Cape Henlopen State Park RV & Campground Guide
Delaware
- Home
- State Parks
- Delaware
- Cape Henlopen State Park
Featuring water, beaches and trails, Cape Henlopen State Park’s roots can be traced back to 1682, making it one of the nation’s first “public lands.” The area has been in the public domain ever since, and many come to the park each year to enjoy ocean swimming, boating, kayaking, hiking, biking and much more. The park also offers Mobi-Mat equipment, which allows those in wheelchairs and power chairs to access the beach from the boardwalk.
It’s a stop on the Delaware Coastal Heritage Greenway, and spans 5,193 acres. Read on to find out what else makes Cape Henlopen State Park a unique and exciting state park, and one worth a visit!
Spring 37-73 F
Summer 64-86 F
Fall 51-78 F
Winter 29-59 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cape Henlopen State Park
Tent camping nearby the beach seems like a good idea, but a measly sleeping bag can get uncomfortable, and don’t forget about all that sand you’ll be bringing home! A day enjoying nature at the beach can really wipe you out, so getting a good night’s sleep in a cozy RV is the cherry on top to a great vacation day. Plus, an RV offers a private bathroom and stocked kitchen, so whenever you want a snack, it’s ready! When you rent an RV fromRVshare.com, you can find a custom rig perfect for your family and vacation needs, at a price that suits your exact budget. All rentals come with nationwide insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a world-class team dedicated to helping you succeed.
The campground at Cape Henlopen is set amount pine-covered dunes and offers over 150 campsites, with 2-point hookups, 100-amp service on several sites and sites for larger rigs. There are also twelve camping cabins and twenty walk-in sites. Campsites can fill up quickly, but there are many RV parks and campgrounds located nearby. Some of these include:
Tall Pines Campground Resort
Located nearby the Cape Henlopen State Park, but offering wooded seclusion on the shore, Tall Pines Campground Resort offers a wide variety of unique amenities. There’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy at this campground!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes, but pets must be kept inside or on a leash not to exceed six feet with owner at all times
Other amenities: gated access, security after hours, splash park, swimming pool, general store, mini golf, fitness center, playground and a modern bathhouse with showers
Big Oaks Campground
Just a stone’s throw from the State Park and just 2.5 miles from Rehoboth Beach, the Big Oaks Campground is a family-friendly RV park with something for everyone, including activities such as movie nights, bingo, ice cream parties and more during the camping season. Full hookup rates start at $65 per night.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes, at certain central locations
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: swimming pool, playground, game room, basketball court, horseshoes, shuffleboard, store, shuttle service, picnic tables and fire rings
What to Do at
Cape Henlopen State Park
Inside Cape Henlopen State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park isn’t just for water lovers, although there are plenty of water activities for visitors to enjoy. But there’s plenty more nature experiences to enjoy in the beautiful waterside state park. Some of the unique activities include:
Water and Beaches – From ocean swimming to boating, fishing, kayaking, clamming, paddle-boarding and wind-surfing, there is so much to do at Cape Henlopen State Park. Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, it’s a designated swimming beach, providing lifeguard patrols. There’s also Mobi-Mab equipment available at the State Park, which allows those in wheelchairs and power chairs to access the beach from the boardwalk.
Hiking and Trails – From dunes to a seaside trail, there are hiking opportunities for all ages and abilities on a number of trails within Cape Henlopen State Park.
Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area – Fort Miles, located inside the State Park, was once a key piece of the nation’s coastal defense during World War II. Fort Miles is now a museum and historical area, and visitors can learn about Delaware stories, heroes from the area and the state’s role in WWII. Guided tours, interpretive programs, an art gallery and special events are available.
Seaside Nature Center – The newly-renovated Seaside Nature Center offers a wide variety of activities and programs for children and adults alike, exhibits that explain the different habitats within the Cape Henlopen State Park, five 1,000-gallon tanks with local fish and a live Osprey cam (April through August). The centerpiece of the newly-renovated center will delight all: a 495-gallon, two-level touch tank with viewing windows that allows visitors to see stingrays, horseshoe crabs and more.
Nature Center Hours:
Mid-June through Labor Day - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Fall and Spring - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
November through March - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, Closed Monday and Tuesday
Bike Riding – Paved bike trails are available for exploring the park on bicycle, and the Friends of Cape Henlopen offer a Borrow-a-Bike program. On a first-come, first-served basis (weather permitting), free bikes are available for 2 hours at a time. Bikes must remain within the park and stay on the paved bike trails. The Borrow-a-Bike program is available 9am – 3pm daily on days when the nature center is open.
