Cape Henlopen State Park

Came here with my wife during our 1-year anniversary trip 😊 Our entry wasn't the greatest, we didn't have any cash and the ranger seemed disappointed by this. She told us that we could go to the kiosk and it'd take "A minute and a half." No it doesn't 😂 Does she really think someone my age carries cash? 😂 But after that everything was cool! The observation tower you can climb up is neat and gives you a great view of the surrounding area. And just seeing the guns up close is crazy, they're so big! The beaches are nice too, though some of the sand was a little squishy for our tastes. And its a great spot to go birding if you're into that! We saw hundreds of birds here! Definitely worth a stop if you're visiting Delaware regardless of hobbies 👍🏻

Cape Henlopen State Park is one of the best destinations in Delaware. The beaches are clean, wide, and perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or fishing. The trails are well-marked and offer great hiking and biking through dunes, forests, and marshes. The WWII observation towers and Fort Miles add interesting history to the visit. Restrooms and facilities were very clean and well-kept, and parking was easy with plenty of space. Wildlife is abundant—you can spot deer, birds, and more along the trails. Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore nature, or learn some history, Cape Henlopen has it all.

Cape Henlopen State Park is a large park with many biking paths, trails, beaches, a fishing pier, and WWII towers. One is open to climb to the top to view of the surrounding area. Herring Point is a beach frequented by surfers, and the Main Beach has a nice bathhouse and boardwalk over the dunes to a lovely stretch of beach. One may also visit Fort Miles Museum and the Seaside Nature Center within the park. The park also has an area for camping. We watched a pod of dolphins from the main beach one day and saw crabs and shore birds. Spend part of a day or several days at Cape Henlopen State Park. You will be glad you did.

Tent camped for four nights at the end of September. Ocean was still warm. We saw dolphins and lots of Osprey. The hawk watch folks were out monitoring for migrating birds. Cape Henlopen has an unusual ecosystem. Trails take you through sandy vernal pools that have cranberries, low and tall blueberries, bayberry, sassafras, and pine trees. We enjoyed hiking through this forest. We also loved the roughly 16 mile bike loop through Gordon's pond and nearby developments. Also enjoyed riding bikes into town for dinner or ice-cream. Don't forget to visit Fort Miles, climb the WWII tower, and visit the north beach access which offers both the bay and ocean beaches.

This a wonderful park! I want to highlight especially the Bike Barn where you can loan adult and kid bikes and helmets for free (donations appreciated!) and the staff is kind, friendly and eager help. The loop is 3 miles which you can easily bike with just a few moderate/gentle hills. A short walk from the Bike Barn is a fantastic playground which is partially shaded, with benches and picnic tables in the shade as well- a gift for parents with young kids. We can’t wait to come back! Oh and they have a water station where you can refill your water bottles!

Wonderful, clean, guarded beach access with a bathhouse. This state park offers camping, has great hiking and biking trails, and has lots of unique historical structures to explore. Traffic can be intense during the peak season so I'd recommend going early and mid-week if possible.

Cape Henlopen State Park and the historic Fort Miles area are absolute gems on the Delaware coast. We spent several days exploring the park and came away with a deep appreciation for both its natural beauty and its layered history. The bike trail is one of the best we’ve ridden—smooth, scenic, and well-marked. You can easily make a 20-mile loop starting in Rehoboth, riding through the park, stopping in Lewes, and heading back. Along the way, there are gorgeous views of the bay, wooded stretches, salt marshes, and dunes. Perfect for early morning rides—especially if you catch the sunrise over the water. The Fort Miles Historic Area is a must-see. The preserved WWII bunkers and watchtowers are fascinating, especially for kids (and adults) interested in military history. One of the highlights of our trip was climbing to the top of one of the old watchtowers and taking in the sweeping view of the Atlantic. The lighthouse, though only accessible by boat, makes for great photo ops from the shore. We stopped there on foot and caught some great light for pictures in the evening. From wildlife and wide beaches to history and family-friendly trails, this place has it all. A perfect blend of outdoor adventure and quiet reflection.

Absolutely love being at this beach! Clean and beautiful always find neat things to do and many trails to walk. Bath house has a small restaurant and Bath house and clean. The only down fall with being a place to visit is leave nothing take nothing for a state park and we always forget about no trash cans so you are constantly getting creative with ways to carry trash till we get to the car. Definitely recommend a small drawstring bag or plastic bag for trash when you visit.

