Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, DE, is located at 42 Cape Henlopen Drive along the Delaware Bay. It is one mile east of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry dock.
The park is open from 8 AM to sunset.
A pond, sand dunes, salt marshes and pinelands provide for a variety of habitats and areas to explore within the park.
It was first declared that the land the park is on would be for public use in 1682, when the lands here were granted to William Penn. Today the park covers 5,193 acres of land.
The park's two designated swimming beaches have lifeguards on duty between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. There are beach umbrella rentals available in the summer months. There is a bath house with changing rooms and showers as well as a food concession stand at the northern beach which is designated for swimming. There are 6 miles of coastal beach here in all.
The three mile long paved trail is open to biking and running throughout the year. Hiking the Pinelands Nature Trail or Seaside Trail for sea bird watching are also some of the year round activities to engage in here. There is also an 18-hole golf course and basketball parks in the park as well as facilities that can be rented for events. Annual family events and concerts are also organized within the park.
Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, DE, has a WWII era Observation Tower that can be scaled for a bird's eye view in all directions. A former army bunker is also found here overlooking the coast. In this section of the park is the Fort Miles Historical Area. During WWII heavy guns and searchlights were here. They were protected by mine fields.
In the shadow of the observation tower, is Fort Miles Historical Area. During World War II, the Delaware River was a chief priority for defense planners because of the access it afforded to the giant trade centers of Wilmington, Philadelphia, and beyond. Fort Miles, located in what is now Cape Henlopen State Park, was a key piece in the nation's coastal defense at that time.
In 2005, Fort Miles joined the National Register of Historic Places. There are interpretive tours of the Fort. It also hosts some of the parks events including dance parties.
From May 15th through October 1st, there is a fishing center open 7 days a week within the park selling bait and tackle, rods and reels and snacks and sundries for park visitors, fishermen and campers.
The Biden Environmental Training Center here offers accommodations and meeting spaces within the park.
The Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, DE, has campgrounds with facilities that include a dump station, showers, drinking water, restrooms and even laundry facilities.
Kayak rentals are also available in the park.
Review, comment, or add new information about this topic: