Cape Henlopen State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cape Henlopen State Park |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Looking north from Herring Point at Cape Henlopen State Park
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 Cape Henlopen State Park
Location in Delaware
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| Location | Sussex, Delaware, United States |
| Area | 5,193 acres (21.02 km2) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Named for | Cape Henlopen |
| Governing body | Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control |
| Website | Cape Henlopen State Park |
Cape Henlopen State Park is a large state park in Delaware, covering about 5,193 acres. It's located on Cape Henlopen in Sussex County. This park has a special history because William Penn declared its beaches public land way back in 1682. This made it one of the very first public lands in what would become the United States.
Today, Cape Henlopen State Park offers many fun activities. You can fish 24 hours a day, all year round, from its long fishing pier. There are also campgrounds where you can stay overnight. Other parts of the park are open from sunrise to sunset. These areas include a bathhouse near the Atlantic Ocean, spots for surf-fishing, a disc golf course, and paths for biking and walking. If you like surfing, Herring Point beach is a popular spot. The park is also part of Delaware's Coastal Heritage Greenway.
While entrance is free during the off-season, there's a small fee from March 1 to November 30. This fee helps maintain the park. Special passes are available for surf fishing, and there are lower rates for military members, seniors, and those receiving social services. These passes let you visit all state beaches and parks in Delaware.
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Park History: A Look Back
Cape Henlopen, located on Delaware Bay, has been a public area for a very long time. It officially became a Delaware state park in 1964. Back in 1682, William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania and was an early leader of Delaware, decided that Cape Henlopen and its natural resources should be kept for everyone to use and enjoy. This decision made Cape Henlopen one of the first public lands in the Thirteen Colonies.
Cape Henlopen's Military Past
The cape was a very important place for the U.S. Navy and Army during many wars. These included the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. A lighthouse called Cape Henlopen Light was built here between 1767 and 1769. It was the sixth lighthouse on the Atlantic Coast. It stopped working in 1924 after a storm damaged it. The lighthouse eventually fell into the ocean in 1926.
During World War II, the U.S. Army built Fort Miles at Cape Henlopen. You can still see many bunkers, concrete observation towers, and the pier that was used to lay mines in the harbor. The park also has several fire control towers and underground gun batteries (bunkers) from that time. These were meant to protect against air attacks.
Off the coast, on the bay side, there are two other lighthouses: the Harbor of Refuge Light and the Delaware Breakwater East End Light.
Amazing Wildlife at the Park
Cape Henlopen State Park is home to many different animals, especially various types of shorebirds. Some endangered species of birds, like the black skimmer, least tern, and piping plover, live here in large numbers. Horseshoe crabs are also very common, especially in the Delaware Bay.
Fun Things to Do
The beach at Cape Henlopen State Park is open all year. There are two beaches where you can swim, and lifeguards are on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The northern beach has a modern bathhouse with showers, changing rooms, and a snack bar. North Shore Beach, the southern beach, is also a popular spot.
Gatherings and Sports
Cape Henlopen State Park has two places you can rent for big group events: a pavilion for picnics and the "Officer's Club," which is a building left over from the Fort Miles days. The 18-hole disc golf course and basketball courts are open all year. Hunting is allowed in some parts of the park during Delaware's official hunting seasons. Hunters must follow the rules set by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Fishing Adventures
Cape Henlopen State Park is a great place to go fishing. You can fish from the beach or from the fishing pier on Delaware Bay. There's a bait and tackle shop called the Cape Henlopen Fishing Center at the pier. It's open seven days a week from May 15 to October 1. If you want to drive your car onto the beach for surf fishing, you can get a permit from the park authorities. Walking onto the beach over the dunes is always allowed.
Camping and Trails
The pine-covered dunes at Cape Henlopen State Park offer camping in some areas. There are over 150 campsites available, and most have running water. You can go family camping from March 1 to November 30, but you need to make reservations. There's also a simpler campground for youth groups.
The park has many marked nature and hiking trails that go through different areas, from the beach to pine forests. Biking is another popular way to explore the park, and you can rent bicycles during part of the year.
Cape Henlopen State Park is the eastern end of the American Discovery Trail. This is the only trail that crosses the entire United States.
Seaside Nature Center
The park's Seaside Nature Center has marine aquariums and exhibits about the park's natural history. They offer environmental education programs all year. The nature center also has an auditorium and a gift shop.
You can join programs like hayrides, guided nature walks and hikes, bird-watching trips, and workshops for preschool children and school groups. They also have special vacation workshops for kids.
Nearby State Parks
Here are some other state parks located within 30 miles (about 48 km) of Cape Henlopen State Park:
- Cape May Point State Park (New Jersey)
- Delaware Seashore State Park (Sussex County)
- Fenwick Island State Park (Sussex County)
- Holts Landing State Park (Sussex County)
- Killens Pond State Park (Kent County)
- Trap Pond State Park (Sussex County)
