2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Lums Pond State Park Campground in Bear, Delaware offers upscale glamping options within an hour's drive from Smyrna. The park features yurts positioned directly by the lake, providing a premium outdoor experience with modern conveniences. These accommodations come equipped with air conditioning, a bunk bed with full-size bottom bunk and single top bunk, plus a futon for additional sleeping space. "The yurt rental gets you a double sit-on-top kayak, paddles, and PFDs," noted one visitor, making water activities immediately accessible. Cape Henlopen State Park Campground provides additional glamping opportunities with well-maintained sites and resort-style amenities. Both locations offer a balance of natural surroundings with boutique camping comforts, including electricity, clean shower facilities, and picnic areas for outdoor dining.
The glamping experience near Smyrna extends beyond comfortable accommodations to include numerous recreational opportunities. Lums Pond features a 7.5-mile scenic trail encircling the lake, perfect for hiking and mountain biking through wooded terrain. Water enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and fishing directly from their glamping sites. A visitor highlighted, "There is plenty to do here including kayaking/canoeing, hiking, disc golf and they even have a zip line course." For families, the Go Ape zip line and ropes course provides adventurous entertainment without leaving the park grounds. The region's glamping resorts maintain spacious sites that offer both privacy and access to natural attractions, with seasonal availability typically running from March through November. Advance reservations are recommended as these boutique camping experiences book quickly during peak seasons.
"The site itself was set back some, and felt secluded while still being near the parking area. Walk to bathrooms and camp store was on the longer side."
"The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $45 / night
"Overview: shaded spots that are wonderfully cool during 80 and 90 degree heat, fun and inexpensive water park, various types of boats to rent and well marked trails."
"A water park, volley ball field, playgrounds, amphitheater, nature center, nature trails, and boat rentals at the lake."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $103 / night
"Parking pads on the electric loop are asphalt.
- There's very finely crushed rock on the non-electric loop. This includes the parking pad and tent pad."
"Small by some State Park standards, Tuckahoe offers two loops: a tent/cabin site, and an electric site for RVs. The sites are well maintained."
from $21 - $70 / night
"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."
"We stayed fathers day weekend and they had a breakfast, games and crafts geared towards it."
"The attendant was very friendly and helpful when we arrived without making a reservation first and was able to get us in for a single night stay despite the "no vacancy" for the last 3 weeks straight."
"We stayed in site T021 (walk-in site) and had plenty of privacy and space to set up our screen room, tent, and firepit."
Available this weekend
from $35 - $105 / night
"We rented a mini cabin and it had a full bed, two bunk beds and AC which was such a nice amenity. The site had a fire ring, grill and picnic table. We were right next to the bathhouse walkway."
"This is a great little state park tucked away in the woods. Campsites are pretty spacious and have nice shade. The campground has two loops, each with a bathhouse located in the middle."
from $18 - $77 / night
from $130 / night
"My wife and I chose site #10 based on its close proximity to the lake and fishing access. Even when I put my waders on, I pulled in algae almost every time. There is a ton of algae in this lake."
"Outside, to the back of the cabin, was a small deck with picnic table, a grill, and a fire ring. Beyond that you will find a path to the lake with beautiful swans."
from $20 - $65 / night
"A beautiful, well maintained park with lots to do, great bathroom facilities and extremely nice people."
"I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"
from $21 - $50 / night
"It’s a clean, well kept space, completely surrounded by state forest, very close to shore access along the rivers/bay, hiking/biking trails right out of the campground."
ScoutWe stayed at the group site campground with our horse. We found the sites to be large, and clean. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and they have fall activities for the family, at the lake and nature hikes. The porta potty's are very clean, have hand sanitizer and plenty of paper. Will be returning again in a few weeks. Plenty of trails to ride on. A true gem in our own backyard.
