
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will close Killens Pond State Park Saturday, Dec. 5 for the 2020 Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) Cross Country state championship races. The park will reopen at 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.
For the safety of the competing teams and to limit community spread of COVID-19, DIAA has announced that no spectators will be permitted at this year’s championships. Instead, the races will be live streamed by the DIAA. The DIAA will broadcast Division II Girls 10:30 a.m., Division II Boys at noon, Division I Girls 1:30 p.m. and Division I Boys 3 p.m.
To support the DIAA mandate, the park will be closed during the championship Saturday to avoid any large gatherings.
To watch the races or for more information about the championship, visit www.doe.k12.de.us/diaa.
This 2.6 mile trail loops around the edge of the park’s 66-acre millpond, and offers beautiful views of the pond and surrounding habitats. As you hike, look and listen for Pileated Woodpecker, prothonotary warbler or barred owl. Visit in autumn to enjoy spectacular fall foliage.
Killens Pond is the perfect place to kayak, canoe, boat, or peddleboat. Watch for resident nesting bald eagles overhead or perched in the tall pines along the ponds edge. Head towards the Murderkill River for a terrific paddle, and watch for a small stand of baldcypress trees.
Stop by the park’s nature center to see live animals and learn about the creatures that live here. Pack a picnic, and enjoy lunch with a view on the Nature Center’s outdoor deck. Join a park naturalist for an educational program, including guided hikes, kayak tours, and more.
Don’t miss the Killens Pond Waterpark! Complete with four speed slides, a leisure pool, and a tot lot for younger visitors, the waterpark offers excitement and relaxation for everyone.
Cast a line for bass, crappie and sunfish. This fishing spot is reminiscent of local waterways where Native Americans fished, hunted, and lived. The abundance of life around the water allowed Native Americans to thrive in the area that is now Killens Pond State Park.
Hike to the Pondside Bridge and see where the Murderkill River meets Killens Pond! Scan the shoreline for a water snake basking in the sun or hunting small fish and frogs. Access the bridge from the Pondside Trail or the cross country course.
Named for its centerpiece, the 66-acre Killens Pond, this state park features a waterpark, various watercraft rentals and the popular Pondside Loop Trail. The Lenape people once lived here, and the pond was created when the Murderkill River was dammed to power grist and sawmills. It is now home to a variety of fish, including bass, crappie and sunfish. The new state-of-the art elevated boardwalk allows pedestrians and bikers a safe passage along Killens Pond Road while benches and bump outs allow for wildlife watching and fishing. Kayakers and boaters can launch from the boat launch at the far end of the walkway. The waterpark features four tall slides, a main pool and baby pool, and a tot lot. The campground provides a reprieve in the woods and Delaware’s State tree, the American Holly, is plentiful. Visitors to the park’s nature center can see live animal exhibits that feature native reptiles and amphibians. The Pileated Woodpecker, Prothonotary Warbler and Barred Owl can often be heard in the woods at the park.
Entries due between April 22 - 29, 2023
Photos will be on display for the month of May.
Photos must be taken in a state park and cannot display any people, domestic animals, man-made structures, or items. Photo categories include: landscapes, birds, insects, seascapes, animals, and trees. No photo-shopping or altering of photos is allowed.
Photos should be submitted on white matting with outer dimensions not to exceed 16”x20” and must have a sturdy hanger on the back. There is a $10 entry fee per photo (cash or check). All submissions must be submitted at the Killens Park Nature Center and include your name and phone number on the back. Please contact the Killens Nature Center at 302-284-4299 with any questions. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Killens Pond State Park.
The pond is home to largemouth bass, catfish, carp, perch, crappie, bluegills, and pickerel, all of which await the patient angler.* A convenient boat launching ramp is available, and canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats can be rented during the summer. Paddlers will also enjoy the park's water trail up the Murderkill River.