Outside Cape Henlopen State Park
Whether on land or the water, there is plenty to do outside of Cape Henlopen State Park. When exploring the historic area, there will never be a dull moment! Some of the unique things to do outside of the State Park include sightseeing, unique shopping, delicious food and much more.
Restaurants
From delicious, fresh seafood to family-friendly American fare, there are plenty of delicious restaurants around Cape Henlopen State Park, so you’re sure to find one to enjoy a meal with friends and family. Plus, being located on the shore means that plenty of restaurants offer not only great food, but beautiful, scenic views, too.
Irish Eyes Pub and Restaurant
Enjoy fresh, delicious seafood and Irish pub fare in a beautiful setting, right on the water at Irish Eyes Pub and Restaurant. The family-friendly restaurant serves Irish-inspired food, plus drinks.
Type: Seafood-Centric, Irish Pub
Location: Lewes, DE
Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant
After a day in nature or on the beach, there’s nothing quite as good as a cold beer and a delicious meal. At Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant, you can get both! The most award-winning brewery east of the Mississippi offers craft beers and handcrafted foods.
Type: American/Brewery
Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE
Fish On
What’s better on a beach vacation that fresh seafood? Not much! Fish On, true to its name, serves fresh local seafood, and market favorites, plus it has a great daily happy hour.
Type: Seafood
Location: Lewes, DE
Shopping
Penny Lane Mall
The nearest shopping area to Cape Henlopen State Park is the Penny Lane Mall, which features a variety of unique, small businesses local to the area.
Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE
Tanger Outlet Center
Forget your favorite swim trunks, or just want to do some discount shopping? Tanger Outlet Center features a variety of brand-name and designer outlet stores, so you can find some snazzy new duds at a discount!
Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE
Sightseeing
Jungle Jim’s River Safari Water Park
Sometimes you don’t need a beach for water fun! Jungle Jim’s is Delaware’s largest water park, and features a wave pool, kid’s spray ground, lazy river, giant water slides, an activity pool, kiddie pool and much more. Plus, there are also batting cages, bumper boats, mini golf and more.
Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE
Cape Water Tours and Taxis
If you haven’t had enough of the water after spending a day at Cape Henlopen State Park, you can take in a water cruise, too! Cape Water Tours and Taxis offers a wide variety of adventures on the water, including narrated and non-narrated tours, evening cruises, live music cruises and much more.
Location: Lewes, DE
Fisherman’s Wharf
Experience the water in a different way – by watching for dolphins or whales, fishing, or just cruising on the open water and taking it all in. Fisherman’s Wharf offers all that, plus evening cruises, private cruises and charters and much more.
Location: Lewes, DE
How to Get to
Cape Henlopen State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park is located on Cape Henlopen Drive in Lewes, DE. For a map and directions, click here.
Entering Cape Henlopen State Park
Just like most state parks, there’s a fee to enter Cape Henlopen State Park. Annual passes are also available.
Cape Henlopen State Park Residents : $5.0
Cape Henlopen State Park Non-residents : $10.0
We can’t wait for you to get out there and enjoy the Delaware coast and Cape Henlopen State park! No matter what you are doing, inside or out of the park, you’re going to have a wonderful time enjoying nature and history. Don’t forget to tag us in your social media posts or shoot us a photo and some details at [email protected]. We may just feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cape Henlopen State Park
Winter is a popular time to visit if you want to hike around Point Overlook and walk through the various beaches. Cape Henlopen State Park offers a wide selection of trails, and visitors love watching the early sunrise.
Yes, you can find over 150 RV sites in Cape Henlopen State Park. They are available with pull-through sites, water, and 30-, 50-, and 100-amp electrical hookups. There are also 12 camping cabins and 20 walk-in sites.
You can reserve a camping spot up to a year in advance, and sites are available year-round. For Delaware residents, they range from $25 to $59 depending on the day of the week and the season. Rates for nonresidents are $35 to $67 per night.
Pets are allowed as long as they're leashed and stay within 6 feet of you at all times. Pets are not allowed at swimming and sunbathing beaches from May 1 through Sept. 30.
Yes, many of the facilities at Cape Henlopen State Park are wheelchair-accessible, and there is a wheelchair-accessible beach area as well inside the park for visitors.