3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Horse Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore permits direct access to primitive beach camping with horses. Located within the Maryland District of the national seashore, the dedicated horse camping area combines basic amenities with the unique experience of camping alongside the island's wild ponies. The campground provides toilets and trash disposal, but lacks showers, electric hookups, and drinking water for horses. Vault toilets serve as the only bathroom facilities, with no access to modern amenities typically found at established campgrounds. Trailer parking accommodates both smaller and larger horse trailers on the packed sand. The campground is designed for self-sufficient equestrians who bring all necessary supplies for themselves and their horses.
Riders can explore miles of beach trails and inland paths throughout the island's natural landscape. The primitive camping experience requires horses to be secured at all times, as interactions with the island's wild horse population must be avoided for safety reasons. Assateague's horse camping area features easy access to both bay and ocean riding opportunities, allowing equestrians to experience varying terrain during their stay. The camping area tends to fill quickly during peak season, particularly on weekends. While fires are not permitted at individual sites, the nearby EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area offers an alternative camping option with more primitive conditions but greater seclusion. The distinct smell of salt marsh and ocean breezes characterizes the camping experience, with weather conditions significantly affecting comfort levels.
"Park Name-Delaware Seashore State Park Date of Stay-June 2018
Site-237
This is one of favorite local parks!"
"The really great aspect of Delaware Seashore State Park is your close proximity to the water. The park is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian River, and Indian River Bay."
Available this weekend
from $35 - $352 / night
"This is Delaware which is flat land. The one issue with most every site are the trees. Most every site has a tree to watch out for."
"From well spaced sites to helpful staff, Trap Pond is Delaware state parks crown jewel. The pond itself is beautiful, camp sites are well maintained and spaced apart nicely."
Available this weekend
from $27 - $65 / night
"Due to the location near Ocean City, this campground is primarily a resort for people staying 1 or more weeks."
"Shuttle to Ocean City, MD was convenient and general store was close by and stocked well!"
"As an equestrian this was a once in a lifetime adventure. Feral chincoteague ponies everywhere you look!"
"Some sites are on the beach, and you can position your tent to be on the dune looking at the water- some are inland a bit more but still a very short walk to the beach."
from $40 / night
"If you don’t mind wild horses joining you for dinner and trekking around your campsite at night, then this is your place!! The beach is absolutely gorgeous and so is the scenery."
"Sites were not too close to one another. We had site 13 on ocean loop 1. Just a few steps, and you’re on the beach. Nice picnic table and fire pit."
Available this weekend
from $40 - $80 / night
"Park is that the Electric loop (B) has all of the sites on the outside of the drive loop so you are not looking across the road at other campers."
"Just off highway, nice wooded area, access to a good boat ramp."
from $18 - $77 / night
"People driving around in golf carts cheering, people playing board games at the campsite next door...sleep was difficult."
"Close to the Marina, Downtown, The Blvd and the Beach. Staff are helpful but also gives you space to live."
from $4200 / night
"Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season. Roosters here"
"Trails end has gate with campground I.d. or sticker access."
GuidePretty easy camping trip, plenty of room to set up camp. Level spots. We stayed on south inlet campground. They have small camp store multiple laundry and bath houses. Great stay if you enjoy fishing, as. You can fish the inlet at the campground. They have a very nice playground for kids as well! Only negative is no camp fires allowed, they do have a community area you can have a camp fires allowed. Also no wifi
GuideEnjoyed the stay here June 19-21, 2026, in the tents-only section at a campground just 10 minutes from home. I've lived near this campground for 45 of my 66 years but never camped there.
The cramped campsites always turned me off but my wife and I decided to try it as a test run when we bought all new camping gear after not camping for 15 years(well, except for the 40-year-old Coleman stove that still works).
The campsites are tight and strictly BYOS(Bring Your Own Shade). The weather cooperated with temps in the low 80s and cool westerly winds. Because this campground sits adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Inlet and Indian River Bay, it fills up on weekends for camping, beach-going, fishing, kayaking and other water activities. I'd suggest going weekdays if you can.
Even with all the people, though, it was mostly quiet. The traffic from the Indian River Inlet bridge didn't bother me much but it did keep my wife up the first night. The bridge lights up at night and looks most spectacular at sunrise.
