# Du Pont gardens, migratory birds and bunker towers: by camper through Delaware from the Brandywine Valley to Cape Henlopen and the beaches of Fenwick Island

> From Winterthur and New Castle via Fort Delaware, Dover and Bombay Hook to Lewes, Cape Henlopen and Indian River Inlet: around 400 kilometres of driving in…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-576-delaware-brandywine-bombay-hook-cape-henlopen/

**At a glance:** 6-day road trip of about 260 km (162 mi) with 16 stops, from Winterthur to Ocean City. About 2 h 53 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May and September–October. Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $5 (DE). From Winterthur and New Castle via Fort Delaware, Dover and Bombay Hook to Lewes, Cape Henlopen and Indian River Inlet: around 400 kilometres of driving in the second-smallest state in the USA, with no sales tax, plenty of marsh and dunes, and World War II bunkers.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 260 km (162 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 53 min |
| Suggested days | 6 |
| Stops | 16 |
| Route | Winterthur → Ocean City |
| States | DE, MD |
| Best time to go | May and September–October |
| Tolls and vignettes | ≈ $5 |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-576-delaware-brandywine-bombay-hook-cape-henlopen.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From Winterthur and New Castle via Fort Delaware, Dover and Bombay Hook to Lewes, Cape Henlopen and Indian River Inlet: around 400 kilometres of driving in the second-smallest state in the USA, with no sales tax, plenty of marsh and dunes, and World War II bunkers.*

## The spirit of the route

Delaware is smaller than some German districts, and that is exactly what makes this route a gift for campers: you never drive for more than two hours, yet you see four completely different countries. In the north lie the hills of the Brandywine Valley with its chemical dynasty, gardens and mill gorges, then the cobbled lanes of New Castle, where the state got its own colonial assembly in 1704. Further south the Delaware Bay opens into a patchwork of salt marsh, cornfields and dikes, where tens of thousands of snow geese make a racket in autumn. At the end come pine forest, high dunes and grey concrete towers at Cape Henlopen, which guarded the bay in the Second World War, and miles of beaches where anglers park their pickups in the sand. From your sliding door you see morning mist over the pond at Killens Pond, and in the evening sails on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. And when you shop, you save the sales tax.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Winterthur (Brandywine Valley) to New Castle (approx. 45 km)

- **The drive:** The Brandywine Valley lies in the north, right on the Pennsylvania border: winding, hilly country roads (DE-52, DE-141) with old stone walls and trees that sometimes hang low over the road, which is narrow in places. Tall vehicles should drive with care and avoid small side roads. From there, head south via Wilmington (I-95, or DE-141 and US-13). Rush-hour traffic is heavy on I-95 and the expressways around Wilmington, and the Delaware Turnpike section of I-95 is a toll road. Pure driving time is around 1 hour, a full day with sightseeing; fuel stations and supermarkets everywhere.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library: the former estate of the du Pont family with around 1,000 acres of grounds, naturalistic gardens and a large collection of early American furniture and decorative arts. The garden is at its best in spring (azaleas, spring bloomers) and in autumn; check admission and shuttle tours in advance.
  - Hagley Museum and Library on Brandywine Creek: this is where Éleuthère Irénée du Pont founded his gunpowder mills in 1802. The open-air site with mill ruins, a water wheel, workers’ houses and the family home Eleutherian Mills explains how gunpowder and chemistry grew into an industrial group. Ask the museum in advance about parking for large vehicles.
  - Brandywine Creek State Park: meadows, deciduous forest and Brandywine Creek with hiking trails, and in autumn a photo spot with mist over the meadow; day visits only, no camping. Non-residents pay an entry fee per vehicle (check current amounts at destateparks.com).
- **Official campsite or RV park:** There are no state campgrounds in the Brandywine Valley in northern Delaware. The nearest public site is Lums Pond State Park Campground south of Bear, around 30 kilometres from New Castle: restroom and shower buildings, sites with and without hookups (check each site when booking), on the state’s largest freshwater pond. Reserve through the Delaware State Parks reservation system and observe the length limit. The OSM entry Lums Pond Youth Camping is a group site for youth groups.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Free camping is not allowed in Delaware: there is no public land for dispersed camping, and sleeping in your vehicle on roads or in park and museum car parks is prohibited. Walmart car parks only with the express permission of the store.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The Brandywine region is full on weekends in May and October (garden show, autumn colours). If you arrive early at Winterthur, parking is more relaxed. The two museums are only a few minutes apart by car; plan half a day to a full day for each. At Lums Pond a trail runs along the shore, good for an evening walk.

