Cape Henlopen State Park Delaware

Situated at the mouth of the Delaware Bay sits Cape Henlopen State Park and its 6+ miles of coastline. The “Point” of Cape Henlopen, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, shaped the history of this landscape.

For millenia, native people lived off the land’s abundant and rich resources and in the late 1600s, William Penn’s family granted the land and allowed citizens to harvest many of the same resources. The area’s strategic position led to the construction of Fort Miles during World war II with its iconic fire control towers along the Atlantic coast and, which served as a federal defensive site, training area and testing location both during and after the war.

A diverse collection of habitats makes up the coastal ecosystem of Cape Henlopen State Park. Barrier dune, coastal beaches, and maritime forest are home to many species of plants and animals. Visitors can visit the Seaside Nature Center to participate in an interpretive program or learn about the park’s native plants and animals.

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. The park’s open spaces feature many other activities: disc golf, basketball, kite flying. There are plenty of hiking trails and beach walks and a paved trail for bicycling. The park also conducts a variety of entertaining recreational programs, including natural history lectures, seaside seining, and birdwatching, to name but a few.

Location

Cape Henlopen State Park Delaware
15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958, United States

Hours

Open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset.

Park Office Hours

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday
• Closed Saturday and Sunday

Seaside Nature Center

• Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Fort Miles Museum

• Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Seaside Nature Center and Fort Miles Museum Holiday Closures:

• Thanksgiving Day (11/25/2021)
• Christmas Day (12/25/2021)
• New Years Day (1/1/2022)

Swimming Beach is Guarded:

• Memorial Day Saturday to Labor Day Monday
• 9 a.m – 5 p.m. daily

Fees

In-state vehicle: $5 Daily

Out-of-state vehicle: $10 Daily

Annual Passes are available.

Contact Details

Phone: (302) 645-8983

Official Website: Cape Henlopen State Park Delaware

Area Attractions

Suggested Equipment for Cape Henlopen State Park Delaware:

Activities & Tips

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