Lums Pond State Park, the only campground in New Castle County, Delaware is set to expand its offerings with the addition of cabins to meet the increasing demand for camping accommodations in the area.
This final stage of the park’s improvement plan will not only enhance the visitor experience but also provide new opportunities for local private campground owners and operators.
Over the past four years, visitation to Delaware State Parks has surged from 5 million to 8 million annually.
As a result, the state’s existing cabin camping options are often fully booked months in advance. Ray Bivens, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director, explained that one of the main challenges facing campgrounds statewide is availability.
“People have a hard time getting reservations, and we’re looking at that from an occupancy level,” Bivens said.
Lums Pond State Park, situated in Bear, Delaware, has witnessed a growing number of requests for cabins, according to feedback from customers who participated in post-stay surveys.
Bivens believes that the new cabins will be popular due to the scarcity of state park cabins in the surrounding area. It’s certainly a very fast-growing area of Delaware. But if you took an hour loop in any direction, there are really no state park cabins in that vicinity,” he added.
The proposed cabins will be two and three bedroom units, featuring amenities such as a bathroom, kitchen, and fire pit at each site.
“We don’t know exactly how many we’re going to build, we have a phased approach because it’s as we can afford them when we go out to bid. But we’re planning the complex for up to 14 of them,” Bivens explained.
These new units will be similar to the current, well-loved options at Killens Pond, Trap Pond, and Cape Henlopen.
While the cost and construction timeline depend on the contractors they work with, the goal is to have some of the cabins built by Memorial Day next summer.
The introduction of cabins at Lums Pond is expected to impact private campground owners and operators in the nearby area positively.
The increased availability of camping options will likely attract more visitors to the region, boosting local businesses and the economy.
Additionally, the improvements at Lums Pond may encourage private campground operators to upgrade their facilities, further enhancing the overall appeal of the area as a camping destination.
No major hindrances are anticipated to arise at the park due to construction, although some minor changes will occur.
The popular Swamp Forest trail will be re-routed, and the park’s lone yurt will be replaced as a cabin site. Visitors can find more information about Lums Pond on the park’s website.
The introduction of cabins at Lums Pond State Park will offer a much-needed expansion of camping accommodations, catering to the growing demand in the region.
This development stands to benefit not only the park’s visitors but also local private campground owners and operators who may experience increased business and an incentive to further enhance their offerings.