Best Campgrounds near Newark, DE

Camping options near Newark, Delaware range from established state parks to private campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Lums Pond State Park Campground, located in Bear just 7 miles south of Newark, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and yurt accommodations. Elk Neck State Park Campground in North East, Maryland, approximately 20 miles southwest, provides cabin camping along with tent and RV sites. The region includes several KOA locations like Philadelphia-West Chester KOA in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, which features cabin rentals alongside traditional camping options.

Access to campgrounds in the Newark area varies with the seasons, though many remain open year-round. Most established campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Lums Pond State Park offers full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections, making it popular for RV campers. The relatively flat terrain throughout the region makes most campgrounds accessible without specialized vehicles or equipment. Visitors should be aware that some campgrounds have specific pet policies, with designated pet-friendly loops at certain parks. A camper at Elk Neck State Park noted, "The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. Site 166 offered a wooded path directly back to the nearby bathhouse, which was otherwise inconspicuous from my site."

Campers consistently mention the spacious sites and natural settings as highlights of the Newark area camping experience. Lums Pond State Park receives praise for its well-maintained facilities and large, level sites. According to one visitor, "This State park campground is very well maintained. The staff is friendly. Quiet, clean area and had no problem navigating in our 40' 5th wheel." Many campgrounds in the region feature water access, with Lums Pond offering fishing and boating opportunities. Elk Neck State Park provides hiking trails with scenic water views, though reviews mention trails can become muddy after rain. Several developed campgrounds in the area include amenities like clean bathhouses, laundry facilities, and camp stores, though amenities vary by location. Proximity to Philadelphia and other attractions makes these campgrounds convenient bases for exploring the region.

Best Camping Sites Near Newark, Delaware (98)

    1. Lums Pond State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Kirkwood, DE
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (302) 368-6989

    $29 - $51 / night

    "Great place to stay and check out “Lower, slower Delaware.”"

    "Near an Ape Adventure park, hike around lake, and any shopping or restaurants you might want are close by. It rained heavy so we didn’t get out much but walk around camp loop is nice and flat."

    2. Elk Neck State Park Campground

    59 Reviews
    Perryville, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 287-5333

    $21 - $55 / night

    "I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.

    The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. "

    "Surrounding area

    There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."

    3. Philadelphia-West Chester KOA

    17 Reviews
    Downingtown, PA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (610) 486-0447

    $59 - $86 / night

    "I did have major trouble backing in because the road is too narrow for a 45’ motorhome to back in on a nearly 90-degree angle."

    "The campground is located in a beautiful part of the Pennsylvania countryside with rolling hills which meant the roads getting there are narrow and windy."

    5. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville

    19 Reviews
    Quarryville, PA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 610-4505

    "We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."

    "The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."

    6. Woodlands Camping Resort

    3 Reviews
    White Hall, MD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 398-4414

    7. Cecil County Permaculture

    1 Review
    North East, MD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (443) 945-5492

    $10 - $16 / night

    "Has outhouse, fire pit, running water on side of house near outhouse. An is a wonderful person. Good reception with T-Mobile!"

    8. French Creek State Park Campground

    76 Reviews
    Geigertown, PA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (610) 582-9680

    $20 - $84 / night

    "We were looking for someplace close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle of our city life, this was the perfect little steal-away; relatively close by, great car camping spots, nice easy hikes"

    "If you want starlink, stay toward the entrance of the loop for a good view of the sky. If you want to be away from everyone and don't need a site that has good accessibility, stay in C27."

    9. Susquehanna State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Edgewood, MD
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 557-7994

    $21 - $50 / night

    "Had a great weekend trip here, close to DC and Delaware. Wonderful hiking trails with river views. Only caveat- got pretty muddy since it rained the day before and our site didn’t have a tent pad."

    "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"

    10. Group Camp — Ridley Creek State Park

    10 Reviews
    Gradyville, PA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (610) 892-3900

    $57 / night

    "well marked trails great for hiking. pet friendly! we love walking here with our dog. there are even a few great spots to get a small creek swim in! It also has a greag picnic area with grills."

    "We found a lot of really unique sites around the park. Will keep going back"

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Showing results 1-10 of 98 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Newark, DE

694 Reviews of 98 Newark Campgrounds



Guide to Newark

Camping near Newark, Delaware, offers a great mix of nature, fun activities, and family-friendly spots. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking and Biking: Many campgrounds, like French Creek State Park Campground, have trails for hiking and biking. One reviewer mentioned, “Hiking and biking this park is fun.”
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Elk Neck State Park Campground is a great spot. A camper shared, “The Susquehanna river is full of every kind of fish imaginable!”
  • Water Activities: At Lums Pond State Park Campground, you can kayak or canoe. One visitor noted, “Had a nice time camping for two nights.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and showers. A review for Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground stated, “The restrooms at this park, while they are older, they are clean and pretty much in good order.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Codorus State Park Campground said, “The sites are fairly large and they do have some full hookup sites which is nice.”
  • Nature and Wildlife: Campers love the natural beauty and wildlife. One visitor at Assateague State Park Campground mentioned, “The park is beautiful with paved bike/walking trail. You will definitely see horses throughout your stay.”

What you should know

  • Crowded on Weekends: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A review for Susquehanna State Park Campground noted, “That was a big mistake, as mid-day Friday cars came rolling in.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. A camper at Killens Pond State Park Campground mentioned, “There are virtually no trees here and none in tent camping areas.”
  • Reservations Recommended: Many popular spots fill up quickly. A visitor at Cape Henlopen State Park Campground said, “Love this campground. Very hard to snag a spot for a weekend.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. One family at Elk Neck State Park Campground enjoyed, “Our site was directly in front of a small playground with a slide, swings and monkey bars.”
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Choose campgrounds that offer activities for all ages. A camper at Blue Rocks Family Campground said, “The playground was great. Lots of activities.”
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A visitor at Lums Pond State Park Campground mentioned, “We didn’t use any other amenities, just loved out of our site.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Hickory Run State Park Campground noted, “Some weren’t level front to back so adjustments needed to be made to level camper.”
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A camper at Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground appreciated, “We stayed in full hookup. Our site was long and narrow but backed up to a field.”
  • Plan for Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A visitor at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground mentioned, “It does get very busy on weekends so if you can stay during the week it's much nicer.”

Camping near Newark, Delaware, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Newark, DE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Newark, DE is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 48 reviews.