 entrances. Very clean. Water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area."
"I think the lale could use a little cleanup with the amount of bobbers, string and mess left behind by people. There have ao many cabins its crazy and alot of seasonal rentals."
Recent Camping Photos near Kirkwood, DE
224 Photos of 97 Kirkwood Campgrounds
Barbara W.
Lums Pond State Park Campground
Michael W.
Woodlands Camping Resort
An V.
Cecil County Permaculture
Emily M.
Blackbird State Forest Campground - CLOSED TIL FURTHER NOTICE
Maggie A.
Elk Neck State Park Campground
Andrea H.
Huck and Buck Farm
Debbie W.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer
Paul Q.
Four Seasons Family Campground
Phinon W.
Philadelphia-West Chester KOA
Dave G.
Brandywine Creek Campground
E K.
Susquehanna State Park Campground
Stacy D.
Old Cedar Campground
Recent Reviews near Kirkwood, DE
758 Reviews of 97 Kirkwood Campgrounds
Nicole S.
LegendLake-In-Wood Campground
Sun Retreats Lancaster County - Easter Weekend
Like always we like to begin our camping season with a Easter Weekend Trip, my husband's family is partial to the Lancaster Area, so we headed there to Sun Retreats Lancaster. As we drove up I loved the look and location of the campground. You could see there was a indoor pool setup, arcade, playground, store, ice cream, mini-golf and a huge lake and that was everything we saw from the truck. We pulled up to a gate and a guy came out of the shed next to it to check us in.
The campground looked well maintained, the sports were on both sides of the lake and they offered many different options like woods or open, pull through or back up. We choose a really wooded site. It was tight getting in but I can't complain I don't drive the truck. It seemed like there was a fair amount of seasonal sites but they didn't overwhelm the place. I could see also a lot of cabins there were some shaped like teepees, a frontier cabin, and a caboose. They had a fair amount of open grass to play and enjoy. You can bring your own golfcart or they have on site rentals also.
They had an activity list that would help keep everyone busy, they had a mini golf course that was in great shape, an arcade which was definitely lacking in the game department, I think there was 4 pinball machines, 2 Skee ball, 3 racing games, and the play to you win machine. The playground x2 were both in great condition with a lot to keep kids playing on. I can only comment on the indoor pool which at the time was said to be under construction however still open, the water was on the colder side and the hot tube the same temp as the pool, the ceiling had been ripped off so the iron rusting beams were exposed and rust falling down. The kids still went in the pool unfortunately the air from the open window made them too cold so we didn't stay long. I am hoping it will be finished because the concept of the indoor-outdoor pool area looks so fun.
The staff was extremely helpful and super friendly. The store was fully stocked with everything you could want. The bathrooms were all kept so clean and in working order with hot water. We enjoyed the area we ventured out to see the Choo Choo barn, the green dragon flea market, and kitchen kettle village which are a must if your in the area. We also choose to hike the Welsh Preserve and Money Rock. The lake had a path you could walk completely around and you could choose to fish if that's your thing.
I would definitely return to this campground again, we had 8 sites in total and we all really thought it was a wonderful place and really enjoyed our holiday weekend there. It was very busy but the staff was present but not overbearing. People were very respectful and friendly.
- RRandy L.
ScoutFrench Creek State Park Campground
French Creek State Park
This is our 3rd time at this park, it is one of our favorites. Well maintained, very quiet. We stay in Loop A (full hookup) pet friendly. Sites are spacious, generally large but they are all back-in sites.
- jjohn L.
TravelerAdventures Await Retreat
No call back
I called the reservation number and was told to call a different number. I call that number and it was a wrong number. Then I went back to their website. And put in my information. It's been a day and a half , and I still haven't heard from them. So I moved on and got a different reservation.Somewhere else. The lucky I gave him a star.
- CCatherine M.Traveler
Lums Pond State Park Campground
You want peace ??
This is the most quietest campground. Perfect when you need to go somewhere to think. The people here are very nice. The wildlife is amazing
- DDeanie S.Scout
Delaware Motel and RV Park
Thoughts
Okay 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.
