Cape Henlopen State Park is a treasure trove of joy, community, and natural beauty. Explore the stunning landscapes, from sandy beaches to lush forests, that invite you to connect with nature. Join fellow visitors in celebrating the vibrant community spirit that makes this park a beloved destination.  Photo Gallery Cape Henlopen State Park is a treasure trove of joy, community, and natural beauty. Explore the stunning landscapes, from sandy beaches to lush forests, that invite you to connect with nature. Join fellow visitors in celebrating the vibrant community spirit that makes this park a beloved destination.

The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park (FOCHSP) funds two grant opportunities.  The Thatcher Education Grant and the Youth Educational Support (YES) Grant are designed to inspire youth groups to engage in programs focused on learning about nature and the environment. Educational Grants The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park (FOCHSP) funds two grant opportunities. The Thatcher Education Grant and the Youth Educational Support (YES) Grant are designed to inspire youth groups to engage in programs focused on learning about nature and the environment. Below, you will find information about each program and application processes. Join us in fostering a love for nature in the next generation! Thatcher Grant Thatcher Grants may be applied to: School Transportation costs to the park. Nature Center/Park program fees for Title 1 Delaware schools. Thatcher Grant Process: First contact Richard Julian, Park Nature Center Manager, at (302) 645-6852, or Richard.Julian@Delaware.gov . Complete the fillable application form here: Application Form Submit the signed application to the Park's Nature Center Manager. The Nature Center Manager will review the application to determine if the Park has the resources to ensure a successful class trip on the proposed date. After scheduling, applications are forwarded to the FOCHSP Board. The FOCHSP Board considers the application and will reply to the teacher/group leader. Youth Educational Support (YES) Grant YES Grants may be applied to: Transportation costs to the park. Nature Center/Park program fees. YES Grant Process: First contact Richard Julian, Park Nature Center Manager, at (302) 645-6852, or Richard.Julian@Delaware.gov . Complete the application form here: Application Form Submit the signed application to the Park's Nature Center Manager. The Nature Center Manager will review the application to determine if the Park has the resources to ensure a successful trip on the proposed date. Approved applications are forwarded to the FOCHSP Board. The FOCHSP Board considers the application and will reply to the teacher/group leader. Unlike Thatcher Grants, YES Grants: Are open to Delaware-based non-profit youth organizations. Are awarded preferentially to groups that have a sponsor/leader who is a current FOCHSP member. Each youth group may be awarded only one grant per calendar year. Participant's program may include environmental education or other topics.

The Point at CHSP is closed from March through September to safeguard endangered beach-nesting birds. Your cooperation during this period is crucial to prevent nest abandonment and protect vulnerable eggs and chicks. Thank you for your understanding and support in preserving these precious species. DNREC Beach-Nesting Bird Program The Point at CHSP is closed from March through September to safeguard endangered beach-nesting birds. Your cooperation during this period is crucial to prevent nest abandonment and protect vulnerable eggs and chicks. Thank you for your understanding and support in preserving these precious species. Victoria Smith Threats to Birds Piping plovers, American oystercatchers, red knots, and least terns nest at the CHSP Point from March through September. While loss and degradation of habitat, climate change, and predators may contribute to the loss of chicks, human disturbance is also a factor and the reason the Point is closed during breeding months. American Oyster Catcher CHSP is an essential way point for these species to gain weight for migration to points as distant as the Arctic. The birds also are dependent upon the thousands of eggs produced by Delaware's beloved horseshoe crabs. DNREC Fish and Wildlife staff monitor the birds and take appropriate actions to help their breeding, such as installing exclosures around nests. To volunteer as a site monitor, complete this linked form . For more information about Delaware's beach nesting birds and DNREC's efforts to provide habitat protection, visit Beach-Nesting Birds . Terri Campbell Semipalmated Sandpiper