ScoutQuiet primitive campsites with slight road noise. We didn’t hear any train during our stay. We stayed at site 10 on the left branch where the newer gravel tent sites are in the pines. The potalet is nearby. It’s was dark at our campsite when we arrived. Nice and level gravel pad with plenty of room - sites are large enough to pull into and k turn if needed (although we saw the sign saying to park parallel to the site entrance in the morning- we have a roof top tent on our vehicle). When I put my headlamp on there were all these tiny sparkles on the ground out among the pine trees surrounding our campsite. When I walked up really close to one and shined my lamp on it, I saw that they are pretty big spiders. A little unnerving but also pretty? Told my brain I was in a glittery fairy forest and slept fine. 🤣
ScoutThis is one of the largest, if not the largest, campgrounds in Southern New Jersey. While on the pricier side, everything is top-notch. The roads are all paved, and not gravel (I hate trying to sleep and listening to the sound of stones grating together). The sites are more spacious than most campgrounds, so it doesn't seem so crowded. The bathrooms are all modern and spotless. There are numerous bathrooms which means most sites have one nearby. They do charge a quarter for showers to encourage water conservation and donate the money to conservation causes. The pool is large, as is the lake. Both are well-maintained. The camp store is enormous and is really nice and well-stocked with everything one might need from food to pool and beach stuff to camping supplies and equipment. There is a nice cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. The camp store has a lending library of books and DVDs. There are numerous activities that appear to be well-run, The grounds are shaded with many trees for a great wooded campground feel. The campground is so large that it has an internal shuttle with stations scattered about to help people go between the various important sites such as at the pool, the lake and the store. I found other campers, particularly the seasonals, to be more friendly than other campgrounds at the shore. This requires constant tree care including removing dead trees and branches which they do regularly. The staff is friendly and well-trained. I was in a tent, and when a rare October nor'easter came through, I was offered the opportunity to use a cabin free-of-charge. Fortunately my tent and equipment made it through days of rain and high winds just fine . On my first stay in May, I had to run my dog back to Baltimore towards the end of my trip where he was sadly diagnosed with incurable metastatic cancer. When I returned, I was late and unable to check out by 11, but they allowed me to take as much time as needed to clear the site, as nobody was staying there the next day, which was deeply appreciated - I was an emotional wreck. Oh, and I found the complimentary Wi-Fi to be a great service, and sufficiently fast to allow me to stream ultra-high-definition movies at my site - Most campgrounds charge extra for less-than-good service - a lot more. I find that a big bonus. Overall, I LOVE this campground and highly recommend it.
ScoutMy check in was for 8-6-2026, and bc I’m a new driver and wanted to beat traffic I got there early (7am) so I sit there waiting till check in time. When suddenly the park police show up. He’s accusing me of camping over night there. I told him simply I wasn’t and where I was night prior (would never sleep somewhere without permission). So we go to the store to kill time before we check in. Come back for Check in and the whole staff in just the office alone were so arrogant and cold to my mom and I, leaving rude comments to us and not only where they like that but the staff outside the office was acting like that alongside the rangers and park police. They would watch us the whole visit in the distance parking there cars a little ways watching everything we did,even driving by slowly a bunch of times in just an hour alone. My mom and I couldn’t do anything with out them showing up 2 mins later. Example we were walking our dog enjoying our time(trying to) and all of a sudden one of the office ladies pulls up right in front of us speeding, parks their car, gets out and walks a distance from us standing there and taking pictures of us…. For walking our dog who’s on a leash and didn’t even do anything. The whole trip we felt uncomfortable and unwanted and to find out they police when we were going on walks where coming up to campers near us bribing them with free firewood to get any information on use (told to us by other camper). I paid a lot of money to be harassed and followed the whole time. We never did anything we abide by every rule and keep to ourselves everywhere we go. They even made my mother cry…
ScoutGreat place. Close to beach. No septic hookup
ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
TravelerI am writing this review because I genuinely want to warn other families before they book this campground. What should have been a relaxing camping trip turned into an extremely upsetting experience for our family. From the beginning, we felt singled out and unwelcome. We arrived at our campsite and then went to the office. We did not know that the campground required every guest to go to the office before going to their site. This was an honest misunderstanding. Instead of simply explaining the rule and moving on, the situation became unnecessarily confrontational, and we felt like the staff was looking for reasons to have an issue with us. What was especially upsetting was how our children were treated. Our children were riding scooters and were stopped and told that scooters were not allowed. We were extremely confused because we could clearly see much younger children riding/driving around the campground. Our 14-year-old was not allowed to do so, while we observed significantly younger white children being allowed to ride. What made this even worse was the way our children were spoken to. They came running back to us scared and intimidated by the interaction. As parents, that was extremely upsetting to see. There is a huge difference between calmly explaining a campground rule to a child and speaking to a child in a way that makes them feel frightened. If there is a rule that scooters are not allowed, then the rule should be applied consistently to every child, regardless of age or background. What we witnessed did not feel consistent. As the experience continued, we felt increasingly targeted. We were left with the strong impression that they did not want our family there. At one point, it honestly felt like they were trying to find reasons to get rid of us, which made us question whether the campground had overbooked and was looking for a way to push us out. We also had a very concerning experience regarding payment. We were forced to pay in cash and were not provided with a receipt. As paying guests, we found this extremely troubling and unprofessional. The entire experience left our family feeling uncomfortable, intimidated, and unwelcome. Camping with children should be about relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, and making good memories—not having your children come running back to you because they are scared of how an adult spoke to them. I cannot speak to anyone else's intentions, but**based on what we personally experienced and witnessed, we felt that our family was being treated differently because of our background. Seeing younger white children being allowed to do something that our children were stopped from doing made the situation even more concerning.I strongly recommend that families think twice before booking this campground. If you do decide to stay, make sure you understand every rule before arriving, document your interactions, and keep proof of every payment. We are sharing this review because other families deserve to know what our experience was like before spending their money and vacation time here. No family should leave a campground feeling intimidated, targeted, or unwelcome.
