Delaware:
Published: Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Delaware covers only a land area of about 1,982 square miles, making it the second smallest US state. However, it does have the historic distinction of being the first original US state having been the first to ratify what was then a proposed federal constitution. The slogan of this 96-mile-long US state speaks for itself: "It's good being first".In spite of its rather compact size, Delaware speaks volumes when it comes to tourist attractions. RV travelers, in particular, will find Delaware a good camp-out area especially near its borders where it is bound by two major water systems notably the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. These areas serve as ideal grounds for popular outdoor endeavors like fishing, boating, and even bird-watching.
Largely due to its limited land coverage, Delaware is among the few US states that has not been divided into regions. It does, however, have three different counties that serve as limit borders of the various areas in Delaware state. Typically, these include New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, counties that have several towns under their folds, each of which has its own set of local attractions suitable both for regular tourists and special types of travelers like RV riders.
New Castle
Considered as the northernmost county in all of Delaware, New Castle is sometimes called Northern Delaware and boasts of several important landmarks that have contributed greatly to early state evolution. In Wilmington, the acknowledged heart of New Castle county, RV riders will be delighted in traveling across the vastness of the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway. The journey is literally an exhilarating adventure where historic sites and picturesque gardens combine to present a contrasting package of pure outdoor excitement.
Past Wilmington, several estates like Winterthur and Nemours offer similar scenic driving experiences. The estates feature elegant mansions amidst rich pasture lands preserved through the years by the du Pont family heirs. Nemours, in particular, hosts Enchanted Woods, a fairy tale-like garden that the young and the young at heart will find simply fascinating.
Kent County
With its strategic location right in the middle of Delaware, Kent County has the natural advantage of
being near some very significant cities and landmarks. It is here that one can see the Delaware capital city -- Dover -- offering many attractions for the typical RVer. One of these is The Green, acknowledged as the central square of Dover City, a highly historic spot in the city where numerous rallies, demonstrations, and other events of patriotic in nature were held. Presently, it plays host to the Kent County Courthouse and the Delaware Supreme Court.
For those who simply adore the outdoors, especially those aboard their RVs, the place to see in Dover, and consequently in Kent County, is none other than Killens Pond State Park where boating, swimming, and fishing in the waters of a 66-acre clear-water pond are just some of the popular activities. Nearby is the Killens Pond Waterpark, the ultimate swimming complex in Dover City with its various forms of water attractions like waterslides, the resident children's pool, underwater benches, an alternative bath house, a mushroom fountain, locker rooms, a swim shop, and many more.
Sussex County
The county is otherwise known as Southern Delaware for the simple reason that it is found on the state's southern tip. Starting out as a ship-building community, Sussex County has evolved to become the largest seaside city for Delaware where the streets are filled with ancient charm mixed with rows of specialty shops selling practically anything from antiques to designer clothes.
Being a seaside community spanning 979 square miles, Sussex County affords many RV travelers an abundance of outdoor activities to choose from including opportunities for swimming in several resort areas where fabulous beaches lie in wait. Additionally, many eco-tourism activities can be availed of all across the county such as dolphin watching, nature tripping, bird-watching, canoeing, and beach combing. For more extreme forms of enjoyment, sailing, sailboarding, and surfing are options that are likewise open for exploration.
There are also alternative forms of enjoyment held in this area that RV-boarded tourists might find interesting like the local Nanticoke Indian Powwow, an annual dance event performed along the shores of Sussex County where native Indians residing within and outside of the county are known to participate. The event is made more exotic with its use of native tom-tom drums as musical instruments, thus effectively showcasing the rich cultural heritage of this particular county.
Getting to Sussex County ought to be an exciting experience for most RV owners well. This is mainly because scenic drives from several US states down to Delaware is always possible, including a short two-hour driving time from Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Or, if more action is preferred, there are several auto racing events to choose from.
