If this is your first time here – WELCOME! If not, welcome back!! As full-time RV’ers, we travel and see a lot. This is part of our Off The Beaten Path series where we explore the hidden treasures in every state. We love the big popular attractions like everyone else, however, there is just something incredible about discovering something unique and different. Our goals are to find the most unexplored places and take those roads less traveled. We certainly can’t explore them all, so we’d love you to share your own off the beaten path stories with us. Each series will include at least one epic boondocking/free camping area, with GPS coordinates.
Silver Lake Park
Silver Lake Park is a hidden gem hiding in the middle of Dover, so it’s a great place to visit outside the city. It’s almost never crowded, no matter the time of year. Bring a lunch, and just relax, and let the kids play!
Historic Odessa
If you love finding the history of towns, this is a true gem! The 5 historic homes of Odessa are amazing to explore, and you can tell the town is very proud of its history. Just strolling down the street on a nice warm day is a beautiful walk!
White Clay Creek State Park
Another perfect example of an unrated state park. It’s really one of the most beautiful places in Delaware. There are a few roads that lead into White Clay Creek State Park, but Creek Road is the most scenic.
It will take you right to the park’s nature center, which is a great place to start. If you need to stop by the park office first, take Thomson’s Station Road. At the park office, you’ll be able to pick up a map of the trails. Hiking around sunset will be a true treat! The best part of the park is of course the creek!
Do you love geology?
For me, geology is a new found love! Until just about a year or two ago rocks were just rocks. Justin has had a love of geology forever. He would pick up a rock and show it to me and I’d shrug and say “that’s nice”. Fast forward to today and I’m right there with him picking up rocks, wanting to learn about the type and kind and how they were formed, and where they come from. If you have a love of geology, you just MUST visit University of Delaware Mineralogical Museum in Newark. In operation since 1971, the UD Mineralogical Museum displays approximately 350 dazzling gems and minerals. It is housed in Penny Hall, home of UD’s Department of Geological Sciences.
Kayaking Blackbird Creek Reserve
Blackbird Creek Reserve highlights one of the most pristine waterways in Delaware. Hike the trails, paddle on the water, or sign up for a guided program online. There is no official visitor’s center but the property is open to the public. We have not done this kayak trip yet, but it’s on our list for sure. Several locals say it’s the best place to enjoy nature.
Geocaching is a pretty big thing to do in Delaware! They actually have a trail called Geocaching Trail. If you don’t know what Geocaching is, check out our blog Geo-What? Here.
Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck
A wrecked ship dating back to the American Revolution was only recently discovered off the Delaware coast. Though the remains are in a surprisingly well-preserved state, only a small portion of the hull is intact. Still, archaeologists were able to determine that the ship sank offshore in March of 1772 (now near the current inlet, which didn’t exist then).
The ship’s name was the Severn, captained by Jonathan Hawthorn, and all crew survived. Check it out!! Pictures do not do it justice! High tide is good at covering things, especially shipwrecks. Go check this one out during low-tide when the hull is exposed. TIP: GPS: 38.7947, -75.1686
Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods
SO FUN!!! A magical place for kids (and kids at heart). Lots of people have been to Winterthur to explore the estate and 1,000 acres of ornate garden. But did you know there’s also an amazing fairy garden hiding here? The Enchanted Woods will take you on a journey through a magical forest. Bring your imagination, and whatever you do, don’t step into a Fairy Ring!
Brandywine Creek
Do you love just floating the river in a tube? This is your place!! The Brandywine is the top choice for anyone looking for a relaxing float down one of Delaware’s lazy rivers. Put-in at Thompson’s Bridge and float until you’re ready to call it a day. Just be sure to have a car ready to bring you back to the parking lot! Justin and I have been known to park our truck at one end and ride the bikes back, lock them up and come back for them once we reach the spot where our truck is. If you are going with friends, or have more than one vehicle, this is a perfect situation. TIP: If you go during the week, you might be alone. Even in the Summer!
Here are some other blogs we think you’ll love!
- 10 Myths About Boondocking – Debunked! Yes, We Do Take Showers!
- Off the Beaten Path in New York ~ The Best Hidden Gems!
- Full-Time RV Life ~ Working Remotely and Staying Connected
- Boondocking ~ How We Spent $48 on Camping Fees For The Whole Year
- The Best Tips for Organizing Your RV Stuff
Boondocking
HELP US! Other than the Dover Downs Casino we couldn’t find any regular boondocking areas in Delaware! Of course, there was a Cabella’s and Walmart I think (didn’t find out if we can stay), and a couple of places for tent camping, but have you done any boondocking in Delaware? Especially in a big rig? Please share so we can check it out too! Of course, if you cross over to NJ or PA you can find a few pretty nice places. There is a boat launch area in PA called Mahantongo Boat Launch (GPS: 40.652171, -76.924113). Good for any size rig, and cell service was good. But again, that was in PA! Would love you all to help us out on this one!
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