This week, Milford Times will start a series of articles about camping in the Milford area. We will begin by featuring some of the beautiful campgrounds available, from privately owned to state parks, and continue with tips for enjoying the great outdoors in tents and RVs. We begin with Killen’s Pond State Park.
The area around Killen’s Pond was the home of the Lenape tribe who fished, hunted and thrived along the banks of the Murderkill River when John and Moses Craig purchased land along the upper Murderkill River. There is evidence the Craig’s were living on the land as early as 1727, owning about 150 acres of what was called the Fromelseworth tract.
John Craig is considered one of the earliest European settlers in this area and, when he died, a dam and a mill had been constructed on the river. There is no evidence, however, whether Craig owned the mill or was responsible for the dam. At this time, the country was on the eve of revolution and the area was scattered with mills. Interestingly, none of the ponds found in the area are natural as all were created by dams, usually to create a mill that needed waterpower to operate.
Over the years, the land around Killen’s Pond changed hands many times until William Case and George W. Killen purchased the land in 1838 with Killen eventually acquiring the Case tract of land. Around the time the state acquired the property in 1965, the Killen farmhouse burned but was rebuilt for the park manager.
Today, Killen’s Pond State Park has the natural beauty it likely had when the Lenape wandered the land. The park today is 1,488 acres and was Kent County’s first state park. There is a state-of-the-art waterpark on the land, but the surrounding area is filled with lush forests, walking trails and more. The pond is perfect for paddle sports whether it is canoeing, kayaking or paddle boats.
The park offers a variety of options for camping. RV sites are available with electric and water hookups along with walk-in tent sites and cabins. The campground is open year round. There is a nature center that has programs for all ages, including beginning fishing instruction, wildlife information and more. The walking trails are very popular as well.
Cabins at Killen’s Pond sleep four with one, the Pond View Cabin, featuring a scenic view of the pond. All have an efficiency kitchen with an eating area, bedroom, bath with shower, A/C and heat. A picnic table, grill and porch are available outside. Dogs are permitted in two of the cabins. Tent sites are available with water and electric hookups or in rustic form. There is a shower and bath house available.
RV and tent sites are $38 for Delaware residents and $48 for non-residents on weekends in the summer. The cost drops to $32 for residents and $40 for non-residents in the spring and fall while winter fees are $28 for residents and $35 for non-residents. Weekday rates are $33 for residents and $42 for non-residents in the summer, $27 for residents and $34 for non-residents in the spring and fall with the fees $23 for residents and $29 for non-residents in the winter. Cabin rentals range from $84 to $140 in the summer, $70 to $129 in the fall and spring while winter rentals are $62 to $117. All costs are per night.
All rates are for four people and each additional person is $2 per night, up to a maximum of eight. Campsites may only be reserved by visitors 18 or older who will remain on the site for the duration.
Delaware State Parks forbids outside firewood in any of their campgrounds. This reduces the threat of invasive insects like the Spotted Lantern Fly, Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorn Beetle, Southern Bark Beetle and Sirex Wood Wasp. Firewood can be purchased at any Delaware State Park.
Motorized golf carts are also not permitted in any state park and one vehicle may be parked at each campsite. There is a visitor overflow parking lot at the campground. Check in is at 1 PM for campsites and 3 PM for cabins. Check out for campsites is Noon and cabins at 11 AM.
Pets are permitted but must be attended at all times. They are not permitted in the waterpark at Killen’s Pond.
Campfires should be contained within the provided fire ring and never be left unattended. Check with the campground to see if there is an open burn ban in effect before lighting a campfire, but charcoal grills are permitted even with a burn ban.
Campsites and cabins can be reserved online by visiting Delaware State Parks website and choosing Killen’s Pond.
