Camping near Ocean View, Delaware provides access to both coastal and inland waterway experiences along Delaware's Atlantic shoreline. The region features sandy, flat terrain with elevations rarely exceeding 10 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping brings milder conditions with temperatures between 60-75°F and fewer insects.
What to do
Kayaking at Trap Pond State Park: The park offers unique paddling through stands of northernmost naturally-growing bald cypress trees in the United States. "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 one visitor at Trap Pond State Park Campground.
Historical exploration at Cape Henlopen: Explore former military installations from WWII including underground bunkers and observation towers. "As a former military installation, there are lots of military historical items and sites. Underground bunkers and batteries and such. There's a wonderful observation tower built on top of one of these that affords beautiful 360 degree views and photo opportunities," notes a camper at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground.
Wild pony watching on Assateague: Witness the famous wild horses that roam freely throughout the park. "I have seen horses everytime I have camped here. We always go during the winter or early spring months to avoid the bugs as they are awful during the spring and summer," advises an Assateague visitor.
Free bike rentals: Several parks in the region offer complimentary bicycle use for exploring trails. "Free bike rentals are available, some with baby seats and trailers. They also have a bike shed where you can sign out bikes for free for the day which was super neat," according to visitors at Trap Pond and Cape Henlopen.
What campers like
Direct beach access: Multiple campgrounds offer walking paths directly to Atlantic beaches. "The campsite is great, and very close to the beach. The amenities are pretty solid overall, which is nice too. I love this area in general, and had come here plenty of times before actually camping at this site," notes a visitor at Delaware Seashore State Park Campground.
Winter and off-season camping: Many experienced campers recommend visiting outside summer months. "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," shares a Cape Henlopen camper.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain high standards for bathhouses. "Bath houses were fine. Near lots of shopping and restaurants," notes a recent visitor to Cape Henlopen, while another camper mentions, "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."
Evening entertainment: Many campgrounds offer nighttime activities or natural features to enjoy. "My favorite thing is at night when the rt.1 bridge lights up blue. Love that bridge," says a Delaware Seashore camper, while at Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay, "The night swimming while adults can sit at the swim up bar" gets highlighted as a popular feature.
What you should know
Wind conditions: Coastal campsites experience significant wind that affects tent setup and comfort. "It is really neat to be able to camp right on the sand dunes and by the beach but prepare for lots of wind. Check the weather a lot because the storms roll in quickly," advises a camper at Assateague.
Bug pressure varies by season: Mosquitoes and biting flies can be intense, particularly in summer months. "We've been twice so I guess you could say we liked it. It's beautiful here, horses are cool, beach is great, but the bugs stink! Bring some deet it's the only thing that works!" warns an Assateague Island National Seashore visitor.
Site characteristics: Many coastal campgrounds have limited natural features. "All are level and sand/grass. There are many trees and reasonable separation between sites (although you can easily see your neighbors)," describes a Trap Pond camper.
Space limitations: Site sizes can be restrictive at some locations. "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," warns a Cape Henlopen visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Free activities for children: Seek out campgrounds with inclusive amenities. "There are a short to moderate hiking trails and the pond is popular for kayaks. They also have a bike shed where you can sign out bikes for free for the day which was super neat," notes a Trap Pond visitor.
Kid-friendly water features: Multiple campgrounds offer specialized water amenities. At Sun Outdoors Frontier Town, "This was my first time there in over 20 years. The water park was amazing. Best part was that even though it was hot the breeze off the bay made it so much nicer."
Wildlife education opportunities: Take advantage of nature centers and ranger programs. "There is a fantastic nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff," describes a Cape Henlopen visitor.
Strategic site selection for families: Some campgrounds have designated family areas. "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 a Trap Pond camper.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant effort to level rigs. "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," notes an RVer at Trap Pond.
Site measurements accuracy: Verify campsite dimensions before booking. "Sites are very well marked. Sites were a bit tight; I believe online it says they're 45x30 but I find that hard to believe. Our trailer is almost 38 feet and we only had a little room left over," explains a Delaware Seashore camper.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete hookups. At Sun Outdoors Ocean City Gateway, "Large campground, hard to navigate at night when first pulling in. Level sites, some with concrete slabs. Close to the beach, restaurants and Ocean City. Nice playground and well stocked store."
Time restrictions on generators: National park campgrounds limit generator use. "No electric and generators are only allowed until a certain time at night. We've been twice so I guess you could say we liked it," notes an Assateague camper.
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