Cape Henlopen State Park

Cape Henlopen State Park is a Delaware state park located near the town of Lewes, in Sussex County, at the point where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Spanning roughly 7,000 acres, the park offers visitors the opportunity to swim in the ocean, bike through the sand dunes, fish from the bayside fishing pier, and camp beside historical World War II-era observation towers, all while enjoying a unique combination of natural wonders and cultural history. The park's origins as a public space date back to 1682, making it one of the oldest protected public lands in what would become the United States, though it did not receive its official designation as a Delaware state park until 1964.

History

Cape Henlopen's history stretches back thousands of years, starting as a land rich in resources for Native Americans, before becoming a strategic site granted by William Penn for public use in the 1600s. William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania and early leader of Delaware, decreed that Cape Henlopen and its natural resources be set aside for the use and enjoyment of the citizens of the Delaware Colony — a decree that established Cape Henlopen as one of the first public use parcels of land in the Thirteen Colonies. The name of the cape itself reflects its colonial-era roots: Cape Henlopen was originally spelled "Cape Hinlopen," named after Thijmen Jacobsz Hinlopen, a prominent Dutch trader, and marked New Netherland's southernmost border on the 37th parallel north.

The park's critical location at the mouth of Delaware Bay made it a popular place for military operations and research from the Revolutionary War through the Cold War. As interpretive program manager Kaitlyn Dykes of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has noted, the same strategic location that made it a great spot for a fort in World War II also made it ideal for a Navy headquarters during World War I, a quarantine station in the 1800s, and cannon emplacements during the American Revolution.

Cape Henlopen Light, the sixth lighthouse built on the Atlantic Coast, was constructed from 1767 to 1769. It remained in operation until 1924, when it was abandoned after being extensively damaged by a storm in 1920. The lighthouse ultimately fell into the Atlantic Ocean on April 13, 1926, where it remains today.

In 1964, Cape Henlopen State Park was officially dedicated following the purchase of some 1,641 acres of land from the U.S. Department of Defense, and the park has continued to grow in size and popularity ever since.

Fort Miles and World War II Heritage

Among the most distinctive features of Cape Henlopen State Park is its well-preserved World War II military heritage. During World War II, the U.S. Army built Fort Miles at Cape Henlopen, and numerous bunkers, concrete observation towers, and the pier built to accommodate the laying of mines on the harbor floor remain today. Within the park grounds are a handful of fire control towers from that era, as well as underground gun batteries intended for use against potential air attacks.

Fort Miles became operational on December 4, 1941, just three days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. At the time, the German fleet was a legitimate threat to U.S. shipping and the American coastline — in the first half of 1942 alone, German U-boats sank 14 ships off the coast of New Jersey. After World War II, the military used Fort Miles primarily as a recreation area, until the fort officially closed in 1991.

Now designated a walkable artillery park, historical area, and museum with multiple buildings and areas to tour, the Fort Miles Historical Area is a cornerstone of the nation's coastal defense story. The Fort Miles Museum is housed in Battery 519, one of many underground bunkers throughout the park.

The Seaside Nature Center, now home to a touch tank and interactive exhibits, was once the prison for Fort Miles. When German soldiers were captured in Delaware Bay in 1945, they were briefly held there before being quickly transferred north to Fort DuPont.

Natural Environment and Wildlife

Located at the point where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Henlopen offers a unique combination of natural wonders and cultural history, with its coastal environment encompassing ocean and bay beaches, maritime forests, and tidal salt marshes.

Cape Henlopen State Park is home to a vast array of wildlife, notably several species of shorebird. The black skimmer, least tern, and piping plover are all endangered species that are abundant within the park, and horseshoe crabs are also very common, especially in the Delaware Bay.

The only publicly-owned wild beach in Delaware to include dune and marsh habitats, Beach Plum Nature Preserve within the park is an important habitat for shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. A small portion of the beachfront allows surf-fishing access, and a pedestrian-only trail allows for exploration, but the majority of this wild space is off-limits to the public for wildlife conservation.

In June and July, some small sections of the park's beach may be closed to protect endangered shorebird nesting areas. Bird watching is a year-round draw, and the Hawk Watch offers an elevated vantage point for scenic views and the opportunity to watch the natural birdlife around the bay area, as well as a chance to spot dolphins and other marine life.

Recreation and Trails

Cape Henlopen's pristine beaches, mature maritime forests, prime nesting habitat, and abundant wildlife make it beloved by outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy diverse habitats, the Seaside Nature Center and Fort Miles Historical Area, as well as extensive bike paths and both ocean and bay beaches.

The park features eight distinct trails suited to a range of abilities and interests. The Gordons Pond Trail, a 3.2-mile accessible path, offers stunning views of dunes, forests, and wetlands, while the Junction and Breakwater Trail provides 5.8 miles of scenic beauty for those seeking a longer adventure. The Walking Dunes Trail is a 2.6-mile loop trail near Lewes that is suitable for all skill levels and is accessible year-round, passing through impressive sand dunes that offer one-of-a-kind views. In total, there are 10 miles of biking trails in Cape Henlopen State Park, ranging from easy rides on asphalt with views of salt marsh and dunes to more adventurous dirt trails.

Cape Henlopen State Park serves as the eastern terminus of the American Discovery Trail, the only transcontinental trail in the United States. The entire American Discovery Trail runs from Cape Henlopen to San Francisco, and the Delaware portion of the trail bisects the state.

Fishing is another major draw. The quarter-mile fishing pier offers convenient access to Delaware Bay, and visitors are advised to carry necessary licenses before fishing. Popular catches from the Delaware Bay and ocean include sea bass and bluefish. Visitors may also drive onto the beach for surf fishing after receiving a permit from park authorities, and access over the dunes is open to pedestrians at all times.

The park's beaches are well suited for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. Visitors can rent a canoe or kayak to explore the park's waterways, or try clamming and windsurfing for a more adventurous day on the water.

Camping and Visitor Amenities

Cape Henlopen State Park offers a variety of camping opportunities, from RV and tent camping to rustic cabins. The cabins feature electricity, air-conditioning, and refrigerators, and can accommodate up to six people — situated on the edge of the campground for a secluded retreat after a day of exploring.

The campground offers water, 30-, 50-, and 100-amp electric hook-ups, fire rings and picnic tables, a one-way vehicle circulation pattern, a camp store, a laundry facility, pull-through sites, walk-in tent sites, a play area, dump stations, and a renovated registration booth. The campground at Cape Henlopen is open year-round.

The Seaside Nature Center is a staple of Cape Henlopen visits, featuring a 500-gallon touch tank, five 1,000-gallon exhibit tanks showcasing local species and habitats, a live Osprey camera feed, an instructional classroom, and a retail shop. The park's borrow-a-bike program is also operated through the nature center. A designated swimming beach, accessible from the Lewes entrance to the park, provides lifeguard patrols between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Mobi-Mat equipment consisting of three 30-foot mats is also available at this location, allowing those in wheelchairs and power chairs to access the beach from the boardwalk.

Each season brings a unique character to Cape Henlopen: summer is ideal for beach activities and swimming, fall and spring offer mild weather perfect for hiking and bird watching, while winter provides a quieter, more serene setting for peaceful walks and exploring historical sites.