Outdoors, Sports, and Recreation in Delaware

Plus, insider tips from local outdoor enthusiast.

Good Sports. Take it outside.

Jerry duPhily
Publisher, Out & About Magazine • Wilmington
“It’s a pleasure to explore the Brandywine Valley by car, but if you really want to soak up this magnificent landscape, see it from a bicycle. One of my greatest pleasures is to hop on my road bike and wind my way through the circuitous roads that splinter off in all directions from the National Scenic Byway that locals know as Route 52. Within a manageable 25-mile course you can cruise past world-class attractions such as Winterthur, Hoopes Reservoir, Mount Cuba, Ashland Nature Center and Gibraltar. “

Jerry Wilson
President, Delaware Premier Outdoorsman
“The Little Creek Wildlife Management Area offers vast hunting opportunities—from whitetail deer to ducks and geese and all the small game in between.  It is hands down the best hunting and trail hiking area in Kent County. The best fishing in Kent County is at Killens Pond. All species are present and there is plenty of shoreline for fishing, which is fun for the whole family.”

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Matt Carter
Owner, Quest Fitness and Kayak
“One of the places I take both my clients and my kids is Cape Henlopen State Park. It’s so diverse. There’s the ocean, the bay, hiking trails and biking trails. It’s great to get off the trail and explore, and it’s a great way to hike to Rehoboth. You pass Gordon’s Pond. It’s just beautiful. We also go kayaking on the Broadkill River and Canary Creek—anyplace surrounded by the Great Marsh. It’s easily accessible, and it’s a unique environment.”

 

Recreation • Town by Town Guide

Parks and Natural Areas

Bear

Bethany Beach

Bridgeville

Camden

Delaware City

Dover

Felton

Fenwick Island

Frankford

Georgetown

Glasgow

Greenville

Harrington

Hockessin

Laurel

Lewes

Little Creek

Milford

Milton

Millville

Newark

Ocean View

Port Mahon

Port Penn

Rehoboth Beach

Seaford

Selbyville

Smyrna

Townsend

Wilmington

Wyoming

Viola

Other

 

 

 

Public Golf Courses

Bridgeville

Lewes

Long Neck

Magnolia

Millville

Milton

Milford

Newark

Ocean View

Rehoboth Beach

Seaford

Smyrna

Townsend

Wilmington

Over the Line

 

Sports

Dover

Harrington

New Castle

Stanton

Wilmington

     

 
» Return to the 2014 Ultimate Guide to Delaware

 

Bear

Beck’s Pond County Park
827 Salem Church Road, Bear, 395-5654, nccde.org/Parks Great fishing from land and by boat

Lums Pond State Park
1068 Howell School Road, Bear, 368-6989, destateparks.com Sports fields, disc golf, and the new zip line treetop adventure

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Sunset Stables
Howell School Road, Bear, 834-7588, sunsetstable.com Features trail riding

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Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach Nature Center
Del. 26, Bethany Beach, 537-7680, bethany-beach.net/naturecenter.htm A 26-acre conservation area of mostly wetlands

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Bridgeville

Marshyhope Wildlife Area
Whitney Swamp Road and Sandy Hill Road, Bridgeville dnrec.delaware.gov 1,000 acres for hunting

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Camden

Brecknock Park
80 Old Camden Road, Camden, 744-2495, co.kent.de.us 86 acres

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Delaware City

Fort Delaware State Park
Delaware City, 834-7941, destateparks.com Pea Patch Island features a Civil War fort.

Fort DuPont State Park
45 Clinton St., Delaware City, 834-7941, destateparks.com 322 acres and a historic fort

Michael N. Castle Trail
Delaware City A 14-mile-long, shared-use recreational trail along the north side of the C&D Canal

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Dover

Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve
818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, 739-3436, swc.dnrec.delaware.gov Includes the Blackbird Creek and St. Jones reserves

Silver Lake
Kings Highway and Washington Street, Dover, 736-7050, cityofdover.com Boating, fishing, volleyball and a fitness court.

St. Jones Reserve
818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, 739-3436, swc.dnrec.delaware.gov Home of the St. Jones Center for Estuarine Studies.

Ted Harvey Conservation Area
Ted Harvey Wildlife Area Road, Dover, dnrec.delaware.gov 2,700 acres

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Felton

Killens Pond State Park and Water Park
5025 Killens Pond Road, Felton, 284-3412, destateparks.com Water slides, two pools

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Fenwick Island

Fenwick Island State Park
Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, 227-2800, destateparks.com Enjoy the ocean and inland bays on this barrier island.

