Our family returned for a day hike on the Gordons Pond Trail in December 2025 with our miniature poodle. First, it's dog-friendly which is a huge plus (be sure your dog is leashed at all times). Second, this is a lovely trail for hiking a couple miles, but it's not covered by trees, so perhaps it's better for a cloudy day. Third, you'll get a view of sand dunes, wetlands, and a pond (if you're lucky, a heron will come into view). This is a delightful trail for a relaxing walk - and a haven for joggers, dog walkers, and photographers. I think the Gordons Pond Trail is one of the crown jewels in Cape Henlopen State Park. read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Gorgeous view of Gordons Pond. - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

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This is a beautiful state park with so many choices of things to see and do. It has beautiful beaches and some allow dogs (on a leash at all times) which is a benefit during the summer months if you have a dog. There are lots of bike paths, hiking paths and a large camping area that looks very well kept. There is also lots of wildlife, both driving around in the park or in the ocean. I have heard that the traffic can be horrible sometimes but I tend to visit early in the morning or later in the evening. This is a beautiful place to visit and I would highly recommend, especially for sunrise and sunset. read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Beach - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

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Absolutely gorgeous state park with so much to see and do. We loved the bike trail where you can borrow bikes for free. The nature is gorgeous, and there was also so much unexpected history because it used to be a fort during WW2. My only gripe was that the traffic was horrendous driving into the park, and parking isn't easy, but that was probably due to the fact that we went on a Saturday morning in July. Definitely check this place out! read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Picture taken outside of the Fort Miles Museum. - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

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Cape Henlopen State Park is one of my favorite state parks in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. I drove up from Washington, DC on Saturday, August 8, 2020 and spent the entire day here. Here are a few highlights from my visit: - CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE. This park is perfect for groups. The park's infrastructure and acreage gives everyone the luxury to choose their adventure: hiking, swimming, fishing, reading, beachcombing, taking photos/photography adventures, cloud gazing, networking, painting, etc. I did several of those activities during my day trip, and there was never a dull moment. - BIODIVERSITY: I currently live out West where I have hot springs, a ski area, black volcanic rocks, Joshua trees, bristlecone pines, etc. all within an hour drive of where I live. While the East Coast is beautiful in a totally different way (e.g., flowering trees such as cherry blossoms, waterfalls, fall foliage, etc.), it's not as common to have high concentrations of biodiversity in one single area. Cape Henlopen State Park is a notable exception to this rule. This state park contains virgin beaches, marshes, sand dunes, coastal grasslands, hardwood forests, etc. The landscape here is simply stunning! - HISTORY & CULTURE: I've always found the Delmarva Peninsula fascinating due to its unique culture and history that often contrasts with the inland portions of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. While exploring Cape Henlopen State Park, I continued to peel back the onion as I discovered new insights about the area. read more

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Convenient location to overnight before a ferry to New Jersey. Only a few minutes away from the ferry port. A wonderful gentleman worked in the camp store, very friendly. Our campsite was parking on the road, but the fire pit and picnic table were just a few feet away in a wooded area. I would stay here again. read more

This beach should be a peaceful, beautiful escape -- but it's being trashed by people who don't care. Let's start with the dog owners who think it's okay to leave their pet's crap all over the sand. It's disgusting. If you're responsible enough to bring a dog, you should be responsible enough to clean up after it. There's no excuse. Then there's the fishermen taking over the entire beach with rods and lines stretched across the shoreline like they own it. People can't swim. Families can't even walk near the water without dodging hooks. It's turning into a private fishing zone instead of a shared beach. If you're going to enjoy a public space, act like a decent human being. Clean up after your dog. Stop blocking the water. Respect others. Herring Point deserves better than this. read more

We camp here every year and we love it. Showers are clean. Rangers are helpful. We love walking to the beach from here. And the nature center is a close walk as well. read more

