Killens Pond State Park
A Kent County state park with a real water park — slides and a pool, plus pond boating, trails, and cabins.
The Quick Version
- • A Kent County state park built around a millpond, with the family headliner being Killens Pond Water Park — an outdoor pool and slides (seasonal, separate admission).
- • Beyond the water park: boat rentals on the pond (canoe/kayak/pedal boat), about 9 miles of trails, disc golf, a nature center, and playgrounds.
- • Per-vehicle park fee in season ($5 DE / $10 out-of-state); the water park charges separately per person. The campground (cabins + sites) is open year-round.
- • About an hour from Wilmington; a strong summer day, especially with the water park.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
Half to full day
Adults
Free entry (per-vehicle fee in season: $5 DE / $10 out-of-state); water park separate
Kids
Free (park)
What to Expect
Killens Pond is a Kent County state park wrapped around a millpond, and for families the headliner is Killens Pond Water Park — an outdoor water park with a pool and slides that runs seasonally in summer (it charges its own per-person admission on top of the park entrance fee).
Beyond the water park, it's a classic state-park mix: boat rentals on the pond (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, pedal boats), about nine miles of trails for hiking and biking, an 18-hole disc golf course, a nature center, playgrounds, and a campground with cabins and sites that's open year-round.
So you can build a day around the water park, or skip it entirely for a quieter paddle-and-trails outing. Set expectations: on a hot summer day the water park is the draw (and the crowd), so arrive early; the rest of the year it's a calm, uncrowded nature park. About an hour south of Wilmington, it's the most family-friendly state park in Kent County.
Who It's Best For
The water park is the all-ages draw in summer. Little kids also love the playground, the easy pond shore, and the nature center; older kids get kayaking, disc golf, and the trails. Genuinely works across ages.
Highlights
Killens Pond Water Park
All agesAn outdoor pool and slides — the summer headliner. Seasonal, with its own per-person admission on top of the park fee.
Pond boating
All agesRent a canoe, kayak, rowboat, or pedal boat and get out on the millpond.
Trails & disc golf
Ages 5+About 9 miles of trails for hiking and biking, plus an 18-hole disc golf course.
Cabins & camping
All agesA year-round campground with cabins makes an easy first family overnight.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Assuming the water park is open off-season — it's summer-only; the rest of the park is year-round.
- • The water park midday on a hot weekend without arriving early — it draws a crowd.
- • Long trail loops with toddlers — stick to the day-use area and pond shore.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
Free entry (per-vehicle fee in season: $5 DE / $10 out-of-state); water park separate
Kids
Free (park)
Under
Free
The per-vehicle park entrance fee runs March–November; walk-in and bike-in are free. Killens Pond Water Park charges its own per-person admission on top of the park fee.
Membership tip: A Delaware State Parks annual pass ($50 DE residents) covers the park entrance fee (but not the separate water-park admission).
Getting There
Parking
Lots at the day-use, water-park, and boat-rental areas.
Hot summer days at the water park draw crowds — arrive early.
Entrance
Enter off Killens Pond Road near Felton; pay the vehicle fee in season. The water park has its own admission gate.
Parent Logistics
The day-use areas and paved paths are stroller-friendly; the roughly 9 miles of trails are natural-surface.
Restrooms in the day-use areas and a bathhouse at the water park.
Not confirmed — plan ahead.
The woods around the pond and trails are shaded; the water-park deck is open, so bring sun cover.
Food & Snacks
A seasonal concession at the water park; otherwise bring your own food.
Snack strategy: Pack a cooler for a pond-and-trails day; the water park has seasonal snacks.
Pro Tips
- ✓ The water park is the summer draw — go early on hot days, and budget for its separate admission.
- ✓ Off-season, come for a quiet paddle and the trails — far fewer people.
- ✓ A cabin overnight makes an easy first family campout, year-round.
- ✓ Your Delaware State Parks annual pass covers the park entrance fee (but not the water park).
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Summer for the water park (it's the big draw — go on a hot day, arrive early). Spring and fall are quieter for boating and trails.
Seasonal Notes
The park entrance fee runs March 1–November 30. Killens Pond Water Park is open seasonally (summer). The campground is open year-round.
Rainy Day?
Mostly outdoors; the nature center is the only indoor option — better saved for a nice day.
While You're in the Area
Dover's attractions — the Air Mobility Command Museum and First State Heritage Park — are about 20 minutes north for a full Kent County day.