Delaware camping guide: 7 campgrounds to visit in Delaware, camping tips and tricks

Looking for the best places in Delaware to roll out your sleeping bags and snooze under the stars?

Whether you prefer a rugged camping adventure or a cozy glamping weekend, the First State is brimming with camping options sure to fit your needs.

Here’s your guide to camping in Delaware, including tips to keep in mind and where to pitch your tents.

Camping tips

Whether you’re a professional glamper, a camping connoisseur or have never spent a night in the outdoors, here are some key tips from KOA to keep you safe and make your stay enjoyable:

Practice setting up your tent

One of the key parts of a camping trip is having your tent hold up throughout the night.

If you find yourself making it to the campsite in inclement weather or during the last few minutes of sunlight, you want to be sure you know what you’re doing.

Try setting up your tent a few times in your backyard before you leave. This will help you become familiar with the process and save time once you make it to the campground.

Prepare meals ahead of time

The camping experience is not known to include an extravagant kitchen. To avoid eating hotdogs and beans all weekend, try preparing some meals ahead of time. You’ll spend less time rummaging through your belongings and have some tasty meals to enjoy around the campfire.

Bring padding

For those of you who value a good night’s sleep, extra padding might be an essential. Pick up an air mattress or a sleeping pad for your stay in the wilderness so you don’t have to toss and turn on twigs.

Waterproof your tent

Even if you check the weather 10 times over before your big trip, an unexpected rainstorm still can put a damper on your plans.

Before you leave home, buy a can of silicone sealant and spray the entire surface of your tent, including the zippers. This will help keep you, and your belongings, dry throughout the night.

Choose the right campsite

For primitive-style camping, you might find your temporary home to be slightly off the beaten path or deep in the woods. Whatever you choose, make sure you keep these few things in mind:

• Finding flat, level ground will make it easier to set up your campsite and keep you from rolling around on bumpy surfaces as you sleep. While you’re at, make sure your space allows you some privacy and is a good distance away from any neighbors.

• Make sure you look at your surroundings. Sleeping under dead tree branches or loose rock ledges poses the risk of having things fall on you or your tent. You also should be cautious when sleeping near bodies of water. Not only will there be a greater bug presence, including mosquitoes, but animals such as bears might make an unwanted appearance.

• Avoid sleeping in areas where water may collect. If you get caught in a storm or are stuck there overnight, areas like gullies and depressions can quickly flood or become waterlogged.

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Where to camp in Delaware

Note that all campsite rates are for up to four people and additional people, up to a maximum of eight people, will cost $2 per night. Campsites can be registered only to park visitors who are 18 years of age or older and will be staying on-site for the duration of the reservation.

Delaware State Parks reminds all visitors that “due to recent quarantines and threats of invasive insects that are detrimental to Delaware’s agriculture,” such as spotted lanternflies, the Asian longhorn beetle and the emerald ash borer, outside firewood is no longer allowed on state park campgrounds. Firewood is available for purchase at all locations.

Campfires and open fires may be banned at campgrounds during extremely dry conditions. To stay up to date on fire notices, contact the campground you will be staying at before visiting for the current fire status. During fire bans, charcoal fires in grills are allowed unless otherwise noted.

For more information about Delaware campgrounds, camping reservation changes and cancellation policies, visit destateparks.com/Reservations/RVandTentCamping.

Delaware Seashore State Park, Rehoboth Beach

Delaware Seashore State Park is located within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean and has two campgrounds, one on each side of the Indian River Inlet, connected by a bridge with separate walking and biking paths.

Three-point hookups, including electricity, water and sewer service, tent sites and areas accommodating large tents or recreational vehicles are all available. One vehicle is allowed per campsite, but overflow parking is provided.

Laundry facilities and bathhouses are located in both campgrounds; a camp store on the south side sells souvenirs and convenience items, and nearby attractions include restaurants, trails, the Indian River Life Saving Station and a gift shop.

A full-service marina with a bait and tackle shop, fish and seafood sales and head boat service is also nearby.

Select sites are open year-round and a two-night minimum stay is required on weekends, with some holiday weekends requiring a minimum stay of three nights.

Reservations can be made up to one year in advance and can be for as long as 14 nights.

Many reviewers have described the campground as being pet-friendly and a great place to fish. If you’re looking to see all the site has to offer, sign up for a guided tour!

39415 Inlet Road, near Rehoboth Beach, (302) 227-2800; www.destateparks.com/Beaches/DelawareSeashore

Blackbird State Forest, Smyrna

Blackbird State Forest near Smyrna is a 30-minute drive from Wilmington and Newark and located on the border of New Castle and Kent counties.

This location offers primitive-style tent camping at a rate of $25 per night with a three-night maximum stay per reservation at any of its eight campsites. On-site amenities include parking, barbecue grills, picnic tables, fire rings, firewood and portable toilets. There are no showers or bath facilities.

With nine tracts totaling over 6,000 acres and 40 miles of trails, visitors hike, run, cycle, horseback ride and cross-country ski. Hunting and catch-and-release fishing can be enjoyed by visitors as well by season and with proper permits.

