Cape Henlopen State Park

Cape Henlopen State Park is a 5,193-acre park at the point where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Home to six miles of coastline, including both ocean and bay beaches, the park offers maritime forests, tidal salt marshes, and dunes. Originally inhabited by the Lenape indigenous people, the area was later explored by Henry Hudson in 1609. During the 17th century, it became a strategic military outpost for the Dutch and British, shaping its historical significance. 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, making it one of the first public parks in the Thirteen Colonies. Today the park is home to over 300 species of plants and animals and is the starting point for the American Discovery Trail, the only coast to coast hiking and biking trail in the country.