Kalinda I.ScoutPhiladelphia South/Clarksboro KOA
Cute, safe and quiet
Love the staff the community and the solitude. All the amenities are up and working all the time.
Jenni D.ScoutHidden Acres Camping Grounds
Hidden gem
Small 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.
Amber F.ScoutParvin State Park Campground
Stayed here for the weekend
I 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.
Guide to Kirkwood
Camping options near Kirkwood, Delaware range from 5 to 25 miles away, with most sites located in neighboring Maryland. Sandy soil conditions throughout the Chesapeake watershed region affect campsite drainage, particularly after the area's typical 45 inches of annual rainfall. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, taking advantage of the region's mild climate with average summer temperatures of 85°F.
What to Do
Hiking trails with water views: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers several well-marked paths along the river. "The trails were well marked, and the day we took a hike, we ended up on the equestrian trail that runs all the way around the pond. It was a long, but easy hike," notes one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and rivers provide access for anglers at Lums Pond State Park Campground. "We took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore," a visitor shared about their experience.
Water recreation: Several parks feature boating access with restrictions. "Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking. There's an off leash dog park, equestrian center and boat ramp," mentions a regular visitor to Lums Pond.
Canoe and paddle craft rentals: The Philadelphia-West Chester KOA provides river access with equipment available on-site. "Being on the Brandywine, you can fish and rent canoes. The river is usually very calm and good for a float," notes one camper.
What Campers Like
Spacious, level sites: Many campgrounds feature well-designed sites with adequate spacing. At Elk Neck State Park Campground, visitors appreciate "level gravel site. Asphalt parking," and note that "sites were level, spacious, spaced apart, with packed gravel surface."
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance stands out in visitor reviews. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," mentioned one Susquehanna State Park camper.
Concrete pads at select sites: Some campgrounds feature upgraded sites with hardscaped areas. "Sites are big and all were redone in the last few years with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer," notes a regular visitor to Lums Pond State Park.
Privacy between sites: Natural buffers create separation at several campgrounds. At Blackbird State Forest Campground, "Only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room," according to a satisfied camper.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. For Lums Pond State Park, "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises a regular visitor.
Bathroom locations: Facility placement varies significantly between campgrounds. At Lums Pond, "Some engineering genius put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most. Tent campers...keep your shoes handy, its a hike."
Water quality concerns: Some sites experience water issues. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer, one camper reported "The water stank and was straight brown."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the region. One camper noted about Elk Neck State Park, "No cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Consider site location relative to play areas. At Susquehanna State Park, "The playground was fantastic, though, it was not shaded. It is also in the middle of the Acorn and Beechnut loop."
Water features for children: Multiple parks offer kid-friendly swimming. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA provides "activities like mini golf, pedal carts, jump pillow and a pool," making it popular with families.
Activity programming: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers "plenty of park events to keep you busy. Took a nice hike out to the susquehanna and spent a few hours fishing in the pond."
Weather preparation: The region's clay soil affects drainage after rain. "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," noted one Susquehanna visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Full-service sites are available at several parks. Lums Pond State Park offers sites "with concrete pads, 30 amp service and full sewer. There are some equestrian and tent sites as well."
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approaches to sites. At Elk Neck State Park, "The road on the FHU loop is narrow and hilly. Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle. Plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping."
Dump station locations: Not all parks with hookups provide on-site dumping. "Only 4 50 amp spots, luckily we secured one. No sewer hookup, but there is a dump station in the seasonal/permanent section," notes a visitor to Woodlands Camping Resort.
Site selection importance: Picking the right spot matters for larger rigs. At Elk Neck, "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Kirkwood, DE?
What camping is available near Kirkwood, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kirkwood, DE offers a wide range of camping options, with 97 campgrounds and RV parks near Kirkwood, DE and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Kirkwood, DE?
Which is the most popular campground near Kirkwood, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kirkwood, DE is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 49 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kirkwood, DE?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kirkwood, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Kirkwood, DE.
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