Delaware’s hikes are relatively flat and easy, so they’re perfect for bringing children. If you’ve got a little one who loves nature, wildlife, and the beautiful Delaware coastal ecosystems, bring them on these kid-friendly hikes in Delaware this spring. The best hikes in Delaware are sure to be fun for the whole family!
- Thompson Island Trail, Delaware Seashore State Park
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie The Thompson Island trail is a .7-mile out and back trail that takes you past marsh and pine forest before ending at an overlook that shows Thompson Island, the Rehoboth Bay, and the skyline of Dewey Beach. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy before turning around and heading back home.You could spend hours hiking through Delaware Seashore State Park and still not see it all. Thompson Island Trail, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
- Cypress Point Trail, Trap Pond State Park
Flickr / Andrew Wiseman The one-mile Cypress Pond Trail is a loop that shows off the best of Trap Pond’s famous baldcypress trees. If you’re looking for more hiking after you complete this trail, the park has two more short and easy hikes. Trap Pond State Park, 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, DE 19956, USA
- American Holly Trail, Trap Pond State Park
Flickr / Lee Cannon The American Holly Trail is a short, .7-mile loop trail that connects to the longer Loblolly Trail around Trap Pond. Enjoy the views of the pond and cypress trees on this easy, scenic trail!
- Island Trail, Trap Pond State Park
Flickr / Lee Cannon The Island Trail at Trap Pond is a short .6-mile loop trail that will show off the forest and wetlands of Trap Pond. It’s a great way to finish a day of hiking the park’s other trails, and it connects to the American Holly Trail. Trap Pond State Park is a Delaware natural wonder and you’ll never run out of trails to explore.
- Alapocas Woods, Alapocas Run State Park
Flickr / Andrew Russell This trail is .7-mile one way, and it’s paved for easy hiking. Enjoy views of rocky outcroppings and take side trails to vistas and interesting finds. Did you know this state park close to Wilmington was so beautiful Alapocas Run State Park, 1914 W Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
- Prison Camp, Fort Delaware State Park
Flickr / Simon Follow this .8-mile-long trail around Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island. This historic fort was once used as a Confederate Prison during the Civil War. You’ll spot all sorts of wildlife, and can tour the fort after your hike. When you visit, you’ll find out that Fort Delaware State Park is one of the most haunted places in the country. Fort Delaware State Park, 45 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA
- Port Penn, Fort DuPont State Park
Flickr / amdoughterty There are interactive exhibits along this .9-mile trail that tell you about the ecosystems and history of the tidal marsh area. The trail actually takes you through the Augustine Wildlife Area. Fort DuPont is one of a handful of abandoned forts in Delaware. Fort DuPont State Park, Wilmington Ave, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA
- Riverview Trail, Fort DuPont State Park
Flickr / amdoughterty The Riverview Trail takes you past the old, abandoned batteries of Fort DuPont and shows off scenic views. This trail is a one-mile loop.
- Trolley Trail, Auburn Valley State Park
Facebook / Auburn Heights Preserve This short, half-mile-long trail was once a trolley path. Walk the historic loop that follows Auburn Mill millrace to the Red Clay Creek and a large open meadow.Auburn Valley State Park is the newest addition to the Delaware State Park system! Auburn Valley State Park, 3000 Creek Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707, USA
There’s nothing like getting in touch with nature in the First State, and these kid-friendly hikes in Delaware are a great way to introduce your little ones to the great outdoors. For more amazing hikes in Delaware that would be easy for anyone, read our list of 9 Amazing Delaware Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love.
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie
The Thompson Island trail is a .7-mile out and back trail that takes you past marsh and pine forest before ending at an overlook that shows Thompson Island, the Rehoboth Bay, and the skyline of Dewey Beach. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy before turning around and heading back home.You could spend hours hiking through Delaware Seashore State Park and still not see it all.
Thompson Island Trail, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
Flickr / Andrew Wiseman
The one-mile Cypress Pond Trail is a loop that shows off the best of Trap Pond’s famous baldcypress trees. If you’re looking for more hiking after you complete this trail, the park has two more short and easy hikes.
Trap Pond State Park, 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, DE 19956, USA
Flickr / Lee Cannon
The American Holly Trail is a short, .7-mile loop trail that connects to the longer Loblolly Trail around Trap Pond. Enjoy the views of the pond and cypress trees on this easy, scenic trail!
