2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton, Maryland provides the closest horse camping to Dover, Delaware, approximately 40 miles north. The 5,600-acre public land includes designated camping areas with facilities specifically designed for equestrians. The campground offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups, drinking water, and toilets. Each site contains picnic tables and fire rings where fires are permitted. The management area requires reservations and does not allow pets within the camping areas. Trailer parking is available near equestrian campsites for convenient access to the extensive trail system.
Fair Hill features over 80 miles of maintained trails through forests and fields ideal for horseback riding. The trail network includes water crossings, varied terrain, and connections to multiple trailheads throughout the property. The campground operates year-round, making it accessible for equestrians in all seasons. Fair Hill includes equestrian events throughout the year, including competitive trail rides and equestrian competitions. Trash disposal is available on-site, and sanitary dump stations accommodate RV campers. Some trails connect directly to camping areas, allowing riders to access routes directly from their sites without trailering. Most equestrian campsites provide adequate space for both living quarters and horse trailers.
"Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle."
"There are some equestrian and tent sites as well. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $45 / night
"Those can be found at the campground entrance. Each loop has a wood shed and clean, well-appointed bathhouse. There are water pumps along the road for refills."
"We backed up to a hiking trail which was nice. There's lots to do here. There's a disc golf course and the camp store has discs available to use."
from $21 - $70 / 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."
from $25 / night
"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
"Park Name-Delaware Seashore State Park Date of Stay-June 2018
Site-237
This is one of favorite local parks!"
"The really great aspect of Delaware Seashore State Park is your close proximity to the water. The park is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian River, and Indian River Bay."
Available this weekend
from $35 - $352 / night
"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."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $65 / night
GuidePretty easy camping trip, plenty of room to set up camp. Level spots. We stayed on south inlet campground. They have small camp store multiple laundry and bath houses. Great stay if you enjoy fishing, as. You can fish the inlet at the campground. They have a very nice playground for kids as well! Only negative is no camp fires allowed, they do have a community area you can have a camp fires allowed. Also no wifi
ScoutFirst 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.
GuideEnjoyed the stay here June 19-21, 2026, in the tents-only section at a campground just 10 minutes from home. I've lived near this campground for 45 of my 66 years but never camped there.
The cramped campsites always turned me off but my wife and I decided to try it as a test run when we bought all new camping gear after not camping for 15 years(well, except for the 40-year-old Coleman stove that still works).
The campsites are tight and strictly BYOS(Bring Your Own Shade). The weather cooperated with temps in the low 80s and cool westerly winds. Because this campground sits adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Inlet and Indian River Bay, it fills up on weekends for camping, beach-going, fishing, kayaking and other water activities. I'd suggest going weekdays if you can.
Even with all the people, though, it was mostly quiet. The traffic from the Indian River Inlet bridge didn't bother me much but it did keep my wife up the first night. The bridge lights up at night and looks most spectacular at sunrise.
We ate dinner at camp the first night and then went to the inlet walkway to watch the sun set. The sunsets over the Indian River Bay, serenaded by the U.S. Coast Guard station's bugle calls with the lowering of the colors at its station at the north side campground, are a must. We also got to see a green heron foraging on the rockpiles and a dolphin swimming through the inlet. Fishermen lined the walkway to add to the atmosphere.
The next morning we drove over to the north side of the inlet to the Burton's Island trail-- another first for me. The trail was probably a mile or so and took about an hour, though it looked like we could have gone further into the brush had we not been wearing shorts and t-shirts. We came across a horseshoe crab traveling along a dirt path and a turtle trying to hide itself under downed tree branches. Blue water surrounded us in the marshes.
An excellent dinner at Matt's Fish House capped off our anniversary and we returned to the campground to watch the sunset again.
The bathrooms were well-placed. They were mostly clean but the five-second" Navy shower" intervals in the showers were annoying. There's no water or electric at the tent sites but a high-powered community water tap works for cleaning dishes.
The ban on open fires at the campground did disappoint. There is a community fire pit but no one used it our two nights there.
Oh, I can't forget the Diamondback turtles. Be careful driving so you don't hit them as they wander through the campground. We saw several lay eggs on the sand volleyball court and one scurried through our campsite and under our picnic table on its way to points unknown. The picnic table at each site is heavy but movable.
The people were friendly even in such crowded conditions. Lots of kids on bikes, skateboards and scooters and at the playground. Basically, you don't come here as much for the camping as you do for the water sports and activities.
As a tent camper, I'd opt for the tent-only loops versus the Standard sites that accommodate tents and small RVs and popups. Our tent-only loops looked less congested than the Standard sites.
I'd give this campground 4.5 stars. It would be an easy 5 if not for the crowded conditions.