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Frankford

Assawoman Wildlife Area
37604 Mulberry Landing Road, Frankford, 539-3160, dnrec.delaware.gov Three tracts total 3,100 acres on Little Assawoman Bay.

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Georgetown

Midlands Wildlife Area
Jones Store Road and Hardscrabble Road, Georgetown, fw.delaware.gov, 2,100 acres

Redden State Forest & Education Center
18074 Redden Forest Drive, Georgetown, 856-2893, dda.delaware.gov/forestry Delaware’s largest state-owned timberland.

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Glasgow

Glasgow County Park
U.S. 40 and U.S. 896, Glasgow, 395-5654, nccde.org/Parks A 2.7-mile paved pathway loops this 250-acre park, which features a skate park, dog park and a sledding hill.

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Greenville

Coverdale Farm
543 Way Road, Greenville, 239-2334, delawarenaturesociety.org The 352-acre Burrows Run Preserve features pastures and fields, ponds and woodland.

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Harrington

Taber State Forest
1953 Burrsville Road, Harrington, 349-5754, dda.delaware.gov/forestry 1,240 acres

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Hockessin

Ashland Nature Center
3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, 239-2334, delawarenaturesociety.org Offers a butterfly garden and educational programs.

Mt. Cuba Center
3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, 239-4244, mtcubacenter.org 600 acres devoted to the propagation of native plants

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Laurel

Trap Pond State Park
33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, 875-5153, dnrec.state.de.us Features the northernmost stand of bald cypress in the United States.

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Lewes

Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve
South Bayshore Drive, Lewes, destateparks.com 129 acres open seasonally for fishing

Cape Henlopen State Park
42 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, 645-8983, destateparks.com Swimming, camping, fishing pier, Frisbee golf, picnic areas

Junction and Breakwater Trail
Wolfe Neck Road, Lewes, destateparks.com A six-mile multi-use trail from Lewes to Rehoboth Beach

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Little Creek

Little Creek Wildlife Area
Little Creek, 284-1077, dnrec.delaware.gov 4,700 acres of wildlands popular with hunters

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Milford

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center
15411 Abbott’s Pond Road, Milford, 422-0847, delawarenaturesociety.org 313 acres features and old grist mill and pond

DuPont Nature Center and the Mispillion Harbor Reserve
2992 Lighthouse Road, Milford, 422-1329, dupontnaturecenter.org A prime area for viewing shorebirds

Milford Neck Wildlife Area
Milford Neck Road and Pritchett Road, Milford, 284-1077, fw.delaware.gov 5,500 acres

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Milton

Edward H. McCabe Preserve
100 W. 10 St., Milton, 654-4707, nature.org, 143 acres of tidal marshes, upland forests and Atlantic white cedar swamp

Ponders Tract at Pemberton Forest Preserve
Del. 16, Milton, nature.org 908 acres are open mid-February through mid-August

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
11978 Turkle Pond Road, Milton, 684-8419, primehook.fws.gov 10,000 acres

Prime Hook Wildlife Area
Little Neck Road, Milford, fw.delaware.gov

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Millville

Holts Landing State Park
Road 346, Millville, 227-2800, destateparks.com 203 acres on Indian River Bay

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Newark

Cooch-Dayett Mills
904 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, 239-2334, delawarenaturesociety.org Educational center

Iron Hill County Park
Iron Hill Road, Newark, 395-5654, nccde.org/Parks 335 acres include a dog park

Mason-Dixon Trail
masondixontrail.org Runs through White Clay Creek State Park

Middle Run Valley Natural Area
Possum Hollow Road, Newark, 395-5654, nccde.org/Parks 850 acres

White Clay Creek State Park
425 Wedgewood Road, Newark, 368-6900, destateparks.com 37 miles of trails

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Ocean View

James Farm Ecological Preserve
Cedar Neck Road Ocean View, 226-8105, inlandbays.org Two miles of trails

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Port Mahon

Port Mahon Preserve
Port Mahon Road, Port Mahon, 654-4707 340 acres of beaches, marshes and creeks

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Port Penn

Augustine Wildlife Area
Port Penn, 834-8433, fw.delaware.gov About 2,700 acres border the Delaware River.