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The FOCHSP is proud to have initiated, funded, and supported numerous opportunities to incorporate native plants throughout the park. These efforts not only enhance the landscape but also promote biodiversity and support local wildlife. Gardening The FOCHSP is proud to have initiated, funded, and supported opportunities to incorporate native plants throughout the park. These efforts not only enhance the landscape but also promote biodiversity and support local wildlife. We believe that by integrating native flora, we can create a more sustainable and vibrant environment for everyone to enjoy. Join us in celebrating these green initiatives! Monarch Garden Delaware is an important state for the recovery of this iconic butterfly as it lies in the direct path of migrating monarchs from late August through November. Delaware Master Naturalists who are also Friends members have installed 100 plants into the garden including 60 seaside goldenrods, a major source of nectar for migrating monarchs, and a keystone species for dozens of other insects. Several species of native host and nectar plants have also been included in the garden for caterpillar food sources and nectar for butterflies. Visit us next to the Biden Center and learn more about monarchs and what you can do to help them in your yard. See the April 20, 2025, 60 Minutes video about monarchs. Nature Center Native Plant Garden Friends placed a variety of native plants in the fenced area in front of the Nature Center. The species include host and nectar plants. Flower Displays Friends members also procure the plants, install, and maintain the flower pots at the park entrance, the campground, and the Officers Club building. Nature Center Pond Transformation Visit our newest garden, where native plants thrive in the former pond area. Here, you'll find a variety of "host" plants, perfect for nurturing butterfly caterpillars, while the vibrant floral blooms will attract and support our buzzing bee friends. To enhance this natural habitat, a bird bath offers a drink for the feathered visitors that frequent the nearby feeder.

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Enjoy the beauty of the park with the FOCHSP's two live-feed bird cameras! Experience nature in real time and stay connected with the vibrant environment around you. Bird Cams Enjoy the beauty of the park with the FOCHSP's two live-feed bird cameras! Experience nature in real time and stay connected with the vibrant environment around you. Happy viewing! Osprey Cam A new tower and nesting platform were installed in the park during the spring of 2023. In March 2025, Tri-State Tree Service, and Jodi McLaughlin, Delaware Master Naturalist, and Friends, cleaned and upgraded the Osprey Cam with a new protective cover. For more information about Osprey behavior and migration, visit the Cornell Lab . Nature Center Cam Enjoy a few minutes watching the variety of birds visiting this feeder. You might even see a turkey or a deer or two.

Bike Barn Ambassadors help park visitors select bikes, adjust seat heights, provide route recommendations, and more. If you’re interested in becoming a member of our volunteer cadre, please contact us using the form on the web page. Bike Barn Volunteers Become a Bike Barn Volunteer! We couldn’t operate the free Borrow-a-Bike program without the terrific support of our Bike Barn Ambassador team. Bike Barn Ambassadors help park visitors select bikes, adjust seat heights, provide route recommendations, and more. If you’re interested in becoming a member of our volunteer cadre, please contact us using the form below. Please note: You must be a member of the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park (FOCHSP) to volunteer with us. First Name Last Name Email Subject Message Send Thanks for your inquiry!

year at a glance calendar 2026 Calendar of Events Saturday, September 19 - Delaware Coastal Cleanup Saturday, September 19 - Chocolate Tasting Saturday, November 14 - Holiday Boutique and Book Fair Tuesday, December 1 - Giving Tuesday FOCHSP Trails Days Free Borrow-a-Bike Program Monthly Board Meetings Prior Events Wednesday, April 22 - Earth Day Annual Community Cleanup Saturday, April 18 - Wine, Cheese & Beer Tasting Saturday, March 21 - Flea Market Saturday, February 21, Annual Meeting Saturday, June 6 - National Trails Day Wednesday, June 10 - Board Meeting Wednesday, July 8 - Board Meeting May 15 - July 31 - 2nd Annual Capturing the Cape, a Digital Photography Contest Questions? Call us at 302-858-6127

The Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (CHHW) invites bird enthusiasts and nature lovers to visit us from September 1 to November 30 each year. Experience the beauty of migratory birds as they soar through the skies above Cape Henlopen. Hawk Watch The Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (CHHW) invites bird enthusiasts and nature lovers to visit us from September 1 to November 30 each year. Experience the beauty of migratory birds as they soar through the skies above Cape Henlopen. Operation CHHW is organized under the Hawk Migration Association of North America . Volunteers, many of them members of the Sussex Bird Club , count and report the number of migrating raptors that pass by Cape Henlopen State Park. A professional raptor counter is also present most days. Detailed information about our recent counts may be found here . Raptor information . Friends members support the Hawk Watch by volunteering their time. We are always looking for more people to come learn, enjoy, and help. No experience is necessary. The Hawk Watch operates under a Fish and Wildlife grant that is contingent, in part, on the Hawk Watch’s ability to solicit volunteer hours.