A fishing license required to fish in Delaware State Parks. Get info about fishing permits
Check prices or get more detailed info on how you can canoe, kayak, or paddle Killens Pond
Starting from 54 feet in the air, our two speed slides and two spiral slides with tunnels offer heart-pounding excitement for those who dare! The main pool's zero-depth entrance makes getting in and out easy, and smaller visitors will enjoy the tot pool and tot lot, featuring bubblers, ground water jets, small slides, and a pool-side waterplay system. A food concession and swim shop offer everything you need for a day full of waterpark fun. A separate per-person admission fee is charged at the waterpark. Visit our waterpark page
The year-round wooded campground offers electric and water hookups, accommodating both tents and recreational vehicles, as well as a primitive walk-in camping loop for tents only. Family cabins sleep four and feature an efficiency kitchen with an eating area, bedroom, bath with shower, A/C, and heat. The roomier, deluxe Pond View Cottage has extra amenities and an outstanding view of the pond. Click for Camping Information
Hiking and biking trails and a cross-country running course wind through several types of habitat featuring native plants and animals. Game courts and ball fields satisfy the athlete, and an 18-hole disc golf course challenges players to test their skill with a flying disc. The park also features playground equipment and picnic areas, and four pavilions are available to reserve for larger group events. Educational and recreational programs are conducted throughout the year at the Killens Pond Nature Center, which also features a permanent exhibit of local reptiles and amphibians and is also available for meetings and private events. Rent the Killens Pond Nature Center
Fork Branch Nature Preserve – contains mature upland forest and is the second largest forest tract in the St. Jones River watershed and coastal plain pond wetlands. Barred owls nest in the mature floodplain forest (Barred owls are a species of conservation concern due to the little mature floodplain remaining in Delaware) and it is also home to a variety of migratory and resident birds including Red-shouldered Hawk, another species of conservation concern, Prothonotary Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, White-breasted Nuthatch and Pileated Woodpecker..
The preserve is located at the corner of Kenton and West Denneys roads, along the Maidstone Branch in the St. Jones River Watershed.
Amenities: Loop Trail (pedestrian only). Parking on site.
Acreage: 257 acres
Saturday, April 1, 2023
1:00 PM
They are scaly, slimy and alive! Meet some of our native reptiles and amphibians for an afternoon of family fun and learning. Program meets at the nature center. Pre-registration required. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child.
Saturday, April 8, 2023
10:00 AM
Learn about local invasive species and how to remove them. This will be a two-part event: a brief educational program about invasive species followed by an opportunity to help remove them! The program will meet at the nature center. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information and to pre-register. Free with paid park entry.
Saturday, April 15, 2023
10:00 AM
Join naturalists once a month to hike the trails of Killens Pond State Park. Hike lengths range from 1 mile to 2.5 miles, and meeting location varies. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to pre-register. Free with paid park entry.
Saturday, April 15, 2023
1:00 PM
Have you ever seen a tree that was chewed on by beavers and wanted to learn more about them? Join a naturalist to learn all about beavers! The program meets at the nature center. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to pre-register. Free with paid park entry.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
1:00 PM
Did you know, for every human, there are more than 200 million insects?! This month in the Awesome Animal series, we will focus on the largest family in the animal kingdom- Insects! Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory and children must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student.
Saturday, April 22, 2023
10:00 AM
Support the Friends of Killens Pond by participating in their Annual Photo Contest. Photos must be taken in a state park and cannot display any people, domestic animals or man-made structures or items. No photo-shopping or altering of photos is allowed; cropping is ok. Photos should be submitted with white matting and outer dimensions not to exceed 16x20. All submissions must be submitted at the Killens Park Nature Center between April 22 and 29. All submissions should include your name and phone number on the back. Photos will be judged by artists from the local community and will be on display in the nature center during the month of May. Please contact the Killens Pond Nature Center by calling 302-284-4299 or emailing DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov with any questions. There is a $10 entry fee per photo (cash or check only). All proceeds benefit the Friends of Killens Pond State Park.
Saturday, April 22, 2023
11:00 AM
Program will be held at the nature center. Each program will have a story and activity component. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3 -6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child.
Saturday, April 22, 2023
11:00 AM
Spring has sprung! Spend Earth Day at the park looking for and learning about signs of spring through storytime and hands-on exploration. Program will be held at the nature center. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3 -6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child.
