The Lewes, Delaware area encompasses several established campgrounds along the Atlantic coast, with Cape Henlopen State Park Campground serving as a centerpiece for outdoor recreation. Located within a mile of the Cape Henlopen beaches and historic military installations, the park provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Nearby alternatives include Delaware Seashore State Park Campground, Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay, and Tall Pine Campground, all offering various accommodation options within 15 miles of downtown Lewes. Most camping facilities in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several properties featuring cabin rentals and glamping options.
Reservations are essential at most developed campgrounds in the coastal Delaware region, particularly during the peak season from late spring through early fall. Cape Henlopen State Park Campground operates from March through November, while some private campgrounds like Tall Pine remain open year-round. The campground layout at Cape Henlopen features several loops with varying degrees of privacy and shade, with sites positioned at angles along paved roads. Many campgrounds in the area offer water and electric hookups, with shower facilities and restrooms available throughout. As noted in visitor feedback, "The sites are not uniform, some larger, some smaller. Watch the site dimensions or you might not be able to fit your vehicle AND camper on the site."
Coastal biking trails represent a significant draw for campers in the Lewes area, with Cape Henlopen offering a 3-mile paved bike loop through dunes and wooded areas. A longer trail connects the park to downtown Rehoboth Beach, providing campers with access to additional amenities and attractions. Beach access ranks highly in visitor reviews, with Cape Henlopen offering both a main beach area with facilities and a less crowded "private" beach primarily used by campers. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with several reviewers mentioning dolphin sightings from shore. Historical features add educational value to the camping experience, as one reviewer observed: "Because it used to be a fort, there are still watch towers and one is done so that you can climb to the top and have a view of the whole park."
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Round 1 of 5
$30 - $99 / night
"We spent the last three nights camping and hiking at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes Delaware. They have a very nice campground with clean bath houses and a nice camp store."
"My group was there, on two adjacent sites, from Sunday to Tuesday, in early June. The weather could not have been more ideal! We were on sites G12 and G13, which were both really large."
$30 - $168 / night
"Well actually accidentally made a reservation here instead of the camp site about 10 miles north of here near Lewes."
"Park Name-Delaware Seashore State Park Date of Stay-June 2018
Site-237
This is one of favorite local parks!"
"** Located on Rehoboth Bay, this resort was a great place to spend a long holiday weekend. Our paved site was just a few steps to a private beach which was really nice and clean."
"It’s also close to the other ocean beaches. The only downsides are sites are very close together and its a very expensive about double the cost of other near by non-waterfront campgrounds."
$67 / night
"I actually forgot it was in Delaware since it’s so close to where we grew up as kids in jersey!"
"A quick drive to the beaches and a gorgeous rail trail! Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming which was the biggest selling point for us."
$45 - $70 / night
"Close to the beach, state park, the outlets and a great bike path . Note, they only accept cash, but ATM is close if you forget. Worth a visit if you want a beach vacation."
"Plus we weren't that far away from the beach and water. The grandkids keep asking when we are going again."
"Campground well maintained and relatively quiet given its peak season for Delaware beaches. Off the beaten path from beach noise but does require a 15-30 minute drive to popular beaches."
"Close proximity to the beach. Lots of family friendly activities. Full stocked camp store."
"Stayed in a drive through, patio site with full hook-ups. It was situated on a corner spot. A lot of RV, golf cart, bike, and people traffic due to the location."
"The front of the park is close to the pool and store- if pool noise is a concern you should stay further back. A mix of seasonal,"cabins" and overnight camping. Park was very clean."
"Great Location and close to Cape May City. 10 min drive to Washington Street Mall. Lots to do during the day."
"Beautiful main building. close to a lovely walking trail."
$22 - $56 / 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."
$35 / night
"We stayed here for about a week, it was inexpensive and close to all of the places we wanted to visit without being right in the middle of a tourist hotspot."
"It is a short drive to the beaches, but the rate is so much better than other campgrounds that it's worth it."
GuideThis is such a perfect way to hang by the ocean. Some sites are close but tenting is key. Showers and outdoor showers are my favorite. There isn’t much to dislike if anything? Oh, ai know. Light pollution. There is no light pollution and we always bring our telescope and then rvs will keep their leds on, but unless that is enforced. There isn’t much that can be done. 🤷🏼♀️
ScoutWe allways have a blast everybody is so nice and lots to do
TravelerWe had a nice visit. Sun is in the process of fixing the place up. The swim up bar was being restored. My only negative was the site two places up played there stereo live music loud. BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM. They did get called out for it by management.
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.
TravelerTrap Pond SP is a lovely park that has everything you need. Electric/water hookups, docks on the pond at each loop, clean bathhouses, and the "day" side of the park on the other side of the pond! A few miles of walking trails, and an incredible, prehistoric feeling paddle trail through gorgeous bald cypress trees. Reasonable camp store. Sites are a wee bit close, but comfortable and level.
GuideWebsite says RV Resort and cabins. Turns out 75%+/- of camping area is made up of Tiny Homes, owned by people, and some for rent, plus cabins.
In fairness, this isn't our type of camping. Many RV's were season with no one there. Thursday was dead, but Friday campers came in for Mother's Day weekend. We went to the bathhouse only to find out it was closed (seasonal). So a nice easy walk to do laundry turned into a lengthy walk or drive. Made no sense. Then on Friday, I was outside reading a book and an employee rolled into our site on a riding mower kicking up dirt all over me and into the trailer, with rocks kicked up into the picnic table. Lucky, no broken windows. Lippert no longer makes the window, so they would have been buying five (5) ones
This is a great place for families with young children. Just not our cup of tea
ScoutWe stayed at this campground for approximately one month and paid full price with the expectation of reliable utilities and access to advertised amenities. The property itself is nice and quiet, which we appreciated, but unfortunately that did not outweigh the issues we experienced.
During our stay, we had ongoing electrical problems at our site. Our air conditioner would not function properly, and we were unable to use it for essentially the entire month, including during several hot days. Our hot water heater also could not reliably run on electric, which forced us to operate it on propane and refill our tanks twice at our own expense.
In addition to the electrical issues, the water quality was also a concern. The water from the faucet would often come out brown and murky for a period of time when first turned on, and at times even after it had been running.
Our site also did not include basic amenities such as a fire ring or picnic table, which are typically expected and commonly included with full-price sites.
At one point, the entire campground lost power. Despite that, we were told our pedestal had been tested and was functioning properly, which was not possible given the campground-wide outage at the time.
After leaving and connecting to power at a different campground, all of our systems—including AC and hot water—worked immediately without issue. This confirmed the problem was not with our RV, but with the power supply at this campground.
Additionally, one of the listed amenities (the pool) was unavailable when we attempted to use it.
We brought these concerns to the owner and requested a reasonable refund or adjustment based on the lack of usable electrical service and the additional expenses we incurred. That request was refused.
We are sharing this so others are aware. If you rely on consistent electrical service, clean water, and standard site amenities, this is something to seriously consider before booking.
GuideWe arrived on a beautiful mid April day. We were walk-ins and had the choice for a site on the beach or the inland campground. The inland sites were in a very open, treeless circle along the marshlands. Not particularly attractive or ugly, not private, but WARM compared to what we experienced mid April along the beach. Although beautiful and right on the beach, the wind nearly blew us over. Fires were impossible due to wind and damp wood purchased at a beach kiosk. No one could brave those winds for more than a short time. Showers are cold water. Pit toilets were good. That being said, what a unique experience with the horses and proximity to the beach.
ScoutThe area was well maintained, lots for the kids to do, and everyone that worked there was so nice. Close to beaches and food. We’ll be back!
Campgrounds near Lewes, Delaware range from primitive sites to full-service facilities across inland forest and coastal landscapes. The region averages 45 inches of annual rainfall with summer humidity levels frequently exceeding 80%. Most camping areas sit at elevations below 50 feet above sea level, with minimal terrain variation throughout the coastal plain where Lewes is located.
Water recreation beyond beaches: Cape Henlopen State Park Campground offers bay access for kayaking and fishing in addition to beach activities. "You can walk into the water for what seems like miles and it only gets up to your shins. There is bay access for kayaking and fishing," notes one camper.
Off-season adventures: Visit during shoulder seasons for a quieter experience with more wildlife viewing. "We visited off season (early April) and absolutely loved it. The location was great and the beaches are quiet," shares a camper about Cape Henlopen.
Historical exploration: The region contains numerous military historical sites from World War II. "Because it used to be a fort, there are 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," according to a visitor to Cape Henlopen.
Nature center activities: Trap Pond State Park Campground offers educational programs at their nature center. "Has a Nature Center, very nice campground and clean bath houses. Has events for children for Easter and at the Nature Center," explains a visitor.
Less crowded beaches: Accessing quieter beach areas away from main facilities. A Cape Henlopen camper notes, "There are nice play facilities for kids, loads of water and beach access. Great fishing, with a large open pier complete with well stocked, well informed and reasonably priced tackle shop on the pier."