### Stage 2: New Castle to Dover (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** First take DE-9 (part of the Delaware Bayshore Byway) along the river to Delaware City, then cross the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal and continue on DE-1 and US-13 through flat farmland. DE-9 is two-lane and winding, in places without a shoulder, with speeds of 45–55 mph (72–88 km/h); DE-1 is a four-lane expressway with speeds up to 65 mph and toll plazas at Biddles (south of the Senator William V. Roth Jr. Bridge) and Dover, plus unmanned ramp tolls; you pay by E-ZPass or in cash in the staffed lanes. Pure driving time is around 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - New Castle: capital of the Delaware colony until 1777. Around The Green stand the Old Court House of 1732, the Amstel House, small brick houses with tiled roofs and a cobbled harbour. At Battery Park on the river there is a boardwalk with views of the bridges and the river; the streets of the old town are narrow, so large vehicles park at the edge.
  - Delaware City and Fort Delaware: from Delaware City a ferry crosses to Pea Patch Island, where Fort Delaware stands, a pentagonal granite fortress that served as a prison camp for Confederate soldiers in the Civil War. On the island there are guided tours of the casemates and cannons, and in spring and summer thousands of herons and ibises nest. The ferry runs only in season (roughly from late April to late September), at weekends only in spring and autumn, and not daily in summer. Tickets are required; check the timetable, tickets and status at destateparks.com. Bicycles are prohibited on the island.
  - Dover: the state capital, with Legislative Hall, the Old State House on The Green and the Air Mobility Command Museum on the grounds of Dover Air Force Base. Transport aircraft such as the C-5 Galaxy and the C-130 are on display, and visitors may enter some of them. Admission is free; check the visitor rules at the Air Force base (ID, vehicle inspection) in advance.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** There is no state campground in Dover itself. The nearest site is Killens Pond State Park Campground south of Felton, around 25 kilometres from Dover: sites with electric hookup (check water, sewer and dump station for each site when booking), a bathhouse, on the mill pond with lake access and boat rental. Reserve through the Delaware State Parks; two nights are worthwhile because Bombay Hook the next day is a round trip (see stage 3). As an alternative near Dover, private campgrounds offer hookups; check their status beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Overnight stays are prohibited in the car parks at Fort Delaware, at the ferry landing in Delaware City and in Dover. Delaware has no boondocking on public land; wild camping is punished with fines.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The ferry to Pea Patch Island is a passenger-only ferry; vehicles stay in Delaware City. Whether and where large motorhomes may park there is not confirmed: ask the Delaware State Parks beforehand. On the island there are mosquitoes and flies, and in high summer full heat with no shade: take water, sun protection and insect repellent. The Michael N. Castle Trail along the C&D Canal is a good cycle route for the afternoon.

