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Just an hour’s drive south of Dover, Trap Pond State Park is a 3600-acre recreation area that features a freshwater wetland that supports one of the last natural stands of baldcypress trees. The pond was created in the 1700s when it was dammed to provide power for the local sawmills that were harvesting the area’s old-growth timber. Once the trees were gone, the area was used as a drainage for the surrounding farmlands. Finally, in the 1930s, the state acquired the land and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) rehabilitated Trap Pond and surrounding woodland as a nature preserve and recreation space. This created Delaware’s first state park. It has since become a haven for herons, owls, woodpeckers and eagles, and a place where campers and recreationists can enjoy some outdoor time.
The campground at Trap Pond features 142 sites for tent and RV campers. Sites are set in five wooded loops: A, B, and C Loops have back-in sites with full hookups; D Loop has pull-through sites with full hookups; E Loop has primitive, walk-in tent sites. Each site is equipped with picnic tables and fire rings with grills. All camp loops have access to bathhouses with showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, and trash and recycling receptacles; a dump station is available near the campground entrance. The campground also has a picnic pavilion and kids’ playground between A and B Loops. The park also offers several rustic cabins and a couple yurts. Dogs are permitted, but must remain leashed. Campsite rates are $15–$25; cabin and yurt rates are $40–$52; reservations accepted.
The nature center at Trap Pond is a good place to start a visit to the park. Interpretive exhibits and nature programs provide information about the history of the wetlands, as well as its flora and fauna. Once acquainted with the park, it’s time to hit the trails and water to discover more and enjoy the natural setting. More than 10 miles of multi-use trails invite hikers, bikers and horseback riders to explore the woods and wetlands. Paddlers can take to the ponds and explore 2.5 miles of water trails. Boat rentals are available in the park, as well as launches and docks for small watercraft. For anglers, common catches in the ponds include pickerel, crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Visitors can also play at the sports courts or disc golf course, or take in bird-watching for waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors.
Beautiful, clean park with wide hiking or biking trails. Nice view of pond. We were there on a winter day, so there weren't a lot of visitors. Good visitor center and clean bathrooms There is a sizeable pond for kayaking or canoeing. I will definitely go again, especially when the weather warms.
Beautiful wooded campsites with options for RVs, tents, and cabins. Day-use area has boat rentals in the summer (as well as some weekend hours off-season). Large picnic areas and an informative nature center. The only drawback is that the campsites are a bit close together.
Just wow. We made an impromptu visit and camping trip. The walk-in tent sites are BEAUTIFUL!! It’s really great to be able to set up camp and be in nature without the sound of someone charging their phone or blowing up their mattress in the site next to you. All the walk in tent sites on loop E are HUGE!! You can easily fit two tents plus all the glamping extras! The bathrooms are short walk away and are lovely. Clean and big with free showers. The wheelbarrows provided are great for the drop off of equipment. The first night it rained (literal buckets). The site was under 3 inches of water within a half hour!! Once the rain stopped though the puddles were gone just as fast! The hiking is always beautiful and easy to access. The flat trails are wide and loop across to the national park side. The camp store is also a huge plus! They have everything you need for emergencies and then some! The bikes, ice, and firewood are easy to access. The only complaint is that although there is boating, a place to cool off was missed greatly. A pool or splash pad would make a great addition to an almost perfect campground! An added note, during the storm a branch from a tree became loose and we went to the check in to let them know. They gave us expedited care. The checked out the tree and decided for our safety we needed to change sites. They were able to give us a new site right away and even offered to help move us!! Customer camper care is definitely number 1!
This place is unique! On my opinion, it’s one of the must-see place of the East Coast! The trees growing up out off the water right in the middle of the lake look absolutely stunning!
We did the most enchanted kayaking in our life there. Gliding through the fields of water lilies, watching birds and turtles sunbathing on the snags and deer family hiding in the bushes, we moved deeper and deeper in the forest. The duct brought us to the place there the fairies easily could be found. The water looked like an enchanted mirror and all that you could hear around was the sounds of the forest. It was mysterious and absolutely incredible! Don’t skip!
Better than most local, state, and federal campgrounds, but we would not say this is one of the "best campgrounds in America." Each of the sites has a blend of dirt and sand so if you are tent camping please bring something to keep the mess out of your tent. Entering the pond out of the campground side of the water is a bad idea, the water has a film of muck, pollen, and what looks like an oil dropping scattered throughout all four dock areas. We loved the fact the campground provides adequate complimentary toilets, showers, and laundry machines. Hiking the trails around the lake was great and a wonderful way to spend a day. The campground store is adequate for minimal goods, plan to stop in town before you arrive and please consider supporting a local neighbor and buying firewood on the way to camp, there are two houses on the road that sell firewood.
