Cape Henlopen State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Cape Henlopen State Park is at the mouth of the Delaware Bay in Lewes, Delaware, with the point of the cape transitioning into the Atlantic Ocean. One of the first lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast was built in this area in 1767. This land that's now formally a state park was announced as public land in 1682 by William Penn, making it one of the oldest public lands in the United States. Cape Henlopen is a strategic military location, and several facilities were built in the area during the American Revolution, World War II, and the Cold War. You can learn about the area's history at the Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area. Nearby cities: • Lewes, DE • Belltown, DE • Dewey Beach, DE • Marshtown, DE
Spring 36–74 F
Summer 64–86 F
Fall 42–79 F
Winter 28–49 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cape Henlopen State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park Campground Campground Accommodations • Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: No • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 122 feet • Other amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, flush toilets, showers, trash station, recycle center, dump station, coin-operated laundry facility, camp store, playground, amphitheater, ADA-accessible sites available
Tall Pines Campground Resort
Located nearby the Cape Henlopen State Park, but offering wooded seclusion on the shore, Tall Pines Campground Resort offers a wide variety of unique amenities. There’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy at this campground!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes, but pets must be kept inside or on a leash not to exceed six feet with owner at all times
Other amenities: gated access, security after hours, splash park, swimming pool, general store, mini golf, fitness center, playground and a modern bathhouse with showers
Big Oaks Campground
Just a stone’s throw from the State Park and just 2.5 miles from Rehoboth Beach, the Big Oaks Campground is a family-friendly RV park with something for everyone, including activities such as movie nights, bingo, ice cream parties and more during the camping season. Full hookup rates start at $65 per night.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes, at certain central locations
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: swimming pool, playground, game room, basketball court, horseshoes, shuffleboard, store, shuttle service, picnic tables and fire rings
What to Do at
Cape Henlopen State Park
Equipment rentals offered by the park include kayaks, canoes, and free bikes through the Borrow-a-Bike program. You can also buy bait and tackle from the on-site shop. Many of the hiking trails at Cape Henlopen State Park are wheelchair friendly and allow bikes, including Junction and Breakwater Trail and Gordons Pond Trail. You'll want to hike to the Holland Glade and Wolfe Glade scenic overlooks for photo-worthy ocean views and terrain. Or you can head to the challenging disc golf course, which has dunes and pine trees as obstacles.
Inside Cape Henlopen State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park isn’t just for water lovers, although there are plenty of water activities for visitors to enjoy. But there’s plenty more nature experiences to enjoy in the beautiful waterside state park. Some of the unique activities include:
Water and Beaches – From ocean swimming to boating, fishing, kayaking, clamming, paddle-boarding and wind-surfing, there is so much to do at Cape Henlopen State Park. Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, it’s a designated swimming beach, providing lifeguard patrols. There’s also Mobi-Mab equipment available at the State Park, which allows those in wheelchairs and power chairs to access the beach from the boardwalk.
Hiking and Trails – From dunes to a seaside trail, there are hiking opportunities for all ages and abilities on a number of trails within Cape Henlopen State Park.
Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area – Fort Miles, located inside the State Park, was once a key piece of the nation’s coastal defense during World War II. Fort Miles is now a museum and historical area, and visitors can learn about Delaware stories, heroes from the area and the state’s role in WWII. Guided tours, interpretive programs, an art gallery and special events are available.
Seaside Nature Center – The newly-renovated Seaside Nature Center offers a wide variety of activities and programs for children and adults alike, exhibits that explain the different habitats within the Cape Henlopen State Park, five 1,000-gallon tanks with local fish and a live Osprey cam (April through August). The centerpiece of the newly-renovated center will delight all: a 495-gallon, two-level touch tank with viewing windows that allows visitors to see stingrays, horseshoe crabs and more.
Nature Center Hours:
Mid-June through Labor Day - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Fall and Spring - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
November through March - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, Closed Monday and Tuesday
Bike Riding – Paved bike trails are available for exploring the park on bicycle, and the Friends of Cape Henlopen offer a Borrow-a-Bike program. On a first-come, first-served basis (weather permitting), free bikes are available for 2 hours at a time. Bikes must remain within the park and stay on the paved bike trails. The Borrow-a-Bike program is available 9am – 3pm daily on days when the nature center is open.
