Delaware's state parks and private campgrounds provide a mix of camping environments within close proximity to beaches and inland waterways. Cape Henlopen State Park Campground and Delaware Seashore State Park offer tent, RV, and cabin accommodations near the Atlantic coastline, while inland options like Lums Pond and Trap Pond State Parks feature camping amid forest settings with water activities. Most campgrounds accommodate various camping styles with sites for tents, recreational vehicles, and cabin rentals, with several private resorts like Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay also offering glamping options.
Reservations are strongly recommended during the peak beach season from Memorial Day through Labor Day when campgrounds frequently reach capacity. "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," noted one visitor about Deep Branch Family Campground. Many Delaware campgrounds remain open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. The camping season at coastal sites like Cape Henlopen typically runs from March through November, while inland parks generally maintain year-round accessibility. Most campgrounds provide electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, with varying levels of additional amenities.
Campers consistently highlight the proximity to beaches as a primary appeal of Delaware camping. State park campgrounds receive positive reviews for their spacious sites and natural settings, while private resorts often feature more developed amenities like pools and organized activities. One reviewer described Blackbird State Forest as having "camp sites spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy." Family-friendly facilities are common throughout the state, with several campgrounds offering playgrounds, swimming areas, and recreational programming. Water activities figure prominently in camping experiences, whether at oceanfront locations or inland ponds and lakes that support fishing, swimming, and paddling. Proximity to attractions in resort towns like Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach remains a significant draw for many visitors.
$35 - $105 / night
"Cape henlopen is one of five or six Delaware state parks that offer RV camping. Sites vary in size so make sure you check the details before you book."
"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."
$35 - $352 / night
"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."
$27 - $45 / 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."
$27 - $65 / 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."
"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."
"** 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."
$27 - $103 / night
"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."
"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."
"Treasure Beach is one of our favorite campgrounds in Delaware. Beautiful sites on the water and a lot of activities for the kids."
"five with young children, we were thrilled to find a campground that offered an abundance of activities and conveniences to keep everyone entertained and happy, and with restaurants and activities nearby"
$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."
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.
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.
GuideThis campground has everything. Conveniently located, short drive to Dover, Wilmington, Annapolis and Baltimore. The sites were very large and spacious. Sites can accommodate any type of trailer or vehicle. Plenty of site hookups, areas for tents. There is a camp store, several washer and dryers. The best private, individual shower booths and even a pond to go fishing in.
ScoutLived there full time up until a branch fell on our camper and totaled it. We took her rent and told her our plans and she sat there and said keep me updated. We were going to get another camper so I called to let her know and asked if it was ok and she was very quiet then said I'd rather you not. So you knew what we intended on doing a month before we decided to go with another camper but you instead of telling us face to face you were a coward and delayed us finding another camper so now we are scrambling to find a place. She doesn't know how to run the campground, she never even sent us a formal notification to vacate our lot just word of mouth. washers are old and don't work correctly. I would not recommend it at all. Always nitpicking my son for being outside and being a boy. Very flat and bizarre affect. Hard to deal with. No tent sites no activities for the kids. Bugs are super bad no kind of pest control done.
TravelerI called the reservation number and was told to call a different number. I call that number and it was a wrong number. Then I went back to their website. And put in my information. It's been a day and a half , and I still haven't heard from them. So I moved on and got a different reservation.Somewhere else. The lucky I gave him a star.
TravelerThis is the most quietest campground. Perfect when you need to go somewhere to think. The people here are very nice. The wildlife is amazing
ScoutOkay so I haven't actually been here yet I am looking for somewhere to put my rv long term. I guess I was just wondering why the other person made this place sound so horrible. Is it because of the people who can only afford to survive long term at this campsite or was this another time that stigma took over instead of knowledge or is the place a real dangerous dump. I guess I need to check this place out for myself.
ScoutSpent one night here as we were in transit from a campground near the bottom of the Eastern Shore of Virginia to home (fortunate to get a spot that fit my camper) - spots are close together - full campground even in the middle of the week after school started- but quiet at night. Almost a mile walk to the beach - great trails for bike riding. Restrooms were clean! If you have a trailer, make sure that you input your trailer length to find a site that fits as they vary. Close to food. Staff very friendly. Tons of stuff to do - will return when we have more time. If you want the experience of driving on the beach - go for it!
Camping in Delaware offers a mix of beautiful nature and family-friendly activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or rolling in with an RV, there's something for everyone.
Camping in Delaware has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic experience for everyone involved!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in Delaware state parks?
Delaware state parks offer diverse camping options. Cape Henlopen State Park Campground provides RV sites with water and electric hookups, featuring sites of varying sizes and three dump stations. Lums Pond State Park Campground is another state park option for campers. Most Delaware state parks with camping facilities offer a mix of RV and tent sites, with some providing cabin rentals. Facilities typically include water and electric hookups, dump stations, restrooms, and shower facilities. State park campgrounds are generally well-maintained and offer recreational activities specific to their location, from beach access to hiking trails and water activities.
What are the best campgrounds in Delaware for families?
Delaware Seashore State Park Campground is excellent for families, offering proximity to both tourist beaches and quieter shores. The park is uniquely situated between the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River, and Indian River Bay, providing diverse water activities. Families particularly appreciate the clean bathhouses and the ability to walk to the beach. Another family-friendly option is Trap Pond State Park Campground, which features pull-through sites with electric and water hookups. The campground is pet-friendly and offers a variety of recreational activities, making it ideal for end-of-season family trips.
Where can I find Delaware campgrounds with cabin accommodations?
Killens Pond State Park Campground offers cabin accommodations, though they're described as compact inside with spacious porches that provide additional useful space. These cabins are a good option for those wanting a camping experience without pitching a tent. Trap Pond State Park Campground also offers cabins in its Loop E area, alongside tent camping sites. For private campgrounds with cabin options, consider Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park At Delaware Beaches, which typically offers family-friendly cabin rentals with amenities designed for children.
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