We ate dinner at camp the first night and then went to the inlet walkway to watch the sun set. The sunsets over the Indian River Bay, serenaded by the U.S. Coast Guard station's bugle calls with the lowering of the colors at its station at the north side campground, are a must. We also got to see a green heron foraging on the rockpiles and a dolphin swimming through the inlet. Fishermen lined the walkway to add to the atmosphere.
The next morning we drove over to the north side of the inlet to the Burton's Island trail-- another first for me. The trail was probably a mile or so and took about an hour, though it looked like we could have gone further into the brush had we not been wearing shorts and t-shirts. We came across a horseshoe crab traveling along a dirt path and a turtle trying to hide itself under downed tree branches. Blue water surrounded us in the marshes.
An excellent dinner at Matt's Fish House capped off our anniversary and we returned to the campground to watch the sunset again.
The bathrooms were well-placed. They were mostly clean but the five-second" Navy shower" intervals in the showers were annoying. There's no water or electric at the tent sites but a high-powered community water tap works for cleaning dishes.
The ban on open fires at the campground did disappoint. There is a community fire pit but no one used it our two nights there.
Oh, I can't forget the Diamondback turtles. Be careful driving so you don't hit them as they wander through the campground. We saw several lay eggs on the sand volleyball court and one scurried through our campsite and under our picnic table on its way to points unknown. The picnic table at each site is heavy but movable.
The people were friendly even in such crowded conditions. Lots of kids on bikes, skateboards and scooters and at the playground. Basically, you don't come here as much for the camping as you do for the water sports and activities.
As a tent camper, I'd opt for the tent-only loops versus the Standard sites that accommodate tents and small RVs and popups. Our tent-only loops looked less congested than the Standard sites.
I'd give this campground 4.5 stars. It would be an easy 5 if not for the crowded conditions.
ScoutWe have stayed here twice and have our 3rd trip booked and we absolutely love it! The lazy river and kiddy water slide park is amazing and our kids love it!
LegendThis 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. Our site (Butterfly Loop #3) was long enough for our motorhome and tow car. The roads are paved, as was our camping pad. The only utility at our site was 30-amp electric. There are water spigots located throughout each loop and we were close enough to fill our water tank. For the most part, the park is big-rig friendly but we did brush against some trees on our way around the loop. Campsites do vary in length so make sure you include your length when booking. We reserved online and were instructed to just go to our site which was nice and convenient. They sell firewood onsite and have a self-pay station which we loved. There is a nice boat launch and the kayak launch has a platform to assist you getting in and out and there are plenty of places to fish from the bank. There is a nature center (which was not open during our stay), playground, picnic pavilions, amphitheater, The bathrooms could use some more attention. The shower curtains were pink meaning they have not been properly cleaned in a while. Needless to say, we did not shower there. The dump station was closed while we were there but we were told we could use the dump station at Tuckahoe State Park (about 10 miles away). We really enjoyed the short hiking trails and paved trail which allowed us to log about 3 miles without having to leave the park. The campground is a really relaxing place to be. We did drive (about 40 minutes south) to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, both of which we recommend. It is also worth a drive to St. Michaels to see the quaint seaside town and visit the maritime museum (plan on spending half a day at the museum). The only downside is that the park is not gated and open for day use so a lot of people just drive through the campground looking around.
GuideParked with my class B van! Amazing you can hear the ocean at night. No electricity so be prepared. Horses will walk through your campsite. Clean and quiet. No cell service. Lots to do with hiking and beaching! Be prepared for cold outdoor showers!
GuideWasn’t sure at first… kind of a lot of money for one night with no sewer hook up, but the amenities make up for the price! The western show was so fun! Frontier town was cute and not too cheesy! Loved walking all the way around the park! Dog friendly!
GuideRight off the beach wild horses, deer, turkeys, and birds. Woke up and walked right out on the beach for some early morning beach combing, was a bit windy
ScoutWe allways have a blast everybody is so nice and lots to do
GuideFrom well spaced sites to helpful staff, Trap Pond is Delaware state parks crown jewel. The pond itself is beautiful, camp sites are well maintained and spaced apart nicely.
Horse campgrounds near Millville, Delaware offer unique opportunities for equestrian enthusiasts within the Delmarva Peninsula's coastal environment. Located within driving distance of both the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, this region features a mix of salt marshes, maritime forests, and sandy terrain that creates diverse trail conditions. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F, while summer temperatures regularly exceed 85°F with high humidity that affects both horses and riders.
