Camping options near Hockessin, Delaware include several RV parks within a 45-minute drive radius. The region features gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 200-500 feet above sea level, creating varied camping environments across northern Delaware and neighboring Pennsylvania. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures ideal for outdoor activities.
What to do
Kayaking and water activities: Lums Pond State Park Campground in Bear, Delaware offers access to the largest freshwater pond in the state. "Kayak rentals and small v-bottom boats are available at the pond," reports a camper, while another mentions that "electric motors only" are permitted for boating enthusiasts.
Mini golf courses: Lake-In-Wood Campground in Narvon features family-friendly mini golf options. One camper noted, "They have a mini golf course too, but I am unsure if they do anymore." Another campground with mini golf is Spring Gulch Resort Campground, though a visitor mentioned "Mini golf was fun but need to be regreened….several holes needed maintenance."
Hiking trails: Trails around the region vary in difficulty and scenery. A visitor at Lums Pond reported, "The trails were well marked, and the day we took a hike, we ended up on the equestrian trail that runs all the way around the pond. It was a long, but easy hike."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing options. At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, one camper shared that you can "Fish from your chair" with sites right on the water. Circle M Campground is situated in a unique location where "the campground sits in the center of a horseshoe curve of the river, bring tubes and kayaks!"
What campers like
Privacy and space between sites: Larger campsites can be found at Lums Pond State Park Campground, where a visitor remarked, "From the moment I pulled in and observed how large the sites were, I was hooked." Another mentioned the "Beautiful park setting with fantastic site— spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies across parks. At Adventure Bound Campground (formerly Yogi Bear Jellystone Park) in Elmer, a camper noted "immaculately clean bathrooms and showers." Another camper at Lums Pond described the bath house as "absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease."
Swimming options: Pools and water features are popular amenities. At Sun Valley Campground, a visitor mentioned "Great swimming pool" as a highlight, while Spring Gulch Resort features both "Heated spa/pool in upper area" that some campers consider "a bonus."
Entertainment and activities: Family-friendly programming can be found at several parks. One camper at Circle M RV & Camping Resort shared, "We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it." Another at Spring Gulch mentioned "Fun activities for kids and adults. The Saturday night bands are concert worthy."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most RV campgrounds near Hockessin operate on limited schedules. A visitor to Circle M RV & Camping Resort noted it's open "from April 7 to November 26," while Sun Valley Campground operates "from April 1 to November 1." Year-round options are more limited.
Site conditions: Terrain challenges exist at some parks. A Circle M visitor warned that "lower sites are muddy" near the riverside, while at Lake-In-Wood a camper mentioned "The roads were very tight and you really had to watch how you drove through because of the trees."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds book quickly, particularly with full hookups. For Lums Pond, a frequent visitor advised, "Book early because it fills up fast!" particularly for their concrete pad sites with full hookups.
Water quality issues: Water systems vary between campgrounds. One camper at Adventure Bound Campground (formerly Jellystone) reported "The water stank and was straight brown," suggesting bringing additional drinking water depending on where you stay.
Noise considerations: Ambient noise varies by location. At Lake-In-Wood, a camper noted "There is a quarry close by so you could hear the trucks beeping and the noise from there but that was the only negative thing."
Tips for camping with families
Interactive experiences: Thousand Trails Circle M offers various family activities. "Lots of events to keep the kids busy. We happened to be there on the weekend a magician came, my kids loved it. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. Nice playground," reports one visitor.
Cabin options: For those without RVs, several parks offer alternative accommodations. At Spring Gulch, a camper shared, "Some cabins, like those in my photos, are brand new and have everything you would need to set up house minus linens, towels, toilet paper, paper goods and toiletries."
Playground access: Most parks include children's play areas of varying quality. A visitor to Lake-In-Wood mentioned that the campground was "walkable" with "things for kids to do, some animals to go visit on our walks."
Entertainment facilities: Game rooms and recreation centers provide rainy-day options. Spring Gulch includes "Mini golf, an arcade, pools, fishing pond" according to a reviewer, with another mentioning they have "Tons of amenities for families including mini golf, an arcade, pools, fishing ponds, etc."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, a camper advised, "The daily waterfront sites are pricy but right on the water with great views. Some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble." Another mentioned, "Many sites are on the water."
Seasonal advantages: Off-peak camping offers benefits. One RVer at Bar Harbor noted, "Our first visit (March 2018) was just prior to peak season (lower rates) and we had a site literally 10 ft. from the water!"
Hookup configurations: Utilities placement can cause setup challenges. At Village Scene Park, one visitor described it as "a hodge-podge of different living accommodations" with varying site configurations, but noted that amenities include "30/50 electrical amp on all sites, private mailboxes, public water and sewer hook-ups."
Urban proximity benefits: For those wanting to access Philadelphia, Village Scene Park offers strategic location advantages. A camper explained, "VSP's location is great for those wanting to access some of the bigger, better things in Philly proper, without having to actually stay in the city."