Stay connected with Friends in the News—featuring notable updates, media mentions, achievements, and newsworthy highlights from our group. Friends In the News From memorable events to inspiring speakers, this page highlights what we’ve been up to—along with insights and resources we’re glad to share. CoastLife (WRDE-TV) features August 8 Trails Day CoastLife TV reporter Kendall Gordon joined us for our August 8 Trails Day—and she didn’t just watch from the sidelines! Kendall rolled up her sleeves and worked alongside our volunteers while learning firsthand what goes into helping keep the trails of Cape Henlopen State Park clean, beautiful, and ready for visitors. Check out Kendall’s great story, “Behind the Beauty of Cape Henlopen State Park,” and meet some of the dedicated volunteers who make Trails Day happen month after month! -—Courtesy of WRDE-TV CoastLife Ospreys, The Iconic Birds of the Inland Bays On May 22, the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park welcomed Delaware Master Naturalist Jodi McLaughlin to the Biden Environmental Training Center for an engaging presentation, Ospreys: The Iconic Birds of the Inland Bays. Attendees enjoyed an inspiring look into the lives of the area’s osprey population, conservation efforts throughout Sussex County, and the importance of protecting local wildlife and habitats. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable evening celebrating one of the Inland Bays’ most iconic birds. Annual Meeting The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park held their Annual Meeting on February 21 at the Biden Environmental Center. Members gathered for a productive session that included the election of the 2026 Board of Directors. Votes were cast to renew current board members Jeff Underwood (President), MJ Candaux (Merchandise), and Suzanne Langwell (Marketing and Media), and to confirm continued service of Tim McDermott and Susan Giordano following their mid-year appointments. Members also considered new nominees Tony Buffkin (Webmaster) and Becky Brasington Clark (Grants Committee). The meeting offered a valuable opportunity for members to engage in leadership decisions and reaffirm their commitment to the park. Winter Birds of Southern Delaware At our annual meeting, guest speaker Ian Stewart shared tips for supporting winter birds and highlighted his favorite birding spots in lower Delaware. To help birds in winter, provide food like black oil sunflower seeds, suet cakes, shel peanuts, and mealworms. Planting native wildflowers, such Purple Coneflower and Brown-eyed Susan, can also support local wildlife while offering seeds. Water is crucial; a bird bath with a heater can keep water accessible. For birdwatching, Cape Henlopen State Park and Indian River Inlet are standout locations for various species, including Snow Buntings and Great Cormorants.

FOCHSP has funded numerous projects and upgrades such as revitalizing the Disc Golf Course, enhancing the playground, improving road surfaces, and much more. Completed Projects The FOCHSP has funded numerous projects and upgrades such as revitalizing the Disc Golf Course, enhancing the playground, improving road surfaces, and much more. These investments aim to create a better experience for everyone in the park, ensuring our recreational spaces are enjoyable and accessible. We are committed to continuous improvement and look forward to more developments in the future. Thank you for your ongoing support! CHSP Disc Golf Course Upgrade The Cape Henlopen Disc Golf course has undergone a major transformation thanks to an effort between Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, dedicated state park staff, and passionate local disc golfers. The upgrades include brand-new white tee pads, improved signage, and updated disc golf baskets, enhancing the overall experience for players. As one of the oldest disc golf courses in world, this revitalization ensures that it remains a great destination for enthusiasts of all ages. Come and enjoy the newly improved course and experience the thrill of disc golf in a beautiful location! Want to learn more about disc golf? Check out this information sheet as well as the course map . CHSP Playground The FOCHSP has dedicated proceeds from its fundraising efforts over several years toward this important project. With generous assistance from foundations and the Community Transportation Fund, groundbreaking for the playground took place in October 2011 and was ultimately completed and dedicated in August 2012. The FOCHSP has recently funded a new Ladybug Spring Rider and a Noodle Climber, adding even more excitement to our play area! Park Beach Wagon In 2022, FOCHSP proudly funded the acquisition of a new 18-foot beach wagon, equipped with seatbelts and a wheelchair lift. This addition enhances accessibility and provides an enjoyable and enriching experience. Experience the beauty of the park on the new all-abilities beach wagon . Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins and other wildlife that may join you on this unforgettable adventure. Additional FOCHSP Park Projects FOCHSP is dedicated to enhancing Cape Henlopen State Park through vital funding for repairs and improvements. Recent projects include repairing the surface of Transmitter Road, installing a drinking fountain at the playground, purchasing cameras for the fishing pier, and providing beach mobility mats for greater accessibility. Additionally, we sponsor the purchase of pumpkins to enrich the Fall Fantasy Trail experience. Together, we're making our parks more enjoyable for everyone!