Lums Pond State Park
Delaware's biggest freshwater pond, paddleboats and kayaks, a treetop ropes course, and a real nature center.
The Quick Version
- • Delaware's largest freshwater pond. Playgrounds, paddleboat/kayak rentals, a disc golf course, miles of trails, and the Go Ape treetop adventure.
- • State park entrance fee in season (March 1–November 30): $5/vehicle DE residents, $10/vehicle out-of-state. Walking or biking in is free.
- • The Whale Wallow Nature Center and the boardwalk on the Swamp Forest Trail are the family anchors.
- • Budget half a day if you paddleboat or do Go Ape. 1-2 hours for a quick playground + trail visit.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
2-4 hours
Adults
Free entry; per-vehicle fee in season
Kids
Free
What to Expect
Lums Pond is a real day-out park. It's not pretty in the Longwood sense — it's functional in the best way. Delaware's largest freshwater pond, playgrounds, miles of trails, paddleboat and kayak rentals, a treetop ropes course, and a working nature center all on one property. You pick your adventure.
Note up front: Lums Pond does not have a public swimming beach. The pond is for paddlesports and fishing only. If your day depends on swimming, plan around a pool or head down to Cape Henlopen.
The Whale Wallow Nature Center is the family anchor. Small but well-done — live animal exhibits, kid-height displays, a floor-to-ceiling window onto the wetlands, and clean bathrooms. Hours vary by season — check destateparks.com before planning around it. The boardwalk section of the Swamp Forest Trail starts right there and is the easiest nature walk in the park.
Pedalboats, kayaks, and canoes rent from the seasonal boat-rental concession at the boat ramp. Pedalboats are the easiest with little kids — one parent steers, a toddler watches the water. The pond is calm, mostly shallow near the shore, and the views of the surrounding forest are excellent.
For older kids, Go Ape is the draw. Treetop ziplines and rope bridges with minimum age, height, and weight requirements (check their site before you go — they're strict). It's a real outing, not a quick stop, and books up on weekends.
The vibe is Delaware-state-park casual. You'll see families, dog walkers, anglers, paddlers, mountain bikers, and disc golfers all sharing the place. No frills, no curated experience — just a big park doing its job.
Who It's Best For
Babies and toddlers: playground and easy paved paths near the Nature Center. Preschoolers: pedalboats with a parent, short nature trails, the indoor exhibits at Whale Wallow. Elementary: paddleboats and kayaks, fishing, longer trails, disc golf. Tweens and older kids: Go Ape ropes course (minimum age and height requirements apply).
Highlights
Whale Wallow Nature Center
All agesSmall nature center with live exhibits, kid-height displays, a floor-to-ceiling wetlands window, and clean bathrooms. Trailhead for the Swamp Forest boardwalk. Hours vary by season — check destateparks.com. Free.
Pedalboat, Kayak, and Canoe Rentals
Ages 3+Seasonal rentals from the boat concession at the boat ramp. Pedalboats are the easiest with little kids — one parent steers while a toddler watches the water. Bring your own boats if you have them.
Playgrounds
Ages 1-8Playgrounds near the picnic pavilions. Standard equipment but well-maintained — a good break for younger kids between trail walks and the Nature Center.
Go Ape Treetop Adventure
Ages 4+ (Treetop Journey); 10+ (full course)Ziplines, rope bridges, and aerial obstacles. Two tiers: Treetop Adventure/Discovery (ages 10+) is the full-height course, and Treetop Journey is a 1-hour shorter course with no minimum age and a 3'3" minimum height — that's the one that works for younger kids. All have height/weight requirements; confirm on their site before driving over. Books up on weekends.
Swamp Forest Trail Boardwalk
All agesThe boardwalk portion is short, stroller-friendly, and gives you a nature-walk win in 15-20 minutes. The trail continues past the boardwalk on dirt for hikers and mountain bikers.
Little Jersey Trail (8 miles)
Ages 8+Loop trail for experienced mountain bikers and trail runners. Too long and rooty for toddler walks, but worth knowing about for older kids and bike-friendly families.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • The full Swamp Forest or Little Jersey trail loops. Stick to the boardwalk section unless your kids are reliable hikers.
