First State National Historic Park: Travel Anecdote

The shadows already stretched long over the orange leaves covering the ground on a most quintessential autumn afternoon. They alternated with bright sun beams, which illuminated giant, reaching oaks and their few remaining brown leaves. Our walk started with a deceptively difficult uphill trudge. The lack of other people was evidence that either this park is unknown by outdoor enthusiasts, or that the region was already hibernating for the winter.

Or both.

The “First State” is also the Last State. As in, the last state to be included in the National Parks Service. First State National Historic Park comprises of six sites in Delaware. These are mostly buildings that were important during the lead-up to and time of the American Revolution.

The Park also has four trails. These short hikes take you over rolling fields, farmland, creeks, and through forests in the Brandywine Valley. The trails are free to visit, but not always well-marked. In fact, we only made it back to our car before dark because of great location information from the AllTrails app!

I don’t have a story or article to write about First State National Historic Park. But it is a spectacular spot. We had a wonderful time walking around a horse farm, a vineyard, and then through some of the most untouched wooded areas in the region. I simply didn’t go with an angle or story in mind, and decided to mention it on the site because it was an enjoyable experience.

So if you’re in the Brandywine Valley and looking for a good outdoor activity, consider the trails at First State National Historic Park. Just bring a good GPS with you!