Imagine a beautiful beach — chances are it was somewhere in Florida, California, or maybe North Carolina, if you’re thinking outside the box. What you may not know is that Delaware has some of America’s finest beaches, and they’re within easy driving distance of vibrant metropolitan areas like Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City.
Several excellent beaches dot the Delaware coastline, but none are quite as enticing as Cape Henlopen State Park. With six miles of coastline, miles of hiking trails, and a bevy of historical sites to wander through, it’s no wonder it’s one of the state’s most popular parks. With
Cruise America, you can head there for the weekend, or stay for a month. How you do your RV camping in Cape Henlopen State Park is up to you!
Cape Henlopen State Park Facts
Not only is it one of the best places for camping in the Delaware beaches region, it’s also a favorite spot among locals. These are some of the most interesting Cape Henlopen State Park facts.
- Cape Henlopen was one of the first pieces of land to be designated as public all the way back in 1682.
- There’s loads of military history to explore with your RV rental in Cape Henlopen State Park, including Fort Miles and the Fire Control Tower, which you can climb up for some of the best views in the park.
- The park features some of the largest dunes on the east coast, including the 80-foot tall Great Dune.
- Every April, the sky fills with colorful kites during the Great Delaware Kite Festival.
- It’s one of the best spots in the state for birdwatching and is home to the endangered Black Skimmer, Piping Plover, and Least Tern.
Now that you know a little bit of background about the park, let’s take a look at the best Cape Henlopen State Park RV parks.
Best Cape Henlopen State Park RV Parks and Campgrounds
The most obvious spot for RV camping at Cape Henlopen State Park is the park itself. However, these sites fill up quickly during the summer season, and there are several private RV parks nearby that offer more extensive amenities.
Cape Henlopen State Park
Amenities: Cape Henlopen State Park RV sites have electrical hookups with both 50 and 100 amp capacity, along with fire pits and picnic tables. There are also dump stations to flush out your
black water tank and laundry facilities for your clothes. Should you need any
essentials, there’s a camp store stocked with the basics. If you plan ahead to snag one of these prime campsites, you’ll be right next to the beach and Delaware Bay.
Capacity: 120 RV sites
More Information: Cape Henlopen State Park
Big Oaks Campground
Amenities: Just a few miles down the road from Cape Henlopen, Big Oaks Campground is one of the more luxurious parks in the area. Most of their sites have full hookups, along with a dump station, laundromat, showers, a swimming pool, and shuffleboard courts. The DART bus stops at the park to take visitors over Rehoboth Beach where there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and of course, a beautiful beachfront.
Capacity: 150 RV sites
More Information: Big Oaks Campground
Deep Branch Family Campground
Amenities: A little further afield, Deep Branch offers a quieter experience as it’s nearly half an hour from the beach. It’s a great place to take the family when camping near Cape Henlopen State Park because it has a swimming pool, volleyball courts, corn hole, and ladder golf to keep everyone entertained. There’s also a laundromat, heated showers, and a camp store to keep everything you have clean and well-stocked. Sites have electrical and water hookups. The park also has a dump station should you need to empty your tank.
Capacity: 106 RV sites
More Information: Deep Branch Family Campground
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Delaware Beaches
Amenities: One of the best RV parks near Cape Henlopen State Park, Jellystone, has more amenities than just about any other campground. Of course, there’s a swimming pool with waterslides, but there’s also a large playground, golf cart rentals, and an on-site store with everything you could possibly need while RV camping at Cape Henlopen State Park. Prices vary depending on hookups (from none to full), RV length, and whether it’s a pull-through or back-in site.
Capacity: 250 RV sites
More Information: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Delaware Beaches
Homestead Campground
Amenities: Delaware’s beaches can get pretty crowded. Fortunately, Homestead Campground has plenty of capacity, being one of the largest RV parks near Cape Henlopen State Park. Many of its residents love it so much they book spots for the whole summer. It’s got an extensive amenities package that includes two swimming pools, batting cages, a fishing pond, cornhole pits, laundry, a game room, and two dog parks. Sites have full hookups and can accommodate a range of RV sizes.