Trail riding on Assateague Island: Horse owners can access both bay and ocean riding directly from the specialized horse camping area. The EA Vaughn Wildlife Management Area provides an alternative with more seclusion but very primitive facilities.
Kayaking and canoeing: At Trap Pond State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy water activities amid cypress trees. "We wanted to kayak among the bald cypress trees (I highly recommend this)," reports Lee D., who appreciated the natural setting.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access, particularly along inland waterways. "This is a great place to catch some good action fish. I've always had some success whenever I've been here," shares Sam D. about Martinak State Park Campground.
Beach exploration: The Chincoteague area provides both developed and remote beach options. "Assateague Island also has TWO bike/hike access beaches, and those are our favorite. You can drive to Assateague from Chincoteague with your bikes, and then park," explains Rita M., highlighting less crowded alternatives.
Wildlife viewing: The wild horses remain the main attraction for many equestrian campers. "We camped in the Oceanside loop B. Right on the beach, but big dunes between sites and the ocean. Wild horses meandering through daily," reports Danielle at Assateague Island National Seashore Oceanside Campground.
Water proximity: Many appreciate the direct beach access from horse camping sites. "Loved the hiking trail (Bob Trail). It can also be used for biking. Our dogs loved the hike. Since it's just about all in the shade it wasn't bad for them. We also rented a kayak; awesome activity to do around the lake," shares James P. about Trap Pond State Park.
Seasonal variations: Off-season visits help avoid insects and crowds. "We have been going there as a very young child to now as a grandmother. When we think of Delaware we think of this park. The bath houses are clean and we can walk to the beach," notes Dawn T. about Delaware Seashore State Park Campground.
Private beach access: Alternative camping locations provide options beyond Assateague. "If you have canoe/kayak/SUPB it is a great point to launch off to explore the nature reserve next to camp Cove. Lots of wild horses to see," shares Tom C. about Tom's Cove Park.
Bug preparation: Insect conditions can be extreme, particularly during summer months. "Love this place but be prepared for the bugs. Even enjoyed this in the winter," warns Michael W. about Bayside Assateague Campground.
Wind exposure: The coastal environment means constant wind that affects camping comfort. "We got a site to stay on our way through to OBX. We booked and arrived after hours, which wasn't an issue as they were like 3% occupied. The winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side," notes Joe R.
Limited facilities: Most horse camping areas have minimal amenities compared to standard campgrounds. Vault toilets are typically the only bathroom option, with no showers available directly at the horse camping areas.
Horse security requirements: All horses must remain secured at designated sites, with specific regulations preventing interaction with wild horses. Portable corrals must be brought by campers as the sites don't provide permanent containment.
Off-season advantages: Many experienced campers recommend avoiding summer crowds and insects. "We were there on a Monday the week after Memorial Day and while the sites with the hookups were completely full, there were plenty of empty non-hookup sites," notes Lee D.
Activity options: Various campgrounds provide family-friendly programming. "This campground is very family friendly. There is so much to do. If you do go make sure you go for a week so you can try to do it all," advises Wilson G. about Sun Outdoors Frontier Town.
Site selection: More protected sites offer advantages for families with horses. "Sites were level and sand/grass. There are many trees and reasonable separation between sites (although you can easily see your neighbors)," shares Lee D. about Trap Pond State Park.
Equipment considerations: The coastal environment requires specific gear. "They also have a bike shed where you can sign out bikes for free for the day which was super neat. They also have wheelbarrows to borrow so if you have a drive up site you can use them," explains Lucia B.
Site conditions: RV campers note challenging terrain at horse camping areas. "All of the non-hookup sites are sand/grass/gravel and completely level; the hookup sites have paved camper pads (and are also level)," reports Lee D. about Delaware Seashore.
Wind protection: Strategic site selection helps with weather challenges. "Sites were level, in a loop around the bath house. There are also a few cabins available to rent," explains Jean C. about Martinak State Park.
Storage concerns: Limited storage options mean bringing essential supplies. "Trailer parking accommodates both smaller and larger horse trailers on the packed sand," observes one visitor regarding horse camping facilities.
Seasonal planning: Timing affects RV site availability significantly. "We stayed for 5 nights and every night was quiet except Friday- that's when our neighbors decided to get drunk and sing karaoke until 2am," shares Gayle B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Millville, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Millville, DE is Delaware Seashore State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 57 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Millville, DE?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Millville, DE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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