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Rehoboth Beach

Delaware Seashore State Park
130 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth, 227-2800, destateparks.com 2,825 acres

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Seaford

Nanticoke Wildlife Area
Matts Road and Ellis Mill Road, Seaford, fw.delaware.gov 4,400 acres of wilderness

Old Furnace Wildlife Area
Old Furnace Road and Fleetwood Pond Road, Seaford, fw.delaware.gov 2,000 acres

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Selbyville

Great Cypress Swamp
Del. 54 west of U.S. 113, Selbyville 12,400 acres. Permission required to enter.

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Smyrna

Big Oak Park
417 Big Oak Road, Smyrna, 744-2495, co.kent.de.us 90-acres feature the Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation

Blackbird State Forest
502 Blackbird Forest Road, Smyrna, 653-6505, dda.delaware.gov/forestry

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, 653-9345, fws.gov/northeast/bombayhook The 16,000-acre refuge is a mecca for birders.

Woodland Beach Wildlife Area
4876 Hay Point Landing Road, Smyrna, 653-2882, fw.delaware.gov 6,300 acres is home to the Aquatic Resources Education Center.

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Townsend

Blackbird Creek Reserve
801 Blackbird Landing Road, Townsend, 378-5734 swc.dnrec.delaware.gov 400 acres

Cedar Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Walker School Road, Townsend, fw.delaware.gov 5,000 acres on the Delaware River

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Wilmington

Alapocas Run State Park
1914 W. Park Drive, Wilmington, 577-1164, destateparks.com Blue Ball Barn and Can-Do Playground for children of all abilities.

Banning County Park
Maryland Avenue and Middleboro Road, Wilmington, 395-5654, nccde.org/Parks Ponds, athletic fields and picnic areas

Bellevue State Park
800 Carr Road, Wilmington, 761-6963, destateparks.com Fishing, tennis, trails

Brandywine Creek State Park
41 Adams Dam Road, Wilmington, 577-3534, destateparks.com 933 acres of upland forest, meadows and creek bottom

Brandywine Park
1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington, 577-7020, destateparks.com The park runs along both sides of the famous creek in Wilmington.

Brandywine Springs County Park
3300 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, 395-5654, nccde.org/Parks A suburban park

Brandywine Zoo
1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington, 571-7747, brandywinezoo.org More than 150 animals

Canby County Park
Oak Street and South Clayton Street, Wilmington, 395-5654, nccde.org/Parks

Carousel Farm County Park
3700 Limestone Road, Wilmington, 395-5654, nccde.org/Parks The park offers trails, a pond, and stables with horses.

The Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont St., Wilmington, 658-6262, thedch.org This nonprofit’s gardens showcase urban horticulture.

Delcastle Recreation Area
McKennans Church Road, Wilmington, 395-5654, nccde.org/Parks 400 acres with golf, tennis and multi-use trails

DuPont Environmental Education Center
1400 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington, 656-1490, duponteec.org Exhibits on water-related topics in an urban wildlife refuge.

Fox Point State Park
Hay Road, Wilmington, 761-6963, destateparks.com Along the Delaware River

Northern Delaware Greenway Trail
1910 Rockland Road, Wilmington, 655-7275, delawaregreenways.org A 9-mile stretch of multi-use trail

Rockwood Mansion Park
610 Shipley Road, Wilmington, 761-4340, rockwood.org A six-acre estate

Russell W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge
1400 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington, 656-1490, duponteec.org 200 acres of freshwater marsh

Valley Garden Park
Campbell Road, Wilmington, 576-3810, nccde.org/Parks Trails, miniature waterfalls near Hoopes Reservoir

Wilmington State Parks
1021 W. 18th St., Wilmington, 577-7020, destateparks.com Includes Brandywine Park and Rockford Park

Woodlawn Trustees Area
Woodlawn Road, Wilmington, 655-6215, woodlawntrustees.com 2,000 acres on forest, meadows, agriculture fields and multi-use trails on the Brandywine Creek

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Wyoming

McGinnis Pond
Wyoming, fw.delaware.gov 31 acres

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Viola

Norman G, Wilder Wildlife Area
782 Kersey Road, Viola, fw.delaware.gov 4,400 acres for hunting, riding horses

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Other

Delaware Birding Trail
delawarebirdingtrail.org A chain of 27 sites across the state offers prime viewing.

