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EXPLORE THE FIRST STATE THROUGH ITS FIRST-RATE PARKS
BY MADDY LAURIA
For such a small state, Delaware has a wide variety of outdoor spaces to love all year round, from beautiful meadows and upland forests to pine needle-lined trails along the sandy dunes of the Atlantic Coast.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAWARE STATE PARKS
BRANDYWINE CREEK STATE PARK
Just 3 miles north of Wilmington, Brandy-wine Creek State Park is the perfect place to disconnect and reset. The former du Pont family estate was once a dairy farm before it became a 933-acre state park in the 1960s. Visitors can get a great workout (or leisurely stroll) along 14 miles of trails, which are open year-round and offer opportunities to view a variety of Mid-Atlantic wildlife. Guided hikes are often offered here.
“We have only 17 state parks, but they’re incredibly diverse and connected to the communities we serve,” said Ray Bivens, director of Delaware’s Division of Parks and Recreation. “We’re small, but we do a lot of different things.”
And the offerings aren’t just about getting
outside. Some of Delaware’s award-winning parks not only can take visitors back decades or hundreds of years in history, but also provide adventures beyond the trails and vistas, along with a variety of overnight accommodations. Here are some locals’ top picks across the state:
PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAWARE STATE PARKS
FORT DELAWARE STATE PARK
In the middle of the Delaware River just a
12 miles downstream from Wilmington is Pea Patch Island and Fort Delaware State Park, home to a Civil War-era fort intended to protect the city and nearby Philadelphia from enemy attack in the 1800s. Since the enemy never arrived by this route, it housed prisoners of war and is known by locals for its macabre history. Today, the island is also home to the Pea Patch Heronry, one of the eastern United States’ largest mixed species nesting areas for herons, egrets, and ibis. Hop on a ferry from Delaware City to explore the park’s rich history, especially in the fall during the lantern-lit ghost tours.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAWARE STATE PARKS
LUMS POND STATE PARK
For the quintessential state park visit,
check out Lums Pond State Park near Bear which is about a 30-minute drive south from Wilmington. In the fall, the vast forests are illuminated with the changing colors
of the season. In the summer, visitors can rent boats to explore Delaware’s largest freshwater pond. Explore 17 miles of trails year-round on foot, bike or horseback.
And for the truly adventurous, there’s the Go Ape Adventure Park with a ziplining course and treetop adventures.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAWARE STATE PARKS
KILLENS POND STATE PARK
Not far from Dover, Delaware’s capital is
a hidden gem that includes not only cool, forested trails and great places to fish or enjoy pond views, but also a water park for the whole family to enjoy in the summer. Killens Pond State Park near Felton in Kent County, is best enjoyed in summer or fall to soak up the fun of its waterpark and watercraft rentals or the beauty of the changing leaves — but it’s also a wonderful place to visit in the spring or winter,
when it’s a bit quieter, as well.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAWARE STATE PARKS
CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK
Cape Henlopen State Park is considered
by many as the diamond of the parks system and Delaware coast, and for good reason. Not only is it rich with maritime
and military history as home to the Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area, but it also features fantastic swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking opportunities along both the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean coastlines. This spot is incredibly popular with locals and tourists, so if you’re visiting during
peak summer hours, make sure to get there early.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAWARE STATE PARKS
TRAP POND STATE PARK
This ecologically unique span of 4,205
acres of wilderness and wetlands is the
East Coast’s northernmost stand of bald cypress trees, which offer one of the most stunning paddling experiences in the
state. Maneuvering through the watery woodlands of Trap Pond State Park near Laurel in the southwestern part of the state, visitors can spot a wide variety of wildlife from turtles and fish to Great blue herons, bald eagles, owls and much more. On land, an expansive picnic area and pavilion offer a place to refuel while miles of trails are fun to experience on foot or by bike.
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