Saturday, April 22, 2023
6:00 PM
Join naturalists on a beginner birding hike to look for birds returning to the park for summer. The hike will start at the nature center and be about 1.5 miles. Binoculars are recommended, but a few pairs will be available to borrow. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information and to pre-register. Free with paid park entry.
Sunday, April 23, 2023
1:00 PM
Not all habitats have to be huge—some can be small, or even microscopic! Join us to learn what makes a microhabitat and how organisms survive there. We will be doing log rolls and looking under rocks, so be prepared to get a little dirty! The program meets at the nature center. Call the nature center at 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov to register and for more information; pre-registration required. Free with paid park entry.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
10:00 AM
Support the Friends of Killens Pond by participating in their Annual Photo Contest. Photos must be taken in a state park and cannot display any people, domestic animals or man-made structures or items. No photo-shopping or altering of photos is allowed; cropping is ok. Photos should be submitted with white matting and outer dimensions not to exceed 16x20. All submissions must be submitted at the Killens Park Nature Center between April 22 and 29. All submissions should include your name and phone number on the back. Photos will be judged by artists from the local community and will be on display in the nature center during the month of May. Please contact the Killens Pond Nature Center by calling 302-284-4299 or emailing DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov with any questions. There is a $10 entry fee per photo (cash or check only). All proceeds benefit the Friends of Killens Pond State Park.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
1:00 PM
Looking for a new art piece for you wall? Learn how to press and preserve flowers for years to come. Some flowers will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own. You will get to take home your own flower press. Program meets at the nature center. For ages 10 and older with an adult. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4229. $20 per participant
Saturday, May 6, 2023
10:00 AM
Join naturalists once a month to hike the trails of Killens Pond State Park. Hike lengths range from 1 mile to 2.5 miles, and meeting location varies. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to pre-register. Free with paid park entry.
Sunday, May 7, 2023
11:00 AM
Some of Delawares species are close to being lost forever, but there are things that can be done to help them. Join one of our naturalists as we learn about Delawares endangered species and what is being done to help them. The program meets at the nature center. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information or to register. Free with paid park entry.
Saturday, May 13, 2023
10:00 AM
Want to learn how to fish? Now's your chance! Join us as we guide you through the basics of fishing, like casting, baiting hooks and reeling one in. We will provide rods, but feel free to bring your own if you have one. A valid Delaware non-tidal fishing license will be required for any participant ages 16-65. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4229. $10 per participant
Sunday, May 14, 2023
11:00 AM
Take a hike with a naturalist to look for spring wild flowers. We will discuss important characteristics used to ID flowers. The hike will be about 0.5 miles. Some field guides will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own. (This is the best way to get familiar with your own resources.) The hike will start at the nature center. Pre-registration required. Call 302-284-4299 or email DNREC_KPSPNatureCenter@delaware.gov for more information and to pre-register. Free with paid park entry.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
1:00 PM
Eco-explorers programs are a combination of presentations, hands-on activities and hiking. Program will start at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory and children must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. Child fee listed, adult free.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
1:00 PM
This month we will be focusing on the process of pollination! In the last installment of our Awesome Animal homeschool series, we learned all about insects. This month, we will continue our knowledge by learning about the process of pollination, the animals and plants involved in the process, and why it is important! Program will be held at the nature center. Pre-registration is mandatory and children must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 6 -12. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per student.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
11:00 AM
Program will be held at the nature center. Each program will have a story and activity component. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3 -6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
11:00 AM
Things in nature often come in small packages. Join us while we explore the smaller side of our environment through a story and outdoor exploration. Program will be held at the nature center. Come prepared for hands-on activities both inside and outside. Pre-registration is mandatory and an adult must be present for the duration of the program. Ages 3 -6. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child.
Monday, May 29, 2023
11:00 AM
They are scaly, slimy and alive! Meet some of our native reptiles and amphibians for an afternoon of family fun and learning. Program meets at the nature center. Pre-registration required. Online registration ends 22 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-284-4299. $5 per child.