Visiting A Delaware City
Despite being divided only into three interacting counties, there are actually several Delaware cities scattered all across the state offering various unique attractions that appear to suit the needs of most RV riders. These attractions are often in the form of natural wonders that are usually the principal interests of most RVers.
Newark
Nestled on the southwestern end of Wilmington, the seat capital of New Castle County, Newark is a highly historic Delaware city because it was the only place in the entire state where a battle during the Revolutionary War was said to have taken place. It was also here where two Brandywine generals namely Lafayette and Washington were believed to have met prior to the ground-breaking Battle of Brandywine.
Of course, RV owners should not readily ignore the University of Delaware when visiting the state. Considered as the most well-known institution in Newark, the University of Delaware offers a wealth of recreational opportunities for many visitors as there are free tours being held around several sections of the school, notably at the Gallery Collection and at the Mineralogical Museum.
For those who prefer to park their RVs and get to explore the city by foot, there is the White Clay Creek State Park. Here, hiking trails that stretch for miles can be explored, apart from fishing and bird-watching ventures. Additionally, one can also get to visit the magnificent Brandywine Valley when coming from the park since it is just a few kilometers away.
Harrington
Apart from the official county seat that is Dover, there are also several other Delaware towns found in the Kent County area that should spark the interest of any RV owner. Harrington town should be a fine example of this. Set in the midst of the Delmarva Peninsula, Harrington has the enviable location of being near several beaches found on the shores of Delaware and that of Maryland, making them popular destinations for many tourists.
Apart from the usual swimming and fishing activities, Harrington also hosts a few wooded areas that serve as perfect spots for hunting and camping. Outdoor lovers will have a grand time here, particularly if they get to come in during July when Harrington holds the acclaimed Delaware State Fair where an estimated 30,000 visitors annually come in.
The event takes place on a 330-acre area and features a series of community activities that include horse shows, car events, harness races, flea markets, and many more. In recent years, the site has also become the official home of other noted Delaware events like the Midway Slots and Simulcast, the Center Ice Rink festival, and lots of other similar activities, and these should further encourage the curiosity of most tourists.
Laurel
One of the several cities falling under the jurisdiction of the Sussex County of Delaware, Laurel is found on the western edge of the county, boasting of at least 800 historic structures that have found their way to the list of the National Historic Register, a feat unequaled in the entire Delaware state. RV riders can readily tour Broad Creek, specifically Indian Trail and Front Street, to find out what made this particular district in Laurel town land on the pages of the NHR.
For a taste of Laurel outdoor attractions, among the sites to consider are public parks, of which Trap Pond State Park should be a priority. Covering almost 3,000 acres, the public park is the first in Delaware and hosts the most natural collection of bald cypresses in the US. This unspoiled paradise features a wealth of natural attractions that include opportunities for fishing, canoeing, paddling, hiking, and bird-watching with more than 100 species of fine-feathered animals known to constantly drop by these regions. A total of 142 wooded camping grounds await RV riders who plan on visiting this truly amazing Laurel area.
Another Laurel attraction is that offered by Trussum Pond, a highly photographed area where canoe paddling is a common activity and where visitors can get to see the famed James Branch spreading out to at least 62 feet amidst a height of 127 feet. It is here where some veteran Delaware residents are known to dwell the 200-year-old bald cypresses.
Still another attraction is Philip's Landing where water-skiing is the more common outdoor sport although bass fishing should also be considered especially since the area was the official host of the National Bass Tournament held in 1994. Phillip's Landing has gained prominence largely because it is believed to be the end-line for Broad Creek after which its waters join the Nanticoke.
The Attractions
For a US state that is considered comparatively small, Delaware offers quite a number of exciting outdoor treats that should prove to be particularly enjoyable even for those who simply want to relax and have a quiet time all by themselves. These attractions range from public parks to exotic salt marshes, but whatever site one chooses to see, excitement and exhilaration definitely come with the tour package.
