Holts Landing State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holts Landing State Park |
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Crabbing pier at Holts Landing State Park
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 Holts Landing State Park
Location in Delaware
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| Location | Sussex, Delaware, United States |
| Area | 203 acres (82 ha) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Established | 1965 |
| Named for | The Holt Family |
| Governing body | Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control |
| Website | Holts Landing State Park |
Holts Landing State Park is a fun place to visit in Delaware! It's a big park, about 203-acre (82 ha), located near Bethany Beach in Sussex County. This park used to be a family farm owned by the Holt family. They sold it to the state in 1957, and it officially opened as a state park in 1965.
The park sits on the southern shore of Indian River Bay. It's open all year round for different activities. One special thing about Holts Landing State Park is its unique pier. It's the only pier on Delaware's east coast built just for crabbing, which is catching blue crabs for fun!
Contents
Park History: From Farm to Fun
Holts Landing State Park, located on Indian River Bay, has a long history. For thousands of years, Native peoples lived here. They enjoyed the rich seafood from the shallow bay waters. They also hunted animals in the nearby marshes and forests.
European Settlers and the Holt Family
When people from Europe arrived, things changed for the Native Americans. Many were forced to leave their homes due to wars and sickness. European families began farming the land along the Indian River Bay. They also continued to fish and harvest seafood from the bay.
The Holt family owned a small farm and a boat landing here for many years. In 1957, they sold their land to the state of Delaware. Eight years later, in 1965, Holts Landing State Park opened its doors for everyone to enjoy.
Community Spirit: Helping the Park Grow
By 2014, the park needed some care. Not many people were visiting, so it didn't get much money for repairs. This created a cycle: fewer visitors meant less funding, which meant the park's facilities got worse.
To fix this, local people started a group called the "Friends of Holts Landing State Park" in October 2014. These volunteers helped clean up the park and worked with state officials. They wanted to make the park better for everyone.
Park Improvements and Celebrations
Between January and May 2015, the Friends group worked hard. They cleaned trails, put up new signs, and even helped redesign trails to prepare for future sea level changes. They also added new benches and picnic tables.
In the summer of 2015, the park celebrated its 50th birthday! They started a summer music concert series as part of "Family Fun Nights." These events helped bring more people back to the park.
In October 2015, the park's old boat ramp was replaced. A new, wider two-lane concrete ramp opened in April 2016. This new ramp leads to a deeper channel, making it easier for boats to launch.
Recreation: What to Do at the Park
Holts Landing State Park has over 2,000 feet (610 meters) of shoreline along the beautiful Indian River Bay. There's so much to do here!
Crabbing and Fishing Fun
The park has a 220-foot (67-meter) crabbing pier built in 2001. It's perfect for catching blue crabs! You can lower a baited basket into the water and wait for the crabs to grab the bait. The pier is also great for fishing. You might catch sea trout, flounder, bluefish, or perch. If you like to wade in the shallow water, you can even harvest clams!
Boating and Kayaking Adventures
The park's two-lane concrete boat ramp is the only public boat and kayak launch on the south shore of the Indian River Bay. It's a great spot for launching boats up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) long. The ramp leads to a channel that's 60 feet (18.3 meters) wide and 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep. Many fishermen and recreational boaters use this ramp.
Exploring the Trails
The park covers 204 acres (82.5 hectares) of forest. You'll find several hidden fresh water ponds here, which formed naturally from old road construction pits. The park has three wilderness campsites and two main trails, plus three smaller ones, totaling 3.1 miles (5 km). These trails are easy for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding:
- The Sea Hawk Trail is a 1.3-mile (2.1-km) loop. You can access it from the main parking area. It takes you through forests, past ponds, and through a grassy meadow. Keep an eye out for birds like ospreys!
- The Seahorse Trail is a 1.8-mile (2.9-km) loop. It's built on packed earth and goes through the western part of the park. You'll pass campsites, walk along the forest edge, and see some of the freshwater ponds.
- The Connector Trail is a short path that links Holts Landing Road to the Seahorse Trail. It follows the edge of the forest.
- There's also an unnamed trail that lets you shorten the Seahorse Trail loop.
- A small part of the old Sea Hawk Trail still exists near the bay shoreline.
Picnics and Playtime
Holts Landing State Park is perfect for a picnic! There are picnic tables in shady spots and charcoal grills nearby. You can also spread a blanket on the large lawn. A pavilion with a big grill is available to rent for parties or family gatherings. The park also has a playground and horseshoes pits for extra fun. Public toilets are located near the main parking area.
The Assawoman Canal
The Assawoman Canal, which connects Indian River Bay to Little Assawoman Bay, is part of the park. It was dug by hand in the 1890s! While it's not deep enough for big boats anymore, it's now a peaceful place for kayaking.
The park's recreation facilities are open daily from 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time until sunset. The boat ramp, however, is open 24 hours a day.
Family Fun Nights
Since 2015, the park has hosted annual summer music concerts as part of "Family Fun Nights." These events started to celebrate the park's 50th anniversary. Now, the Friends of Holts Landing State Park group helps organize these fun evenings for families.
Wildlife: Animals of the Park
Holts Landing State Park is home to many different animals and birds. You might see wading birds like herons, egrets, and ibises. Hawks and ospreys are often seen flying overhead.
In the forests, you can spot songbirds, white-tailed deer, raccoons, foxes, muskrats, and opossums. The small ponds, formed from old construction pits, provide homes for many local animals and plants. The Assawoman Canal also supports a variety of wildlife.
Nearby State Parks
If you love state parks, here are some others within 30 miles (48 km) of Holts Landing State Park:
- Assateague State Park (Maryland)
- Cape Henlopen State Park (Sussex County)
- Cape May Point State Park (New Jersey)
- Delaware Seashore State Park (Sussex County)
- Fenwick Island State Park (Sussex County)
- Killens Pond State Park (Kent County)
- Trap Pond State Park (Sussex County)