There’s also a 2,200-foot paved, wheelchair-accessible trail and the chance of a deer-sighting along your adventures.

502 Blackbird Forest Road, near Smyrna, (302) 653-6505; agriculture.delaware.gov/forest-service/state-forests

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Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes

Near Lewes, Cape Henlopen State Park is a year-round site where visitors can camp, swim, fish and explore local attractions.

Reservations are available up to one year in advance and can be made for up to 14 nights.

Campgrounds offer water, electric hookups, fire rings and picnic tables, a play area, additional dump stations and walk-in tent sites. A camp store, laundry facility and pull-through sites also are available.

Camping is even available next to the historical World War II-era observation towers.

Other activities at the 7,000-acre state park include biking through sand dunes and fishing from bayside pier.

If you want to learn more about the park's native plants and animals or participate in an interpretive program, visit the Seaside Nature Center.

15411 Campground Road, near Lewes, (302) 645-8983; destateparks.com/Beaches/CapeHenlopen

Killens Pond State Park, Felton

Located near Felton, 66-acre Killens Pond once was home to the Lenape, but now features a waterpark, the popular Pondside Loop Trail and a variety of watercraft rentals.

Visitors can bike or walk along the boardwalk or enjoy wildlife watching and fishing on the benches. Kayakers and boaters are able to use the boat launch at the end of the walkway.

The water park includes a baby pool, a main pool, a tot lot and four tall slides.

The campground, which is abundantly filled with the American holly, Delaware’s state tree, provides 59 electric and water hookup sites for both tents and recreational vehicles, plus a primitive walk-in camping loop with 17 sites.

Family cabins fit for four people are available and come with an efficiency kitchen, an eating area, a bedroom, A/C and heat and a bath with a shower. The deluxe Pond View Cottage is a bit more spacious and comes with extra amenities while overlooking the pond. Youth primitive sites also are available upon request.

Reservations can be made up to one year in advance and can total up to 14 nights, with a two-night minimum stay required on weekends and a three-night minimum on holiday weekends.

While you’re there, check out the park’s nature center. Live animal exhibits featuring native reptiles and amphibians can be found.

If you’re up for a walk in the woods, you might hear the barred owl, the pileated woodpecker or the prothonotary warbler.

3015 Paradise Alley Road, near Felton, (302) 284-3412; destateparks.com/PondsRivers/KillensPond

G&R Campground, Houston

Since 1997, this family-owned campground has offered year-round camping and private catering at their 10,000-square-foot activity hall.

G&R's campsites are shaded or open and feature picnic tables and fire rings.  Weekly and seasonal RV sites can be reserved for up to 12 months and feature a rally area. Pets are welcome.

These 200 sites are either primitive with no utilities or have water, electric and sewer hookups.

Sixteen cottages with A/C and heating, a full bathroom, two double beds, a kitchen, cable television and a microwave are available.

Gun & Rod Club Road, near Houston, (302) 398-8108 4075: gnrcampground.com

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Lums Pond State Park, near Glasgow

Lums Pond is open year-round from 8 a.m. to sunset and offers a variety of activities including hiking through 17 miles of trails, camping, biking, a ziplining course through the trees and plenty of events and day camps.

The site is Delaware’s largest freshwater pond and features water activities like canoeing, kayaking and pedal boating.

Campgrounds on-site can be used by tents and RVs, and primitive campsites are available for groups. Campsites can accommodate up to four people, with an additional charge of $2 per person for up to eight people total at each site.

Reservations must be made online by credit card and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You must be 18 years of age or older to make a reservation and have to be on-site for the duration of the visit. Call (877) 987-2757 for assistance. Camping rates vary based on site type and date of visit.

During your visit, you can rent pavilions for events, visit the off-leash dog park and play games like disc golf, cricket, football, soccer and tennis. The site is also home to a nature center where visitors can see live animal exhibits.

Lums Pond recently announced the site would be adding 14 new cabins for camping use. Construction is slated to begin this fall with a completion date of summer 2025.

1068 Howell School Road, near Glasgow, (302) 368-6989; destateparks.com/pondsrivers/LumsPond

Trap Pond State Park, Laurel

Trap Pond State Park near Laurel is home to the northernmost naturally occurring stand of baldcypress trees, and it was once used as an industrial logging pond starting in the late 1700s.

Among the many activities visitors can enjoy — like 9 miles of canoe and kayak trails, rentable water vessels, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking and recreational activities – camping is a major attraction, hence why it was voted the most scenic campsite in Delaware by Reader’s Digest.

Reservations are available up to one year in advance and can be made for up to 14 nights. Select sites are open year-round. One vehicle is allowed per campsite, with overflow parking available.

Kids can enjoy athletic fields and a playground; adults can play on the disc golf course or horseshoe pits; and the entire family can have fun on the volleyball courts.

During your stay, check out the Baldcypress Nature Center, which hosts a popular concert series during the summer.

15702 Goose Nest Road, near Laurel, (302) 875-5153; destateparks.com/TrapPond

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com. 

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Where to camp in Delaware, state parks and beaches, and camping tips