Cape Henlopen State Park

Cape Henlopen State Park is a beautiful state park located at 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive in Lewes, Delaware. The park spans over 5,193 acres and is open year-round. It was once part of a DuPont family estate and dairy farm before becoming a state park in 1965.

The park is nestled along the Brandywine Creek and is known for its rolling hills, lush woodlands, and meadows. It offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking along scenic trails, picnicking by the creek, and observing diverse wildlife. The park also provides opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, and nature photography.

One of the unique features of the park is the 14 miles of trails that run through it, including the Rocky Run Trail and the Greenway Trail. The park is also home to the first two nature preserves in Delaware, Tulip Tree Woods and Freshwater Marsh, and a third one, Flint Woods, which is a satellite area of the park.

The park’s forests are part of the Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion, and it is home to species of rare songbirds and an old-growth forest. Anglers can fish for smallmouth bass, bluegill, and crappie in Brandywine Creek, and for trout in Wilson’s Run. Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing are also popular ways to experience the Brandywine.

In addition to its natural beauty, the park also has a rich history. Much of the park was originally a portion of the du Pont family’s Winterthur estate. The estate was acquired by General Henry du Pont in 1866, and between the time of purchase and 1875 he expanded the estate’s size to 1,135 acres. The estate continued to expand under the stewardship of Henry A. du Pont until it was over 2,400 acres.