Delaware Center for the Inland Bays
39375 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, 226-8105, inlandbays.org Protects and preserves Delaware’s three shallow inland bays

Ecodelaware.com
This site lists outdoor recreation, education areas and outdoor events statewide.

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Bridgeville

Heritage Shores Club
1 Heritage Shores Circle, Bridgeville, 337-7514, heritageshoresgolf.com

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Lewes

Marsh Island Golf Club
21383 Camp Arrowhead Road, Lewes, 945-4653

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Long Neck

Baywood Greens
32267 Clubhouse Way, Long Neck, 947-9800, baywoodgreens.com

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Magnolia

Jonathan’s Landing
1309 Ponderosa Drive, Magnolia, 697-8204, jonathanslandinggolf.com

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Millville

Bethany Bay Golf Club
Captain’s Court, Millville, 539-3833, bethany-bay.com

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Milton

 The South Rookery Golf Course
27052 Broadkill Road, Milton, 684-3000, rookerygolf.com

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Milford

The Rookery North Golf Course
6152 S. Rehoboth Blvd., Milford, 422-9745, rookerygolf.com

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Newark

Deerfield
507 Thompson Station Road, Newark 368-6640, deerfieldgolfclub.com

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Ocean View 

Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club
7 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean View, 537-5600, beartrapdunes.com

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Rehoboth Beach

Old Landing Golf Course
20836 Old Landing Road, Rehoboth Beach, 227-3131, oldlandinggolf.com

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Seaford

Hooper’s Landing Golf Course
1019 W. Locust St., Seaford, 629-2890, seafordde.com/index.cfm?ref=84100

 

Smyrna

Garrisons Lake Golf Club
101 W. Fairways Circle, Smyrna, 659-1206, garrisonslakegolf.com

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Townsend

Odessa National
1131 Fieldsboro Road, Townsend, 464-1007, odessanationalgolfclub.com

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Wilmington

Delcastle Golf Club
801 McKennan’s Church Road, Wilmington, 998-9595, delcastlegc.com

Ed Oliver Golf Club
800 N. DuPont Road, Wilmington, 571-9041, edolivergolfclub.com

Rock Manor Golf Course
1319 Carruthers Lane, Wilmington, 295-1400, rockmanorgolf.com

White Clay Creek Country Club
777 Delaware Park Blvd., Wilmington, 994-6700, whiteclaycreekgolfcourse.com

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Over the Line 

Bittersweet Golf Club
1190 Augustine Herman Hwy., Elkton, Md., (410) 392-4099, bittersweetgc.us

Chesapeake Bay Golf Club at North East
1500 Chesapeake Club Drive, North East, Md., (410) 287-0200, chesapeakegolf.com

Chesapeake Bay Golf Club at Rising Sun
128 Karen Drive, Rising Sun, Md., (410) 658-4343, chesapeakegolf.com

Chisel Creek Golf Club
13 Chisel Creek Drive, Landenberg, Pa., (610) 255-3961, chiselcreekgolf.com

The Golf Course at Glen Mills
221 Glen Mills Road, Glen Mills, Pa., (610) 558-2142, glenmillsgolf.com

Loch Nairn Golf Club
514 McCue Road, Avondale, Pa., (610) 268-2234, lngolf.com

Patriots Glen Golf Club
300 Patriots Way, Elkton, Md., (410) 392-9552, patriotsglen.com

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Dover

Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
1131 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover, 674-4600, doverdowns.com Live harness racing. October to April. Simulcasts of harness and thoroughbred racing.

Dover International Speedway
1131 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover, (800) 441-RACE, doverspeedway.com Dover hosts major NASCAR events in spring and fall.

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Harrington

Harrington Raceway & Casino
15 West Rider Road, Harrington, 398-7223, harringtonraceway.com Live harness and simulcast racing.

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New Castle

Airport Speedway
2412 Speedway Drive, New Castle, 328-8302, airportspeedway.com Hosts micro-sprint racing on Saturday nights April-October

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Stanton

Delaware Park
777 Delaware Park Blvd., Stanton, (800) 41-SLOTS, delawarepark.com, Thoroughbred racing May through November. Simulcast, slots and sports betting, too.

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Wilmington

Wilmington Blue Rocks
801 S. Madison St., Wilmington, 888-2015, bluerocks.com Minor league baseball team plays April into September. 

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