Delaware’s state parks are full of hidden gems and natural wonders. When you’re looking for a good way to stretch your legs, head to a park and pick out a trail. If you’re hoping for some peace and quiet out in the wilderness, you’ll probably fall in love with the quiet and lightly trafficked Prickly Pear Trail. It’s one of the best hikes in Delaware if you enjoy peace, quiet, and, of course, Delaware’s scenic beauty:

Spend some time along the Fresh Pond in Delaware Seashore State Park and you’ll find miles of scenic trails just calling your name.

AllTrails / Julia Langlois

The Prickly Pear Loop is a 3.5-mile hiking trail in Delaware Seashore State Park that’s one of the most peaceful hikes around.

AllTrails / Robert Freiberg

You can explore the trail via bicycle, too. You’ll find young forests, open meadows, and coastal marshland along the way.

AllTrails / rosanna knudtson

The views along the way will take your breath away. If you choose to explore in the offseason, you’ll probably have the trail all to yourself.

AllTrails / The Blue Bomber

The Prickly Pear Trail shows off Delaware Seashore State Park’s Fresh Pond area. Keep an eye out for migratory birds, shorebirds, and other wildlife.

AllTrails / Mike Morin

After a day of hiking along the Prickly Pear Trail, you’ll agree that it’s one of the First State’s best-kept secrets. It’s a great way to get in touch with the natural wonders of your own backyard.

AllTrails / Marita Machey

You’ll also find an amazing beach club bar in the park, near the Indian River Inlet. Make it a point to spend a few days exploring all that Dela Seashore has to offer this year. The Prickly Pear Trail is just one small part of the breathtaking Delaware Seashore State Park. We love it and we’re pretty sure it’s one of the best hikes in Delaware – do you agree?

AllTrails / Julia Langlois

AllTrails / Robert Freiberg

AllTrails / rosanna knudtson

AllTrails / The Blue Bomber

AllTrails / Mike Morin

AllTrails / Marita Machey

You can find more information about Delaware Seashore State Park on the official website. To find a trail map with details and directions to Prickly Pear, be sure to visit AllTrails. Be sure to check out some of our other articles for some of the best hikes in Delaware for beginners.

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Address: 39415 Inlet Rd, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In Delaware March 27, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Delaware?   Delaware is home to many miles of trails, and that can only mean one thing: there are lots of kid-friendly treks weaving all over the state. Don’t let Delaware’s small size fool you; the hiking here is second to none and puts some of the larger states to shame. We have many favorite easy hikes in Delaware suitable for kids, like Gordons Pond Trail at Lake Henlopen State Park. That trail is longer, at 6.4 miles total, but it’s quite flat and features stunning wildflowers and birdwatching the kids are sure to love. Then, hit the Swamp Forest Trail at Lums Pond State Park. Also longer, at 6.8 miles long, this easy-peasy trek features some of Delaware’s best lake views. Finally, the Alapocas Wood Trail at Alapocas Woods Park is short and simple, at 1.8 miles long, and features awesome forestlands and at least two delightful waterfalls on the creek. There are lots more, but these are great places to start! Want more ideas? Check out these awesome hikes in Delaware!  What are some of the most scenic hikes in Delaware?   Delaware is pretty synonymous with scenic hikes if you ask us; there are so many scenic hikes in Delaware that, honestly, where does one even begin? Why not try out some of our favorite hikes? For example, there are more than 100 miles of trails within Delaware’s State Parks system alone – that’s a lot of trails to wander. Some of our favorites include all nine trails at White Clay Creek State Park, near Newark; some of them are pretty geographically significant, like the one that has a stop on the western edge of the Mason-Dixon line. Wander up to Wilmington for the 10-mile trek on the Northern Delaware Greenway. It meanders through several state parks, local parks, neighborhoods, and open spaces. It’s very scenic and excellent for anyone who enjoys long hikes with plenty to see along the way. The trails at Cape Henlopen State Park are to die for; there are 4.6 miles of scenic trails there, and we recommend every last one of them. Finally (for this list, anyway), check out the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, near Smyrna; that trail is excellent for birding!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In Delaware