This is a beautiful state park with so many choices of things to see and do. It has beautiful beaches and some allow dogs (on a leash at all times) which is a benefit during the summer months if you have a dog. There are lots of bike paths, hiking paths and a large camping area that looks very well kept. There is also lots of wildlife, both driving around in the park or in the ocean. I have heard that the traffic can be horrible sometimes but I tend to visit early in the morning or later in the evening. This is a beautiful place to visit and I would highly recommend, especially for sunrise and sunset.

This beach should be a peaceful, beautiful escape -- but it's being trashed by people who don't care. Let's start with the dog owners who think it's okay to leave their pet's crap all over the sand. It's disgusting. If you're responsible enough to bring a dog, you should be responsible enough to clean up after it. There's no excuse. Then there's the fishermen taking over the entire beach with rods and lines stretched across the shoreline like they own it. People can't swim. Families can't even walk near the water without dodging hooks. It's turning into a private fishing zone instead of a shared beach. If you're going to enjoy a public space, act like a decent human being. Clean up after your dog. Stop blocking the water. Respect others. Herring Point deserves better than this.

Convenient location to overnight before a ferry to New Jersey. Only a few minutes away from the ferry port. A wonderful gentleman worked in the camp store, very friendly. Our campsite was parking on the road, but the fire pit and picnic table were just a few feet away in a wooded area. I would stay here again.

Absolutely gorgeous state park with so much to see and do. We loved the bike trail where you can borrow bikes for free. The nature is gorgeous, and there was also so much unexpected history because it used to be a fort during WW2. My only gripe was that the traffic was horrendous driving into the park, and parking isn't easy, but that was probably due to the fact that we went on a Saturday morning in July. Definitely check this place out!

Cape Henlopen State Park is one of my favorite state parks in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. I drove up from Washington, DC on Saturday, August 8, 2020 and spent the entire day here. Here are a few highlights from my visit: - CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE. This park is perfect for groups. The park's infrastructure and acreage gives everyone the luxury to choose their adventure: hiking, swimming, fishing, reading, beachcombing, taking photos/photography adventures, cloud gazing, networking, painting, etc. I did several of those activities during my day trip, and there was never a dull moment. - BIODIVERSITY: I currently live out West where I have hot springs, a ski area, black volcanic rocks, Joshua trees, bristlecone pines, etc. all within an hour drive of where I live. While the East Coast is beautiful in a totally different way (e.g., flowering trees such as cherry blossoms, waterfalls, fall foliage, etc.), it's not as common to have high concentrations of biodiversity in one single area. Cape Henlopen State Park is a notable exception to this rule. This state park contains virgin beaches, marshes, sand dunes, coastal grasslands, hardwood forests, etc. The landscape here is simply stunning! - HISTORY & CULTURE: I've always found the Delmarva Peninsula fascinating due to its unique culture and history that often contrasts with the inland portions of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. While exploring Cape Henlopen State Park, I continued to peel back the onion as I discovered new insights about the area.

Our family visited this beautiful park in December 2024 for an off-season hike in the winter with our miniature poodle. Lots of pluses. First, it's a lovely park for hiking in cooler weather (when insects are gone and crowds are smaller). Second, the Gordon Pond Trail, which opened in June 2014, is a superb place to walk for a few miles as it has an elevated boardwalk which provides views of the sand, wetlands, and of course, the pond itself. Third, you can access the public beach at Herring Point which is near the north entrance to the Gordon Pond Trail. Fourth, the trail and beach are both clean and well-maintained.

We camp here every year and we love it. Showers are clean. Rangers are helpful. We love walking to the beach from here. And the nature center is a close walk as well.

We went shelling here during the off season and it was a lot of fun. It must be well known for that because we had plenty of company doing the same. Even still we were able to find a lot of things. It is really pretty there and we spotted all sorts of shore birds.

