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4.5
915 votes

Cape Henlopen State Park

15099 Cape Henlopen Dr., Lewes, Delaware 19958 USA

$
$$$$
Budget
Closed Now
Opens Fri 6a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“Enjoy the Beaches, Friend”

Cape Henlopen's beaches attract thousandsof visitors who enjoy ocean swimming and sunbathing. Two designated swimming beaches provide lifeguard patrolsbetween Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day (schedule may vary due to staff availability).Umbrellas can be rented during the summer. The northern swimming area also features a modern bath house with showers, changing rooms, and a food concession. This swimming area also features Mobi-Mat equipment, consisting of three 30-foot mats allowing those in wheelchairs and power chairs to access the beach from the boardwalk. The park's open spaces feature many other activities. A picnic pavilion and the "Officer's Club" building can both be reserved for group events. An 18-hole disc golf course encourages friendly competition, and basketball courts promote more active exercise. Winter hunting is permitted in some areas of the park; a hunting permit is required, and information can be obtained from the Park Office. Annual events such as the Kite Festival and the Halloween Fantasy Trail are family favorites. The park also conducts a variety of entertaining recreational programs, including natural history lectures, seaside seining, and birdwatching, to name but a few. Cape Henlopen has many year-round hiking and biking opportunities. Experience the park's scenic and ever-changing landscape - and get a lesson in history - along the three-mile-long paved trail that loops the park. Take a trail break and climb to the top of the World War II Observation Tower, where the 360-degree views are spectacular. Or take a short climb to the top of a former military bunker to view the dynamic action along the Atlantic coastline. Explore the coastal environment along the Seaside or the Pinelands Nature Trails, or hike the six miles of beach along the Atlantic Ocean.

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Reviewed by
AriaBillings

  • 3 Reviews
  • 4 Helpful
June 11, 2019
Rated 5.0

Cape Henlopen is a fantastic state park with tons of shoreline, surfing, kayaking, hiking and biking trails, and a campground. We stayed here at the campground, and even though it was very busy (no vacancies!) it was still reasonably quiet and very well kept up. The beach is FANTASTIC- perfect for swimming on a hot day. The sand is white(ish) and soft, and you don’t have to worry about rocks, although because of the blue crabs you may still want to wear water shoes. They have a camp store, bait and tackle shop, fishing pier, large parking areas, and even a kayak/paddle board tour company on site that’ll take you out to see bottlenose dolphins in the Atlantic!

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Lesli Peterson

  • Blogger
  • 1,148 Reviews
  • 43 Helpful
March 14, 2022
Rated 5.0

The park’s fire and lookout towers are one of its highlights, along with the charming Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse. The lighthouse sits right off the coast, and while boat tours run intermittently, you can also take in the view from the park.

Short trails run through coastal forest, while the beach itself offers swimming, a fishing pier, and water sports. If you find that you want to spend more time at the park, a state-run campground has campsites available seasonally.

We think a visit here is one of the best things to do in Delaware!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
meganasimmons

  • 40 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
October 17, 2021
Rated 3.0

Not impressive, smelled really fishy. Only stayed for an hour or so.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Nancy Sewell

  • 1,228 Reviews
  • 394 Helpful
September 01, 2016

Camping $30-$125 depending on season and amenities

http://destateparks.com/camping/cape-henlopen/index.asp

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Thaddeus Taylor

  • 4 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
November 02, 2022
Rated 5.0

Park shares site with Fort Miles, so the area has diverse curiosities. The beach is a bit of a walk from the campground, but there are paved trails.

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Cape Henlopen State Park

15099 Cape Henlopen Dr.
Lewes, Delaware
19958 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Fri, Sat: 6:00 am - 12:00 am
  • Mon - Thu: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
  • Sun: 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

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  • Parking
  • Pets Allowed
  • Restrooms
  • Wifi
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
State park or forest
Max Stay
14
Sites Count
155
  • Paved Sites
  • Fifty Amp
  • Full Hookup
  • Rec Facilities
  • Pull Through
  • Tent Sites
  • Dump Station
  • Big Rigs
  • Age Restricted
  • Boondock
  • Cabin Sites
  • Dispersed Sites
  • Firewood
  • Fulltime Residents
  • Group Tent Sites
  • Laundry
  • Mobile Homes
  • Open Seasonally
  • Permit Required
  • Potable Water
  • Propane
  • Public Water
  • Pull Through RV Sites
  • Reservations
  • Sewer Hookup
  • Showers
  • Sites
  • Standard Tent Sites
  • Vehicle Wash Permitted
  • Water Hookup
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Campground, Parking, Restrooms

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