When you think of natural wonders, chances are Delaware isn’t the first thing to come to mind. Usually, Utah’s gorgeous arches, the Rocky Mountains, or our National Park System are what we think of when we think of breathtaking natural beauty. However, if you open your eyes to nature in the First State, you’ll be amazed at what you discover. Here are eight natural wonders in Delaware that you don’t need to plan an entire outing for – these are all just off the beaten path and don’t require hiking or any sort of excursion.
- The Stunning Brandywine Creek
Wikimedia Commons The Brandywine is a tributary of the mighty Christina river, and it winds its way though northern Delaware. There are a lot of places you can stop to see its beauty, like the entire DuPont corridor. Here it runs through Hagley Mill Race at the Hagley Estate.
- The Wild Atlantic Ocean Beaches
Flickr / Phil Romans Rehoboth, Dewey, Fenwick Island and Bethany Beach are the most popular places to dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean in Delaware. The lower coast of the First State will bring you to the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Watch a storm out on the water to really appreciate the power that the ocean shares with us.
- Our Baldcypress Swamp
Flickr / Chesapeake Bay Program Trap Pond State Park makes it SO easy to see rare Bald Cypress trees! You can park your car and walk just a few feet to the waterside for a picnic. I love kayaking between the trees for a truly unique expeirence.
- Beautiful Bombay Hook NWR
Flickr / James O’Guinn The preserved wildlife refuge at Bombay Hook provides Delawareans with unprecedented birdwatching and wlidlife spotting. The park is drive-through, so you don’t even have to get out of your car to appreciate it. I would recommend taking one of the short walking paths off the main road, though, to see the park’s more isolated areas.
- Beaches on the Delaware Bay
Flickr / eutrophication&hypoxia The quiet Delaware bay is home to so many varieties of wildlife that it’s impossible not to love it. Bowers Beach and Slaughter Beach are both worth visiting to get an appreciation for a beach that’s a little milder than our downstate beaches.
- The Dunes of Cape Henlopen
Flickr / PW Baker Cape Henlopen’s dunes are some of the largest on the east coast! Check them out from Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. The Cape itself has been protecting the Delaware Bay for thousands of years.
- The Marshes of Prime Hook NWR
Flickr / USFWS Northeast Prime Hook is another world-class bird sanctuary, and the marshes that make up the wildlife refuge harbor so many different species. The sunrises and sunsets here are spectacular.
- The Beloved Rehoboth Bay
Flickr / Susan Smith The Rehoboth Bay is a wonder to me because of how beautiful it always seems to be. I’ve never seen a sunset over the bay that didn’t take my breath away - I recommend paddling out and watching the sun go down for a memory you’ll keep forever.
What are you waiting for? Get out and explore your state! If you are looking for more great hidden wonders in the First State, check out these state parks in Delaware that are so underrated.
Wikimedia Commons
The Brandywine is a tributary of the mighty Christina river, and it winds its way though northern Delaware. There are a lot of places you can stop to see its beauty, like the entire DuPont corridor. Here it runs through Hagley Mill Race at the Hagley Estate.
Flickr / Phil Romans
Rehoboth, Dewey, Fenwick Island and Bethany Beach are the most popular places to dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean in Delaware. The lower coast of the First State will bring you to the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Watch a storm out on the water to really appreciate the power that the ocean shares with us.
Flickr / Chesapeake Bay Program
Trap Pond State Park makes it SO easy to see rare Bald Cypress trees! You can park your car and walk just a few feet to the waterside for a picnic. I love kayaking between the trees for a truly unique expeirence.
Flickr / James O’Guinn
The preserved wildlife refuge at Bombay Hook provides Delawareans with unprecedented birdwatching and wlidlife spotting. The park is drive-through, so you don’t even have to get out of your car to appreciate it. I would recommend taking one of the short walking paths off the main road, though, to see the park’s more isolated areas.
Flickr / eutrophication&hypoxia
The quiet Delaware bay is home to so many varieties of wildlife that it’s impossible not to love it. Bowers Beach and Slaughter Beach are both worth visiting to get an appreciation for a beach that’s a little milder than our downstate beaches.
Flickr / PW Baker
Cape Henlopen’s dunes are some of the largest on the east coast! Check them out from Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. The Cape itself has been protecting the Delaware Bay for thousands of years.
Flickr / USFWS Northeast
Prime Hook is another world-class bird sanctuary, and the marshes that make up the wildlife refuge harbor so many different species. The sunrises and sunsets here are spectacular.
Flickr / Susan Smith
The Rehoboth Bay is a wonder to me because of how beautiful it always seems to be. I’ve never seen a sunset over the bay that didn’t take my breath away - I recommend paddling out and watching the sun go down for a memory you’ll keep forever.
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