Camping in Delaware: Real Sites, Honest Tips, and Where to Start

Killens Pond State Park and Cape Henlopen State Park are the two names you'll hear most from people who camp Delaware regularly. Both are part of the Delaware State Parks system, which offers RV sites, tent camping, cabin rentals, and vacation cottages depending on what you're after. That range matters if you're bringing someone who isn't sure she's ready for a sleeping bag on the ground yet.

Cape Henlopen sits near the coast, and the light there in the evening is something you want to experience at least once. Killens Pond draws folks who want a quieter, more inland feel, with water nearby and less of the beach-season crowd. Both parks fall under the same reservation and rules framework, so planning one is much like planning the other.

For those who want something closer to primitive, Delaware state forest campsites offer a different pace entirely. Reservations go through the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service's online system, which also lets you choose your preferred site in advance. That's a small thing that makes a real difference when you're trying to plan with intention.

Where Delaware Campers Actually Go

The Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River Primitive Campsites offer 62 campsites along the Delaware River. This is riverfront camping in the truest sense, no frills, real quiet, and the sound of moving water as your background all night. It's the kind of site that earns a return trip.

The Alosa Campsites within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area sit roughly 2.5 miles downriver from the Bushkill Access and about 6 miles upriver from Smithfield Beach. That middle-of-nowhere placement is part of the appeal. You're not adjacent to a parking lot. You're actually out there.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which sits across into Pennsylvania, includes 4 campgrounds available through Recreation.gov and 38 camping trails with an average 4.6-star rating from the AllTrails community. That rating reflects real experiences from real hikers, and it holds up. The terrain along the river rewards those who take their time with it.

When to Plan Your Delaware Camping Trip

Summer is the primary camping season in Delaware, and the state parks fill up fast once school lets out. Advance reservations are not just encouraged, they're essentially required if you want your preferred site during peak weeks. Book as early as the system allows, especially for Cape Henlopen.

The 14-day rule is worth knowing before you plan. Delaware State Parks limits camping to a maximum of 14 days within any 21-day period at a single park. That's generous for most trips, but good to keep in mind if you're planning an extended stay or hoping to bounce between parks.

Each campsite also has a maximum occupancy limit, so check that when you're booking for a group. It's a simple step that prevents a frustrating surprise at check-in. The reservation systems for both state parks and state forest sites are online, which makes the whole process easier than you might expect.

Essential Gear for Delaware

Gear Tips for Delaware Camping

Delaware's summer heat is real, and coastal humidity adds to it. Your first priority in gear is ventilation. A tent with good mesh panels and a rainfly you can prop open makes a genuine difference on a warm night near the water. Don't skip this in favor of a cheaper, stuffy option.

For coastal sites like Cape Henlopen, pack a lightweight windbreaker even in summer. The breeze off the water can shift quickly in the evening, and a layer you can pull on without thinking makes the campfire hour much more comfortable. Footwear matters too. Sandals for the site, but closed-toe shoes for any trail time, especially along the river.

If you're car camping or bringing a first-timer, a sleeping pad is worth more than a sleeping bag upgrade. The ground is the variable you can't control. A good pad changes the whole sleep experience, and that changes how everyone feels about camping in general. Start there before you invest anywhere else.