Best Campgrounds near Lewes, DE

The Lewes, Delaware area encompasses several established campgrounds along the Atlantic coast, with Cape Henlopen State Park Campground serving as a centerpiece for outdoor recreation. Located within a mile of the Cape Henlopen beaches and historic military installations, the park provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Nearby alternatives include Delaware Seashore State Park Campground, Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay, and Tall Pine Campground, all offering various accommodation options within 15 miles of downtown Lewes. Most camping facilities in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several properties featuring cabin rentals and glamping options.

Reservations are essential at most developed campgrounds in the coastal Delaware region, particularly during the peak season from late spring through early fall. Cape Henlopen State Park Campground operates from March through November, while some private campgrounds like Tall Pine remain open year-round. The campground layout at Cape Henlopen features several loops with varying degrees of privacy and shade, with sites positioned at angles along paved roads. Many campgrounds in the area offer water and electric hookups, with shower facilities and restrooms available throughout. As noted in visitor feedback, "The sites are not uniform, some larger, some smaller. Watch the site dimensions or you might not be able to fit your vehicle AND camper on the site."

Coastal biking trails represent a significant draw for campers in the Lewes area, with Cape Henlopen offering a 3-mile paved bike loop through dunes and wooded areas. A longer trail connects the park to downtown Rehoboth Beach, providing campers with access to additional amenities and attractions. Beach access ranks highly in visitor reviews, with Cape Henlopen offering both a main beach area with facilities and a less crowded "private" beach primarily used by campers. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with several reviewers mentioning dolphin sightings from shore. Historical features add educational value to the camping experience, as one reviewer observed: "Because it used to be a fort, there are still watch towers and one is done so that you can climb to the top and have a view of the whole park."

Best Camping Sites Near Lewes, Delaware (100)

    1. Cape Henlopen State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Lewes, DE
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 645-2103

    $30 - $99 / night

    "We spent the last three nights camping and hiking at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes Delaware. They have a very nice campground with clean bath houses and a nice camp store."

    "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."

    2. Delaware Seashore State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Bethany Beach, DE
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 227-6981

    $30 - $168 / night

    "Well actually accidentally made a reservation here instead of the camp site about 10 miles north of here near Lewes."

    "Park Name-Delaware Seashore State Park Date of Stay-June 2018

    Site-237

    This is one of favorite local parks!"

    3. Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay

    22 Reviews
    Ocean View, DE
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 947-2600

    "**  Located on Rehoboth Bay, this resort was a great place to spend a long holiday weekend. Our paved site was just a few steps to a private beach which was really nice and clean."

    "It’s also close to the other ocean beaches. The only downsides are sites are very close together and its a very expensive about double the cost of other near by non-waterfront campgrounds."

    4. Tall Pine Campground

    9 Reviews
    Houston, DE
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 684-0300

    $67 / night

    "I actually forgot it was in Delaware since it’s so close to where we grew up as kids in jersey!"

    "A quick drive to the beaches and a gorgeous rail trail! Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming which was the biggest selling point for us."

    5. Big Oaks Campground

    9 Reviews
    Rehoboth Beach, DE
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 645-6838

    $45 - $70 / night

    "Close to the beach, state park, the outlets and a great bike path . Note, they only accept cash, but ATM is close if you forget. Worth a visit if you want a beach vacation."

    "Plus we weren't that far away from the beach and water. The grandkids keep asking when we are going again."

    6. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park At Delaware Beaches

    12 Reviews
    Milford, DE
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 491-6614

    "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."

    7. Sun Outdoors Cape May

    26 Reviews
    Tabernacle, NJ
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 886-1234

    "Stayed in a drive through, patio site with full hook-ups. It was situated on a corner spot. A lot of RV, golf cart, bike, and people traffic due to the location."

    "The front of the park is close to the pool and store- if pool noise is a concern you should stay further back. A mix of seasonal,"cabins" and overnight camping. Park was very clean."

    8. Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort

    18 Reviews
    Tabernacle, NJ
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (609) 884-4010

    "Great Location and close to Cape May City. 10 min drive to Washington Street Mall. Lots to do during the day."

    "Beautiful main building. close to a lovely walking trail."

