A Review of the State Parks of Northern Delaware

This is a review of the many state parks in Northern Delaware. With so many to choose from, we hope our recommendations help you decide which one to visit.

Delaware is known for its beautiful beaches and for its capital city of Dover, with its historic Legislative Hall and green. But the most populated part of Delaware is in the north near the cities of Wilmington and Newark, about two hours away from the beaches. And this area is brimming with beautiful state parks.

Delaware State Park Passes

Purchase Delaware State Parks passes here. They cost $4 for an in-state vehicle and $8 out-of-state (with the exception of the seashore parks, which cost $1 and $2 more). Or purchase passes at the park when you go. There is camping as well as Yurts available at Lums Pond, the last park on our list. Make reservations here.

Best for Rock Climbers – Alapocas Run State Park

Alapocas Run State Park is about the only place in Delaware where you will find rock walls. Delaware is hilly, but doesn’t really have any mountains to speak of. But here you’ll find blue granite cliffs that rock-climbers have long enjoyed scaling. Our children have enjoyed the Can-Do playground and little story-book trail next to the playground many times, and there are several nice woodsy trails.

Best for Transportation Lovers – Fox Point State Park

Fox Point State Park includes a flat walking trail, pavilions, playground, restrooms and a view of the Delaware River. Here you can watch ships from around the world on the river side, and trains speed down the tracks on the opposite side. You’ll find plenty of planes overhead too!

Best for Spring Blooms – Wilmington State Parks

Wilmington State Parks consist of a few small parks throughout the downtown area of the Brandywine River. Rockford Park can be found after a pleasant drive through some of the most wealthy, historical, and beautiful neighborhoods in the city. The park is known for its huge tower, which can only be climbed during certain limited hours (call the number on the website to be sure.) Brandywine Park is beautiful in late March/early April when the cherry trees bloom. In late May and June, the Jasper Crane Rose Garden is brilliantly in bloom. The Brandywine Zoo is just across the street.

Best for Sunsets – Brandywine Creek State Park

Brandywine Creek State Park is a picturesque park of rolling meadows and forested area, and of course the creek. Spot chipmunks near the blue gneiss stone walls, built in the late 1800s and early 1900s to mark property lines. And, there are more than 14 miles of trail throughout the park. There is a nice disk golf course and plenty of fishing. If you drive up the hill at the main entrance, you’ll find the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the rolling hills below.

Best for Horse Lovers – Bellevue State Park

Bellevue State Park is a former DuPont estate. You will find many attractions and landmarks that were property of the DuPont family in this area. William DuPont’s home, Bellevue Hall, stands in the middle of the park, as well as a number of other structures and several playgrounds. There are always lovely horses to be seen, as the park includes horse stables, indoor horse training facilities, and a 1 ⅛ mile long horse track. There is also a fishing pond, disk golf course, and a paved part of the Northern Delaware Greenway runs through the park.

Best for Vintage Car Lovers – Auburn Valley State Park

Just a few miles away is Auburn Valley State Park, which runs along the Red Clay Creek. It houses the world’s largest operating collection of Stanley Steamer cars (which offer rides on “Steamin’ Days”) as well as a historic paper mil which lies undisturbed in the middle of the park. If you want to see the cars, check the website as there are limited hours. The hike up the hill (I believe this is called the Oversee Farm Trail) will get your heart rate up, but it is also paved which is nice for strollers and scooters.

Best for Geography Enthusiasts – White Clay Creek State Park

White Clay Creek State Park encompasses a very large area that runs into Pennsylvania. This provides ample opportunity to get lost if you’re not careful! (Yes, we know from experience.) It is named for the clay that was once mined in the area. And, of course, for the creek that runs through it, with many tributaries along the way. It’s mostly woodland, with plenty of opportunities for glimpsing birds and catching fish. And squirrels, so many squirrels. There are also some ruins of old buildings you might encounter, like the 1790s Judge Morris Estate. But, the reason geography enthusiasts will enjoy it, is that includes markers from the Mason Dixon line. You can find the point where Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware meet, marked with an 1849 stone monument deep in the woods.

Best for History Lovers – Fort Delaware and Fort DuPont

Pea Patch Island/Fort Delaware is a historic landmark that can only be accessed by a fun ferry ride. It served as a Union prison during the civil war. Apparently we had a cannon pointed at Jersey in case they got out of hand. No hard feelings, Jersey friends. Now they have historic tours, people dressed in 19th century garb blacksmithing, laundering things by hand, etc. To top it all off, they show you how to set off a cannon. They don’t actually set it off, of course. It is also a good place to see birds including ospreys, herons in season, and bald eagles.

If you’re not up for a boat ride, you can stay in Delaware City and visit Fort DuPont State Park which served as a coastal defense area built in 1890. The day we went we were the only ones there which led to loud singing in the abandoned fort. We saw a bald eagles and lots of other birds.

Best for Outdoor Adventure – Lums Pond State Park

Lums Pond, near the city of Newark, is Delaware’s largest freshwater pond. It is a State Park with lots to do. There are 17 miles of trails around the pond, a boathouse offering a variety of boats with which to explore, camping, pavilions, a dog park, and a nature center with a few live animal exhibits. Our personal favorite activity is the Go-Ape Treetop Ropes course. The course will give you a workout and some awesome zipline rides across the pond.

For more things to do in Delaware, check out our comprehensive guide on cool things to do in Delaware.