From playgrounds and nature centers to tubing, train rides, and even gem panning, Delaware State Parks offer something for every age and stage. Here’s your go-to guide for planning your next family adventure!
We're celebrating Delaware State Parks and its 75th anniversary! Join Delaware State Parks in celebrating all year long in three adventurous steps!
- Explore Delaware’s incredible State Parks! Use the Park Finder to scout your perfect park match.
- Join programs and events. Special celebrations are coming up, and they need you out there! Show your park support by getting involved in local festivities. Simply filter for “75Anniversary” on destateparks.com/programs/ to explore the list.
- Show your park philanthropy! It takes a BIG team to care for and maintain our shared outdoorspaces. Volunteer or donate to make a big impact in supporting our parks and the wildlife that call them home. Learn more by visiting destateparks.com/75-years
🛝 Best Parks for Playgrounds
Alapocas Run State Park
- Can-Do Playground (All Ages, fully inclusive)
- NinjaFit Playground (13+)
Bellevue State Park
- Kaboom! Playground (Ages 2–5)
- Oval Track Playground (Ages 5–12)
- Music Garden Playground (Ages 2–5)
Fox Point State Park
- Playground (Ages 2–12)
Lums Pond State Park
- Playground (Ages 2–12)
White Clay Creek State Park
- Playground (Ages 2–12)
Brandywine Zoo
- Nature Playground
🌊 Water Play & Paddle Fun
Brandywine Creek State Park
- Tubing
- Paddle Sports
- Water Play
- Nature Center (great rainy day backup!)
Lums Pond State Park
- Paddle Sports
- Fishing
- Nature Center
White Clay Creek State Park
- Creek Wading & Water Play
- Panning for Creek Gems (unique kid favorite!)
- Nature Center
Auburn Valley State Park
- Water Access & Wading
- Fishing
Fort Delaware State Park
- Ferry Ride Adventure to Pea Patch Island
🦅 Birding & Nature Exploration
Great for young naturalists and homeschool days!
- Alapocas Run
- Auburn Valley
- Bellevue
- Brandywine Creek
- Fort Delaware
- Fox Point
- Lums Pond
- White Clay Creek
- Wilmington State Parks
🧗 Adventure & Big Kid Fun
Alapocas Run
- Outdoor Rock Climbing
- NinjaFit Playground
- Northern Greenway (paved & accessible trails)
Lums Pond
- Go Ape Adventure Park
- Camping (tents, yurts & cabins)
White Clay Creek
- Gem Panning in the Creek
- Trackchair Access (amazing accessibility feature!)
🚂 Unique Experiences You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Auburn Valley State Park
- Ride a Vintage Steam Car or Miniature Railroad
- Marshall Steam Museum
- Historic Marshall Mansion
Fort Delaware State Park
- Ferry Ride
- Living History
- Paranormal Tours (older teens/adults)
Wilmington State Parks
- Rockford Tower
- Josephine Fountain
- Summer Concerts
🏕 Camping & Overnight Adventures
Lums Pond State Park
- Camping (tents, cabins & yurts)
- Nature Center
- Playground
- Paddle Sports
🌧 Rainy Day Backup Plans
Nature Centers are perfect for unpredictable weather:
- Blue Ball Barn (Alapocas)
- Brandywine Creek Nature Center
- Lums Pond Nature Center
- White Clay Creek Nature Center
- Killens Pond (worth the drive!)
🎶 Concerts, Art & History
Bellevue
- Concerts
- Historic grounds
- Horse Barn
Wilmington State Parks
- Summer Concerts at Rockford
- Historic landmarks
Fort Delaware
- Living History
Auburn Valley
- Marshall Mansion Tours
🥪 Best Parks for Picnics & Pavilions
- Alapocas Run
- Bellevue
- Brandywine Creek
- Fort Delaware
- Fox Point
- Lums Pond
- White Clay Creek
- Wilmington State Parks
Perfect for:
- Birthday parties
- Scout outings
- Family reunions
- End-of-season sports parties
♿ Accessibility Highlights
- Paved Accessible Trails (Alapocas, Fox Point, Lums Pond, Brandywine Zoo)
- Trackchair Access at White Clay Creek
- Accessible playground options
- Filterable trail system (64 statewide trails by surface, difficulty & accessibility)
🌟 Summer Camps
Offered at:
- Alapocas
- Auburn Valley
- Bellevue
- Brandywine Creek
- Brandywine Zoo
- Lums Pond
- White Clay Creek
Themes include:
- Rock climbing
- Ziplines
- Waterslides
- Nature exploration
- History programs
Why Families Love Delaware State Parks
✔ Easy day trips
✔ Affordable outdoor fun
✔ Educational opportunities
✔ Active adventures for all ages
✔ Programs year-round
✔ Something for toddlers to teens
And with the Passport & Trading Card Program, kids can collect memories (and cards!) at every park they visit.
