Cape Henlopen State Park

It’s one of the iconic images of Delaware, a scene that has captivated countless photographers and come to define the state’s coastal beauty: A grand old lighthouse that rises just off the beach, lashed by frothy waves as it stands sentry next to “The Point” at Cape Henlopen State Park.

The vantage point to this lighthouse view also happens to be one of the best places for enjoying the spectacular natural beauty of the ocean and coast of Delaware. A land of gentle dunes and singing shorebirds, Cape Henlopen State Park is revered for its rich assortment of activities: sunbathing on the park’s six miles of shoreline; fishing from the jetty or beach; walking or cycling down the miles of wildflower-adorned trails that weave through dunes and wetlands. Families adore Cape Henlopen’s convenient camping sites, as well as its constant options for fun, ranging from Nature Center programs, to disc golf, to annual events such as the Delaware Kite Festival.

But this is also a place to find solitude, and get in touch with that quiet beauty that only nature can reveal. Take a trip to see hawks soar in breezy blue skies, or watch shorebirds feed their young in the nests they have nestled in the dunes. Hike out to the end of the “cape” itself and feel gloriously alone, accompanied only by the sea breeze, the surf and the sand. Climb to the top of the World War II observation tower and take in the panoramic view that validates the prevailing wisdom that Cape Henlopen is truly one of Delaware’s most scenic and beautiful places.