It can seem hard to escape the crowds in Delaware sometimes – though we have plenty of small towns, we tend to gather in the cities and larger towns for shopping, dining, and entertainment. When you’re looking to get a little off-the-grid-in the First State, check out these quiet Delaware trails and parks that you’re likely to have to yourself.
- Brandywine Creek State Park
Facebook / Brandywine Creek State Park Brandywine Creek State Park is a natural oasis hiding in the shadow of Wilmington’s crowded streets. This remote and serene state park is the perfect place to escape the city and leave the business world behind.Address: Brandywine Creek State Park, 41 Adams Dam Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807
- Burton Island, Delaware Seashore State Park
Facebook / Indian River Bay and Inlet, Delaware Did you know there’s an island in Delaware you can walk to? Burton Island near the Indian River Inlet is a cool place to explore, particularly in the winter. When the warmer weather comes, be sure to bring plenty of bug spray. For now, though, just enjoy the peaceful seaside hike.Address: Delaware Seashore State Park, 39415 Inlet Rd., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- Trap Pond State Park
Facebook / Trap Pond State Park Trap Pond is a giant state park in slower lower Delaware where you can spend hours hiking through paths and learning about local ecology. If you’re a kayaker, follow the James Branch trail to see the oldest and largest tree in Delaware, the 600 year old Patriarch Tree.Address: Trap Pond State Park, 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, DE 19956
- Fenwick Island State Park
Flickr / Lee Cannon Fenwick Island is a charming town that’s quiet in the off season, and the beaches at Fenwick Island State Park are nearly deserted. If you want some ocean time without the crowds, make it a point to visit here.Address: Fenwick Island State Park, DE-1, Fenwick Island, DE 19944
- Blackbird State Forest
Facebook / Blackbird State Forest Go on a backpacking adventure in Delaware’s most remote forest. Blackbird State Forest isn’t far from Dover or Newark, but it’s probably the most isolated campground in the First State. There are Adirondack style shelters along the tracts to keep you dry if the weather threatens your plans.Address: Blackbird State Forest, 502 Blackbird Forest Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
- Redden State Forest
Google Local / Bettina Postles Redden State Forest is home to quiet trails that are perfect for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. If you don’t want to wander off into the woods, at least take the time to visit for a picnic at their quiet grove.Address: Redden State Forest, 18074 Redden Forest Dr, Georgetown, DE 19947
- Big Stone Beach
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie Big Stone Beach, along the Delaware Bay, is beautiful and deserted in the offseason. Enjoy the sound of water lapping at the shores while you meditate on your relaxing stroll along the sand. In the spring, summer, and fall keep an eye out for horseshoe crabs, and pack plenty of bug spray.Address: Big Stone Beach, Big Stone Beach Rd, Milford, DE 19963
- White Clay Creek State Park
Facebook / White Clay Creek State Park White Clay Creek State Park is one of Delaware’s best kept secrets. This enormous preserve just outside of Newark is home to miles of trails, wading spots, and river overlooks. It’s a wonderful place to escape for the day without having to travel far.Address: White Clay Creek State Park, 880 New London Rd, Newark, DE 19711
- Gordon’s Pond, Cape Henlopen State Park
Flickr / Susan Smith Cape Henlopen State Park is rarely empty, but if you travel a little bit off the beaten path, you’ll find the remote Gordon’s Pond. Along this trail, you could walk all the way to Rehoboth Beach! It’s a great trail, combined with the Junction and Breakwater Trail, for a bike ride along the coastal marshes.Address: Gordons Pond Trailhead, 95-99 Ocean Dr, Lewes, DE 19958
Where are you planning on finding adventure this year? If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can always head indoors and check out any of these 8 Little Known Museums In Delaware Where Admission Is Free.
Facebook / Brandywine Creek State Park
Brandywine Creek State Park is a natural oasis hiding in the shadow of Wilmington’s crowded streets. This remote and serene state park is the perfect place to escape the city and leave the business world behind.Address: Brandywine Creek State Park, 41 Adams Dam Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807
Facebook / Indian River Bay and Inlet, Delaware
Did you know there’s an island in Delaware you can walk to? Burton Island near the Indian River Inlet is a cool place to explore, particularly in the winter. When the warmer weather comes, be sure to bring plenty of bug spray. For now, though, just enjoy the peaceful seaside hike.Address: Delaware Seashore State Park, 39415 Inlet Rd., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Facebook / Trap Pond State Park
Trap Pond is a giant state park in slower lower Delaware where you can spend hours hiking through paths and learning about local ecology. If you’re a kayaker, follow the James Branch trail to see the oldest and largest tree in Delaware, the 600 year old Patriarch Tree.Address: Trap Pond State Park, 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, DE 19956
Flickr / Lee Cannon
Fenwick Island is a charming town that’s quiet in the off season, and the beaches at Fenwick Island State Park are nearly deserted. If you want some ocean time without the crowds, make it a point to visit here.Address: Fenwick Island State Park, DE-1, Fenwick Island, DE 19944
Facebook / Blackbird State Forest
Go on a backpacking adventure in Delaware’s most remote forest. Blackbird State Forest isn’t far from Dover or Newark, but it’s probably the most isolated campground in the First State. There are Adirondack style shelters along the tracts to keep you dry if the weather threatens your plans.Address: Blackbird State Forest, 502 Blackbird Forest Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
Google Local / Bettina Postles
Redden State Forest is home to quiet trails that are perfect for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. If you don’t want to wander off into the woods, at least take the time to visit for a picnic at their quiet grove.Address: Redden State Forest, 18074 Redden Forest Dr, Georgetown, DE 19947
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie
Big Stone Beach, along the Delaware Bay, is beautiful and deserted in the offseason. Enjoy the sound of water lapping at the shores while you meditate on your relaxing stroll along the sand. In the spring, summer, and fall keep an eye out for horseshoe crabs, and pack plenty of bug spray.Address: Big Stone Beach, Big Stone Beach Rd, Milford, DE 19963
Facebook / White Clay Creek State Park
White Clay Creek State Park is one of Delaware’s best kept secrets. This enormous preserve just outside of Newark is home to miles of trails, wading spots, and river overlooks. It’s a wonderful place to escape for the day without having to travel far.Address: White Clay Creek State Park, 880 New London Rd, Newark, DE 19711
Flickr / Susan Smith
Cape Henlopen State Park is rarely empty, but if you travel a little bit off the beaten path, you’ll find the remote Gordon’s Pond. Along this trail, you could walk all the way to Rehoboth Beach! It’s a great trail, combined with the Junction and Breakwater Trail, for a bike ride along the coastal marshes.Address: Gordons Pond Trailhead, 95-99 Ocean Dr, Lewes, DE 19958
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