Picture of Lums Pond

Lums Pond State Park


Trail Closure Alert

The Little Jersey Trail will be closed past the Boat Launch parking lot until further notice for maintenance.

Find Your Adventure at Lums Pond

Swamp Forest trail signpost at Lums Pond State Park

Hike the Swamp Forest Trail

Discover Delaware’s largest millpond! Witness spectacular views along this 6.4-mile trail that weaves through diverse habitats along the pond’s edge.

Biker on the Swamp Forest Trail

Bike the Trails

Lums Pond State Park features bike trails for all skill levels. Experienced bikers can try the more challenging Swamp Forest Trail, while the 8-mile long Little Jersey Trail is enjoyable for all skill levels.

Pedalboat crossing Killens Pond in late afternoon

Paddle the Pond

Kayak, canoe, or pedalboat around the pond and look for wildlife. Spot turtles basking on logs, Great Blue Herons standing along the shoreline, and osprey flying overhead. Find the best fishing spots and reel in a largemouth bass.

Young  man on Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course zip line

Try a New Adventure

Zip through the trees at Go Ape's Adventure Park, go horseback riding at Sunset Stables, or dock your boat at Summit North Marina to grab a bite to eat at Grain H2O. Endless adventures await!

RV at the Lums Pond State Park campground

Get Outside

Lums Pond State Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Plan a picnic, play a round of disc golf, bring your four-legged friends to the dog park, or go camping at the Lums Pond Campground!

Rocking chairs await at the Whale Wallow Nature Center at Lums Pond State Park.

Superintendent’s Pick: Visit the Nature Center

Stop by the nature center to learn about the park and its native wildlife. See live reptiles and freshwater fish tanks, then sign up for a program. We recommend the guided kayak tour!

About the Park

Surrounding Delaware’s largest freshwater pond, Lums Pond State Park offers a variety of recreational activities. Seventeen miles of trails wind through hardwood forest of varying ages from mature to young growth, which can also be experienced via the Go Ape Treetop Course. Wetlands around the park are home to reptiles, amphibians, and notable dragonfly species. The St. Georges Creek once flowed through these lands that were also home to Native Americans. The creek was later dammed when the C&D Canal was built in order to supply water for grist mills. The boathouse offers a variety of watercrafts to explore the pond up close. The campground welcomes tents and RVs while a primitive campsite is available for groups. Pavilions can be rented for events and disc golf, cricket, football, soccer and tennis and an off-leash dog park are also available. At the park’s nature center, visitors see live animal exhibits including a 500 gallon freshwater aquarium exhibit with fish that are native to the pond.

pavilion at Lums Pond

Going Ape

Ziplining at Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course at Lums Pond State Park

The Go Ape ziplining course allows visitors to see the park from a whole new perspective – from the treetops! The main course, for ages 10 and up, is a 2- to 3-hour adventure featuring rope ladders, treetops crossings, a Tarzan swing and four epic ziplines that take you over the pond. Go Ape also offers the Treetop Journey course, a perfect 1-hour introduction to aerial adventure, open to all ages.

Camping

Camping at Lums Pond State Park

The newly-renovated campground offers sites with three-point hookups (water, electric and sewer), as well as four horse campsites without hookups. If you prefer a bed to a bedroll, stay in one of our yurts! These round stationary structures with canvas walls feature a single and double bed bunked together, a double bed-sized futon, an outdoor seating area, and outdoor deck.

Reader's Digest recommends Lums Pond State Park as the best RV park in Delaware.

University of Delaware fightin blue hen logo

The Place To Be for UD Home Games!

Lums Pond is proud to be the official campground of UD Athletics! This fall football season, bring your friends and families out to cheer on our home team, and then spend the night at our new and improved campground. Watch for special discounts during football season!

Fishing and Boating

As the largest freshwater pond in Delaware, Lums Pond is one of the best fishing spots in the state, with anglers landing crappie, bluegill, perch, pickerel, largemouth bass, and more. Striped bass is stocked periodically. Fishing permits are required. Click for information about fishing licenses. WARNING: The State online automated fishing license system is NOT compatible with mobile devices or iPads and may encounter printing issues with touch screen computers and apple products.

Bring your own boat, or rent one of ours: rowboats, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats are available, and a boat launching ramp and two piers allow easy access to the water. The Summit North Marina on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal offers private slips for 250 boats and fuel sales, boat storage and repair services.

Horseback Riding

The Little Jersey Trail is a shared-use trail designated for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

  • Access to the riding trail is limited to park operating hours (8 a.m. to sunset.)
  • Vehicles and trailers used for the transport of horses must park in designated areas.
  • Riding trails may be closed due to hazardous conditions or at the Division’s discretion.
  • Riders are responsible for cleaning up after their horses on roadways and in parking areas.

Sport Fields and Courts

Football, soccer, softball, and cricket fields may be rented through the park office for a $50 fee. Tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts are first-come, first-served. Horseshoe, volleyball, and softball equipment may be rented for $25 during the summer season. Individuals renting equipment must be at least 18 years of age, present a valid driver's license as proof of age, and may leave either the driver's license or $50 as a deposit.

Nature Store

Lums Pond’s nature store, located in the park office, stocks t-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts, books related to gardening, fishing and camping, a wide assortment of children's books and toys, and nature-themed gifts.

Nature Preserve

Lums Pond Woods Nature Preserve – This Nature Preserve is a great example of a Northern Coastal Plain/Piedmont Basic Mesic hardwood Forest. Delmarva Bays are scattered throughout the forest. This Nature Preserve captures all the mature woodlands within the Park.

Amenities: Loop Trail (pedestrian, bike, horse) in and outside of Nature Preserve. Parking in park.

Acreage: 181 acres

Upcoming Events

Reptile Hour!

Saturday, November 9, 2024

11:00 AM

Join a naturalist to learn about the reptiles in the park and meet some of the nature center reptiles up close and learn how we care for them. We will also do a fun reptile related craft to take home! Pre-Registration required by calling 302-368-6989. Free, with paid park admission!

Add to Calendar 11/9/2024 11:00:00 AM 11/9/2024 12:00:00 PM America/New_York Reptile Hour! Join a naturalist to learn about the reptiles in the park and meet some of the nature center reptiles up close and learn how we care for them. We will also do a fun reptile related craft to take home! Pre-Registration required by calling 302-368-6989. Free, with paid park admission! Lums Pond

Sunday Stories

Sunday, November 17, 2024

1:00 PM

Come join us at the nature center for a fun filled Stories with a Naturalist program! We will be reading a nature themed book, and creating a take home craft that is related to our book afterwards. Each week will be a different story and craft. Best suited for families with younger children. Pre-Registration required by calling 302-368-6989. Free, with paid park admission!

Add to Calendar 11/17/2024 1:00:00 PM 11/17/2024 2:00:00 PM America/New_York Sunday Stories Come join us at the nature center for a fun filled Stories with a Naturalist program! We will be reading a nature themed book, and creating a take home craft that is related to our book afterwards. Each week will be a different story and craft. Best suited for families with younger children. Pre-Registration required by calling 302-368-6989. Free, with paid park admission! Lums Pond

Map and Directions