
The latest weather projections from the National Weather Service have the major impacts of the storm hitting Delaware in the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 4th, sometime around 2 a.m., and continuing through Tuesday evening. This weather event includes heavy rains, minor coastal flooding and sustained winds of 40 to 50 miles per hour, with higher gusts.
Camping Advisory: We recommend that you take all necessary precautions to secure and protect your camping equipment and if possible, move to higher ground during this period. A liberal cancellation policy is in effect; cancellations may be made by contacting 1-877-987-2757. Full refunds will be issued for all cancellations.
Surf Fishing and Swimming Advisory: All surf fishing crossings will close at sunset on Monday, August 3, and all guarded swimming beaches are closed Tuesday, August 4. In addition, the Killens Pond Water Park is also closed on Tuesday, August 4, with refunds for any advanced tickets purchased.
Take in the sights, sounds, and smells as you journey into the cypress swamp. Paddle a canoe or kayak down the Terrapin Branch Water Trail to get up close and personal with the baldcypress trees and the diverse flora and fauna that live there.
Join a park staff member and board a pontoon boat to travel across the pond and into the cypress swamp. Learn about the history and wildlife of the park from the comfort of an elevated pontoon boat.
Hike or bike the 4.6-mile Bob Trail through the park. The trail is an excellent place for birdwatching, and you’ll enjoy pondside views of the cypress swamp. Visitors can enjoy free bike rentals during the summer months.
Trap Pond has a rich history that has shaped the culture and community of the area. Stop by the Baldcypress Nature Center to discover past cultures and learn about the importance of watersheds.
Trap Pond State Park is different every season! Witness the beauty of the pond year-round as you enjoy fall foliage, fresh winter snowfall, spring frog calls or summer nesting songbirds.
Plan a getaway to Trap Pond State Park! The park’s peaceful campground has tent sites, RV sites, cabins, and yurts. See beautiful fall colors from your campsite, catch a sunset from Cypress Point, hear the calls of owls and migrating birds, or watch falling snow from the warmth of your cabin.
Trap Pond was once the site of a large freshwater wetland and still hosts the country's northernmost natural stand of baldcypress trees. The pond was created in the late 1700s to power a sawmill used in harvesting the baldcypress. The federal government purchased the pond and surrounding farmland during the 1930s, and the Civilian Conservation Corps began to develop the area for recreation. Trap Pond became one of Delaware's first state parks in 1951.
Rowboats, pedal boats, canoes and kayaks can be rented for use within the park during the summer season, and park interpreters host narrated pontoon boat tours on summer weekends and holidays. One of the streams that flows into Trap Pond has been marked as a wilderness canoe trail. A boat launching ramp accommodates small motorized boats for fishing or exploring the pond. Anglers may land a variety of fish, from pickerel, crappie, and bluegills to catfish, American eel and largemouth bass. Fishing license required. Get info about fishing permits.
Trap Pond’s campground offers a wide variety of sites beneath its tall loblolly pines, including RV and tent sites with water and electric, walk-in tent sites, two popular island tent sites, and primitive camping areas for youth groups (available by reservation only). Waterfront climate- controlled camping cabins, each with a living area and bedroom, are available year-round. Yurts, round stationary structures with canvas walls, allow a rustic camping experience without having to pitch your own tent. Click for info and reservations
Reader's Digest recommends Trap Pond's campground as the most scenic campsite in Delaware.
Hiking, biking, and horse trails provide plenty of ways to explore the park. Birdwatchers may spot Bald Eagles, Pileated Woodpeckers, orioles, Wood Ducks, tanagers, and a variety of warblers, depending on the season. Shaded picnic areas overlook the pond, and three pavilions may be reserved for group events. Additional recreation areas include volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, a disc golf course, athletic fields, and a children’s playground. The Baldcypress Nature Center features a variety of displays and programs, and hosts a popular concert series during the summer.
Nanticoke River Nature Preserve – is located along Butler Mill Branch, a tributary of the Nanticoke River. It is comprised of upland forest and Atlantic White Cedar.
Amenities: Loop Trail (pedestrian only). Parking along road.
Acreage: 23 acres
Friday, February 26, 2021
Every winter, hundreds of Tundra Swans arrive at Trap Pond to rest from their summer breeding season in the Arctic. The swans overnight on the pond in January and February, leaving during the day to feed in the local fields. Park visitors have a great opportunity to witness the flight of these birds in the early mornings and evenings. If your family or household group would like to witness the Tundra Swans leaving or returning to the pond the best time is 20 minutes before sunrise, or 20 minutes after sunset. These time frames fall outside of our normal park hours. Please call the nature center at 302-875-5163 to make an early morning or late evening appointment for access to the park.
Friday, February 26, 2021
Every winter, hundreds of Tundra Swans arrive at Trap Pond to rest from their summer breeding season in the Arctic. The swans overnight on the pond in January and February, leaving during the day to feed in the local fields. Park visitors have a great opportunity to witness the flight of these birds in the early mornings and evenings. If your family or household group would like to witness the Tundra Swans leaving or returning to the pond the best time is 20 minutes before sunrise, or 20 minutes after sunset. These time frames fall outside of our normal park hours. Please call the nature center at 302-875-5163 to make an early morning or late evening appointment for access to the park.
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Every winter, hundreds of Tundra Swans arrive at Trap Pond to rest from their summer breeding season in the Arctic. The swans overnight on the pond in January and February, leaving during the day to feed in the local fields. Park visitors have a great opportunity to witness the flight of these birds in the early mornings and evenings. If your family or household group would like to witness the Tundra Swans leaving or returning to the pond the best time is 20 minutes before sunrise, or 20 minutes after sunset. These time frames fall outside of our normal park hours. Please call the nature center at 302-875-5163 to make an early morning or late evening appointment for access to the park.
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Every winter, hundreds of Tundra Swans arrive at Trap Pond to rest from their summer breeding season in the Arctic. The swans overnight on the pond in January and February, leaving during the day to feed in the local fields. Park visitors have a great opportunity to witness the flight of these birds in the early mornings and evenings. If your family or household group would like to witness the Tundra Swans leaving or returning to the pond the best time is 20 minutes before sunrise, or 20 minutes after sunset. These time frames fall outside of our normal park hours. Please call the nature center at 302-875-5163 to make an early morning or late evening appointment for access to the park.
Monday, June 28, 2021
9 a.m.
Campers will become experienced anglers! Learn the various bait types, fish species and knots needed to become excellent fisherman! We will fish from the bank, docks and our pontoon boat during the week. A fishing tournament will be held at the end of the week to show off our new skills.
Monday, July 5, 2021
9 a.m.
For more experienced anglers. Alternate techniques, including fly fishing, will be taught and used. We will also hand-make our own lures, rigs, and other fishing equipment.
Monday, July 12, 2021
9 a.m.
Do you love arts and crafts? This is the camp for you. Enjoy adventures around the park to draw inspiration for your works of art. Paint, sculpt and craft.
Monday, July 19, 2021
9 a.m.
This camp focuses on the wide array of creatures that live here at Trap Pond. Learn how to effectively and safely view and observe the many types of wildlife at Trap Pond State Park.
Monday, July 26, 2021
9 a.m.
This camp is for those who aspire to work with animals or want to take good care of their pets. The animals we will learn about will include Monarch Butterflies, reptiles, domestic and even farm animals.