Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
Delaware
113

Delaware State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
Delaware
Southern Region
Cape Henlopen State Park
start slideshow
Cape Henlopen State Park © John Williams
Cape Henlopen State Park © John Williams
Cape Henlopen State Park © John Williams
Cape Henlopen State Park © John Williams
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK
CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK
42 Cape Henlopen Drive
Lewes, Delaware   19958

Phone: 302-645-8983
Toll Free: 302-739-9220
Reservations: 877-987-2757
Email: park email button icon
Cape Henlopen's beaches attract thousands of visitors who enjoy ocean swimming and sunbathing. Two designated swimming beaches provide lifeguard patrols between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Umbrellas can be rented during the summer. The northern swimming area also features a modern bath house with showers, changing rooms, and a food concession.

The park's open spaces feature many other activities. A picnic pavilion and the "Officer's Club" building can both be reserved for group events. An 18-hole disc golf course encourages friendly competition, and basketball courts promote more active exercise. Winter hunting is permitted in some areas of the park; a hunting permit is required, and information can be obtained from the Park Office. Annual events such as the Kite Festival and the Halloween Spook Trail are family favorites. The park also conducts a variety of entertaining recreational programs, including natural history lectures, outdoor concerts, seaside seining, and birdwatching, to name but a few.
History of the Area
This park was once a military base during World War II. In 1964, it became public land for recreational use and conservation purposes. It covers over 5,000 acres of beaches, dunes and forests with diverse wildlife habitats. The area is known for its historical significance as the first publicly used lands in America's "First State".
Camping
- Tent and RV Camping: The park offers 150 campsites, some with water hookups for tents or recreational vehicles.

- Cabins: Six cabins are available year-round; each sleeps six people.

- Youth Group Camping Area: Special area designated for youth groups like scouts or school trips.

- Walking Dune Campground: This campground is located near the beach and has a bathhouse facility nearby.

- Pine Tree Campground: A more secluded camping option surrounded by pine trees offering privacy to campers.



Trails
Cape Henlopen has many year-round hiking and biking opportunities. Experience the park?s scenic and ever-changing landscape ? and get a lesson in history ? along the three-mile-long paved trail that loops the park. Take a trail break and climb to the top of the World War II Observation Tower, where the 360-degree views are spectacular. Or take a short climb to the top of a former military bunker to view the dynamic action along the Atlantic coastline. Explore the coastal environment along the Seaside or the Pinelands Nature Trails, or hike the six miles of beach along the Atlantic Ocean.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
September 10 a must see park
park review stars; one to five
March 18 Love this place by happycamper
park review stars; one to five What a wonderful place!! It is now our vacation spot..Lewes is also nice and friendly
April 16 One of the best beach parks by MerrynKids
park review stars; one to five I have been up and down the East & West coasts and many places in between and this park is one of my favorites .There is alot to do and very beautiful scenery.
write a review
Share On

Area Campgrounds
Holly Lake Campsites
32087 Holly Lake Road
Millsboro, DE
302-945-3410
Homestead Campground
25165 Prettyman Road
Georgetown, DE
302-684-4278
Tall Pines Campground Resort
29551 Persimmon Road
Lewes, DE
302-684-0300
Lighthouse Beach RV Resort
26162 Bay Boulevard
Millsboro, DE
302-515-2300
Steamboat Landing LLC
13849 Steamboat Landing Road
Milton, DE
302-645-6500
Big Oaks Campground
35567 Big Oaks Lane
Rehoboth Beach, DE
302-645-6838
Sun Retreats Rehoboth Bay
25491 Dogwood Lane
Millsboro, DE
302-945-2000
Sea Air Village
19837 Sea Air Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, DE
302-227-8118
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Directions from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
- Start on I-95 S towards Delaware.
- Take exit 4A to merge onto DE-1 S/US13-S toward Dover.
- Continue straight for about an hour and a half.

From Baltimore, Maryland:
- Begin by heading east on US40-E/E Pulaski Hwy.
- Merge with I95-N via the ramp to New York.
- Use right lane to take exit 4A for DE1-S toward Christiana/Mall Rd/Dover
- Keep left at fork in road; follow signs for Route 7 South/Rte.58 West Churchmans Crossing Mall Road/SR273 W SR7S

If coming from Washington D.C.:
- Get started going northeast on Constitution Ave NW/U.S.-50 E towards First St NE
- Turn slight right onto U.S.-301 N/U.S.-50 E/New York Avenue Northeast (Crossing into Maryland)
- Stay straight until you reach MD404E

For those traveling from Virginia Beach, VA:
- Head north-east along Atlantic Avenue
- Make a sharp turn left after passing Neptune's Park
- Follow Shore Drive till it merges with Northampton Boulevard

Once near Cape Henlopen State Park:
- Look out for Lewes Georgetown Highway / Savannah Road signboard
- Proceed down this route which will lead directly into park entrance

state route ranger badge
Delaware
113

Delaware State Parks

X