Fishing
You can cast a line in the Delaware Bay at Cape Henlopen State Park. Fish from the quarter-mile fishing pier or a shore spot. The fishing pier is ADA-accessible from April through November. Some of the fish you can catch in Delaware Bay are flounder, bluefish, spotted seatrout, Atlantic croaker, cobia, and weakfish. Another area in the park where you can fish is Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve. Part of the beachfront allows surf fishing.
Geocaching
ape Henlopen State Park has a few caches that you can find, including FSC-2012 Cape Henlopen State Park and DGT Cape Henlopen State Park II. Both of these geocaches start at Fort Miles.
Nature Watching
In the morning and evening, you may see dolphins in the bay. Cape Henlopen State Park sometimes offers beach wagon rides where you can admire the beautiful coast with a chance to spot dolphins and other wildlife. Turtles and horseshoe crabs are also commonly spotted. Freaky Friday Night Hike is another event that the park sometimes offers where you can learn about some of the "creepy" wildlife in the area and why they're not as scary as they seem. Endangered species that make the park home include piping plovers, least terns, and black skimmers.
Stargazing
Relax on the beach at night for an enjoyable stargazing experience with the sound of the ocean in the background. Cape Henlopen State Park is one of the top stargazing destinations in Delaware.
Flora
Oak and pine trees provide shade in the summer and protect you from the strong coastal winds. Cranberries, one of the food sources of settlers, grow in the park. You can search for cranberries during the Cranberry Bog Hike, an event the park offers.
Hiking
Gordons Pond Trail is a 3.2-mile accessible trail with views of the dunes, wetlands, and forests. You have a chance to see wildlife too. Even if you don't plan on fishing, walk the length of the fishing pier to observe the surrounding bay. You might see a dolphin, a seal, or other wildlife.
Boating
Kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding are allowed at Cape Henlopen State Park. You'll need to be aware of tides and fishing lines. Some beach areas are closed during the summer to protect nesting shorebirds.
Swimming
You can go swimming in designated areas. A swimming beach is conveniently located near the park's entrance. Mobi-Mat equipment is available to help people in wheelchairs and power chairs access the beach from the boardwalk. Lifeguards watch the beach from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Biking
There are paved bike trails at Cape Henlopen State Park if you want to experience biking in a coastal area. You can bike along Gordons Pond Trail as well.
How to Get to
Cape Henlopen State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park, located at 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958, is accessible by driving or riding a ferry. From Lewes, travel along US-9 E/Savannah Road and continue onto Cape Henlopen Drive. You'll reach the park within 6 miles of driving on Cape Henlopen Drive. Ferries travel from North Cape May to Cape Henlopen. Although rare, hurricanes may affect Cape Henlopen from June through November, so you should check the forecast before your trip.
Entering Cape Henlopen State Park
Parking is available near the entrance and close to the swimming area.
Cape Henlopen State Park Residents : $5.0
Cape Henlopen State Park Non-residents : $10.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Cape Henlopen State Park
May through September is the best time to visit Cape Henlopen State Park for the warm temperatures, available equipment rentals, and park events. Spring and fall are good seasons for birdwatching because of migrations. You may find hiking more comfortable in the cooler weather as well.
In addition to waterfowl and shorebirds, you can see songbirds and raptors at the park. Other wildlife that you may spot include seals, dolphins, and turtles.
Yes, most camping spots at Cape Henlopen State Park are suitable for RVs and equipped with electric and water hookups. There is an on-site dump station, too.
Reservations aren't required, but you may want to reserve a camping spot to make sure you have a site. A water and electric site during the summer costs $56 for non-residents and $48 for residents.
You can bring a pet to designated areas at Cape Henlopen State Park. However, they must be under your control and on a leash no longer than 6 feet. You can't leave them unattended, not even in your vehicle or RV.
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