LegendThis is a great little state park tucked away in the woods. Campsites are pretty spacious and have nice shade. The campground has two loops, each with a bathhouse located in the middle. Our site (Butterfly Loop #3) was long enough for our motorhome and tow car. The roads are paved, as was our camping pad. The only utility at our site was 30-amp electric. There are water spigots located throughout each loop and we were close enough to fill our water tank. For the most part, the park is big-rig friendly but we did brush against some trees on our way around the loop. Campsites do vary in length so make sure you include your length when booking. We reserved online and were instructed to just go to our site which was nice and convenient. They sell firewood onsite and have a self-pay station which we loved. There is a nice boat launch and the kayak launch has a platform to assist you getting in and out and there are plenty of places to fish from the bank. There is a nature center (which was not open during our stay), playground, picnic pavilions, amphitheater, The bathrooms could use some more attention. The shower curtains were pink meaning they have not been properly cleaned in a while. Needless to say, we did not shower there. The dump station was closed while we were there but we were told we could use the dump station at Tuckahoe State Park (about 10 miles away). We really enjoyed the short hiking trails and paved trail which allowed us to log about 3 miles without having to leave the park. The campground is a really relaxing place to be. We did drive (about 40 minutes south) to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, both of which we recommend. It is also worth a drive to St. Michaels to see the quaint seaside town and visit the maritime museum (plan on spending half a day at the museum). The only downside is that the park is not gated and open for day use so a lot of people just drive through the campground looking around.
LegendOverall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
ScoutBathrooms are clean and staff is nice
ScoutWe allways have a blast everybody is so nice and lots to do
GuideFrom 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.
TravelerTrap Pond SP is a lovely park that has everything you need. Electric/water hookups, docks on the pond at each loop, clean bathhouses, and the "day" side of the park on the other side of the pond! A few miles of walking trails, and an incredible, prehistoric feeling paddle trail through gorgeous bald cypress trees. Reasonable camp store. Sites are a wee bit close, but comfortable and level.
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area provides equestrian camping opportunities 40 miles north of Dover. The facility maintains approximately 80 miles of multi-purpose trails across 5,600 acres of forest and field terrain. Equestrian campsites include electric hookups, water access, tables, and fire rings. The trail system features varied terrain and water crossings accessible year-round.
Paddle the pond: Trap Pond State Park offers excellent water recreation opportunities with boat rentals available seasonally. "We walked around the pond and rented boats and kayaks for the day and rowed back to our site which the kids loved. They got to spend the day learning to paddle on the pond," notes Lucia B. from Trap Pond State Park Campground.
Try disc golf: Tuckahoe State Park features a disc golf course among its recreational offerings. A camper mentioned, "The state park has two playgrounds that are both open and trails to hike. I LOVE the commercial-sized washing sink for your dishes, since you don't have full hookups its a BIG deal," according to Kasey M. who stayed at Tuckahoe State Park Campground.
Explore nature trails: Blackbird State Forest offers secluded campsites with trail access. "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. Nice hikes in the area, great weekend!" shares Emily M. who enjoyed the natural setting.
Spacious sites: Lums Pond State Park provides generous camping spaces with modern facilities. "About 1/4 of the sites were occupied. It was very quiet. The sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun. The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms," reports Adam and Suzanne B. from Lums Pond State Park.
Water access: Delaware Seashore State Park offers beachfront camping with convenient ocean access. A camper noted, "Ocean was a short 5 minute walk from our campsite- along with a playground and delicious restaurant (that even served vegan food!)! I didn't use the bathroom/bathhouse, but my husband said they were clean, well maintained and had excellent water pressure," according to Gayle B. who visited Delaware Seashore State Park Campground.
Free amenities: Several parks offer complimentary services beyond basic camping. At Trap Pond, "They also had a bike shed where you can sign out bikes for free for the day which was super neat. They also have wheelbarrows to borrow so if you have a drive up site you can use them," explains Lucia B.
Reservation requirements: Many horse campgrounds near Dover, Delaware require advance booking. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises Ellen B. about Lums Pond, which offers both equestrian sites and standard camping options.
Seasonal operations: Most equestrian facilities have specific operating seasons. Martinak State Park operates "March to November" according to park information, while Tuckahoe State Park runs "March 25 to November 27." Plan accordingly when arranging horse camping trips near Delaware.
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Blackbird State Forest provides a more rustic experience. "There are a couple portapotties in the camping area, which are a few feet from one campsite, or a few blocks from another. There is one water pump," explains D R. from Blackbird State Forest Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature child-friendly play areas. "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards). The only complaint I have is that the kiddie swings seem to be modeled after the seasickness machine," shares Mark from Lums Pond State Park.
Educational activities: Martinak State Park offers learning opportunities for children. "If you're looking to learn and explore with your kids, there is an extensive junior ranger program," mentions Jean C. from Martinak State Park Campground.
Bath facility considerations: When camping with children, bathroom proximity matters. "Some engineering genius put the bath houses furthest from the people that need them most. Tent campers….keep your shoes handy, its a hike," warns al K. from Lums Pond, suggesting families should consider site selection carefully.
Site leveling challenges: Some parks require additional effort to set up. "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," notes Jim G. about Trap Pond State Park.
Full hookup availability: Electric service varies by campground. "Sites are full hook up with about 5 tent sites. All are pretty much level. Close to shopping if needed," explains Sandy E. about Lums Pond, which offers convenient camping for horse owners traveling with RVs.
Bridge proximity considerations: Delaware Seashore sites have varying noise levels. "It's right next to a bridge- which is beautiful at night- but we didn't hear the traffic as much as I expected. Tent sites were closer to the bridge, though, so I'm not sure how noisy they were," explains Gayle B., offering insight for those sensitive to sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Dover, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Dover, DE is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Dover, DE?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Dover, DE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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