It ain’t easy finding a comfortable campsite that brings you face-to-face with history and that also offers the best variety of outdoor sports in the area. But that’s the case at this state park in southern Delaware! Cape Henlopen is located in Lewes, at the very edge of the state’s popular beaches. It offers water and land-based activities, as it includes both beach and pine forest. Additionally, the campground is well-done and within walking distance to any activity, from disc golf to surfing. Read on for our best Cape Henlopen camp tips.
Our Visit to Cape Henlopen
As a child my family would visit Cape Henlopen, and I can attest that it makes for a great summer day trip. But I never spent the night there until I was an adult. I was pleasantly surprised at how well-done the camping area is, and soon realized there were plenty of activities to keep one entertained besides bumming on the beach. And with our kid now being 3, it seemed like the right time for a family camping trip there.
The weather didn’t cooperate on the first day, so we didn’t arrive until nighttime. We set up the tent and went straight to bed, then woke to a foggy but rain-free morning.
We started the second day cheerfully climbing gravel paths and an elevated platform through the dunes, brush and pine forest on our bikes. The Atlantic was to our left, and white herons squawked as they flew over us. It smelled of damp forest floor and salt air. The beach was punctuated with several 40-70 foot towers that looked like unsharpened beige crayons from our distance. Later we walked up one of these towers, which had served as sentinels looking for German U-boats during World War Two.
Surprisingly warm showers and an epic bonfire finished the day. A Super Moon rose over the pines and accompanied countless crickets and the eternal crashing of the waves as we went to sleep.
The next morning we packed up (too soon!) and ventured to Lewes, whose historic center dates from the 1600s. The town is full of great cafes and food options, and everyone seemed to be taking it slow despite Lewes’ being a tourist spot. The date was October 1, and one gets the feeling that Lewes really comes into its own as tourist numbers drop and Halloween approaches. Despite the initial poor weather, it really felt like the perfect trip.
What to Do in Cape Henlopen
Being a park at the beach, one can guess some of the activities available at Cape Henlopen. But I’ve filtered them down to my personal favorites and best tips:
- Beach: This area of the park fills up with day-trippers in summertime. There’s not a lot of shade, and during tourist season most watersports are prohibited here since it’s so crowded. That makes bodysurfing and sunbathing the top activities. But if you want to get your beach fix, it is a pretty spot and there’s a bathhouse where you can wash up and change afterwards.
- Bike & Hike: The stunning Gordon’s Pond trail (6.4 miles out and back) and relaxing bike loop (3.3 miles) stand out among the options here. You can rent a bike at the nature center, then zip over dunes and past WWII buildings as the smell of fresh pine takes over your senses! Both trails are rated easy and are paved or gravel, with an elevated platform on one particularly beautiful section of Gordon’s Pond.
- Camping: Cape Henlopen is an amazing place for car camping! Spots are large enough to not feel cramped despite their insane popularity. Every spot has trees and plenty of shade, and the sounds of the forest and ocean waves will make you sleep like a teenager. The bathhouse is surprisingly nice with showers that will recharge and refresh. The cons are that you will likely hear other people, as it’s not too spread out, and there are a LOT of RVs. It also fills up fast, so try to make a reservation months in advance!
- Watersports: Have your choice- paddleboard, kayak, surf, even skimboarding! You can rent paddleboards or kayaks at the actual park. For anything else, try East of Maui Surf Shop or Quest Kayaks; both are mere minutes from the park. Just check conditions before you go- the East Coast can be unpredictable. Go to the Herring Point section of the park if you’re surfing.
When to Go
The weather and what you’ll do vary alot depending on the season in this part of the USA. For camping and biking, spring and fall are ideal because the temperature will be warm during the day and cool at night. Cape Henlopen is also nice in the summer, but prepare for humidity and crowds. The cold winters drive away humans, making the area appear desolate (but still beautiful).
You generally will only be able to rent bikes, boards, and other equipment during the summer and a few weeks before and after the season.
How to Get There
Bus
There are just 2 bus options to the Delaware beaches, and unfortunately neither of them drops you off in Lewes or Cape Henlopen. But if you’re in a pinch, BestBus leaves Washington, DC (DuPont Circle) and New York (Penn Station) for Rehoboth and Dewey Beach throughout the summer.
Car
You’ll likely have to drive to get here. Delaware Route 1 takes you from the north, and from the west (Washington, DC area) you’ll take Route 50.
From Baltimore International Airport the distance is 113 miles, and from Philadelphia’s airport it’s 115 miles. Both drives take 2-3 hours. A drive from Washington, DC takes about 3 hours and is 120 miles. And if you drive from New York, the 210-mile drive will take 4-5 hours.
Ferry? Yes!
If you are in the very specific situation of being in/near New Jersey and want to visit Cape Henlopen, consider the Cape May Lewes Ferry. The ferry’s dock is adjacent to the park.
Cape Henlopen Camp Tips- Conclusion
Delaware doesn’t really come up in discussions about outdoor or adventure travel. But we realized Cape Henlopen deserves to be the one great exception to that. There is a variety of activities at this park, such as biking, camping and even surfing. Another thing that makes this park special, is that it isn’t on most itineraries. But at just over 2 hours from multiple cities such as Philadelphia and Washington, DC, you can easily add it to your East Coast trip!
So let us know. Have you been to Cape Henlopen? Are you going to be on the East Coast and think you’ll check it out? Let us know in the comments below!
