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."
