State Parks Near Wilmington, Delaware
42 state park units lie within 50 miles of Wilmington, including 31 parks across the line in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and Maryland. The closest is Wilmington State Parks, about 1 mi northwest of town. 18 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Wilmington State Parks1 mi northwest
- Within 25 miles
- 18of 42 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 126 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 3pets allowed
State parks near Wilmington, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Wilmington; driving distance is usually longer.
Wilmington State Parks
Wilmington State Parks is a park in New Castle County, in Wilmington.
Hours, fees and rules for Wilmington State Parks →Alapocas Run State Park
In New Castle County, about 3 miles northeast of Elsmere, Alapocas Run State Park covers about 233 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Alapocas Run State Park →Bellevue State Park
Covering about 272 acres, Bellevue State Park lies in New Castle County, in Bellefonte.
Hours, fees and rules for Bellevue State Park →Brandywine Creek State Park
Covering about 934 acres, Brandywine Creek State Park lies in New Castle County, about 4 miles north of Elsmere.
Hours, fees and rules for Brandywine Creek State Park →Fox Point State Park
In New Castle County, about 2 miles northeast of Bellefonte, Fox Point State Park covers about 107 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fox Point State Park →Auburn Valley State Park
Auburn Valley State Park is a park in New Castle County, about 4 miles southeast of Kennett Square.
Hours, fees and rules for Auburn Valley State Park →Fort Mott State Park
Things to do include historic sites, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Mott State Park →Fort Delaware State Park
In New Castle County, in Delaware City, Fort Delaware State Park covers about 256 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Delaware State Park →Fort DuPont State Park
In New Castle County, in Delaware City, Fort DuPont State Park covers about 294 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort DuPont State Park →White Clay Creek State Park
Covering about 3,520 acres, White Clay Creek State Park lies in New Castle County, about 4 miles north of Newark.
Hours, fees and rules for White Clay Creek State Park →White Clay Creek Preserve
The park supports cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hunting in season, and fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for White Clay Creek Preserve →Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area
Covering about 815 acres, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area lies in Cecil County, about 4 miles northwest of Newark.
Hours, fees and rules for Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area →Ridley Creek State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hunting in season, and biking. The official site lists about 13 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Ridley Creek State Park →Lums Pond State Park
Covering about 1,863 acres, Lums Pond State Park lies in New Castle County, about 6 miles southeast of Elkton.
Hours, fees and rules for Lums Pond State Park →Big Elk Creek State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, fishing, and hiking. The official site lists about 3 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Elk Creek State Park →Hancock House Historic Site
The park supports historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Hancock House Historic Site →Stow Creek State Park
Things to do include hunting in season and boating. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Stow Creek State Park →Tall Pines State Preserve
The park supports horseback riding, biking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Tall Pines State Preserve →Marsh Creek State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and winter sports. The official site lists about 19.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Marsh Creek State Park →Walt Whitman House Historic Site
The park supports historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Walt Whitman House Historic Site →Parvin State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and biking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Parvin State Park →Indian King Tavern Historic Site
The park supports historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Indian King Tavern Historic Site →Elk Neck State Park
Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Elk Neck State Park →Norristown Farm Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, fishing, biking, and picnicking. Water access includes a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Norristown Farm Park →Fort Washington State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, golf, winter sports, disc golf, and biking. The official site lists about 3.5 miles of trails. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and group camping.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Washington State Park →Evansburg State Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, mountain biking, golf, horseback riding, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 6 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a fishing pier.
Hours, fees and rules for Evansburg State Park →Susquehanna State Park
Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehanna State Park →French Creek State Park
Things to do include cross-country skiing, mountain biking, golf, horseback riding, and winter sports. Its trail network totals roughly 35 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for French Creek State Park →Benjamin Rush State Park
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, winter sports, hunting in season, biking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Benjamin Rush State Park →Neshaminy State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. The official site lists about 45 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming pool and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Neshaminy State Park →First State Heritage Park
First State Heritage Park is a historic site in Kent County, in Dover.
Hours, fees and rules for First State Heritage Park →Susquehannock State Park
Visitors come for cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 5.6 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and group camping).
Hours, fees and rules for Susquehannock State Park →Palmer State Park
Palmer State Park is a park in Harford County, about 7 miles northeast of Bel Air.
Hours, fees and rules for Palmer State Park →Rancocas State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, boating, and fishing. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Rancocas State Park →Atsion Recreation Area
Things to do include historic sites, boating, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Atsion Recreation Area →Lawrence House Historic Site
Visitors come for historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Lawrence House Historic Site →Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center
Things to do include cross-country skiing, winter sports, fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 10 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center →Tyler State Park
The park supports cross-country skiing, golf, horseback riding, disc golf, and winter sports. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Tyler State Park →Wharton State Forest
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, boating, and biking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Overnight options include 9 camping areas, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Wharton State Forest →Rocks State Park
The official site lists about 3.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Rocks State Park →Carranza Memorial Historic Site
Carranza Memorial Historic Site is a 2-acre historic site in Burlington County, about 11 miles northeast of Hammonton.
Hours, fees and rules for Carranza Memorial Historic Site →Belleplain State Forest
Visitors come for horseback riding, hunting in season, boating, wildlife watching, and biking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Belleplain State Forest →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Wilmington
- Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area 15 mi west · Campground listed
- Ridley Creek State Park 16 mi north · Campground listed
- Parvin State Park 26 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Elk Neck State Park 30 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Fort Washington State Park 32 mi northeast · Campground listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Wilmington
- Parvin State Park 26 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Elk Neck State Park 30 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- French Creek State Park 35 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Atsion Recreation Area 43 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Wharton State Forest 48 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
+ 1 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Wilmington
- Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area 15 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Elk Neck State Park 30 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- French Creek State Park 35 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Wilmington
- Marsh Creek State Park 25 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Parvin State Park 26 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Elk Neck State Park 30 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- French Creek State Park 35 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Neshaminy State Park 40 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 3 more in the list above
Hiking near Wilmington
- Fort Mott State Park 9 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- White Clay Creek Preserve 13 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Ridley Creek State Park 16 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Big Elk Creek State Park 16 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Tall Pines State Preserve 21 mi east · Hiking trails listed
+ 13 more in the list above
Fishing near Wilmington
- White Clay Creek Preserve 13 mi west · Fishing listed
- Ridley Creek State Park 16 mi north · Fishing listed
- Big Elk Creek State Park 16 mi west · Fishing listed
- Marsh Creek State Park 25 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Parvin State Park 26 mi southeast · Fishing listed
+ 8 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Wilmington
What is the closest state park to Wilmington?
Wilmington State Parks is the closest, about 1 miles northwest of Wilmington in a straight line. Next are Alapocas Run State Park and Bellevue State Park.
How many state parks are near Wilmington?
42 state park units are within 50 miles, and 18 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Wilmington have camping?
12 parks list camping, the nearest being Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, Ridley Creek State Park and Parvin State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Wilmington?
Yes, at 3 parks, including Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, Elk Neck State Park and French Creek State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Wilmington?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Chester, PA11 mi northeast
- Near Newark, DE13 mi west
- Near West Chester, PA16 mi north
- Near Yeadon, PA20 mi northeast
- Near Middletown, DE22 mi southwest
- Near Glassboro, NJ22 mi east
- Near Coatesville, PA23 mi northwest
- Near Bridgeton, NJ27 mi southeast
Or see all Delaware state parks, New Jersey state parks, Pennsylvania state parks, Maryland state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.