Cape Henlopen State Park offers glamping options near Lewes, Delaware within a coastal environment featuring maritime forests, salt marshes, and sandy beaches. The park spans over 5,000 acres with campsites situated at elevations near sea level, making it susceptible to occasional flooding during major storms. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer averages 75-90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Explore historic military installations: Cape Henlopen State Park's history as a military base offers unique exploration opportunities. "The historic aspect of the Cape amazed me. It was a site for WWII soldiers to watch for enemy invaders. The towers are still there," notes one Cape Henlopen State Park visitor who appreciated the historical elements.
Take advantage of free bike rentals: Several parks in the area offer complimentary bicycle usage. "There is a nature center nearby that also lets you borrow a bike for free if you didn't bring your own," mentions a Cape Henlopen camper who enjoyed the paved trails. At Trap Pond State Park, "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals (in season)."
Kayak among unique cypress trees: The inland waterways near Lewes offer distinctive paddling experiences. "We wanted to kayak among the bald cypress trees (I highly recommend this)," states a Trap Pond visitor who found this activity especially memorable. The pond provides a rare northern habitat for these distinctive trees, creating an unusual paddling environment.
What campers like
Well-maintained bathroom facilities: Campers frequently mention the quality of restroom facilities. At Cape Henlopen, "The newly built bathhouses are great! They're always clean and I've yet to not get a hot shower, even though they get used a lot." Another camper at Redden State Forest Campground notes its more primitive setup: "There is no water, no electric, no bathroom. This is primitive camping/boondocking."
Beach proximity and access: Location relative to beaches factors heavily in camper satisfaction. "This is a VERY busy campground. Rigs in and out daily and nearly always full... Park has a nature center, beaches, bike trails, history if you are interested... Near lots of shopping and restaurants," explains one Cape Henlopen visitor, highlighting the accessibility to coastal attractions despite the crowded conditions.
Secluded camping options: Some sites offer more privacy than others. "We visited off season (early April) and absolutely loved it. The location was great and the beaches are quiet," reports a Cape Henlopen camper who found the timing helped avoid crowds. At Redden State Forest, a camper appreciated that "This is secluded. Spacious sites. Firewood available. No facilities. Quiet."
What you should know
Reservations fill extremely quickly: Securing glamping accommodations requires planning. At Big Oaks Campground, located near Rehoboth Beach, "Large groups (like schools) are allowed to use everything without supervision from camp staff. Too expensive for the lack of access," cautions a visitor regarding availability issues during peak periods.
Seasonal operation limitations: Most glamping sites have restricted seasons. "Spent one night here as we were in transit... 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," reports a Cape Henlopen visitor, suggesting that even shoulder season can be crowded.
Size restrictions at some locations: Vehicle length matters for planning. At Redden State Forest, "Travel trailers, pull behinds, motorhomes are not allowed. Tents, cars, overlander SUVs, minivans and small Class B camper vans are allowed. Nothing over 25 ft allowed," explains a recent visitor highlighting important access limitations.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's activities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to families. At Sun Retreats Seashore Campsites & RV Resort, "We went in Mid-October as a weekend shakedown trip for our new camper... Super friendly and helpful staff, clean facilities, proximity to Cape May/Wildwood, activities for kids."
Consider shoulder season for fewer crowds: Timing your visit can significantly improve the experience. A camper at Cape Henlopen observed, "We visited off season (early April) and absolutely loved it. The location was great and the beaches are quiet. I hear it gets packed and I see that it's hard to book if you don't book early."
Check pool and water facility schedules: Water amenities often have restricted hours. At Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay, one visitor noted, "We are ending a four night stay and are super pleased. Campsites are a good size, clientele is awesome, staff is great. Our one and only complaint is that the pool and water activities didn't open until 11."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters for privacy: Many Lewes area campgrounds have variable site spacing. At Cape Henlopen, "If you're going to camp at one of the RV sites, you'd better have an RV. They are neither RTT nor tent friendly. The sites are packed in so closely that if you don't have the privacy of a camper, everyone will see your business."
Verify site dimensions before booking: Size restrictions can be significant. A Sun Retreats visitor mentioned, "Sites are fairly spacious and have an interesting semi-circle pull through layout so backing in not required. 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."
Plan for sandy conditions: The coastal environment creates specific challenges. "All sites appeared level and some have a view of the pond. Bathhouses were very clean, including the showers," notes a Killens Pond State Park camper, while others mention that sandy soil throughout the region requires additional site preparation for stable parking.
