Cape Henlopen State Park – Lewes, Delaware
Price: Park entrance fees apply (seasonal Delaware State Park rates)
Size: About 5,400 acres
Managed By: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Explore one of Delaware’s most iconic coastal destinations at Cape Henlopen State Park, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Located just outside Lewes, this expansive park features miles of beaches, coastal dunes, maritime forests, and wetlands that support diverse wildlife and year-round outdoor recreation.
Originally set aside in 1682 by William Penn as public land for local residents, the area became an official Delaware state park in 1964. Today, it preserves both natural landscapes and historic landmarks, including remnants of Fort Miles, a World War II coastal defense installation built to protect the entrance to Delaware Bay.
Visitors can explore more than six miles of shoreline, enjoy fishing from the park’s pier, or hike and bike through extensive trail systems that wind through dunes and forests. The park is also home to the Seaside Nature Center, environmental education programs, and several restored World War II observation towers that offer panoramic coastal views.
Highlights at Cape Henlopen State Park
- Ocean and bay beaches for swimming and sunbathing
- Surf fishing and a year-round fishing pier
- Hiking and biking trails through dunes and forests
- Historic Fort Miles Museum and WWII observation towers
- Seaside Nature Center with educational exhibits
- Campgrounds and picnic areas
Wildlife & Natural Habitat
Cape Henlopen protects an important coastal ecosystem that supports shorebirds such as the piping plover, least tern, and black skimmer, as well as seasonal horseshoe crab migrations along the Delaware Bay.
With scenic beaches, historic sites, and miles of trails, Cape Henlopen State Park remains one of the most visited outdoor destinations on Delaware’s coast.