Free equipment rentals: Some parks provide complimentary recreational equipment. At Trap Pond, "Bike rentals are free (donations accepted), there are several hiking/biking/horse trails, disc golf, and canoe/kayak/peddle boat rentals (in season)."
Shaded sites: Tall Pine Campground offers wooded camping spots for summer heat relief. "The tent site was big with lots of choice locations for your tent. There is a lot of privacy between the tent sites because of the trees," explains a camper about their experience.
Year-round availability: Unlike some seasonal campgrounds, certain facilities remain open throughout winter. As one winter camper at Trap Pond describes, "This place has been great to us. Even though we are tent camping in the middle of winter we have still made it work. It has great warm bathrooms that are very clean and sanitary."
Site selection considerations: At Delaware Seashore State Park Campground, "There are two units to this state park campground - one north of the Charles W. Cullen Memorial Bridge and one on the south side. The south side has over 300 campsites, some with hookups and some without."
Seasonal impacts: Campgrounds near Delaware beaches have dramatically different experiences depending on timing. "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."
Noise factors: Bridge traffic can affect certain camping areas. At Delaware Seashore, "It's right next to a bridge- which is beautiful at night- but we didn't hear the traffic as much as I expected. Tent sites were closer to the bridge, though, so I'm not sure how noisy they were."
Weather preparedness: Coastal camping requires preparation for sudden changes. "The winds were nuts and over 50mph. We switched sites to spare our slide side, so caution to look at windy before going," warns a Delaware Seashore camper.
Beach alternatives: Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay provides water activities without ocean waves. "The location cannot be beat. Lots of kids activities and the kids love the night swimming while adults can sit at the swim up bar," notes a visitor.
Educational activities: Look for campgrounds with nature centers and historical features. A visitor to Cape Henlopen shares, "There is a fantastic nature center (FREE) complete with touch tanks and knowledgeable park staff. Free bike rentals are available, some with baby seats and trailers."
Playground access: Select sites near recreational facilities for easier supervision. "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.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer organized activities. At Sun Outdoors Cape May, "We've stayed here 2 years in a row. We returned due to all the activities the campground offers for the kids. A nice lake with a giant inflatable slide, floating trampoline, kayak and paddle board rentals."
Site dimensions: Verify actual measurements before booking. A Cape Henlopen visitor warns, "This is a VERY busy campground. Rigs in and out daily and nearly always full. None of the sites are level. Sites are mostly small and close together. The closer you are to the camp store, the louder and busier it is."
Leveling challenges: Come prepared with leveling equipment for coastal sites. At Trap Pond, "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."
Beach shuttle services: Some campgrounds offer transportation to beaches. "Being able to stay in a peaceful campground with beautiful views and still be able to drive to the boardwalk and ocean beaches," is what one camper appreciated about Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Lewes, Delaware?
Cape Henlopen State Park Campground is widely considered the premier camping destination in Lewes. The park features clean bathhouses, a well-stocked camp store, excellent bike trails, and hiking opportunities. Sites are paved and spacious, particularly in the G-loop. The campground provides easy access to beaches, historic WW2 lookouts, and is conveniently located near both Lewes and Rehoboth Beach towns. Book well in advance as this popular campground fills quickly, especially for weekend stays.
Is beach camping available at Lewes Beach?
Direct camping on Lewes Beach is not permitted. The closest option for beach access camping is Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, which is situated near but not directly on the beach. The campground is within walking distance of beach areas and offers designated camping sites with facilities. For those seeking a true beachfront camping experience, Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay provides waterfront sites with views of Rehoboth Bay. Remember that all beaches in the area have strict regulations prohibiting overnight camping directly on the sand.
What camping options are available near Lewes for visitors without reservations?
Finding last-minute camping near Lewes can be challenging, especially during peak season. Delaware Seashore State Park Campground sometimes has availability when Cape Henlopen is full. Located about 10 miles south, it offers concrete slabs for parking and nice bathrooms with large showers. For those willing to venture slightly inland, Brumbleys Family Park in nearby Milton may have openings. This well-maintained campground features a nice pool and a central pond. Always call ahead to check current availability, even for same-day arrivals.
What amenities do Lewes, Delaware campgrounds typically offer?
Campgrounds around Lewes typically offer clean bathhouses with showers, paved or level sites, and easy beach access. Killens Pond State Park Campground provides well-maintained facilities in a more wooded setting. Many area campgrounds feature camp stores for supplies, hiking and biking trails, and convenient access to local attractions. Trap Pond State Park Campground offers water recreation opportunities. Most campgrounds in the region provide water and electric hookups for RVs, though amenities vary between state parks and private campgrounds. WiFi availability is limited at state parks but more common at private facilities.
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