Very cool state park on the thumb of the peninsula that sticks out into Delaware Bay. We had some time to kill before our hotel check-in in Rehoboth, so we simply disembarked the ferry from Cape May, turned left and drove 5 minutes to the park entrance. It's a sprawling, ex-military base, littered with all the relics that go with that; barracks, observation towers, bunkers and lots of fixed artillery placed facing the Atlantic - a part of our country's crucial coastal defense system back in WWII. But there are also a number of hiking trails, campsites and a good paved bike path winding through much of the park, and of course, some pretty awesome beaches (which were pretty crowded even on an August weekday). We rented a couple of bikes --- which were FREE ---- and rolled onto the 3-mile paved loop to explore the area. The bikes were pretty heavy, low-rent single speed beach cruisers, but they did the job, and...did I mention they were free?! What a great little perk. Note that the bike rental area, known as the Bike Barn, is located near the nature center and it's all staffed and run by volunteers, so donations are hugely appreciated. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours, which really is all you need to see most of the interesting stuff here anyway.

Went here for a quick beach trip and it was exactly what I needed. I went around 16:00 so it was a bit crowded, but once the tides came in it cleared pretty nicely! It is a pet friendly beach, so make sure to bring along your pets and let them relax too! Their museum is also exceptional along with extremely nice tour guides. I'm not too into history, but I enjoyed the tour very much! Make sure you stop by their Observation tower on your way to the museum and beach! It has a gorgeous view, and it's not too crowded so you can get some nice photos and selfies. It IS a huge climb though, especially if you climb it more than once so be sure to wear proper shoes. Entry to the park is $10.00 for out-of state visitors and is $5.00 for in-state visitors. They take card and cash, but. make sure to bring some cash just in case !

Great place to go camping. Walking distance to the beach to go swimming. When there's low tide, you can go clamming.

A world class historical site along a world class beach. The interpretation of America's WWII coastal defense system is fantastic, the staff are engaging, knowledgeable and passionate about their work. It is a good reminder how the US anticipated and prepared for enemy attacks along our Eastern shores, and took amazing steps to protect the homeland. The astounding big guns, the bunkers, the amount of concrete. A solemn reminder that we should remain ever vigilant. There is also a humbling installation of a piece of the USS Arizona, a reminder of the events that drew the US into WWII, and that so many made the ultimate sacrifice. This is an amazing site.

Forget busy boardwalk. Come here for a quiet beach and borrow a bike. The people are so nice too.

This was a beautiful state park. My husband and I came here for the first time . We were just really surprised in how packed the beach was. I would have never expected it to be so packed. Later, towards the evening time we were lucky to see the dolphins jumping up in the water and somewhat close to the shore. It was a nice suprise.. I would highly recommend coming here and checking this spot out

Went on Spring break. $10 fee. We were able to drive and park by the sites we wanted to see. The nature center is small but so many interesting animals. I have never seen horseshoe and hermit crabs so active, also flounders swimming (usually hiding under the sand in aquariums). Can borrow bikes, next to the nature center. Fort Miles is a bit of a walk. Can see weapons used to protect the bay. Museum was closed when we went, open on weekends at this time. Breakwater Lighthouse beach was the closest to the tip we can get to. Parked and easy walk to the beach. Near bird nesting area. There are restrooms at the nature center and The Point comfort parking.

Great beach, very clean with bath houses, concessions and bathrooms. Down the road from the beach was a pull off to view a lighthouse. We went on a Tuesday in July and it was very busy but we had a great time. Wish we would have planned ahead for this stop. We enjoyed swimming and playing in the Atlantic Ocean.

Great spot especially for a day trip! Parking and showers available. Can get crowded on the weekends though. U are able to watch the ferry sail off too. It's nice.

Love this beach. We usually only go on weekdays. I must have my pop up tent, grill, fishing poles . Love taking my suv 4 wheeling.

Here on a very fortunate 55+ degree day in late December. Came with a pup to walk the wildlife trail toward Gordon Pond Trail. The President happens to live nearby and is at the vacation home, so Secret Service guys and US Marshalls and even a Coast Guard ship are all part if this hike! Very friendly hike. Flat, packed tight trail, mix of runners, walkers and bikes. All kinds of bird sightings. Water views. Just really enjoyed.