TravelerI am writing this review because I genuinely want to warn other families before they book this campground. What should have been a relaxing camping trip turned into an extremely upsetting experience for our family. From the beginning, we felt singled out and unwelcome. We arrived at our campsite and then went to the office. We did not know that the campground required every guest to go to the office before going to their site. This was an honest misunderstanding. Instead of simply explaining the rule and moving on, the situation became unnecessarily confrontational, and we felt like the staff was looking for reasons to have an issue with us. What was especially upsetting was how our children were treated. Our children were riding scooters and were stopped and told that scooters were not allowed. We were extremely confused because we could clearly see much younger children riding/driving around the campground. Our 14-year-old was not allowed to do so, while we observed significantly younger white children being allowed to ride. What made this even worse was**the way our children were spoken to. They came running back to us scared and intimidated by the interaction. As parents, that was extremely upsetting to see. There is a huge difference between calmly explaining a campground rule to a child and speaking to a child in a way that makes them feel frightened. If there is a rule that scooters are not allowed, then the rule should be applied**consistently to every child**, regardless of age or background. What we witnessed did not feel consistent. As the experience continued, we felt increasingly targeted. We were left with the strong impression that they did not want our family there. At one point, it honestly felt like they were trying to find reasons to get rid of us, which made us question whether the campground had overbooked and was looking for a way to push us out. We also had a very concerning experience regarding payment. We were forced to pay in cash and were not provided with a receipt. As paying guests, we found this extremely troubling and unprofessional. The entire experience left our family feeling uncomfortable, intimidated, and unwelcome. Camping with children should be about relaxing, enjoying the outdoors, and making good memories—not having your children come running back to you because they are scared of how an adult spoke to them. I cannot speak to anyone else's intentions, but**based on what we personally experienced and witnessed, we felt that our family was being treated differently because of our background.** Seeing younger white children being allowed to do something that our children were stopped from doing made the situation even more concerning.**I strongly recommend that families think twice before booking this campground.** If you do decide to stay, make sure you understand every rule before arriving, document your interactions, and keep proof of every payment. We are sharing this review because other families deserve to know what our experience was like before spending their money and vacation time here. No family should leave a campground feeling intimidated, targeted, or unwelcome.
GuideA beautiful, well maintained park with lots to do, great bathroom facilities and extremely nice people. The electric sites aren't all together, so you don't have RV's lined up but maybe annoying for folks who are tent camping. Avoid the locations in the mid-30's by the dumpster, both staff and campers start shaking the lid around 6:30. Between 5 AM and noon staff were driving big trucks and ATV's around with loud reverse horns, and slamming the fire pit grills, which they store sideways. Overall I had a really wonderful time, but that's largely down to good sound reduction inside the van. Almost zero cell service. I was able to get a couple of text messages in and out, but seemed to be a fluke.
Camping options near Smyrna, Delaware range from rustic state parks to premium accommodations, all within a 45-minute drive radius. The region sits on Delaware's coastal plain with elevations rarely exceeding 60 feet above sea level, creating a temperate camping environment. Winter temperatures typically stay above freezing, allowing select campgrounds like Lums Pond and Killens Pond to remain open year-round for cold-weather camping enthusiasts.
Water activities at Tuckahoe Creek: At Tuckahoe State Park Campground, visitors can launch canoes or kayaks directly from the campground. "There is a canoe/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 with more of the creek on the other side of the lake," notes one camper who appreciates the convenient water access.
Wildlife observation: Martinak State Park Campground offers riverside trails ideal for spotting local birds and animals. The park features "beautiful waterfront great for kayaking and water sports," according to a visitor. The network of river trails accessible from the park provides multiple vantage points for wildlife viewing throughout different seasons.
Historical exploration: Cape Henlopen features preserved WWII military installations. "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," explains a visitor. The park maintains several historical structures that visitors can explore on self-guided tours.
Spacious sites: Lums Pond State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its generous camping spaces. "The sites are large and well spaced. Many are in full sun. The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern," reports one visitor who stayed in February. Another adds that it has a "beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved."
Clean facilities: Campers repeatedly mention facility quality at Susquehanna State Park Campground. A visitor remarks that "the bathrooms have clearly been recently renovated and were up-to-date, clean and about as great as you can expect for a campsite." Another notes that the "bath house was immaculate; by far the cleanest I have ever seen in a campground."
Privacy options: Several campgrounds offer secluded sites for those seeking solitude. At Susquehanna State Park, a camper mentions "there are some great sites that are a little more isolated and give a feel of being alone in the woods." Another visitor appreciated that their site was "very shaded, and probably the most secluded feel of anywhere we've camped."
Reservation challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. At Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, campers warn to "book early because it fills up fast!" One visitor notes, "I hear it gets packed and I see that it's hard to book if you don't book early."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Smyrna, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Smyrna, DE is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Smyrna, DE?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 glamping camping locations near Smyrna, DE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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