    9. Deep Branch Family Campground

    4 Reviews
    Milton, DE
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 684-4031

    $35 / night

    "We stayed here for about a week, it was inexpensive and close to all of the places we wanted to visit without being right in the middle of a tourist hotspot."

    "It is a short drive to the beaches, but the rate is so much better than other campgrounds that it's worth it."

    10. Trap Pond State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Laurel, DE
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 875-5153

    $22 - $56 / 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."

    "The tent sites are walk in only but parking is not very far. The site provided hand trucks and wheelbarrows for you to car your items into your site."

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Recent Reviews near Lewes, DE

803 Reviews of 100 Lewes Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Sun Outdoors Ocean City

    Beautifully kept, with dirty Bathrooms

    This place was very nice. Best beer selection I’ve seen at a campground. Nice little beach! Nice pool, tiki bar and great deli. One issue. The bathrooms were very dirty and not cleaned the 3 days I was there. Same soap pieces in the shower all 3 days. Same gunk stains on urinals.

  • Stu T.
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Cape Henlopen State Park Campground

    So Much To Do - Not Enough Time

    Spent one night here as we were in transit from a campground near the bottom of the Eastern Shore of Virginia to home (fortunate to get a spot that fit my camper) - spots are close together - full campground even in the middle of the week after school started- but quiet at night.  Almost a mile walk to the beach - great trails for bike riding.   Restrooms were clean!  If you have a trailer, make sure that you input your trailer length to find a site that fits as they vary.   Close to food.   Staff very friendly.   Tons of stuff to do - will return when we have more time.  If you want the experience of driving on the beach - go for it!

  • Tiffany P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Ocean View Resort Campground

    Lots of fun

    This place had a lot to do with kids! Lake, pool, ice cream, arcade, mini golf, mining station, activities. Does get very crowded and definitely have to book a head. We loved where our site was located. Will definitely be visiting again.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Redden State Forest Campground

    Secluded and improving

    8/15/2025

    Arrived after dark to find that I had the campground to myself. As noted in other reviews, turn right as you drive past the office/house and let yourself in through the closed (but unlocked) gate. Since the last review, it appears they've added 11 sites on a branch if you bear left after the gate. These sites (8-18) are level, packed gravel pads with benches, fire pit, grill, and picnic table. The restroom featured on the map is just a portalet, but there is plenty of overflow parking in that branch. Apparently you're not supposed to pull onto the gravel with your vehicle, just park parallel to the road alongside it. 

    Another note about the gravel - can't get stakes in. Plus, it's a pine forest and I didn't want to get sap on my tent so I didn't tent adjacent to the pad amidst the pine needles. I did drive around the right branch (sites 1-7) in the morning to find that they are dirt/grass sites and probably would be ideal for tenting/staking (and in case you haven't guessed, I don't have a freestanding tent). The area is densely forested with pines and is quite pleasant in that regard.

  • colleen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay

    Awesome!

    We loved it. Great for a long getaway or a quick one like ours. Loved our stay. It was clean and full of fun.

  • B
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Strawberry Crossroads

    A work in progress.

    We had a nice time & plan on returning.

  • C
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort

    Pros and cons

    We have been to this campground twice. First time everything was very clean and lots to do. The last time things had slipped a little bit. Campground was definitely not as clean. The first time there was staff riding around picking up garbage and keeping things neat. Last time it seemed like it was just a bunch of teenagers flying around on golf carts not doing much. Almost all the games were broken in the arcade. Plus a lot more seasonals. The seasonals also have a lot of political flags with profanities. Not very family friendly! Pros love the pool, lake, waterslides, and proximity to cape may Cons broken equipment, kids racing golf carts all hours of the nights, lots of seasonals with over the top decorations, with flags with profanities and cleanliness slipping. We will try it again. Hopefully they were just having an off year.

  • Frank J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Belleplain State Forest

    Relatively new to this

    Stayed in site 116 in CCC section (only section with electric and water). Good privacy. Check-in went smoothly. Staff at office said all the roads in the CCC section were 2-way. Not wide enough in my opinion but we didn't have a problem. Restrooms/showers were ok. Sea Isle City is not too far away if you're into the Jersey shore, restaurants, live music.