As if on a never ending conveyor belt they kept coming. Majestic and slow moving. Arched black shapes rising and falling into the water, moving from left to right. Sometimes in groups of threes or in pairs or single travelers. The dolphins at Herring Point Beach at the Cape Henlopen State Park were magnificent to behold, and our visit was easily the best pure beach experience of our week in Delaware. Cape Henlopen State Park is magnificent. Where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, it covers 6 miles of coastline on 5,200 acres. You can camp here, walk the trails, ride the bike paths, rent kayaks, play basketball or disc golf, go fishing, and ride horses or buy food during the season. For history or education, you can visit an old WW II Artillery Site, Fort Miles, the Biden Environmental Training Center, or the Seaside Nature Center. We spent some time at the Nature Center and spent some QT visiting the turtles, fish, and snakes. But nothing we saw there can compete with those dolphins...

On our way back home, we drove up the coast before the snowstorm hit to Lewes, Delaware the first city in the first state is its claim to fame and stopped at Cape Henlopen State Park located very close to the Ferry for Cape May The park is out of season so there was no one to collect any fees but I believe the sign said $5 We drove around because the snow flurries were picking up, the wind howling and it was 22 degrees. We saw the towers and Historic Fort Miles but did not venture out. There was some nice camping spots and small cabins for rent. Definitely recommend

Bottom Line: A beautiful state park with scenic access to Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean beaches. Having heard great things about Cape Henlopen State Park my husband and I headed through the gate on an early Sunday Fall morning with pastries and coffees in hand. We were glad to support this Delaware state park with a $10 admission fee and immediately headed towards The Point Overlook. As the name implies the views from The Point Overlook are great. You can see where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and there are sandy paths from the parking lot to both the bay and the ocean. We decided to walk down the path towards the ocean. The walk to the beach felt relatively short for us but if we were carrying umbrellas, chairs and beach gear I think it would have felt long! The beach was vacant aside from from lots of truck tire ruts in the sand . . . a sign that the surf fishing must be good! Back in The Point Overlook parking I enjoyed looking through my bird-noculars at birds, the ferry leaving port, the breakwater and the Harbor of Refuge lighthouse. I even saw a few dolphins! The parking lot at this scenic spot isn't that big so if you're banking on parking here and enjoying the beach in summer I suspect you need to come early. Although the park offers lots of opportunity for recreation including hiking, biking fishing and climbing (the watch towers) we were pretty lazy and mostly enjoyed the sites from the car. Overall, this is a nice park with pristine beaches and I'd like to return and explore more.

Beautiful park and great hiking and biking trails. The kids fully enjoyed themselves.

We came to the campground exclusively for the camping cabins. The cabin has electricity, mini, fridge and a microwave which was quite a surprise. There's also a cooking grill outside each cabin. There are two bunk beds and one full size bed in each cabin. There's also a futon like couch as well. I enjoyed that there was a store where you could procure firewood, bacon, eggs, dogs, milk, etc. There was also a 24 hour laundry center on site. I was able to wash a load of dirties before we returned home. It's worth noting that dogs aren't allowed in cabins but if you're a tent or RV camper they are welcome on site. It was a fun trip for us and a great first time experience for the kids.

Gorgeous state park! Lots of shaded trails and variety of scenery - from trees to marshes to dunes. I loved the boardwalk also. I'd love to come back and spend more time looking at the WWII bunkers. Fascinating spot!

Great day at the beach! Lucked out with a front parking spot. We are here on vacation from Pennsylvania and met up with some old friends for a fun day at the beach. I was able to go run 3 miles and then join everyone in the water. It was cold but felt great after a run! Waves not to high. Not too crowded. We did not get food but they also had a concession stand for those that need it and a great bath house and restroom area. Plenty of parking. We just paid the one day parking fee but they have a deal for three days or you can get a season pass. Great spot!

Gorgeous state park with plenty of activities --- beach space, hiking and biking trails, campsites, and you can even see some cool WWII artillery and barracks at Fort Miles. We actually biked a couple of miles from Rehoboth, which allowed us to dodge the entry fee and took advantage of the Gordon's Pond Trail which winds for 3 miles through a beautiful salt pond/marsh. Despite it being an off-season weekday, there were a decent amount of other bikers and runners enjoying the trail, and we actually got stuck behind a group of horses for a brief stretch. From there, we connected to a bike loop through the rest of the park which passed through Fort Miles and multiple other beach lookouts. There were occasional small hills, but most of the trail was fairly flat.

