With spring in full bloom and warmer weather ahead, we’re all in need of a dose of the outdoors after a winter filled with frigid temperatures and snowstorms.
As high gas prices remain steady, and serve as a deterrent from any cross-country trips, the perfect getaway at a local state park or campground might be just what you need.
Camping in Delaware
Blackbird State Forest, Smyrna
Blackbird State Forest in Smyrna is a 30-minute drive from Wilmington and Newark and is 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, BBQ 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 can use them for hiking, running, bicycling, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Hunting and catch-and-release fishing can enjoyed by visitors as well by season and with proper permits.
There’s also a 2,200-foot paved trail designed for wheelchair accessibility and the chance of a deer-sighting along your adventures.
502 Blackbird Forest Road, Smyrna, (302) 653-6505; agriculture.delaware.gov/forest-service/state-forests/
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, that are 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 in the area.
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 Rd., Rehoboth Beach, (302) 227-2800; www.destateparks.com/Beaches/DelawareSeashore
Killens Pond State Park, Felton
Located in Felton, 66-acre Killens Pond was once 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 at one the benches. Kayakers and boaters are able to use the boat launch at the end of the walkway.
The waterpark 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 are also 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, Harrington, (302) 284-3412 destateparks.com/PondsRivers/KillensPond
Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes
In 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 are also 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 Rd., Lewes, (302)645-8983; destateparks.com/Beaches/CapeHenlopen
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, Houston, (302) 398-8108 4075: gnrcampground.com/
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Camping in New Jersey
Parvin State Park, Pittsgrove
Located close to Vineland, New Jersey, and 40 miles south of Philadelphia, Parvin State Park was built in the 1930s and has campsites, cabins and a summer beach on Parvin Lake.
There are 54 tent and trailer sites on the south shore or Parvin Lake adjacent to a playground, each with a fire ring, a picnic table and a lantern hook, and accommodating up to six people and two vehicles. Toilets, laundry facilities and showers are within walking distance, and a sanitary station is on-site. All facilities are accessible to those with disabilities.
Group campsites accommodate up to 25 people and feature toilets, water, fire rings, picnic tables and a single shelter location. Eighteen cabins, complete with a kitchen, electric stove, full bathroom, brick patio and outdoor grill, can fit up to six people and are located on the north shore of Thundergust Lake.
Pet-friendly camping can be found at family campsites 45 through 55, with an extra $5 per night fee. Pets are limited to domestic dogs and cats, and only two pets are allowed per camping permit. More information about pet requirements can be found on their website.
The park contains 15 miles of trails suitable for walking, jogging and biking, and two lakes for canoeing and kayaking. Pine forests and a swamp hardwood forest hold blossoming dogwood, holly, laurel, magnolia, wild azaleas and over 200 kings of flowering plants.
Parvin Lake, Thundergust lake and Muddy Run are also popular sites for fishing and boating.
Visitors have emphasized the park’s large wildlife presence and the stunning sunset views. If you enjoy geocaching, several caches are hidden throughout the park!
701 Almond Road, Pittsgrove, New Jersey, (856) 358-8616: www.njparksandforests.org/parks/parvinstatepark.html
Cheesequake State Park, Matawan
Cheesequake State Park in Matawan, New Jersey, lies in a transitional zone between two different ecosystems and is situated between the urban north and suburban south.
Nature attractions include open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, pine barrens habitats, a northeastern hardwood forest and an Atlantic white cedar swamp.
Recreational activities such as swimming, picnicking, hunting, kayak tours and mountain biking are also enjoyed by guests.
Campgrounds at this state park include 50 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables, with toilets and shower facilities within walking distance. A trailer sanitary station is on-site, too. The campground is open from April 1 to Oct. 31.
Group camping trips can be booked at camping.nj.gov. The Gordon Field Group Area is available for up to 25 campers at each of the four individual sites. These are open from May 1 to Oct. 31 and include toilets and potable water.
300 Gordon Rd., Matawan, New Jersey, (732) 566-2161; www.njparksandforests.org/parks/cheesequakestatepark.html
Camping in Maryland
Assateague State Park, Berlin
Berlin’s Assateague State Park is Maryland’s only oceanfront park and is located at the north end of Assateague Island.
The park has 342 sites for camping, each with a fire ring and a picnic table and some with electric hookups, most of which can be reserved at parkreservations.maryland.gov from the last week of April through the last weekend of October. RV and trailer camping is also an option.
Youth group camping is available with a valid Maryland DNR Youth Group Pass and nightly service charges will apply. Youth areas feature a beach that is not guarded so caution is advised when near the ocean.
Pets are allowed with registered campers in loops G, H, and I and their adjoining beaches, but pets must have current vaccinations and safety supplies such as leashes and harnesses.
If you plan to camp with a generator, take note of the 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. quiet hours, the recommendation to use inverter style, built-in or quiet type units, and be mindful of your neighbors.
Past visitors highlight the clean amenities, sunset and sunrise views, the close proximity to the Ocean City boardwalk and the wild horses roaming around. Biking, hiking and kayaking are other fun activities to be enjoyed at Assateague.
6915 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin, Maryland, (410) 641-2918; dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/Assateague/Camping.aspx
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Elk Neck State Park, North East
Elk Neck State Park is in North East, Maryland, and is known for its spacious areas that are less crowded than the average sites.
