National Parks in Delaware include one national park site and three affiliated sites.
Sites include two National Historic Trails, one wild and scenic river, and a national historical park.
Delaware National Parks
The park sites in Delaware are spread over the state. There is not one central visitor center to get everything so you will want to plan to time to truly explore the sites and learn more about the history of the United States and how Delaware was a part of becoming the first state.
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (Affiliated Site)
Top Things to do -Boating and Paddling, Geocaching, Visit the museums, monuments, and parks in and around Washington DC dedicated to American Indian history and heritage, Explore the Northern Neck of Virginia by Bicycle, Hiking and Nature Trails, Wildlife Viewing, Float your boat in the national capital region, Picnicking
Lodging - There are no lodging options within the park. However, Delaware offers a variety of lodging options and in nearby towns and cities, and you can find accommodations to suit various preferences and budgets.
Camping- There are no camping options within the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
Park Address - 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown 23081
The Captain John Smith Chesapeake NHT is a 3,000-mile water route that crosses six states (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia). You can enjoy getting out on the water and learning more about the route that Captain John Smith explored.
Between 1607 and 1609 Smith mapped and documented nearly 3,000 miles of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.
This trail was the first national water trail established in the United States.
First State National Historical Park
Top Things to do -Hiking, Fishing, Horseback Riding, Junior Ranger Program
Lodging - First State National Historic Park, spanning multiple locations in Delaware, does not provide lodging within the park itself. However, there are lodging options available in nearby towns and cities such as Wilmington, Dover, New Castle, Brandywine Valley, Lewes, and Rehoboth Beach to accommodate visitors exploring the park's various sites.
Camping- There is no camping in the park
Park Address - 211 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720
First State NHP is spread over seven sites in Delaware that tell the story of the First State. The seven sites currently do not have one central visitor center but have welcome centers and information at each site.
You can visit Beaver Valley, Fort Christina, Old Swedes Historic Site, New Castle Court House, The Green in Dover, John Dickinson Plantation, and Ryves Holt House to truly experience this park.
The park was created as First State National Monument by President Barack Obama under the Antiquities Act on March 25, 2013, the park was later redesignated as First State National Historical Park by Congress.
Washington - Rochambeau National Historic Trail (Affiliated Site)
Top Things to do - visit the Hale-Byrnes House, Guided Tour, Picnicking
Lodging - There is no lodging within the park
Camping- There are no campgrounds within the park
Park Address - 1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia 19406
The Washington–Rochambeau National Historic Trail covers 680 miles across ten states. The trail offers the chance to explore the same routes the American and French soldiers took in 1781 and 1782 during the Revolutionary War.
Within Delaware, you can visit the Hale-Byrnes House where George Washington had a war council to discuss the defense of Philadelphia on September 1777.
Additional National Park Travel Resources
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
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List of National Parks in Delaware
- First State National Historical Park (also Pennsylvania)
Affiliated Sites
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (VA, MD, DE, DC, PA, NY)
- Washington - Rochambeau National Historic Trail (MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, DC)
There is 1 National Park in Delaware along with 1 wild and scenic river managed by the National Park Service, 1 National Trail, 708 National Register of Historic Places Listings and 14 National Historic Landmarks.
National Parks found in Delaware also include 708 places recorded by the Heritage Documentation Program.
For an entire list of US National Parks head over to our list of US National Parks in Alphabetical Order. We also have a printable checklist of all 417 National Park properties in the United States available.
If you have dreamed of working in the National Parks make sure and check out our article on How to Become a Park Ranger. Working in the parks is one of the most amazing jobs you can find. There is just something special about waking up and knowing you are going to work in a beautiful park.
National Parks in the Neighboring States
National Parks in Pennsylvania
Make sure to check out all of the epic things to do in Wilmington, Delaware while visiting.
Delaware State Parks
The Delaware State Parks System manages 17 State Parks.
They offer a variety of outdoor activities from camping, swimming, and touring historical sites to going for a hike on the miles of hiking trails!
Some of the top-rated parks in the state of Delaware include:
- Cape Henlopen State Park
- Brandywine Creek State Park
- Delaware Seashore State Park
- Killens Pond State Park
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