I love Henlopen State Park. I bought the lifetime pass. Great for walking or biking. I love Herring Point for a picnic, gazing at the ocean and just taking in the view. It's been busy this summer but folks are usually courteous. Definitely worth a visit.

There is alot to do here. Alot. Camping, fishing, foraging for edibles in the wild. We came for the beach at Herring Point and it was really beautiful, very clean and surprisingly uncrowded. There was a good crowd but nothing like the umbrella to umbrella action you'd see at Rehoboth or Atlantic City. There were two spaces here I really enjoyed that had these awesome rocks in the water and you could sit on them and let the waves crash over you. I have to tell a story here though. There is a rather long and winding sand walkway that leads to the beach at Herring Point. At some point I decided to leave my spot and walk back to our car to charge my phone. I went barefoot. It was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made in my life, not kidding. A quarter of the way up the path my feet were burning. I could not get any relief because the sand was so deep my feet simply sank into the molten hot sand. I found a shady spot and had to stand there to regain my composure. I was in sheer agony by the time I got to the car and had to text someone to bring me my shoes. I tell this to you because there are other beaches that help avoid this kind of mishap by using boards or mats. Dewey in particular has great mats that not only protect your feet from the sand but prevents you from sinking down into the fire pit. The only other downfall here is the port-a-potty. They need alot more. Last not but not least the park entrance fee is 10.00 for out of state plates and 5.00 for in state.

The neatest thing about our visit here was the abundant sea life at low tide. It was the first time I had seen wild horseshoe crabs. I was told to hold it by its tail, but apparently that is the WRONG way. While holding one by its tail to show the kids, a lady yelled out to me, telling me to be careful with them as they are endangered. While that's not true, they are a vulnerable species and should be treated with care and respect. That lady was right to caution me. The right way to hold a horseshoe crab is with both hands on each side of the shell. Also saw minnows, blue crabs, rays, whelk, clams, a gazillion tiny hermit-like crabs, and snails. At low tide you can really wade far out in just shorts. Pretty cool experience that I'll probably remember for a very long time and hopefully my son too!

We spent a weekend at the campground. We stayed at one of the RV lots and each of the RV lots has water hook-up, two 120V GFCI plugs, one RV30 plug and one NEMA 14-50 plug. We were able to use the RV30 plug with our adaptor to charge up our Teslas. The camp is clean and everyone is very friendly. All campers are really nice and very thoughtful.. If you stay near the center of the RV campsite it might be a bit loud with all the kids at the playground. However everything goes quiet once sun sets. The main bathroom in the middle of the campground is all separately enclosed with climate control (mini-split system) Each bathroom has a toilet, shower, vanity, and a diaper station. They are relatively clean and in good condition, although some show rust. There's a little shop in the middle of the campground that sells basic necessities, they sell wood for the firepit. From what I understand you have to buy wood from them. They also sell ice and hot coffee. However the main town of Lewes is less than 10 minutes away. You can get whatever you need there. Plenty of paths to walk around and they are beautiful hikes. It was the highlight of our trip. There is also a fishing pier. We really enjoyed the weekend here. Be advised that they only allow ONE car per lot so additional cars would have to stay in the parking lot outside the gate. They would also charge you entrance fee ($5 in-state, $10 out of state, per day) for that extra car.

I love coming here. There is a fee but it's worth it. A short walk from the parking lot it does get crazy busy and filled up on the weekends. I tend to go early to get a good spot. There are usually dolphin in the morning hours also. Sit back and enjoy the sound of the waves.

Such an insightful preservation of WW2 History and a reminder of how our grandparents served for our freedom. Fascinating.

Cape Henlopen Beach is probably the coolest beach you will ever visit. It is an abandoned Army Base. It was used in WW2 when the US thought the Germans would invade/attack the US. So there are old barracks, gun bunkers, and there is a watch tower you can climb for amazing views. It's a really cool place. This is hands down the best beach in Lewes. They have fantastic amenities. They have a nice and clean bathhouse and clean bathrooms. They do not have restaurants or food here. So bring your own and do NOT use the sand as your personal BBQ pit. A child got his feet burnt off a few years ago. The people buried their pit and left. There are so many dolphins here. They are curious. My husband and I are swimmers. You can here them clicking in the water. They will swim so close to you it's thrilling and scary at the same time. The water here is ice cold, even in the summer. Bring a wet suit. I can't swim here without one. It's just too cold here for me. I love Lewes because it's beautiful and fun. The beach is quiet. It's a hidden gem.