Capacity: 319 RV sites
More Information: Homestead Campground
Best Time To Visit Cape Henlopen State Park for RV Camping
While most visitors come to the park for the beaches and summer sunshine, there’s plenty to entertain everyone year-round. These are some of the best things to do in Cape Henlopen, no matter what time of year you visit.
Winter
The Delaware beaches aren’t so far north that they get blanketed in snow, but temperatures usually drop into the 50s. This keeps the crowds to a minimum, as only a few think of braving the water when it's this cold. With some preparation, like a drysuit, kayaking in Delaware Bay is a possibility during the winter months. You’ll also need to bring your own kayak as rentals won’t be available outside of summer.
Spring
Flowers are in bloom, temperatures are moderate, and the crowds have yet to descend on the beaches. Spring is an excellent time for RV camping in Cape Henlopen State Park. It’s also one of the better seasons for spotting wildlife when the horseshoe crabs are spawning and the shorebirds are coming back. Nights can be chilly though, so have plenty of warm clothes, blankets, and a full propane tank for heating.
Summer
This is probably the best time to visit Cape Henlopen State Park — when the air and water are finally warm enough to lounge on the sand and swim in Delaware Bay. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Delaware Beach’s tourist machine will be in full swing with shops in Rehoboth brimming with customers and ubiquitous boat rental signs wherever you go. The Cape Henlopen State Park RV campgrounds are likely to fill up, so make reservations early or be prepared to camp further inland.
Fall
There’s a chill in the air, the leaves are changing to beautiful hues of copper, gold, and vermillion, and the summer tourists are finally tapering off. With so many vacationers heading north for leaf-peeping in Vermont and upstate New York, the RV campgrounds in the Cape Henlopen State Park can feel pretty empty. Thanks to cooler temperatures, you probably won’t want to spend your days lounging in the sand, but the lack of heat and humidity makes this the ideal time for hiking.
Things To Do in Cape Henlopen State Park
You’ll never be short on fun activities when you’re camping near the Delaware beaches. Many opt to work on their suntan or do some light reading, but there are so many great things to do when you’re RV camping at Cape Henlopen State Park.
- Watch the sun come up, and take some great photos at Herring Point.
- Take a guided tour of Fort Miles and the artillery battery outside it.
- Wander the Walking Dunes Trail. Just be prepared for some sand in your shoes afterward.
- Take a water taxi to visit one of the many lighthouses in the area.
- Kayak at Delaware Bay. Rentals are available from vendors inside Cape Henlopen State Park.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about RV camping in Cape Henlopen State Park.
Tips for Visiting Cape Henlopen State Park
As far as state parks go, Cape Henlopen is one of the easier ones to visit. It’s close to major cities, has plenty of grocery stores and gas stations nearby, and lots of family-friendly activities. However, there are a few things you should know before planning a vacation there.
- If you’re planning a summer vacation at one of the Cape Henlopen State Park RV campgrounds, be sure to make reservations a few months in advance.
- Visit in the off-season for a completely different experience. Warmer temperatures bring crowds, but you’ll have the place to yourself if there’s a dusting of snow on the ground.
- Bring binoculars. There's so much wildlife to be found at Cape Henlopen.
- Watch your step. The beach is littered with fragile sea creatures that are surviving on the sand until the next tide rolls in.
- Cook your own food. Restaurants in seaside towns are often expensive. Having a kitchen is one of the best parts of getting an RV rental from Cruise America.
RV Rental for Cape Henlopen State Park
If the beaches of Delaware sound like the perfect vacation spot for you and your family, it’s time to sort out how you’re going to get there and where you’re going to stay. Fortunately, Cruise America can answer both of those questions and more.
Cruise America has some of the most comfortable, reliable, and fuel-efficient RV rentals. When you
rent from Cruise America, you know you’re going to have a memorable RV camping experience.
Are you ready to enjoy the beaches of Delaware with your
RV rental at Cape Henlopen State Park? Contact your nearest
Cruise America location, and start your adventure today!