🏆 Official Guide: Cape Henlopen State Park — A 7,000-acre coastal preserve where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean in Sussex County, Delaware — featuring pristine ocean + bay beaches (guarded Memorial Day–Labor Day), a 24-hour fishing pier, 17+ miles of hiking/biking trails (including the Gordons Pond Trail connecting to Rehoboth Beach), Fort Miles WWII museum + artillery park + renovated Tower 7 observation tower, the Seaside Nature Center (1,000-gal aquariums + touch tank + borrow-a-bike program), modern campground (100-amp electric/water hookups, camp store, laundry), surf fishing, dune ecosystems, and maritime forest trails.
Cape Henlopen State Park occupies one of the most dramatic geographic positions on the Atlantic Coast — the point where the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean converge. This 7,000-acre park packs in world-class beaches, WWII military history, a nature center, and over 17 miles of trails into a single coastal destination. It’s also the rare Delaware beach experience where you can camp steps from the ocean, fish a 24-hour pier, and bike a scenic trail all the way to Rehoboth Beach.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sussex County, DE — where Delaware Bay meets Atlantic Ocean |
| Size | 7,000 acres |
| Beaches | Ocean + bay beaches — guarded Memorial Day–Labor Day |
| Fishing Pier | 24-hour pier extending into Delaware Bay |
| Trails | 17+ miles — hiking + biking |
Camping
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sites | Modern campground — RV-friendly |
| Hookups | Water + electric (up to 100-amp) |
| Amenities | Fire rings, picnic tables, camp store, laundry |
| Primitive | Youth group primitive camping areas |
Activities
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Ocean + bay beaches — guarded seasonally |
| Surf Fishing | Year-round — plus 24-hr fishing pier |
| Hiking/Biking | 17+ mi — Gordons Pond Trail, Bike Loop, Pinelands Trail, Walking Dunes |
| WWII History | Fort Miles museum + Battery 519 tours + Tower 7 observation deck |
| Nature Center | Seaside Nature Center — aquariums, touch tank, borrow-a-bike |
| Kayaking | Bay-side paddling in calm waters |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bike from the park to Rehoboth Beach?
Yes — the Gordons Pond Trail connects Cape Henlopen State Park directly to Rehoboth Beach via a scenic paved/boardwalk path through salt marshes and coastal dunes. It’s one of the best bike rides in Delaware. The park’s Seaside Nature Center also offers a free borrow-a-bike program.
What is Fort Miles?
Fort Miles was a World War II coastal defense installation built to protect the Delaware Bay and the approaches to Philadelphia and Wilmington. Today the Fort Miles Historical Area includes a museum, artillery park, Battery 519 tours, and the renovated Tower 7 fire control tower — climb the spiral staircase for panoramic ocean views. The WWII observation towers scattered along the coast were used to triangulate the positions of enemy ships.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Cape Henlopen State Park is a short drive away, and Gordons Pond Trail is a short drive away.
Park Location
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