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.
Dog!
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!
A vigilant bald eagle
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!
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
Gordon’s Pond
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!
It’s nudged into an overlooked corner of the Northeastern USA, an unexpectedly unique and fun area for outdoor sports. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, easy-to-visit spot, Wilmington, Delaware could be it. Despite being a short ride from famous metropolises, the city is often missing from people’s itinerary. So let’s check out the top outdoor activities in Wilmington and make sure you aren’t missing out!
Biking & Hiking
Just a quick search on AllTrails shows dozens of hikes in the Wilmington area. But many of these are too short to be noteworthy. Of the rest, these are my favorite options:
Brandywine Creek State Park:
You wouldn’t be the first to feel that you’ve been transported a couple hundred years back, given the pristine views. This is a pretty park with a small nature center, a disc golf course, and rolling hills that make summer sunsets and autumn afternoons magical.
You’ve got two options here. One, is park near the nature center, where there are about 7-8 miles total of looped trails through forest and fields. That includes a 3.1 mile cross-country course with a killer hill. On the other side of the park, take the Brandywine Trail or Creekside Trail. These are out-and-back trails of 5.8 and 5.2 miles, respectively. As their names suggest, they are mostly adjacent to the water. Just make sure you check conditions first, as the Brandywine and Creekside Trails get muddy .
Brandywine Park-Alapocas Loop:
Brandywine Park is a small city park in Wilmington (not to be confused with Brandywine Creek State Park). For a nice long walk or a pleasant 1-hourish bike ride, you can take the trails and roads that connect Rockford Park with Alapocas Run State Park on to Brandywine Park, then head back. Check out the medieval Italian-inspired tower at Rockford Park and the Delaware Art Museum while you’re at it! You’ll pass through a beautiful neighborhood of huge yards and manors as you approach the museum.
If you drive, park in any of the parks or on the streets near the art museum.
First State National Historic Park
Ironically, the First State was last to be included in the National Parks System. Delaware finally joined the other 49 in 2013. This Park includes monuments and buildings from the time of the country’s founding.
There are also three trails which are lesser known and visited than those at Brandywine Creek State Park (but undeservedly so!). These wind through woods, over creeks, farmland and a vineyard (a regional rarity). The trails are not well marked in all locations, so use All Trails to stay on the right path. My personal favorite is the Beaver Valley Area Loop.
Museums & Gardens
Not a Parisian palace, but the view at Nemours Estate!
Just wanna take it easy but still want to be outside? Check out the world-class gardens and museums. You’ll unwittingly spend a couple of hours strolling gardens and mansions, seeing how the other half lived hundreds of years ago.
Just up the road in Pennsylvania is Longwood Gardens; probably the most famous of the bunch!
Rock Climbing
Scaling the famously treacherous mountains of Delaware ;)
One doesn’t expect rock climbing to be prominent in a state whose tallest point is only 448 feet (137 meters) above sea level. And one would be correct.
But there IS an exception at the refreshingly wooded and hilly Alapocas State Park in the middle of Wilmington. The 90-foot-tall wall faces the Brandywine Creek, is hugged by temperate forest, and is suitable for both bouldering and climbing with a harness.
Delaware State Parks offers an introductory rock climbing course during the spring, summer, and fall. It’s a great option for first-timers and climbers who want to shake some rust off.
All the information you need to get a permit (a requirement!) or to sign up for a course is on the state park website.
Tubing
Several local operators rent tubing equipment. This experience is known for being relaxingly slow, and most people bring booze and snackies to enjoy while doing some wildlife watching. Just remember sunblock and water.
Nearby
Gettin’ our walk on.
About 20 miles south of Wilmington are two fantastically fun zipline and rope courses. The ziplines fly you through the air like a hawk, 50 feet above the water at Lums Pond State Park. Lums Pond also offers kayaks and paddleboards for rent between Memorial Day and Labor Day. And If you want to get your hike (or bike) on, I recommend the 6.4-mile Swamp Forest Trail.
When to Visit Wilmington, Delaware
This is a temperate zone, which means Wilmington experiences all 4 seasons. You can certainly hike and bike all year round, but some of the outdoor gardens and museums are not open in winter. And it goes without saying, but you don’t want to put your butt in a tube down the Brandywine when the temperature is near freezing.
The best time to visit is spring (April-June) and fall (September-November). The mild temperatures are ideal for outdoor sports. Summer is fine too, but you’ll enjoy it more if you start your adventure early and beat the heat and humidity.
The exception: Christmastime in the Brandywine Valley takes on an old-world magic. Places like Winterthur, Hagley, and Longwood are excellent choices for getting in the spirit of the season (see “Museums and Gardens” above). If you come in the winter, book a ticket at one of these and enjoy a hot (spiked!) cocoa after your outdoor fun.
Where to Eat
Check out the Wilmington Riverfront for a good variety of places to eat. The best spot for a cuppa joe is the local chain BrewHaha. My quick-eats fav is El Diablo Burrito. And for your nightcap, the fancy Hotel DuPont downtown has an equally elegant bar with tasty drinks.
What to Pack
This really depends on when you go- it can get below freezing in winter, and can be stupidly humid and hot in summer. Obviously wear clothes that go with the weather forecast.
Always bring a basic first aid kit. Have snackies so nobody gets hangry, and a thermos of coffee or cocoa is most excellent for the cold. If it’s not winter, bug spray and sunblock are key. And of course, bring water (although most parks have water fountains).
How to get to There
Because of its location, you can visit Wilmington pretty easily once on the East Coast. Amtrak trains arrive from Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC regularly. The city is on the I-95 corridor, making it easily accessible by car, too. Finally, the budget airline Avelo connects Delaware’s largest city with several national destinations.
What to Do in Wilmington, Delaware- Conclusion
Wilmington is a short 32-mile drive from Philadelphia, and it boasts the colonial charm and history of the Brandywine Valley. Outdoor sports aren’t the number one game in town, but bucolic settings and some surprising experiences like rock climbing make it a fun spot for lovers of outdoor adventures anyway.
It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other spots in the Northeastern US, making Wilmington a nice budget option for visitors. You can easily make a day trip from Philly (or even Baltimore), too. So if you’re looking for an under-the-radar spot for outdoor fun, maybe it’s time you Wilmington is on your list!
