This Park Has The Most Isolated Campground In Delaware And It Will Truly Take You Away From It All
By Kim Magaraci|Published August 29, 2016
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
Did you know there is a primitive campground just half an hour from Wilmington? Blackbird State Forest, located on the border of New Castle and Kent Counties, is Delaware’s northernmost state forest.
Perhaps the most interesting part of Blackbird State Forest is that it’s got five primitive campsites – they’re isolated, hard to find, and first come, first served. While most campers in Delaware will choose to camp alongside Killen’s Pond, on the beach at Delaware Seashore State Park, or at the Indian River Marina, there are plenty of campers in Delaware looking to really get away from it all and take a few days off in the forests of central Delaware. Blackbird is absolutely perfect for when you need to disconnect yourself from the world and just enjoy nature, one on one.
Blackbird State Forest features over 40 miles of trails on 9 tracts, totaling almost 5500 acres of preserved forest.
It's open year round at no cost for hiking, trail running and horseback riding - as well as hunting and catch-and-release fishing. If you're into the outdoors, this is a paradise hiding in plain sight.
The forests contains a mixture of oaks, yellow-poplar, maple, gums, and hickories, so it's a great place to spot unique trees and the wildlife they support.
The Barlow Tract will take you past Blackbird Creek, where you're free to fish (as long as you'll release your catch!) or just enjoy the sound of running water in the silence of the woods.
The trails at Blackbird are well maintained and usually well marked, but the tracts can run together and get a little confusing. That's okay, though - you'll make it back to where you're supposed to be at some point, and until then, just enjoy the gorgeous woods around you.
There are multiple shelters throughout the forest, in case you run into bad weather.
Of course, if you're a primitive camper, a little rain won't bother you too much. But it's nice to have the option of stepping out of the elements into a shelter, like this Adirondack Shelter on the Peters Tract.
The Pine trees are gorgeous no matter what time of year you visit.
Tybout tract's pines stand tall and imposing on the side of the trail. While my favorite time to camp at Blackbird State Forest is in the fall, I've also visited the park in the winter, and there's not much in the world that can top the sight of fresh now in a forest.
This map gives you a general idea of the desolate campsite locations
But you can pick up a more detailed map, and ask for directions, at the Park Office. The office is on the Tybout Tract, which is where the campsites are located, so it's easy to stop by. You can find them at 502 Blackbird Forest Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977.
Are you planning a camping trip for the next few weeks? This is the best time of year to get out into the woods, before the cold sets in, but past the dog days of summer. If camping in isolated Blackbird State Forest is a little intimidating, you can always start at cabin in Delaware or try a more populated Delaware tent camping site.
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