March 27, 2022

Tori Jane

What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Delaware?   Delaware is home to many miles of trails, and that can only mean one thing: there are lots of kid-friendly treks weaving all over the state. Don’t let Delaware’s small size fool you; the hiking here is second to none and puts some of the larger states to shame. We have many favorite easy hikes in Delaware suitable for kids, like Gordons Pond Trail at Lake Henlopen State Park. That trail is longer, at 6.4 miles total, but it’s quite flat and features stunning wildflowers and birdwatching the kids are sure to love. Then, hit the Swamp Forest Trail at Lums Pond State Park. Also longer, at 6.8 miles long, this easy-peasy trek features some of Delaware’s best lake views. Finally, the Alapocas Wood Trail at Alapocas Woods Park is short and simple, at 1.8 miles long, and features awesome forestlands and at least two delightful waterfalls on the creek. There are lots more, but these are great places to start! Want more ideas? Check out these awesome hikes in Delaware!  What are some of the most scenic hikes in Delaware?   Delaware is pretty synonymous with scenic hikes if you ask us; there are so many scenic hikes in Delaware that, honestly, where does one even begin? Why not try out some of our favorite hikes? For example, there are more than 100 miles of trails within Delaware’s State Parks system alone – that’s a lot of trails to wander. Some of our favorites include all nine trails at White Clay Creek State Park, near Newark; some of them are pretty geographically significant, like the one that has a stop on the western edge of the Mason-Dixon line. Wander up to Wilmington for the 10-mile trek on the Northern Delaware Greenway. It meanders through several state parks, local parks, neighborhoods, and open spaces. It’s very scenic and excellent for anyone who enjoys long hikes with plenty to see along the way. The trails at Cape Henlopen State Park are to die for; there are 4.6 miles of scenic trails there, and we recommend every last one of them. Finally (for this list, anyway), check out the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, near Smyrna; that trail is excellent for birding!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Delaware is home to many miles of trails, and that can only mean one thing: there are lots of kid-friendly treks weaving all over the state. Don’t let Delaware’s small size fool you; the hiking here is second to none and puts some of the larger states to shame. We have many favorite easy hikes in Delaware suitable for kids, like Gordons Pond Trail at Lake Henlopen State Park. That trail is longer, at 6.4 miles total, but it’s quite flat and features stunning wildflowers and birdwatching the kids are sure to love. Then, hit the Swamp Forest Trail at Lums Pond State Park. Also longer, at 6.8 miles long, this easy-peasy trek features some of Delaware’s best lake views. Finally, the Alapocas Wood Trail at Alapocas Woods Park is short and simple, at 1.8 miles long, and features awesome forestlands and at least two delightful waterfalls on the creek. There are lots more, but these are great places to start! Want more ideas? Check out these awesome hikes in Delaware! 

What are some of the most scenic hikes in Delaware?  

Delaware is pretty synonymous with scenic hikes if you ask us; there are so many scenic hikes in Delaware that, honestly, where does one even begin? Why not try out some of our favorite hikes? For example, there are more than 100 miles of trails within Delaware’s State Parks system alone – that’s a lot of trails to wander. Some of our favorites include all nine trails at White Clay Creek State Park, near Newark; some of them are pretty geographically significant, like the one that has a stop on the western edge of the Mason-Dixon line. Wander up to Wilmington for the 10-mile trek on the Northern Delaware Greenway. It meanders through several state parks, local parks, neighborhoods, and open spaces. It’s very scenic and excellent for anyone who enjoys long hikes with plenty to see along the way. The trails at Cape Henlopen State Park are to die for; there are 4.6 miles of scenic trails there, and we recommend every last one of them. Finally (for this list, anyway), check out the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, near Smyrna; that trail is excellent for birding!