Camping near Townsend, DE

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Established campgrounds dominate the camping landscape near Townsend, Delaware, with state parks providing the primary camping options in this region. Lums Pond State Park Campground, located about 5 miles southeast of town, offers full hookup sites for RVs along with tent camping areas and some glamping options. Other nearby options include Killens Pond State Park to the south and Blackbird State Forest Campground, though the latter is currently closed until further notice. Most developed campgrounds in the area feature spacious sites with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails.

    Camping facilities throughout the region maintain year-round accessibility, though spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable conditions. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer weekends when parks fill quickly. "The sites are large and the whole campground is very open. There is a small camp store with the essentials and very clean bath and shower facilities," noted one visitor to Lums Pond. Electrical hookups are common at most developed campgrounds, with many sites providing 50-amp service for larger RVs. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with most campgrounds reporting good Verizon coverage. Terrain is predominantly flat, making most sites suitable for both tents and recreational vehicles without significant leveling requirements.

    State park campgrounds near Townsend feature notably spacious sites compared to private alternatives, with Lums Pond receiving consistent praise for its well-maintained facilities and site privacy. Several visitors mentioned the well-marked hiking trails that connect camping areas to water features and recreational opportunities. The campgrounds provide a convenient base for exploring both natural areas and nearby cities like Wilmington, which is approximately 18 miles from Lums Pond. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "Huge sites and full hookups make the stay here comfortable and relaxing. On average, one site is as big as 2-3 sites anywhere else." Campground amenities typically include clean bathhouses with hot showers, laundry facilities, and camp stores for essential supplies. For those seeking more primitive camping experiences, options are limited in the immediate Townsend area compared to other regions of Delaware.

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    Best Campgrounds near Townsend (88)

      1. Lums Pond State Park Campground

      4.5(52)10mi from Townsend73 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      from $29 - $51 / night

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      2. Elk Neck State Park Campground

      4.4(62)16mi from TownsendRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $21 - $55 / night

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      3. Blackbird State Forest Campground

      4.8(6)2mi from TownsendTents

      "The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."

      "I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."

      from $25 / night

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      4. Canoein’ Sue’s

      5.0(1)13mi from Townsend1 siteRVs, Tents

      from $42 - $52 / night

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      5. Woodlands Camping Resort

      3.8(4)16mi from TownsendRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      6. Susquehanna State Park Campground

      4.1(26)29mi from TownsendRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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"

      from $21 - $50 / night

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      7. Tuckahoe State Park Campground

      4.5(31)32mi from TownsendRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Tuckahoe State Park is tucked away onto the Eastern Shore of Maryland, close to the Chesapeake Bay. It features every kind of camping you can imagine."

      "It is less than 40 mins from Annapolis and close to DC and Baltimore.   Yet it is isolated and quiet.  There’s some great trails as well as walking between the camp loops and picnic areas.  "

      from $21 - $70 / night

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      8. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park - Elmer

      3.7(10)24mi from TownsendRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "I think the lale could use a little cleanup with the amount of bobbers, string and mess left behind by people. There have ao many cabins its crazy and alot of seasonal rentals."

      9. Killens Pond State Park Campground

      4.0(22)30mi from Townsend84 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "First time staying overnight at a campground in Delaware. The cabins are tiny on the inside but that porch really provides very useful space.
      No paper towels, soap or kitchen utensils."

      "Delaware seemed short on camping options and this one was probably top of the line 40 years ago. It's dated in every way, but it's in a good spot. Seemed to have some residents mixed in."

      from $29 - $112 / night

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      10. Duck Neck Campground

      1.8(4)19mi from TownsendRVs, Tents

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    Recent Reviews near Townsend, DE

    638 Reviews of 88 Townsend Campgrounds


    • sThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 4, 2026

      Birchview Campground

      Quiet Getaway close to home for us

      Mary & her crew run a great campground. Full hookup. Slow schedule during the week-camp store & pool mainly. Saturdays always have activities planned from bingo to quarter auctions, picnics & music. Each Saturday is different. Clean grounds. Nice playgrounds. Kiddie pool & nice size pool from 3-5’ deep. 2 cabins also available.

    • C
      Aug. 3, 2026

      Adventures Await Retreat

      Perfect campground for our family of 4

      They have a meadery and fishing pond and everything my kids love. Been here several times great place for kids and everyone else

    • H
      Aug. 2, 2026

      The Loose Caboose Campground

      Nice view

      The owner is kind and knowledgeable a lot of live in / snowbirds . Some are very kind but some of the live in’s are crude .

    • T
      Jul. 25, 2026

      Bay Shore Campground

      Fred’s bay shore

      One of our favorite places. Very well kept. No bathhouse so bring your own. A lot of shady sites. Great views of Chesapeake bay. Flat roads in the area for cycling.

    • B The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 24, 2026

      Susquehanna State Park Campground

      A little noisy - park stuff, not campers

      A 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.

    • Isabel Z.
      Jul. 19, 2026

      Elk Neck State Park Campground

      Great for families

      This campsite was amazing for our first tent camping experience. The park was a godsend for keeping our toddler occupied and we felt very safe overall. While the beach is pretty, be careful about the water condition. We were warned before entering and informed of the risks. They were very clear on the condition of the water that day which was a yellow, slight risk. But normally it should be okay. We would definitely camp here again.

    • T
      Jul. 7, 2026

      Aberdeen Proving Ground RV Park

      Bougie sites; AWFUL reservation system

      BASE ACCESS REQUIRED!

      Electric/Water/Sewer hookup sites for $56 a night! (2 night minimum) Which is a great full hookup price, even though it's gone up $6 since last year. Weekly and monthly pricing available as well. 