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First of all we love Cape Henlopen State Park. We are born and raised Delawareans and the park is beautiful. We have been yearly pass holders and surf fishing tag holders for decades. Sadly, it is the state park employees that need to be elevated. Today, Sunday 4/19/2026 @ 1:30 after mass, we went to buy two annual passes. We got to talking and accidentally drove right by the office (totally my fault). When we tried to explain to the elderly women at the entrance booth, she wanted to charge us $10 to turn around. Unfortunately, we put all the cash we had on us into the collection plate at mass. What ensued was, for all intents and purposes, a nonsensical conversation with the women, who as I look back, may have diminished cognitive function. I eventually put our car in park, and asked her if she wanted me to work off the $10 turn-around fee. She seemed to be unable to comprehend that we were there to buy annual passes @ $50 / pass. Eventually with my family's help, the women let us turn around and go back to the office. Unfortunately, this women was so miserable, angry and unreasonable, one has to wonder if this is the type of person we want engaging with the public at the Crown Jewel of Delaware State Parks? If so, please send her "personality improvement" or an "engaging with the public" class to elevate her people skills. read more

Very cool state park on the thumb of the peninsula that sticks out into Delaware Bay. We had some time to kill before our hotel check-in in Rehoboth, so we simply disembarked the ferry from Cape May, turned left and drove 5 minutes to the park entrance. It's a sprawling, ex-military base, littered with all the relics that go with that; barracks, observation towers, bunkers and lots of fixed artillery placed facing the Atlantic - a part of our country's crucial coastal defense system back in WWII. But there are also a number of hiking trails, campsites and a good paved bike path winding through much of the park, and of course, some pretty awesome beaches (which were pretty crowded even on an August weekday). We rented a couple of bikes --- which were FREE ---- and rolled onto the 3-mile paved loop to explore the area. The bikes were pretty heavy, low-rent single speed beach cruisers, but they did the job, and...did I mention they were free?! What a great little perk. Note that the bike rental area, known as the Bike Barn, is located near the nature center and it's all staffed and run by volunteers, so donations are hugely appreciated. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours, which really is all you need to see most of the interesting stuff here anyway. read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - WW II era military observation tower facing the Atlantic. - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

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Went here for a quick beach trip and it was exactly what I needed. I went around 16:00 so it was a bit crowded, but once the tides came in it cleared pretty nicely! It is a pet friendly beach, so make sure to bring along your pets and let them relax too! Their museum is also exceptional along with extremely nice tour guides. I'm not too into history, but I enjoyed the tour very much! Make sure you stop by their Observation tower on your way to the museum and beach! It has a gorgeous view, and it's not too crowded so you can get some nice photos and selfies. It IS a huge climb though, especially if you climb it more than once so be sure to wear proper shoes. Entry to the park is $10.00 for out-of state visitors and is $5.00 for in-state visitors. They take card and cash, but. make sure to bring some cash just in case ! read more

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This was a beautiful state park. My husband and I came here for the first time . We were just really surprised in how packed the beach was. I would have never expected it to be so packed. Later, towards the evening time we were lucky to see the dolphins jumping up in the water and somewhat close to the shore. It was a nice suprise.. I would highly recommend coming here and checking this spot out read more

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Cape Henolpen is a little piece of Delaware of God's beauty. Scenic Coastline, walking trails, wooded campgrounds teeming with wildlife. Historic Fort Miles with its shoreline defense batteries and museum. All types of sports activities. Swimming and Bathhouse, pier fishing, disc golf, free bicycle rentals and basketball courts. There's something for the whole family! read more

A world class historical site along a world class beach. The interpretation of America's WWII coastal defense system is fantastic, the staff are engaging, knowledgeable and passionate about their work. It is a good reminder how the US anticipated and prepared for enemy attacks along our Eastern shores, and took amazing steps to protect the homeland. The astounding big guns, the bunkers, the amount of concrete. A solemn reminder that we should remain ever vigilant. There is also a humbling installation of a piece of the USS Arizona, a reminder of the events that drew the US into WWII, and that so many made the ultimate sacrifice. This is an amazing site. read more

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Went on Spring break. $10 fee. We were able to drive and park by the sites we wanted to see. The nature center is small but so many interesting animals. I have never seen horseshoe and hermit crabs so active, also flounders swimming (usually hiding under the sand in aquariums). Can borrow bikes, next to the nature center. Fort Miles is a bit of a walk. Can see weapons used to protect the bay. Museum was closed when we went, open on weekends at this time. Breakwater Lighthouse beach was the closest to the tip we can get to. Parked and easy walk to the beach. Near bird nesting area. There are restrooms at the nature center and The Point comfort parking. read more