Killens Pond State Park
The top attraction of this publicly owned park is its ancient millpond whose roots are traceable to 18th century where early Native Americans were known to have encamped and from where they launched their hunting activities. These days, the pond, covering about 66 acres, is popular among fishing enthusiasts with its generous offerings of carps, crappies, pickerels, bluegills, basses, catfishes, and perches. Boating is fast gaining quite a following as well especially with the establishment of several launching ramps nearby and the Murderkill River Canoe Trail that beckons the more daring of paddlers. Complementing these are numerous campgrounds found within the park that serve as ideal retreats for many exhausted travelers.
Found in the central region of Kent County, the park has recently added a new attraction in the Killens Pond Water Park where swimming takes on a whole new face especially with its interactive features like the so-called Floating Lily Fun Walk and unique water slides standing 27 feet tall and measuring 205 feet in length.
Cape Henlopen State Park
The park is famous for its beaches, attracting at least a thousand sunbathers and swimming enthusiasts alike who avail of the many amenities being offered, including changing rooms, food concession, and modern bathrooms equipped with showers. Aside from that, a number of recreational activities are also held in various park areas like bird-watching, seaside seining, outdoor concerts, and many more.
Campgrounds are likewise available at Cape Henlopen State Park, which are especially suited for RVers who bring along their families to watch annual events like the Halloween Fantasy Trail and the Kite Festival which are actually a favorite among group travelers.
For outdoor fun enthusiasts, Cape Henlopen features the looped trail, which is open for all interested hikers, that stretches for three miles and which actually encircles the entire park. Alternatively, hikers can opt for a longer walk by taking on the beaches lying along the shorelines of the Atlantic Ocean that extends for as long as six miles.
Visiting Delaware in Spring Time
Spring time appears to be the most ideal period to spend time in Delaware. A good number of Delaware outdoor attractions come in the form of public parks and many of these are primed for an excellent visit in spring. This is particularly true for bird-watchers, and for this, the White Clay Creek State Park is the excellent Delaware public park to visit specifically during spring as this is the period when neo-tropical migratory birds arrive in great numbers at the park, reaching their peak around early May.
Meanwhile, if fishing is the preferred outdoor sport, the Delaware waters host a great selection of small-mouthed basses from July to October and these species are the best catch for many novice anglers. From June down to October, though, wild brown trouts and their rainbow-colored variants can be caught quite easily at the Battenkill and Hoosic River.
Lost Lands RV Park
A relatively new campground in Delaware, Lost Lands RV Park started its operations in 2001 with every camp site having a minimum size of 2,000 square feet supplied by 30-50 amp electricity. It is essentially a seasonal RV park, but it nevertheless provides water and sewer stations, telephone and cable connections, and a winter storage room for prospective visitors.
Located off Fenwick Island on the extreme southeastern edge of Delaware, Lost Lands prides itself in its farmland setting, isolated but not uniquely remote from nearby attractions like Little Assawoman Bay and Wildlife Area, Delaware public parks and fairgrounds, and the beach resorts of Ocean City, Bethany, and Dewey.
G & R Recreation Area and Campground
RV travelers have the option to choose from the open and wooded RV sites being offered at G & R Recreation Area and Campground. Adding attraction to the place are the many large outdoor areas designated as picnic, play, and pavilion areas complemented by a basketball and volleyball court, plus a softball field, and a large swimming pool. A convenience store, an office shop, and a game room hall can also be seen in various areas of the park topped by cottages that feature modern amenities like a cable TV, an air-conditioning system, a bathroom, two twin beds, and a microwave oven, among other things.
Located in Houston, Delaware, the RV park is near several state attractions, including the Delaware State Fairgrounds which can be reached in five minutes; Rehoboth Beach, accessible via a 30-minute ride; Killen's Pond Water Park which is just five minutes away; and the Dover Air Force Base Museum which one can reach after 20 short minutes of driving time.
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