### Stage 3: Dover to Bombay Hook / Killens Pond (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** From Dover take US-13 north to Smyrna, then small roads (DE-6, DE-9) east and along Whitehall Neck Road to the refuge visitor centre (2591 Whitehall Neck Road); the Wildlife Drive starts there. In the evening you head back to Killens Pond. The figure of around 90 kilometres for the whole round trip is a rough estimate. If you return on DE-1, you pass the toll at Dover. Roads are flat and two-lane, speeds 25–45 mph; the road in the refuge is narrow and partly unpaved, so drive large vehicles carefully. Pure driving time is around 2 hours in total including the detour; the loop in the refuge takes 1.5–3 hours with stops. Fuel stations in Dover and Smyrna, none in the refuge.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: the Wildlife Drive is a loop of about 12 miles (19 kilometres) through salt marsh and freshwater pools, with three observation towers about 9 metres high (Raymond Tower, Shearness Tower and Bear Swamp Trail, the latter not accessible) and short boardwalks such as the Boardwalk Trail. In autumn and spring snow geese, ducks and waders stop over here, in early summer cormorants, herons and Canada geese. The Wildlife Drive is open daily from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; an entry pass is required for the drive and the trails. On certain hunting days in autumn the refuge and the drive are closed: check the dates in advance on the refuge page at fws.gov.
  - Allee House in the refuge: an 18th-century brick house that shows early farming at the marsh. Note: the area around the house (Dutch Neck Road) is closed to visitors from 1 September to 1 February. The visitor centre (closed on federal holidays) has maps, bird lists and information on current sightings.
  - Killens Pond State Park: the pond began as a mill pond and is framed by deciduous forest. A hiking trail runs around the pond, and in summer there is a water park (Killens Pond Water Park, non-residents pay more). Paddling on the pond is best in the stillness of the morning.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Killens Pond State Park Campground: second night at the same site, quiet pitches under trees, shower buildings; check the dump station and hookups when booking. If you want to move on, further south you will find Trap Pond State Park near Laurel with a cypress pond and campground, a good 60 kilometres on. For both, check length limits when booking and reserve high-season weekend pitches early.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Overnight stays are prohibited in Bombay Hook Refuge; the road is closed in the evening. Elsewhere in Delaware there are no free-camping areas either; the state’s Wildlife Areas do not allow vehicle camping.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The best time on the Wildlife Drive is early in the morning and on a rising tide, when the birds land in the pools. In summer the greenhead flies are aggressive, much less so in spring and autumn; keep windows and doors closed. The refuge is not at its best in high summer; in October and November migratory birds are the draw. Binoculars or a spotting scope make the difference between a smudge and a photo subject.

### Stage 4: Killens Pond to Lewes (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** From Felton take US-13 south to Milford, then DE-1 or DE-36 towards Slaughter Beach, and on along DE-1 towards Lewes. Flat farmland with cornfields, poultry farms and marshes on the Delaware Bay; speeds 45–65 mph. According to the DelDOT toll list there is no toll on this section; the DE-1 toll plazas are at Dover and further north. Pure driving time is around 1.5 hours; fuel stations in Milford, Milton and Lewes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Milford: a small town on the Mispillion River with brick houses, cafés and a loop path along the river. The Mispillion Riverwalk is a quiet stroll with views of herons and anglers.
  - Slaughter Beach and the Mispillion Harbor Reserve: in spring, mostly May to early June, horseshoe crabs come ashore here to spawn, and migratory birds such as the red knot fill up on their eggs for the flight to the Arctic. An observation tower at the harbour is meant to give an overview (ask DNREC about access and opening); please do not turn over or take any animals, and gently flip stranded crabs back onto their bellies. Peak spawning depends on the moon phase (new and full moon) and high water; check exact times with DNREC.
  - Lewes: the first European settlement in Delaware (Zwaanendael, 1631), with the Dutch-style Zwaanendael Museum, the Lewes Historical Society complex and the canal. From the ferry terminal the Cape May–Lewes Ferry runs to New Jersey (Cape May); that route and its region are described in the CampingSpirit travel guide “Pine forest, lighthouses and Victorian porches: by camper from the Delaware Water Gap through the Pine Barrens to Cape May”.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Cape Henlopen State Park Campground: a campground in pine forest near the dunes, around 5 kilometres from Lewes, with sites with water and electricity (30, 50 and 100 A), shower buildings and a dump station. The campground is open all year, but in winter only at selected RV sites. It is one of the most sought-after sites on the coast: reserve through the Delaware State Parks up to a year in advance, with a minimum of two nights at weekends. If you find nothing, try the private campgrounds around Lewes and Rehoboth; confirm their status beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On the Delaware Bay, in Slaughter Beach and in Lewes, overnight stays in vehicles on roads, beach car parks and harbour car parks are prohibited. At the Cape May–Lewes Ferry terminal sleeping overnight is likewise forbidden; waiting areas are for ferry passengers only.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Horseshoe crabs call for consideration and your own rubbish bag: at this time the beaches are nesting grounds for shorebirds, and dogs belong on a lead. The Cape May–Lewes Ferry takes motorhomes and combinations: height under 13 ft 6 in (around 4.1 metres); state the length including bike rack and trailer when booking, and book well ahead in summer. Propane: at most two cylinders of 5 gallons each, secured upright, valves closed, fridge thermostat off. In Lewes itself bicycles count: the Junction & Breakwater Trail connects Lewes (Gills Neck Road) on the western edge of Cape Henlopen State Park with Rehoboth.