      The sites are neat, well maintained, level, and sunny with concrete pads and paved campground roads. Centrally located laundry facilities and airconditioned bath house. Playground, boat launch, beach volleyball court, disk golf, basketball court, and outdoor pool all within walking distance. Other base amenities include: commissary, gas station, bowling, BBQ, Dunkin', and Greek restaurants, and golf. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something.)

      Note: in July it is very buggy - the biting flies are the worst. So bring bug spray or a screened in tent to eat in. 

      The downside: the reservation system is a major PITA. You have to download a PDF packet, fill it out, and EMAIL it in. When you get your confirmation, it doesn't include a specific site number. You get assigned one when they call you the week of your scheduled check-in for payment completion. 

      Don't miss out on: the water! My advice would be to reserve one of their boats at the same time you reserve your campsite. The water in this area is great - no jellyfish, low waves. You can SUP, kayak, pontoon boat. Whatever your preference. There are large flats of grasses - which you'd want to avoid with a motor but are so much fun to paddle over. Also check out the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge island. You can't go inland, but you can anchor off shore, jump in and wade around the shallows.

      Also very driveable to an off-base movie theater, Baltimore, and Havre de Grace.

    • Carol C.
      Jul. 5, 2026

      Otter Creek Campground

      Lovely tranquil campsites next to river

      We stayed only one night in primitive tent site which was massive with a turnaround. It was great. There are fire pits and picnic tables and level ground. Very serene. We walked down to the river, breathtaking. Not sure of other amenities as we didn’t use them.

    • Brian M.
      Jun. 28, 2026

      Elk Neck State Park Campground

      Good experience

      Great campsite, plenty of space. It rained a lot and our campsite was a little muddy (not bad) but nearby campsites had large puddles


    Guide to Townsend

    Delaware's relatively flat terrain creates ideal conditions for camping near Townsend, with most sites requiring minimal leveling for both tents and RVs. The area experiences humid summers with temperatures routinely exceeding 85°F from June through August, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for many campers. Eastern Delmarva Peninsula campgrounds typically experience coastal weather patterns, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months.

    What to do

    Hiking trails with river views: Susquehanna State Park Campground offers well-maintained trails with scenic overlooks. "We hiked back to the campground from here, which was a nice easy-to-moderate trail. The beginning was pretty rough for me, since I was wearing my infant son while navigating an uphill trail, but it quickly evened out," reports one visitor who enjoyed the park's natural features.

    Kayaking on Tuckahoe Creek: Tuckahoe State Park Campground provides direct water access between sites 46 and 48. "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 (no gasoline motors) with more of the creek on the other side of the lake," notes a camper who explored the waterways.

    Disc golf course: Several campgrounds maintain disc golf courses as complementary recreation options. At Tuckahoe State Park, one visitor mentioned, "A rather typical state park. Fishing, boating, camping, and hiking. The campground was fully booked for the weekend but the other areas weren't crowded as I've seen at other MD state parks."

    What campers like

    Privacy between sites: Blackbird State Forest Campground receives high marks for site seclusion despite its temporary closure. "Only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room, very much enjoyed our stay and will return! No running water- only port a potties but they were clean," according to one camper who appreciated the isolation.

    Clean, modern facilities: Lums Pond State Park Campground consistently receives praise for its updated amenities. "The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms. Great for outdoor activities. Nearby grocery stores and restaurants," notes one reviewer who stayed during off-season.

    Level sites with concrete pads: Elk Neck State Park Campground offers well-designed sites. "Very friendly staff. Clean and beautiful sites. Level gravel site. Asphalt parking," reported one camper who appreciated the thoughtful site construction that minimizes setup challenges.

    What you should know

    Seasonal facility limitations: During shoulder seasons, some campgrounds reduce services. At Elk Neck State Park, one visitor noted, "Finished the season at this state park in MD with full hook up (20, 30, and 50 amp, water and sewer) and the water was still on in November. Bathhouses were open with hot water."

    Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months. "Book early because it fills up fast!" advises one Lums Pond visitor, underscoring the need for advance planning, particularly for weekend stays from May through September.

    Water quality issues: Some campgrounds experience water challenges during peak season. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, one camper reported, "The water stank and was straight brown," highlighting the importance of bringing backup water supplies, especially during hot weather.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playgrounds and activity locations: Consider site proximity to recreational areas. At Killens Pond State Park, one visitor observed, "The water park is great and had something for everyone. The area for the younger kids has two small pile and various slides and water features."

    Off-peak timing for water activities: For families seeking water recreation, timing matters. A Killens Pond State Park camper recommended, "The water park gets filled to capacity very quick," suggesting weekday visits during summer months to avoid disappointment.

    Cell signal limitations: Plan for connectivity challenges with children. At Tuckahoe State Park, one visitor appreciated that "no cell signal in the campground so the family is forced to disconnect," which can be either a benefit or challenge depending on family preferences.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection for larger rigs: Choose sites carefully when traveling with bigger RVs. At Susquehanna State Park Campground, a camper warned, "Not all of the sites had paths to the bathhouse, and the path that they did have was also very rocky and covered in roots," which can create challenges for larger vehicles.

    Dump station availability: Plan waste management around available facilities. "Good dump station and potable water fill. Spigots throughout the campground," reported a visitor to Tuckahoe State Park Campground, noting the well-distributed water access points across camping loops.

    Site angle considerations: Evaluate site orientation before selecting. "Our site was uphill and at a difficult angle. Plenty of bigger TTs and 5th wheels were camping," noted one RVer at Elk Neck State Park, emphasizing the importance of reviewing site layouts when making reservations.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Townsend, DE?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Townsend, DE offers a wide range of camping options, with 88 campgrounds and RV parks near Townsend, DE and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

    Which is the most popular campground near Townsend, DE?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Townsend, DE is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Townsend, DE?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Townsend, DE.