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We went shelling here during the off season and it was a lot of fun. It must be well known for that because we had plenty of company doing the same. Even still we were able to find a lot of things. It is really pretty there and we spotted all sorts of shore birds. read more

Great spot especially for a day trip! Parking and showers available. Can get crowded on the weekends though. U are able to watch the ferry sail off too. It's nice. read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

Here on a very fortunate 55+ degree day in late December. Came with a pup to walk the wildlife trail toward Gordon Pond Trail. The President happens to live nearby and is at the vacation home, so Secret Service guys and US Marshalls and even a Coast Guard ship are all part if this hike! Very friendly hike. Flat, packed tight trail, mix of runners, walkers and bikes. All kinds of bird sightings. Water views. Just really enjoyed. read more

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As if on a never ending conveyor belt they kept coming. Majestic and slow moving. Arched black shapes rising and falling into the water, moving from left to right. Sometimes in groups of threes or in pairs or single travelers. The dolphins at Herring Point Beach at the Cape Henlopen State Park were magnificent to behold, and our visit was easily the best pure beach experience of our week in Delaware. Cape Henlopen State Park is magnificent. Where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, it covers 6 miles of coastline on 5,200 acres. You can camp here, walk the trails, ride the bike paths, rent kayaks, play basketball or disc golf, go fishing, and ride horses or buy food during the season. For history or education, you can visit an old WW II Artillery Site, Fort Miles, the Biden Environmental Training Center, or the Seaside Nature Center. We spent some time at the Nature Center and spent some QT visiting the turtles, fish, and snakes. But nothing we saw there can compete with those dolphins... read more

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Love this beach. We usually only go on weekdays. I must have my pop up tent, grill, fishing poles . Love taking my suv 4 wheeling. read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Cape henlopen surf side. - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

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Forget busy boardwalk. Come here for a quiet beach and borrow a bike. The people are so nice too.

Great beach, very clean with bath houses, concessions and bathrooms. Down the road from the beach was a pull off to view a lighthouse. We went on a Tuesday in July and it was very busy but we had a great time. Wish we would have planned ahead for this stop. We enjoyed swimming and playing in the Atlantic Ocean. read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Atlantic Ocean - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

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Great place to go camping. Walking distance to the beach to go swimming. When there's low tide, you can go clamming. read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Clamming during low tide - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

On our way back home, we drove up the coast before the snowstorm hit to Lewes, Delaware the first city in the first state is its claim to fame and stopped at Cape Henlopen State Park located very close to the Ferry for Cape May The park is out of season so there was no one to collect any fees but I believe the sign said $5 We drove around because the snow flurries were picking up, the wind howling and it was 22 degrees. We saw the towers and Historic Fort Miles but did not venture out. There was some nice camping spots and small cabins for rent. Definitely recommend read more

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Bottom Line: A beautiful state park with scenic access to Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean beaches. Having heard great things about Cape Henlopen State Park my husband and I headed through the gate on an early Sunday Fall morning with pastries and coffees in hand. We were glad to support this Delaware state park with a $10 admission fee and immediately headed towards The Point Overlook. As the name implies the views from The Point Overlook are great. You can see where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and there are sandy paths from the parking lot to both the bay and the ocean. We decided to walk down the path towards the ocean. The walk to the beach felt relatively short for us but if we were carrying umbrellas, chairs and beach gear I think it would have felt long! The beach was vacant aside from from lots of truck tire ruts in the sand . . . a sign that the surf fishing must be good! Back in The Point Overlook parking I enjoyed looking through my bird-noculars at birds, the ferry leaving port, the breakwater and the Harbor of Refuge lighthouse. I even saw a few dolphins! The parking lot at this scenic spot isn't that big so if you're banking on parking here and enjoying the beach in summer I suspect you need to come early. Although the park offers lots of opportunity for recreation including hiking, biking fishing and climbing (the watch towers) we were pretty lazy and mostly enjoyed the sites from the car. Overall, this is a nice park with pristine beaches and I'd like to return and explore more. read more