Rehoboth's hidden gem, Cape Henlopen is a beautiful state park located at the point where the Delaware River meets the mighty Atlantic. This nature preserve offers something for everyone, from its beaches, trails for biking and hiking, a fishing pier, and some historic remnants dating back to an earlier time in America's history. Whether you rent a bike in town, borrow a bike at the Nature Center (free for two hours), or just go for a long walk, the Gordons Pond Trail is a perfect way to just take in the natural beauty of this park. It's an easy bike ride even for beginners, with benches and observation decks strategically placed along the trail so you can take a break, enjoy the views, and just decompress - a great way to leave the hassles of everyday life behind for just a bit and be one with nature. For those of you who are more ambitious, you can continue further and make your way into Lewes, have lunch, then loop back around down the Junction & Breakwater Trail. It's no surprise why Cape Henlopen is a favorite of many locals who take their morning walks or bike rides through the park. Go visit and it'll soon become a favorite of yours as well.

The scenery is spectacular. All the vistas are easily accessible. The park is beautifully maintained.

I LOVE heading out to Cape Henlopen, especially in the Winter! The beaches are gorgeous and teaming with wildlife. For the beach comber, it's easy to find unique shells, sea glass, and even the occasional weird object (My BF & I found a very ocean-battered Ariel doll.) One of my favorite parts about visiting Cape Henlopen is seeing the Horseshoe Crabs cruising along the shores. I will be heading back there soon and hope to take so many beautiful photos! One of my favorite places in Delaware for sure!

Absolutely worth visiting. Go to the nature center, climb the top of the observation tower, visit the battery at Fort Miles, walk the pine trails, but most importantly visit the main attraction which are the beautiful beaches and the two amazing lighthouses off Cape Henlopen point!!! Every American should visit this place at least once in their life.

Just so you know all federal parks are free for veterans and so are most state parks this one is not. He did thank me for my service. Lol

I absolutely loved this park. The deep wooded trails are amazing and peaceful. The sand dunes near the beach are fantastic. There's a WWII tower used to watch for a German invasion that today is open to climb, good views. The best part was the point that overlooks the water and a lighthouse. However I'm only giving 4 stars because out of state residents have to pay $10 while Delaware residents pay only $5. Not very good hospitality.

What a beautiful state park and a great campsite! I camped here for a few days and had an amazing time! They have great bike trails and you can bike from the state Park to the Rehoboth area. The campsite may be a bit tight and crowded but don't let that scare you! The beach is gorgeous and very empty at times!

My wife and I visited here to see Fort Miles, the WW2 era gun batteries and just had our breath taken away by this place. The guns and bunker are impressive and the staff are really friendly helping you understand what this sites role was in the second world war, but the walks along the dunes are just wonderful. On the day we were there we had rain, sunshine, thick fog, pretty much any type of weather short of snow but the park seen from the walks, the dunes and even from the war era observation tower was lovely. For someone with an interest in the period or just the love of nature, this is a great place to visit.

Great beaches, trails, campsites. Please take your trash with you. Stop leaving your cigarette butts in the sand.

Two main things before you go: 1.) They charge admission. $10 per car, per day, for out-of-state residents ($5 for DE residents). Admission is free in the months of Dec, Jan and Feb. I've never known state parks to charge admission. 2.) Admission is CASH ONLY!!!! (they lose a star from me for this) We are day trippers, not campers, so my review is just about taking a nice long walk on the beach with pets. We had not been to this park for about a decade. Prior to that, we used to go each year, on New Year's Day, to get our dogs on the beach. We had also been, with my husband's friends, to play frisbee golf at their frisbee golf course. (Sorry I can't comment on the quality of the course because frisbee golf is totally not for me, but if you like frisbee golf, have at it.) There are a lot of confusing meandering roads in the park, but GPS was helpful, actually, necessary. A lot of the woods here are similar to the NJ Pine Barrens, but with a shorter canopy, probably due to the vicinity to the ocean/winds. Saw a lot of shore birds on the beach, and a large heard of deer in a meadow, but no other wildlife aside from that this trip. As others have mentioned, no trash cans anywhere. Extremely annoying. You'd think with all that $$ they charge on admission they could afford some trash cans. Again, our state parks in PA have trash cans and dog poo bags everywhere. Be prepared to bring your own bags and to hoard your trash in your car for your entire visit, then good luck finding a public trash can in town somewhere, to finally get rid of it. RIDICULOUS! Beaches are clean and beautiful. Sand was so plentiful and perfect, it looked imported, but maybe it's just dredged and put back, not sure? We did see boats dredging when we were there. Dunes are in great shape, and look amazing. Note that dogs are allowed on leash, but there are areas they may not go. There are pamphlets in the park office to instruct you about this. I am posting pics of some of this info, FYI.