The Island Trail at Trap Pond is a short .6-mile loop trail that will show off the forest and wetlands of Trap Pond. It’s a great way to finish a day of hiking the park’s other trails, and it connects to the American Holly Trail. Trap Pond State Park is a Delaware natural wonder and you’ll never run out of trails to explore.
Flickr / Andrew Russell
This trail is .7-mile one way, and it’s paved for easy hiking. Enjoy views of rocky outcroppings and take side trails to vistas and interesting finds. Did you know this state park close to Wilmington was so beautiful
Alapocas Run State Park, 1914 W Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
Flickr / Simon
Follow this .8-mile-long trail around Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island. This historic fort was once used as a Confederate Prison during the Civil War. You’ll spot all sorts of wildlife, and can tour the fort after your hike. When you visit, you’ll find out that Fort Delaware State Park is one of the most haunted places in the country.
Fort Delaware State Park, 45 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA
Flickr / amdoughterty
There are interactive exhibits along this .9-mile trail that tell you about the ecosystems and history of the tidal marsh area. The trail actually takes you through the Augustine Wildlife Area. Fort DuPont is one of a handful of abandoned forts in Delaware.
Fort DuPont State Park, Wilmington Ave, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA
The Riverview Trail takes you past the old, abandoned batteries of Fort DuPont and shows off scenic views. This trail is a one-mile loop.
Facebook / Auburn Heights Preserve
This short, half-mile-long trail was once a trolley path. Walk the historic loop that follows Auburn Mill millrace to the Red Clay Creek and a large open meadow.Auburn Valley State Park is the newest addition to the Delaware State Park system!
Auburn Valley State Park, 3000 Creek Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Delaware May 18, 2022 Kim Magaraci Where are the best hikes in Delaware for avid hikers?
Hikers and people who love the outdoors will have a great time exploring the trails around White Clay Creek State Park and Middle Run Valley Natural Area. Both trail systems are in Newark and they connect. From White Clay Creek, you can even hike into Maryland and Pennsylvania! Both parks showcase the beautiful rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley Which kid-friendly hikes around Delaware are scenic year-round?
Any of the hikes in Cape Henlopen State Park will be fun for kids, and the Fort Miles Historic Area is particularly interesting. It’s a former WWII base turned into a park, with a tower to climb for great views. The beach town of Lewes, where the park is located, is a delightful spot for a day trip all year long. Are there any easy hikes near Wilmington, Delaware?
You’ll find lots of easy hikes around Wilmington, Delaware. The Delaware Nature Society runs the DuPont Environmental Education Center near the Christina River, which shows off the unique ecosystems along the water and the marshes farther inland. Alapocas Run State Park is in Wilmington, too, and offers hiking trails and even rock climbing in Wilmington, if you want to get adventurous.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Delaware
May 18, 2022
Kim Magaraci
Where are the best hikes in Delaware for avid hikers?
Hikers and people who love the outdoors will have a great time exploring the trails around White Clay Creek State Park and Middle Run Valley Natural Area. Both trail systems are in Newark and they connect. From White Clay Creek, you can even hike into Maryland and Pennsylvania! Both parks showcase the beautiful rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley Which kid-friendly hikes around Delaware are scenic year-round?
Any of the hikes in Cape Henlopen State Park will be fun for kids, and the Fort Miles Historic Area is particularly interesting. It’s a former WWII base turned into a park, with a tower to climb for great views. The beach town of Lewes, where the park is located, is a delightful spot for a day trip all year long. Are there any easy hikes near Wilmington, Delaware?
You’ll find lots of easy hikes around Wilmington, Delaware. The Delaware Nature Society runs the DuPont Environmental Education Center near the Christina River, which shows off the unique ecosystems along the water and the marshes farther inland. Alapocas Run State Park is in Wilmington, too, and offers hiking trails and even rock climbing in Wilmington, if you want to get adventurous.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Which kid-friendly hikes around Delaware are scenic year-round?
Any of the hikes in Cape Henlopen State Park will be fun for kids, and the Fort Miles Historic Area is particularly interesting. It’s a former WWII base turned into a park, with a tower to climb for great views. The beach town of Lewes, where the park is located, is a delightful spot for a day trip all year long.
Are there any easy hikes near Wilmington, Delaware?
You’ll find lots of easy hikes around Wilmington, Delaware. The Delaware Nature Society runs the DuPont Environmental Education Center near the Christina River, which shows off the unique ecosystems along the water and the marshes farther inland. Alapocas Run State Park is in Wilmington, too, and offers hiking trails and even rock climbing in Wilmington, if you want to get adventurous.
