Brandywine Creek - Delaware State Parks

Park Highlights

Hit the Water

Explore the park’s namesake on the water! These popular DIY activities include tubing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing on the meandering Brandywine Creek.

Visit Nature Preserves

Brandywine Creek State Park staff administer four nature preserves in the area, including Delaware’s first recognized old-growth forest. Step out of the park’s more popular spaces to traverse the preserves.

Try Mountain Biking

Popular with local mountain bike enthusiasts, Brandywine Creek offers trails at a variety of difficulty levels – perfect for beginners to explore the park on two wheels.

Birding Delight

Brandywine Creek is a birder’s delight with diverse ecosystems to birdwatch. From mature hardwood forests, creeksides, and open grassy meadows to tall hillsides for hawk watching – the park is beloved by birders in Delaware.

Unique Winter Recreation

Delaware is notorious for its flat terrain, but Brandywine Creek is a hilly gem on the Piedmont plateau! Hawk Watch hill is popular for sledding after a rare Delaware snow, and the park’s rolling hills are perfect for cross-country skiing.

About the Park

Known for its meadowland views and blue gneiss stone walls built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Brandywine Creek State Park sits within northern Delaware’s piedmont region with more than 14 miles of trail and a remnant old-growth forest. The rolling meadows provide habitat to native pollinators, ground nesting birds and rare native plants, some of which can be seen by taking a stroll through the pollinator garden.

Park History

The lands which today comprise Brandywine Creek State Park was home to a quiet Quaker farming community as early as the late 17th century. These farmers, millers, and thinkers helped define the landscape we see as many old farm roads have become part of the trail system used today. Much of the land on the parks western side was purchased beginning in the late 19th century by Henry Algernon du Pont and his son Henry Francis du Pont to expand their Winterthur estate. Under their ownership the area was used for agriculture and grazing, and the hallmark stone walls throughout the park were constructed in the late 19th century. During the early 20th century much of the eastern side of the park was purchased by local industrialist William P. Bancroft of the Brancroft company of mills. Through his work in the mills, Bancroft was inspired by the scenic beauty of the area to use his vast wealth to purchase as much land as he could in the Brandywine Valley for preservation. Brandywine Creek State Park is home to the first and second Nature Preserves in the State of Delaware, the Fresh Water Marsh and Tulip Tree Woods Nature Preserves.
Nature Preserves

In addition to the state park, Brandywine Creek oversees four local nature preserves: Flint Woods, the Carney Tract, Tulip Tree Woods and Fresh Water Marsh. Learn more about these and other Nature Preserves.

Delaware Nature Preserves
Our Trails

We have 4 unique trails that you can explore at our park, including ones that are pet friendly and handicap accessible.

To find the perfect one for your next adventure, please visit our trail finder page:

Trail Finder

Upcoming Programs

Today

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

10:00 AM - Pea Patch Island Heron Tour

Hidden Gems Series

Monthly Bird Hike

Full Moon Hike