Let me start off this review with the same advice I give everyone who heads out to the beach here with me: For a pleasant stay, do not google the words "shark attack" and "cape henlopen". Then you should be fine. For the longest time, I neglected the state parks of Delaware, until I did a summer share in Rehobeth and discovered Cape Henlopen was like the Delaware version of Assateague. I actually would have never thought of going to Cape Henlopen, until a group of East of Maui employees brought me out here.This is one of the places I love to camp at on the beach, basically because it's one of the few that has campsites available in the summer that aren't booked six months in advance. It's also a great place for a day trip. Here are a couple of pluses to Cape Henlopen -Campground has convenient bathrooms, and cabins available so it's not just tent camping. Camping rates and reservations are here: http://www.destateparks.com/camping/cape-henlopen/index.asp. They vary by season/ and weekday vs. weekend. -MILES and MILES of bike/walking trails through gorgeous wetlands. This might be the biggest advantage to the whole park. Don't have a bike? You can walk these trails but I'll just run you over with my pink beach cruiser or for the bike less, they actually have large shed/barn type thing next to the visitors center. Trust me, you want to do the bike trails here. It's not strenuous, since it is mostly flat and half the time you're riding over boardwalks, the scenery is incredible along Gordons Pond trail. It's apparently great for bird watchers and you'll see a lot of osprey. -Great fishing pier and shop (where you can buy a license), which is temporarily closed. I went fishing here for the first time, and had a blast. Managed to catch pretty much nothing though. -Several beaches to go to within a short distance. -Yelper Olivia D is absolutely right that the campers and fishers here are either rednecks or Korean church groups. It made for interesting campfire songs, which you will hear cause the campsites are right on top of each other. Let me tell you, one of these groups always has beer and they are pretty generous with it and the other group really likes Creed. Bring ear plugs. -The greatest advantage to camping out or hanging out here is the proximity to other activities, should nature or listening to Creed gets to be too much. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is just a short bike ride away too. The Rehobeth boardwalk is 2 miles away. Nearby Lewes has a couple great bars and restaurants. Disadvantages -The whole Creed thing and the campsites being close together. -Sharks

An excellent park to visit for the day with plenty of amenities and activities- trails to bike and hike, exploring the bay life, beach house/swimming beach, fishing and crabbing, camping, Fort Miles from WW2, and a visitor center with aquariums to learn local fish habitats. We have found the grounds to always be kept up and clean.

The most beautiful park ..maybe my favorite in my top 10 of my life. Birding, running trails, scenic vistas, clean, air for bikes, water for humans and dogs..just wow..Gorgeous, well run. 10.00 for out of state. Bring your pet.

5++ Happened to be in the Lewes area for New Years and unexpectedly saw a posting for a squid dissection. What?! Had to go. Day of, there was an issue and the scheduled dissection was canceled after we arrived. Fortunately, the worker there was SUPER helpful and provided us with details of other things to try. She also said we could come back by later and we might be able to see the squids. We borrowed three bikes and pedaled down some trails. WHAT A GREAT TIME! Who knew there was a park with free bikes to borrow? Awesome. We climbed up into an observation tower and checked out the military history items too. The barracks and guns make for great photo opportunities. We're so pleased we found this park. Plus, we did get to see a squid! And, a toadfish and a burrfish (super cute). Although there aren't a lot of fish tanks, they are well appointed and well cared for which is most important.

One of my favorite places to visit. There's so much to do! You can go to the beach, fish, go see historical sites, camp, bike, hike, play disc golf, etc. There's also a nature center and you can go bird watching. A nice place for anyone looking for a relaxing time.