Cape Henlopen State Park — Attraction in Lewes

Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, Delaware, is a coastal masterpiece that spans over 7,000 acres where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, offering an unforgettable blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. This park is a haven for those seeking wide-open spaces, convenient amenities, and a deep connection to nature’s splendor.The open spaces at Cape Henlopen are breathtaking, with sprawling beaches, gentle dunes, and maritime forests creating a diverse landscape that feels both wild and inviting. The park’s six miles of shoreline are perfect for sunbathing, kite-flying, or simply strolling along the sand, while the expansive interior features open fields and salt marshes ideal for birdwatching or quiet reflection. The Point, where the bay and ocean converge, offers sweeping vistas and a sense of standing at the edge of the world, especially at sunrise or sunset. Trails like the Gordons Pond Trail and the Pinelands Nature Trail wind through these open areas, providing ample space to explore on foot or by bike, with free bike rentals available at the Seaside Nature Center.Parking is well-managed, with designated lots at key areas like Herring Point, the main beach, and the Seaside Nature Center. The park has expanded overflow parking and a renovated registration booth, ensuring accessibility even during peak summer months. A daily entrance fee is charged from March 1 to November 30, with annual passes available for frequent visitors. For early birds or kayakers launching before the 8 a.m. kiosk opening, a permit or pass is recommended to avoid ticketing. The layout is RV-friendly, with narrow campground roads requiring some caution but ample space for maneuvering.Picnic spots are plentiful and thoughtfully designed. The Main Beach Pavilion, seating up to 200, comes with two large barbecue grills, electricity, potable water, and nearby access to a disc golf course and basketball courts. The smaller Gordon’s Pond Pavilion seats 50 and offers similar amenities, with a single grill. Both pavilions provide pedestrian dune crossings to the beach, making them perfect for combining a meal with coastal views. Additional first-come, first-served picnic tables are scattered near the fishing pier and concession areas, ideal for spontaneous gatherings. Alcohol is permitted in pavilion areas (but not on swimming beaches), and the park’s cleanliness is maintained with trash removal services.Cape Henlopen is a natural heaven, teeming with diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Its coastal beaches, tidal marshes, and pine-covered dunes are home to endangered shorebirds like the piping plover and black skimmer, as well as horseshoe crabs that thrive in the Delaware Bay. The Seaside Nature Center enhances the experience with a 500-gallon touch tank, live osprey camera feeds, and aquariums showcasing local marine life, making it a hit for families. The park’s trails, including the boardwalk-lined Gordons Pond Trail, offer immersive journeys through salt marshes and forests, while the Great Walking Dune feels like a desert adventure. The WWII-era Fort Miles, with its observation towers and artillery park, adds a historical layer to the natural beauty, offering 360-degree views from atop Tower 7. Whether you’re kayaking the bay, surfing at Herring Point, or watching dolphins at sunrise, the park’s pristine habitats and vibrant ecosystems are a nature lover’s dream.Cape Henlopen State Park is a treasure that balances accessibility with untouched beauty. Its vast open spaces, ample parking, well-equipped picnic areas, and rich natural and historical offerings make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a...

Great park! We have been here a few times in the past, but just yesterday came for a day (drove from MD). Entry: Bring cash to make your entry fast. It was $10 for an out of state car. Beach: A local friend told us to get here early, as the park might be closed due to too many cars/visitors, so we got there around 8 am. We found a great spot at the beach (of course later, there were people all over us, but this is just how it is). The beach is reasonably clean, but you do want to bring your own umbrella or canopy (they are also allowed). The water was perfect - very light waves for kids to jump around, but calm enough to enjoy a little swim. (There were a few jellyfish 🪼 so be aware). Bathrooms in a bathhouse at the beach were clean in the morning. Coming earlier we had no issue finding parking. Nature Center: Since our 8 year old is obsessed with snakes. We visited a small nature center located in the park to interact with horseshoe crabs, see a snake, some turtles and fish. Plus a nice clean bathroom ;) Biking: By the Nature Center, there's also a bike renting place in the same parking lot. We brought our own bikes and roller blades and drove to a tower to see the view and then start our ride. The Bike Loop is around 2.7 miles. Easy for the most park, with 2 hills, but manageable even by smaller kids, otherwise flat and shady. Disc Golf: Since my kids and my husband love disc golf, of course, we could pass it by. We bought our discs, but you can also purchase discs at the Nature Center (however, they are VERY expensive there). However, my spoiled and picky family (when it comes to Disc Golf courses) ranked this course as 5/10, as it was too sandy and therefore, too difficult to move through and, of course, so many ticks (but ticks are in most wooded areas 🤷). Also: What we didn't visit is a playground for kids, which we stayed at last time.

To summarize - it is a great park to spend a day with the family! I know we...

Campground: Cape Henlopen State Park City, State: Lewes, Delaware Check-in: December 2, 2022 Check-out: December 4, 2022 Site Number: B-08 Our Set Up: Class C Motorhome (32 feet) plus TOAD

We Liked: This campground was renovated in the past 5 years. It is very updated. Paved pads for the motorhome and TOAD. Electric boxes accommodate 20A, 30A and 50A. Bath house is set up as rooms with a toilet, sink and shower. Small playground that the kids enjoyed. Camp store is basic but functional. Roads around the campground are easy to navigate. Sites are set up in such a way that different length RVs are on either side of your spot. This, along with the tall pine trees gives a feeling of having a lot of space between campsites. The campsite is a quick walk or bike ride to the rest of the state park (trails, ocean, Fort Miles). It is a quick drive to Rehoboth Beach for dining and shopping.

We Didn't Care For: Not a big deal and understandable due to its location, sewer is not available at the campsite. There are 3 dump stations when leaving the campground.

Overall Assessment: This is the second Fall web have spent at Cape Henlopen and will continue to do so. The tall pines and nature within and surrounding the campground is amazing. It is such a peaceful place. It is advisable to book as early as possible for summer reservations as the campground books up early. November 11-14, 2021 Site B-08. Great state park campground. All of the RV spots are paved. The size of each spot alternates so that you don't get RVs directly next to each other. Bathrooms plentyfull and clean. Small playground for the kids. Easy access to trails, beach and Fort Miles. Basic camp store to purchase ice, firewood and basics. Keep in mind that the dump station is on the way out of the campground. If you are staying more than a weekend you might want to consider a portable dump bin so that you don't into any problems. We stayed 4 days and the gray tank...