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What do Delaware's parks offer?
- The numerous parks throughout Delaware offer both visitors and residents opportunities to play outside, expand their mind, or try something new.
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What makes Delaware's parks unique?
- Just like these park spaces, the possibilities are wide open. Every park offers its own experience, a different adventure, and unique views.
Best Time to Visit State & National Parks of Delaware
- May to June – Ideal weather for hiking, birdwatching, and beachcombing before summer crowds arrive.
- July & August – Peak season with warm temps, busy beaches, and full access to park programs and amenities.
- September to October – Pleasant temps and colorful foliage—perfect for kayaking, camping, and scenic trails.
- November to April – Off-season with solitude, cool hikes, and chances to spot wintering wildlife.
- Early June – A sweet spot with sunny days, lush landscapes, and fewer visitors than midsummer.
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1. Alapocas Run State Park
Explore scenic trails and admire towering rock formations.
The Alapocas Run State Park was established in 2002 and includes several amenities and facilities, such as the Blue Ball Barn, the Can-Do Playground, rock climbing, a folk art collection, and much more. The Can-Do Playground is the state of Delaware’s first Boundless Playground™ and measures twenty-seven thousand square feet. This playground is designed for any child to be able to access it, regardless of sensory, mental, and physical abilities. The Alapocas Run State Park also provides opportunities for rappelling and top-rope climbing. Climbing camps and programs are offered as well. The Delaware Folk Art Collection is housed in the Blue Ball Barn.
Alapocas Run State Park, 1914 W Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803, Phone: 302-577-1164
2. Auburn Valley State Park
Walk historic grounds and discover vintage steam-powered machinery.
The Auburn Valley State Park is situated within the Red Clay Valley of the Piedmont offers visitors with a chance to learn about the Marshall Family’s history, the rich industrial history of the town of Yorklyn, and the site’s revitalization. The state park features paved biking trails, hiking trails, the historic Marshall Mansion built back in 1897, the Auburn Valley railroad, the Marshall Steam Museum, and more. Visitors can explore the Marshall Steam Museum to see the world’s largest collection of operating steam cars, while the Historic Marshall Mansion offers a glimpse at life during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Auburn Valley State Park, 630 Benge Rd, Yorklyn, DE 19736, Phone: 302-729-4278
3. Bellevue State Park
Enjoy peaceful trails and explore scenic gardens.
The Bellevue State Park provides a majestic view of the historic estate and the state of it today is reflective of changes made by William du Pont, Jr., who surrounded his house with some of the finest facilities, such as a picturesque pond, gardens, equestrian stables, and tennis courts set amidst fields and woodlands that overlook the Delaware River. The slightly more than a mile track at the park circles a pond for catch-and-release fishing, the Bellevue Tennis Center offers a variety of tennis programs and contains eight clay courts, and hiking trails offer a chance to explore the grounds.
Bellevue State Park, 800 Carr Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809, Phone: 302-761-6963
4. Brandywine Creek State Park
Hike wooded trails and admire stunning fall foliage.
The Brandywine Creek State Park features stone wall constructed during the latter part of the 1800’s out of local stone, back when the grounds were owned by the dairy farm du Pont family. The now state park includes three different nature preserves. These include the state of Delaware’s first nature preserve, Freshwater Marsh, and the Tulip Tree Woods. Anglers can try their luck fishing for crappie, bluegill, and smallmouth bass in the Brandywine Creek. Other popular activities in Brandywine Creek State Park include tubing, kayaking, canoeing, photography, hiking, and wildlife viewing, as well as cross-country skiing and sledding in winter.
Brandywine Creek State Park, 41 Adams Dam Rd, Wilmington, DE, Phone: 302-577-3534
5. Brandywine Park
Walk along the river and enjoy peaceful nature views.
Brandywine Park in the city of Wilmington, Delaware is a great spot to have a picnic, jog or take a walk along the Brandywine River, go for a hike or bike ride, and much more. The picturesque park is home natural areas, formal gardens, monuments, the Josephine Fountain, the Baynard Stadium, and the Brandywine Zoo. Amenities within Brandywine Park include athletic fields, restrooms, a playground, picnic areas, pavilions, an off-leash area, hiking trails, grills, and concessions at the zoo and the stadium. The Baynard Stadium hosts track and field events, soccer matches, football games, and more.
Brandywine Park , 1080 N. Park Dr., Wilmington, DE 19802, Phone: 302-577-7020
6. Cape Henlopen
Explore sandy beaches and enjoy exciting outdoor adventures.
Cape Henlopen was declared to be for public use by William Penn, who received that land after 1682. This established one of the country’s first “public lands.” It has been in public domain since and has played a large role in the military history of the United States and in local shipping. Visitors to the beaches of Cape Henlopen, which have lifeguards during the summer season, can enjoy a variety of water activities, such as windsurfing, paddle boarding, clamming, kayaking, fishing, boating, and swimming. The trail at Cape Henlopen offers opportunities to explore the area on foot or by bike.
Cape Henlopen, 15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE, Phone: 302-645-8983
7. Delaware Seashore State Park
Walk along scenic shorelines and enjoy thrilling water activities.
The Delaware Seashore State Park provides two areas for ocean swimming, both with lifeguards throughout the summer months from 9:00am until 5:00pm. These swimming areas also include concession stands and modern bathhouses with changing rooms and showers. Mobi-Mat equipment is available at the South Inlet and Towers Ocean locations to allow wheelchair access to the beaches from the park’s boardwalk. There are also two different campgrounds at the Delaware Seashore State Park located on both sides of the Indian River Inlet. The campgrounds are able to accommodate an array of camping units, including tents and large recreational vehicles.
Delaware Seashore State Park, 39415 Inlet Rd, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, Phone: 302-227-2800
8. Fenwick Island State Park
Relax on quiet beaches and enjoy peaceful ocean views.
The Fenwick Island State Park welcomes visitors to peaceful bay and ocean shorelines with popular activities, such as swimming, sunbathing, and surf fishing. Lifeguards patrol the ocean beaches during the summer season. Fenwick Island State Park includes a modern bathhouse that provides changing rooms and showers, as well as snack food concessions. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent throughout the summer, and Mobi-Mat equipment for wheelchair-accessible beach access is offered as well. There is also an observation tower still standing from Delaware’s World War II coastal defense system at the park’s northern end.
Fenwick Island State Park, Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, Phone: 302-227-2800
9. First State National Park
Explore historic landscapes and discover Delaware’s rich colonial history.
The First State National Park consists of seven different historic sites and encompasses a wide area of land. The historic sites of Old Swedes Church, Fort Christina, and Beaver Valley can be found in Wilmington, the John Dickinson Plantation and The Green are in Dover, the Ryves Holt House is located in Lewes, and the New Castle Court House is in New Castle. Each of the sites has its own welcome center at which visitors can learn about programs and tour offers, as well as get their passport book for the First State National Park stamped.
First State National Park, 211 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720, Phone: 302-544-6363
10. Fort Delaware State Park
Walk through historic fort grounds and discover Civil War stories.
Fort Delaware was originally constructed to serve as protection for the ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington and was used as a Union prison camp throughout the Civil War before becoming Fort Delaware State Park in the year 1951. Costumed interpreters now take visitors back in time to 1864 to tour the Fort Delaware’s barracks, parade ground, ordinance room, blacksmith shop, kitchen, and more. Guests can also hear tales of some great escapes of prisoners and watch cannon fires. Fort Delaware also has a bit of paranormal fame and ghost tours are offered during the fall season.
Fort Delaware State Park, 45 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE
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