By: Abby Shepard, Marketing Director at Delaware State Parks

What are you doing this summer? Try something new with one of these 5 Summer Bucket List activities in Delaware State Parks!

1. Golf

Did you know that Delaware State Parks includes two golf courses? Deerfield Golf Club, located within White Clay Creek State Park in Wilmington, is a public, 145-acre haven for golfers across the region. The course boasts 18 holes across dramatic elevation changes and superb conditioning. Four sets of tees enable visitors of all experience levels to enjoy the course. After completing your golf game, stop in the Pro Shop to purchase some new gear, or grab a bite to eat at the Deerfield Pub and Grille. Garrisons Lake Golf Course is a beautiful and historic conveniently located just south of Smyrna. Featuring tree-lined fairways and large, well-bunkered, undulating greens, this course offers a fair challenge for players of all abilities. For decades, this course has been an area favorite for high-quality, affordable public golf. For more information golfing at Delaware State Parks, click here.

Scenery view of Deerfield Pub and Grille.

2. Horseback Riding

Go horseback riding in the great outdoors! Delaware State Parks offers two equestrian facilities: Wellspring Farm at Bellevue State Park, and Sunset Stables at Lums Pond State Park. These centers offer riding lessons, trail rides, camps, birthday parties, and more! If you own your own horse, you can go riding on the trails and beaches throughout Delaware State Parks. You can take a ride on the beaches at Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore, or through the forests at Lums Pond. The Little Jersey Trail at Lums Pond is a share-use trail designated for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The campground at Lums Pond even has four horse campsites where riders can enjoy a getaway without the need for daily trailering! For more information, visit destateparks.com.

Horseback riding along Cape Henlopen State Park.

3. Go Ape Treetop Adventure

 Zip through the trees and see Lums Pond State Park from a new perspective on the Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course! Go Ape’s Treetop Adventure Course and Treetop Junior Course offer visitors a full immersive outdoor adventure experience. Navigate the treetops while experiencing over-water crossings, obstacles, zip lines, and amazing views. With the Treetop Junior Course, the entire family can experience a fun and thrilling outdoor adventure together. After your zip-lining experience, make a day of it and explore all that Lums Pond has to offer. Bring a picnic lunch, take a hike around the pond’s edge, or rent a kayak to paddle around the pond! The Go Ape course at Lums Pond course is typically open March through December. We recommend using the online booking system to check formal availability by month, day and time. Booking ahead is also recommended. For more information and to book your adventure, click here.

Zip-lining fun through Lums Pond State park.

4. Disc Golf

Have you ever strolled through one of Delaware’s State Parks and noticed a metal basket? Those baskets are used for disc golf! Disc Golf is a fun, easy-to-play sport that the whole family can enjoy. The objective of the game is to throw the disc in the chain basket located on a pole. The number of throws to land the disc in the basket is the score for the hole. The sport dates back to the 1970s and has been growing ever since. Delaware State Parks offers seven disc golf courses throughout the state: Bellevue State Park, Brandywine Creek State Park, Cape Henlopen State Park, Killens Pond State Park, Lums Pond State Park, Trap Pond State Park, and White Clay Creek State Park. You can play disc golf beside the beach, or beneath a forest canopy. Young or old, beginner or expert, this exciting sport is waiting for you! For more information, click here.

Disc golf adventures along the beautiful hills of Brandywine Creek State Park.

5. Biking

Grab your bike and hit the trail! Delaware State Parks features 150+ miles of trails throughout the state, many of which are bike-friendly. Pedal the bike loop at Cape Henlopen State Park which takes you to seaside vistas, or try the Northern Greenway trail that spans all of northern New Castle County. Cape Henlopen State Park offers free bike rentals, which is made possible through the Friends of Cape Henlopen. You can search for bike trails on the Delaware State Parks Trail Finder by clicking here. You can also search for bike trails using the State of Delaware Play Outside web app. Click here and search for bike trails. The Play Outside app is unique because it will display all trails in any park throughout the state!

Enjoy the bike trails through Bellevue State Park.

For our full list of programs happening now, visit:
https://www.destateparks.com/Programs