Equestrian camping near Lewes, Delaware offers riders access to unique coastal environments and wooded trails within a 45-mile radius. The Delmarva Peninsula features relatively flat terrain with sandy soil that transitions between maritime forests, salt marshes, and beach environments. Winter temperatures average 30-45°F while summer brings 75-90°F conditions with high humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Beach riding opportunities: At Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground, riders can explore miles of beach trails. "We went through multiple trails to walk or bike. Be prepared for the bugs depending on the season. The Ponies are giant trash pandas. They're smart and can open latches so do bring bungee cords, kayak straps, or ratchet straps to lock all of your food in cases or coolers," notes Tony P.
Wooded trail riding: Tuckahoe State Park Campground provides 20 miles of mixed-use trails through forest environments. "There are a few trails here. Nearby is the Chesapeake bay with all its amenities... And access to the Tuckahoe River for fishing and kayaking," states Bill G.
Kayaking with horses: At Trap Pond State Park Campground, equestrians can enjoy water activities when not riding. "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," shares Lucia B.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Bayside Assateague Campground provides unique opportunities to observe wild horses in their natural habitat. "Having animals around is such a great feeling. A deer hung out by the campfire at night, and in the morning there were horse tracks all over the sight," describes Jodi J.
Off-season advantages: Many equestrian campers prefer visiting in cooler months. "We chose to stay in October with less people and less bugs. Hiking and bays nearby to kayak or canoe at," mentions Jodi J. from Bayside Assateague.
Spacious campsites: Blackbird State Forest Campground offers well-spaced sites appropriate for horse trailers. "Only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room, very much enjoyed our stay and will return!" reports Sarah M.
What you should know
Insect preparation: Coastal and wooded areas require serious bug protection, especially in warmer months. "Love this place but be prepared for the bugs. Even enjoyed this in the winter," warns Michael W. about Bayside Assateague.
Horse behavior management: Wild horses require specific safety protocols. "As soon as any food would come into 'nose-shot,' they would start advancing on us. We waited over an hour for them to lose interest and move on to the next site. We went through this for every meal," cautions Wendy W.
Water conditions: Delaware Seashore State Park Campground provides alternative riding environments during coastal storms. "The winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going," advises Joe R.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Schedule time for wildlife education programs. "If you have kiddos, try and get a site in Loop A – there is a nice and educational play area (plus a game I'd never heard of– Gaga ball)," recommends Lee D. at Trap Pond.
Multiple activities: Look for campgrounds with diverse recreation options. "Great biking(mountain and gravel). There's a camp store that could provide everything that you could need every site has barbecue/hot fire pits," shares Alisha M. about Tuckahoe State Park.
Theme parks nearby: Consider Sun Outdoors Frontier Town for entertainment options between riding sessions. "This vacation beach RV park is super fun for the kids. They have old time plays, skits, and activities. The ability to rent golf carts is a super cool bonus especially to get the surroundings," notes Maya S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Choose sites based on prevailing winds. "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," advises Jim G. about Trap Pond.
Utilities considerations: Water and electric availability varies significantly. "Sites have 30A electric and water with a nearby convenient dump station. Being near the water means the bugs really came out at night so make sure to turn off the outside lights after dark," adds Jim G.
Beach access logistics: At Delaware Seashore, site location affects beach access. "The campground is split into two sides of the river. The larger one that we stayed at had a life guarded beach. The beach on the other side had no lifeguard, but dogs were allowed on that beach and the water seemed a bit calmer and clearer over there," explains Gayle B.
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