web analytics

Lums Pond State Park

Written by

Joe Hummel III

in

Lums Pond State Park (Bear, Delaware)

New Castle County’s Largest Freshwater Pond

Lums Pond State Park is home to the largest freshwater pond in Delaware, spanning approximately 200 acres near Bear, Delaware. The park covers approximately 1,790 acres of forest, wetlands, and open recreation space and is one of the most-visited outdoor destinations in northern Delaware.

If you’re building venue content to outrank everyone else, this is a heavy hitter.

A Brief History of Lums Pond

Lums Pond dates back to the early 1700s, when it was originally dammed to power a sawmill. The name “Lums” comes from early landowners in the area.

During the 19th century, the pond became an important water source for the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal system, which officially opened in 1829. The pond fed into the canal network through a feeder system designed to help maintain navigable water levels.

By the mid-20th century, the property transitioned from private use to public recreation. The State of Delaware acquired the land in stages beginning in the 1960s, and it officially opened as Lums Pond State Park in 1963.

Trivia you can slip in: Lums Pond was once considered as a possible drinking water source for New Castle County before modern reservoirs took over.

What Makes Lums Pond Unique

This isn’t just “a pond and some trails.”

🌊 The Pond Itself

  • ~200 acres of freshwater

  • Popular for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding

  • Fishing for bass, crappie, catfish, and sunfish

  • Electric motor boats permitted (no gas engines)

The shoreline includes quiet coves and wooded edges that make it feel surprisingly remote for being near Route 896 and Route 40.

🌲 Trails & Outdoor Recreation

Lums Pond features 17+ miles of multi-use trails including:

  • Swamp Forest Trail
  • Little Jersey Trail
  • Pondside Trail
  • Mountain biking loops
  • Equestrian-access trails

The trails cut through hardwood forests, wetlands, and open fields — and in fall, it’s one of the most underrated foliage spots in New Castle County.

🧗 Go Ape Treetop Adventure

One of the most recognizable features at Lums Pond is Go Ape, a commercial treetop adventure course featuring:

  • Zip lines over the pond
  • Rope bridges
  • Elevated obstacle courses

It’s one of the few large-scale aerial adventure courses in Delaware and draws regional visitors from PA, MD, and NJ.

🏕 Camping at Lums Pond

Lums Pond offers:

  • Tent campsites
  • RV sites with electric hookups
  • Yurts
  • Modern bathhouses

This makes it one of the few northern Delaware parks that support overnight stays, which adds major search value for “Delaware camping near Wilmington” style queries.

Wildlife & Natural Features

Because of its freshwater ecosystem, Lums Pond attracts:

  • Great blue herons
  • Bald eagles (occasionally spotted)
  • Ospreys
  • Beavers
  • White-tailed deer
  • Migratory waterfowl

It’s also part of a larger wetland ecosystem connected to the C&D Canal watershed.

Lums Pond Address:

1068 Howell School Road

Bear, Delaware 19701

It’s positioned conveniently near:

  • Route 896
  • Route 40
  • Delaware City
  • Summit North Marina
  • Chesapeake & Delaware Canal Trail

More posts