For reservations, the park has 250 campsites, five four-person mini cabins, four six-person camper cabins, four youth group sites and six rustic cabins. All campsites feature a fire ring with a grill, a picnic table and a lantern post.
Firewood is sold on-site and each camping loop has a central bathhouse with hot running water. The park store is open on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Leashed pets are welcome in camping loops located along Stony Point Road, including Choptank, Elk, Miles, North East, Susquehanna and Wye.
Check out the park’s nature center, spend the weekend grilling, plan a picnic in the afternoon or go birdwatching in the morning!
4395 Turkey Point Rd, North East, Maryland, (410) 287-5333; dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/ElkNeck/River-Camping-Area.aspx
Tuckahoe State Park, Queen Anne
If you’re looking for a trip packed with family-friendly fun, Tuckahoe State Park near Queen Anne, Maryland, could be the place for you.
Campers do not need to check in and can proceed directly to their reserved cabin, campsite or pavilion. The camp store and boathouse are open on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and the park office and visitors center are open for guests.
Firewood sales are offered on-site and are self-serve. Other amenities and goods can be found in nearby Centreville, Denton and Ridgely.
The park has 20 miles of biking, hiking and equestrian trails, picnic areas, space for flat water canoeing and recycled tire playground for children. Hunting is another popular activity in the area.
The park’s bodies of water include Tuckahoe Creek, a country stream bordered by wooded marshlands and running the length of the park, and a 60-acre lake where guests can go boating or fishing.
Extra activities offered by the park include day camps, canoe trips, various free family events throughout the year and educational opportunities through their Scales & Tales program.
Scales & Tales provides presentations and displays for visitors to see live wildlife, most of which is native to Maryland and includes birds of prey and reptiles, up close and personal.
13070 Crouse Mill Road, Queen Anne, Maryland, 888-432-2267; dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/eastern/tuckahoe.aspx
Camping in Pennsylvania
Pinchot State Forest, Thornhurst Township
Pennsylvania’s Pinchot State Forest encompasses about 50,000 acres of forestlands that include many of the mountainous areas around the Susquehanna and Lackawanna rivers.
Campgrounds open on April 2 and allow visitors the choice of camping at the Moon Lake site, Manny Gordon, Fireline, Sassafras and Carvolth. Motorized campsites include a fire ring, a picnic table, a tent site and parking for two vehicles or one vehicle with a travel trailer.
Applications to camp must be submitted anywhere from three to 90 days before visiting, and booking cannot be made for more than a seven-night stay.
With a variety of district trails and tract maps for hikers, including the 26-mile Pinchot Trail, visitors can opt for primitive hiking where allowed.
Mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, kayaking, picnicking and sightseeing are all activities visitors can take part in during their stay.
Bear Lake Road, Thornhurst Township, Pennsylvania, 570-945-7133; www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/FindAForest/Pinchot/pages/default.aspx
Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners
In Gardners, Pennsylvania, Pine Grove Furnace State Park has 70 tent and trailer sites available from late March to mid-December.
Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring, and a dump station is located near the campground entrance. There are flushable toilets, warm showers and some electric hookups. A seasonal camp store is one-quarter mile from the campground.
Pets are allowed at designated sites for a fee and swimming at Fuller Lake and Laurel Lake is allowed from May 1 to Sep. 30.
If you want to upgrade your stay, consider the paymaster cabin. This two-story historic house served as the paymaster’s office when the iron furnace was in use, but has since been converted into a modern cabin.
It is available all year and features a full kitchen, A/C, electric heat, warm showers and an outdoor area with a picnic table and fire ring. The cabin fits six people and is located near the camp store.
Guests who wish to use the cabin should bring sheets, linens and dishes, and must rent the space for a one-week period beginning on a Friday during the summer season. Outside of summertime, the cabin must be rented for at least two days but no more than 14 days.
For adult or youth groups, group tenting may be reserved year-round. The rustic area has six separate sites that can fit up to 180 people. The sites are in a wooded area surrounded by an open playfield.
Visitors at the park can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, swimming, boating, horseback riding, kayaking, hunting, fishing, picnicking and sightseeing.
Seasonal activities include snowmobiling, cross country skiing and ice skating.
1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, Pennsylvania, (717) 486-7174; www.nps.gov/dewa/index.htm
Delaware Water Gap, Bushkill
Depending on where you choose to explore, the Delaware Water Gap is located in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Campers can use one of the primitive or cabin sites, sign up for group camping, enjoy backcountry camping for hikers on the Appalachian Trail or partake in river camping for canoers and kayakers.
Delaware Water Gap’s developed campground offer tent and RV site, some of which have electric and water hookups.
Visit one of the site’s waterfalls, including Raymondskill Falls which is the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, check out one of the visitor centers, have a picnic, spend the morning hunting, or enjoy a day on the water canoeing, kayaking, fishing or boating.
This location has over 40 miles of river, more than 100 miles of hiking trails and three swim beaches where you can hang out and grill.
Guests are also welcome to visit Historic Millbrook Village that was built in the 1880s and depicts the way most Americans lived a the time. On weekends, volunteers in the town demonstrate skills of the time such as woodworking, blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, gardening and more.
1978 River Rd., Bushkill, Pennsylvania, (570) 426-2452: www.nps.gov/dewa/index.htm
Some camping tips
Whether you’re a camping connoisseur, a professional glamper or have never spent a night in the outdoors, here are some key tips 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 ten times over before your big trip, an unexpected rainstorm can still 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:
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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.
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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 should also 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.
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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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