Camping near Kirkwood, Delaware features heavily wooded sites within easy access of the Chesapeake Bay region. The area sits at elevations under 100 feet with humid subtropical climate patterns featuring hot summers and mild winters. Most local campgrounds remain open from April through October, though several offer year-round access with varying levels of hookups and amenities.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Tuckahoe Creek provides easy access for kayakers and canoeists. "There's a kayak launch between sites 46 and 48. The walk to Tuckahoe Creek from the parking area is very short, and the creek leads to Tuckahoe Lake (no gasoline motors) with more of the creek on the other side of the lake," notes a camper at Tuckahoe State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: French Creek State Park offers extensive trail systems across its 7,526 acres. "There are 200 individual sites in four loops, some with full hookups for RVs, some with electric only but mostly primitive sites. There are also several cottages, cabins and yurts available as well," explains a reviewer at French Creek State Park Campground.
Fishing spots: Multiple ponds and lakes throughout the area offer fishing opportunities. At Woodlands Camping Resort, visitors can fish the nearby Elk River. A camper mentions, "Highlight- super fun restaurant very nearby, great food, live music, on the Elk river. Restaurant is Unwind on the Water."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds feature ample space between campsites. At Lums Pond State Park Campground, a camper shares, "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."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness is frequently mentioned as a positive. "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease," notes a visitor to Susquehanna State Park Campground.
Structured activities: Many parks offer organized events. A camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park mentions, "We did a birthday package where they brought a cake to the camp with Booboo for my daughter. They have the pools and playgrounds and fishing. Also the bonus of the hot tub being dropped off for two days."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer and holidays. A camper at Parvin State Park Campground advises, "Bathrooms were clean but most of the faucets on the sinks were broken. The water has a very high iron content. I couldn't even use it for tooth brushing. Most of the showers were out of order."
Site dimensions: RVs and larger setups may find some sites challenging. "We have a 25' camper, and it barely fit, length and with were an issue. The firepit was about 3-4 feet from our door. No camp fires as it was not safe," warns a Tuckahoe visitor.
Weather considerations: The area's humidity affects camping conditions. "When we were hiking it was very warm and I was definitely sweating. My bag stayed dry and so did everything in it. When we were packing up a severe thunderstorm rolled through," reports a French Creek visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near play areas for convenience. At French Creek, "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line."
Water activities: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers family-friendly water options. "This campground was so well maintained. There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more. They offer so many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget."
Glamping options: Near Kirkwood, glamping alternatives exist for families seeking more comfort. "Stayed in one of the rental campers. They are new-ish Shasta campers, queen bed, 1 slide, rear bunks, 2 entrances. Very clean. Water area is great, splash pad is very fun so is the large blow up slide and pool area," reports a visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Elmer.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric-only sites are common, with full hookups limited. At Lums Pond, a camper notes, "All sites have a flat paved area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other. Bathrooms were very nice and clean with large showers."
Site leveling: Most campgrounds feature level pads. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," shares a Susquehanna visitor.
Dump stations: Always check location and access hours. At Parvin State Park, "The dump station is sometimes secured has a combination lock. Ask for the combination during check-in."