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Gorgeous state park with plenty of activities --- beach space, hiking and biking trails, campsites, and you can even see some cool WWII artillery and barracks at Fort Miles. We actually biked a couple of miles from Rehoboth, which allowed us to dodge the entry fee and took advantage of the Gordon's Pond Trail which winds for 3 miles through a beautiful salt pond/marsh. Despite it being an off-season weekday, there were a decent amount of other bikers and runners enjoying the trail, and we actually got stuck behind a group of horses for a brief stretch. From there, we connected to a bike loop through the rest of the park which passed through Fort Miles and multiple other beach lookouts. There were occasional small hills, but most of the trail was fairly flat. read more

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Beautiful park and great hiking and biking trails. The kids fully enjoyed themselves. read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

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Gorgeous state park! Lots of shaded trails and variety of scenery - from trees to marshes to dunes. I loved the boardwalk also. I'd love to come back and spend more time looking at the WWII bunkers. Fascinating spot! read more

Great day at the beach! Lucked out with a front parking spot. We are here on vacation from Pennsylvania and met up with some old friends for a fun day at the beach. I was able to go run 3 miles and then join everyone in the water. It was cold but felt great after a run! Waves not to high. Not too crowded. We did not get food but they also had a concession stand for those that need it and a great bath house and restroom area. Plenty of parking. We just paid the one day parking fee but they have a deal for three days or you can get a season pass. Great spot! read more

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There is alot to do here. Alot. Camping, fishing, foraging for edibles in the wild. We came for the beach at Herring Point and it was really beautiful, very clean and surprisingly uncrowded. There was a good crowd but nothing like the umbrella to umbrella action you'd see at Rehoboth or Atlantic City. There were two spaces here I really enjoyed that had these awesome rocks in the water and you could sit on them and let the waves crash over you. I have to tell a story here though. There is a rather long and winding sand walkway that leads to the beach at Herring Point. At some point I decided to leave my spot and walk back to our car to charge my phone. I went barefoot. It was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made in my life, not kidding. A quarter of the way up the path my feet were burning. I could not get any relief because the sand was so deep my feet simply sank into the molten hot sand. I found a shady spot and had to stand there to regain my composure. I was in sheer agony by the time I got to the car and had to text someone to bring me my shoes. I tell this to you because there are other beaches that help avoid this kind of mishap by using boards or mats. Dewey in particular has great mats that not only protect your feet from the sand but prevents you from sinking down into the fire pit. The only other downfall here is the port-a-potty. They need alot more. Last not but not least the park entrance fee is 10.00 for out of state plates and 5.00 for in state. read more

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We spent a weekend at the campground. We stayed at one of the RV lots and each of the RV lots has water hook-up, two 120V GFCI plugs, one RV30 plug and one NEMA 14-50 plug. We were able to use the RV30 plug with our adaptor to charge up our Teslas. The camp is clean and everyone is very friendly. All campers are really nice and very thoughtful.. If you stay near the center of the RV campsite it might be a bit loud with all the kids at the playground. However everything goes quiet once sun sets. The main bathroom in the middle of the campground is all separately enclosed with climate control (mini-split system) Each bathroom has a toilet, shower, vanity, and a diaper station. They are relatively clean and in good condition, although some show rust. There's a little shop in the middle of the campground that sells basic necessities, they sell wood for the firepit. From what I understand you have to buy wood from them. They also sell ice and hot coffee. However the main town of Lewes is less than 10 minutes away. You can get whatever you need there. Plenty of paths to walk around and they are beautiful hikes. It was the highlight of our trip. There is also a fishing pier. We really enjoyed the weekend here. Be advised that they only allow ONE car per lot so additional cars would have to stay in the parking lot outside the gate. They would also charge you entrance fee ($5 in-state, $10 out of state, per day) for that extra car. read more

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I love coming here. There is a fee but it's worth it. A short walk from the parking lot it does get crazy busy and filled up on the weekends. I tend to go early to get a good spot. There are usually dolphin in the morning hours also. Sit back and enjoy the sound of the waves. read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

