NRT Database

Location: Cape Henlopen State Park, Seaside Nature Center
State(s): Delaware
Counties: Sussex
Longitude: -75.09728
Latitude: 38.78569

Driving Directions

Route 1 to Cape Henlopen State Park. Trailhead located across from the Seaside Nature Center and at parking lot across from observation tower.

Description

Within walking distance of Lewes and within easy reach of millions of summer visitors, the park and trail are a blend of nature, history, archeology and geology.

The Pinelands Nature Trail is nestled behind the great dunes along the Atlantic Ocean and meanders through two distinctly different natural landscape features - dry, shifting sand dunes and low-lying wetland cranberry bogs. Both unusual flora and windswept pine woods add character to this natural environment. The park and its natural features are defined by the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and Cape Henlopen itself, a spit of land jutting into Delaware Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The intermingling of the Ocean and Bay environments makes for an exciting region of dynamic coastal processes and geology all subjected to sea level rise. Because of its water-bound location, this site was important to Native Americans. Evidence of their existence is found in the seashells middens found in the park.

World War II bunkers provide glimpses of history that this site once knew when it was the Fort Miles Army Base. Enter this NRT from either of two trail heads: 1) at the Seaside Nature Center; or 2) from within the former boundaries of Fort Miles Recreation Area and across from several World War II gun casements that were critical to nation's coastal defense system. Twelve-inch guns were installed at Fort Miles in 1942 to counter any threat from German U-boats which could have wreaked havoc on the northern oil refineries and chemical plants on the Delaware River. The trail is interpreted for its natural and historical values.

Additional Details

Primary Surface: Not Available
Secondary Surface: None
Average Grade: 1%
Elevation Low Point: Not Available
Elevation High Point: Not Available
Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available

Year Designated: 1981

Supporting Webpages and Documents

Contact Information

For more information and current conditions, contact the trail manager (listed below). For questions, suggestions, and corrections to information listed on the website, contact American Trails.

Park Ranger:
Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation
Cape Henlopen State Park
42 Cape Henlopen Dr.
Lewes, DE 19958
(302) 645-8983

http://www.destateparks.com