- • The full Go Ape course (ages 10+) with younger kids — but the Treetop Journey option works for kids 3'3" and up.
- • Disc golf if you're trying to wrangle small kids — the course winds through trees and isn't toddler-friendly.
- • Showing up without checking Nature Center hours first — they vary by season.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
Free entry; per-vehicle fee in season
Kids
Free
Under
Free
Delaware State Parks charges a daily entrance fee per vehicle from March 1 through November 30: $5/day for DE-registered vehicles, $10/day for out-of-state. Walking or biking in is free year-round. Go Ape ropes course and pedalboat/kayak/canoe rentals have separate fees.
Membership tip: An annual DE State Parks pass pays for itself fast if you visit Lums, Brandywine Creek, Alapocas, or Bellevue more than a handful of times. One pass covers all 17 DE State Parks.
Getting There
Parking
Multiple paved lots inside the park — the main lot near the picnic pavilions and Nature Center is the busiest. Additional lots near the boat ramp, the campground area, the playground, and the Go Ape entrance.
On peak summer weekends the closest lots fill by late morning. Park at one of the secondary lots and walk over — it's a short, mostly flat walk. The lot near the Whale Wallow Nature Center is a good fallback.
Entrance
The main park entrance is off Howell School Rd. After the entrance booth, follow signs to your destination — Nature Center, Boat Ramp, Pavilions, or Go Ape.
Parent Logistics
Paved paths around the picnic areas, playground, and the Whale Wallow Nature Center work well for strollers. The Swamp Forest Trail boardwalk is stroller-passable for the boardwalk portion. Longer trails (Little Jersey, Swamp Forest beyond the boardwalk) are dirt and uneven — bring a carrier.
Restrooms at the picnic pavilions (seasonal), the Whale Wallow Nature Center (clean, when open), and near the boat ramp. The Nature Center is your best bet for diapers — check current hours before counting on it.
Changing table in the Whale Wallow Nature Center bathroom. Pavilion restrooms are bare-bones.
Mixed. The pond edge and disc golf course are mostly exposed — bring hats and sunscreen in summer. The picnic areas have mature trees. Trails are mostly shaded.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No on-site concession. Picnic pavilions, tables, and grills throughout the park.
Snack strategy: Pack a cooler. Picnic tables and grills are everywhere. The closest food off-property is in the Bear/Glasgow corridor along Route 40 — Wawa, fast food, and Iron Hill Brewery in Newark for a real meal.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Annual DE State Parks pass is the single best money move if you visit Lums or any other state park more than 3-4 times a year.
- ✓ Whale Wallow Nature Center hours vary by season — check destateparks.com if it's a key part of your visit.
- ✓ Bring a picnic — there's no food concession on the property.
- ✓ Bring binoculars. The Nature Center's wetland window and the trails are reliable for herons, turtles, and waterfowl.
- ✓ Book Go Ape in advance for weekends. Walk-ups get turned away on busy days.
- ✓ Walking or biking entry is free year-round — handy if you're nearby and just want a quick trail walk.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings are the sweet spot — quieter trails, easier parking. Check current Whale Wallow Nature Center hours before planning around it. Spring and fall weekends are the best balance of weather and crowds. Hot summer days, arrive before 11 AM if you want shade at the picnic areas.
Seasonal Notes
Pedalboat, kayak, and canoe rentals are seasonal (warm-weather months). Trails are open year-round, dawn to dusk. Go Ape operates spring through fall — check their site for hours. The park itself has no public swimming — the pond is for paddlesports and fishing only. Whale Wallow Nature Center hours vary by season — check destateparks.com before planning around it.
Rainy Day?
The Whale Wallow Nature Center is a 20-30 minute indoor stop on its own — check hours first. Pair it with the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science (15 min drive) for a full rainy day.
While You're in the Area
Lums is close to nothing in particular — that's part of the deal. For a longer outing, the Iron Hill Brewery in Newark is a 15-minute drive for kid-friendly lunch. Glasgow Park is 10 minutes away if you want to add a splash-pad stop in summer.
Upcoming Events
Verified against the venue’s official info.
Last reviewed May 13, 2026. Prices re-checked May 13, 2026. Confirm anything dated (admission, hours, special events) on the venue’s own site before you drive.
Sources: destateparks.com , destateparks.com