Guide to Lewes

Camping near Lewes, Delaware, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore the Beaches: Cape Henlopen State Park Campground is just a short distance from the beach. As one reviewer said, “This park has a LOT of activities: the beach, a nice nature center. Fort Miles for WW 2 history.”
  • Biking and Hiking: Many campgrounds, like Assateague State Park Campground, have paved bike and walking trails. One camper noted, “The park is beautiful with paved bike/walking trail.”
  • Fishing and Water Sports: Trap Pond State Park Campground is great for canoeing and fishing. A visitor shared, “Canoes were available for rent & I highly recommend canoeing water trails through the beautiful Cypress trees.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathhouses. One review mentioned, “The bathrooms are clean and modern,” which is a big plus for many.
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds, such as Lums Pond State Park Campground, offer spacious sites. A happy camper said, “Nice smaller campground with large spacious sites.”
  • Wildlife: Campers love the chance to see wildlife, especially at Assateague. One visitor exclaimed, “You’ll have no problems running into wild ponies and they’re babies!”

What you should know

  • Busy Weekends: Many campgrounds fill up quickly on weekends. A reviewer noted, “Love this campground. Very hard to snag a spot for a weekend. It's always busy.”
  • Limited Privacy: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. One camper mentioned, “The sites are not huge but spaced well,” so be prepared for some neighborly interactions.
  • Weather Considerations: Rain can affect your camping experience. A visitor at Delaware Seashore State Park Campground said, “Unfortunately, there was a big rainstorm that night so some of the sites were flooded.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. One family enjoyed, “Our site was directly in front of a small playground with a slide, swings and monkey bars.”
  • Activities for Kids: Choose campgrounds that offer organized activities. A parent shared, “There is also plenty to do for the kids, like Tractor Ride through the Campground.”
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy. One camper suggested, “The camp store has just about everything you could possibly want or need.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Dimensions: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper warned, “Watch the site dimensions or you might not be able to fit your vehicle AND camper on the site.”
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the dump stations are located. One RV owner mentioned, “There are 2 dump stations and we didn't wait long at the dump station heading out.”
  • Bring Bug Spray: Bugs can be a nuisance, especially in warmer months. A visitor at Kiptopeke State Park Campground advised, “Bring bug spray. Very hot in campground.”

Camping near Lewes, Delaware, has something for everyone. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot for your next outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Lewes, Delaware?

Cape Henlopen State Park Campground is widely considered the premier camping destination in Lewes. The park features clean bathhouses, a well-stocked camp store, excellent bike trails, and hiking opportunities. Sites are paved and spacious, particularly in the G-loop. The campground provides easy access to beaches, historic WW2 lookouts, and is conveniently located near both Lewes and Rehoboth Beach towns. Book well in advance as this popular campground fills quickly, especially for weekend stays.

Is beach camping available at Lewes Beach?

Direct camping on Lewes Beach is not permitted. The closest option for beach access camping is Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, which is situated near but not directly on the beach. The campground is within walking distance of beach areas and offers designated camping sites with facilities. For those seeking a true beachfront camping experience, Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay provides waterfront sites with views of Rehoboth Bay. Remember that all beaches in the area have strict regulations prohibiting overnight camping directly on the sand.

What camping options are available near Lewes for visitors without reservations?

Finding last-minute camping near Lewes can be challenging, especially during peak season. Delaware Seashore State Park Campground sometimes has availability when Cape Henlopen is full. Located about 10 miles south, it offers concrete slabs for parking and nice bathrooms with large showers. For those willing to venture slightly inland, Brumbleys Family Park in nearby Milton may have openings. This well-maintained campground features a nice pool and a central pond. Always call ahead to check current availability, even for same-day arrivals.

What amenities do Lewes, Delaware campgrounds typically offer?

Campgrounds around Lewes typically offer clean bathhouses with showers, paved or level sites, and easy beach access. Killens Pond State Park Campground provides well-maintained facilities in a more wooded setting. Many area campgrounds feature camp stores for supplies, hiking and biking trails, and convenient access to local attractions. Trap Pond State Park Campground offers water recreation opportunities. Most campgrounds in the region provide water and electric hookups for RVs, though amenities vary between state parks and private campgrounds. WiFi availability is limited at state parks but more common at private facilities.