The neatest thing about our visit here was the abundant sea life at low tide. It was the first time I had seen wild horseshoe crabs. I was told to hold it by its tail, but apparently that is the WRONG way. While holding one by its tail to show the kids, a lady yelled out to me, telling me to be careful with them as they are endangered. While that's not true, they are a vulnerable species and should be treated with care and respect. That lady was right to caution me. The right way to hold a horseshoe crab is with both hands on each side of the shell. Also saw minnows, blue crabs, rays, whelk, clams, a gazillion tiny hermit-like crabs, and snails. At low tide you can really wade far out in just shorts. Pretty cool experience that I'll probably remember for a very long time and hopefully my son too! read more

We came to the campground exclusively for the camping cabins. The cabin has electricity, mini, fridge and a microwave which was quite a surprise. There's also a cooking grill outside each cabin. There are two bunk beds and one full size bed in each cabin. There's also a futon like couch as well. I enjoyed that there was a store where you could procure firewood, bacon, eggs, dogs, milk, etc. There was also a 24 hour laundry center on site. I was able to wash a load of dirties before we returned home. It's worth noting that dogs aren't allowed in cabins but if you're a tent or RV camper they are welcome on site. It was a fun trip for us and a great first time experience for the kids. read more

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Cape Henlopen Beach is probably the coolest beach you will ever visit. It is an abandoned Army Base. It was used in WW2 when the US thought the Germans would invade/attack the US. So there are old barracks, gun bunkers, and there is a watch tower you can climb for amazing views. It's a really cool place. This is hands down the best beach in Lewes. They have fantastic amenities. They have a nice and clean bathhouse and clean bathrooms. They do not have restaurants or food here. So bring your own and do NOT use the sand as your personal BBQ pit. A child got his feet burnt off a few years ago. The people buried their pit and left. There are so many dolphins here. They are curious. My husband and I are swimmers. You can here them clicking in the water. They will swim so close to you it's thrilling and scary at the same time. The water here is ice cold, even in the summer. Bring a wet suit. I can't swim here without one. It's just too cold here for me. I love Lewes because it's beautiful and fun. The beach is quiet. It's a hidden gem. read more

Rehoboth's hidden gem, Cape Henlopen is a beautiful state park located at the point where the Delaware River meets the mighty Atlantic. This nature preserve offers something for everyone, from its beaches, trails for biking and hiking, a fishing pier, and some historic remnants dating back to an earlier time in America's history. Whether you rent a bike in town, borrow a bike at the Nature Center (free for two hours), or just go for a long walk, the Gordons Pond Trail is a perfect way to just take in the natural beauty of this park. It's an easy bike ride even for beginners, with benches and observation decks strategically placed along the trail so you can take a break, enjoy the views, and just decompress - a great way to leave the hassles of everyday life behind for just a bit and be one with nature. For those of you who are more ambitious, you can continue further and make your way into Lewes, have lunch, then loop back around down the Junction & Breakwater Trail. It's no surprise why Cape Henlopen is a favorite of many locals who take their morning walks or bike rides through the park. Go visit and it'll soon become a favorite of yours as well. read more

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I love Henlopen State Park. I bought the lifetime pass. Great for walking or biking. I love Herring Point for a picnic, gazing at the ocean and just taking in the view. It's been busy this summer but folks are usually courteous. Definitely worth a visit. read more

The scenery is spectacular. All the vistas are easily accessible. The park is beautifully maintained. read more

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I LOVE heading out to Cape Henlopen, especially in the Winter! The beaches are gorgeous and teaming with wildlife. For the beach comber, it's easy to find unique shells, sea glass, and even the occasional weird object (My BF & I found a very ocean-battered Ariel doll.) One of my favorite parts about visiting Cape Henlopen is seeing the Horseshoe Crabs cruising along the shores. I will be heading back there soon and hope to take so many beautiful photos! One of my favorite places in Delaware for sure! read more

Cape Henlopen State Park - Parks Near Me - Lewes, Delaware

Such an insightful preservation of WW2 History and a reminder of how our grandparents served for our freedom. Fascinating.

Absolutely worth visiting. Go to the nature center, climb the top of the observation tower, visit the battery at Fort Miles, walk the pine trails, but most importantly visit the main attraction which are the beautiful beaches and the two amazing lighthouses off Cape Henlopen point!!! Every American should visit this place at least once in their life. read more