### Stage 5: Lewes (Cape Henlopen) to Indian River Inlet (approx. 45 km)

- **The drive:** From Lewes take DE-1 or the coastal road (Savannah Road, Coastal Highway) through Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach, then DE-1 along the coast south to Indian River Inlet. In summer traffic backs up badly at Rehoboth, especially on Fridays and Sundays; the many traffic lights cost time. The high bridge over the inlet is the Charles W. Cullen Bridge. Pure driving time 45–90 minutes, depending on the season. Fuel stations plentiful.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Cape Henlopen State Park: the main attraction is the Fort Miles Historic Area with its artillery park, Battery 519 museum, barracks buildings and a Second World War fire control tower, from the time when these installations guarded the bay. Whether and when you can climb the towers is not confirmed online by the park administration: ask the park about opening times and access in advance. Museum hours change with the season. Add long beaches on the bay and on the Atlantic, the Great Dune and the Gordons Pond Trail.
  - Rehoboth Beach: the boardwalk with rides and caramel popcorn is one of the most popular on the US East Coast, and the town is a destination for families and extremely crowded in summer. Because Delaware charges no sales tax, the outlet centres on the Coastal Highway are popular; motorhomes do not park at the boardwalk but in signposted large car parks on the edge of town, or stay at the campsite.
  - Delaware Seashore State Park and Indian River Inlet: long beaches between bay and Atlantic, with the Indian River Life-Saving Station of 1876 (museum and visitor centre), the view from the bridge and popular fishing spots for surf fishing. If you want to drive onto designated beach sections with your vehicle to fish, you need a surf fishing permit (see Practical information).
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Delaware Seashore State Park: two campgrounds north and south of Indian River Inlet (in OSM North Inlet and South Inlet Campground), linked by a foot and cycle bridge. There are RV sites with full hookups and without hookups, showers and a dump station; the booking shows which hookups a site has. Open all year, in winter they take self-contained vehicles only. Reserve through the Delaware State Parks up to a year in advance; at weekends there is a two-night minimum stay, and in summer the campground books up early. Alternative: Cape Henlopen for a second night, if Rehoboth and Dewey are planned as a day trip (Junction & Breakwater Trail cycle path).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Overnight stays are prohibited on the beach, on roads and in park car parks; rangers patrol at night. Rehoboth Beach also bans motorhome overnight stays on streets and municipal car parks.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Rehoboth Beach is a parking problem: parking is paid, partly with height limits, and in summer often full by mid-morning. Better: stay at the campground and cycle on the Junction & Breakwater Trail between Lewes and Rehoboth. The sun burns on the beach and there is hardly any shade; take sun protection and water. Tax-free shopping on the Coastal Highway: a big shop for kitchen and provisions is worthwhile here.

### Stage 6: Indian River Inlet to Fenwick Island / Ocean City (approx. 40 km)

- **The drive:** South of the inlet continue on DE-1 (Coastal Highway) through Bethany Beach, South Bethany and Fenwick Island to the state line with Maryland. Four lanes with a central reservation, traffic lights and heavy summer congestion, especially at weekends. Speeds 25–50 mph. Pure driving time 45–90 minutes. Fuel stations and supermarkets throughout; in Fenwick the lighthouse stands right on the boundary line.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Bethany Beach: a quieter seaside town with a boardwalk, summer concerts and a lifeguarded beach. Motorhomes do not park in town but at the collective car parks, or you can cycle in.
  - Fenwick Island State Park: a narrow strip of beach between bay and Atlantic with beach access, a car park and showers; the surf fishing permit is valid here for designated beach sections. The Fenwick Island Lighthouse of 1859 stands on the state line between Delaware and Maryland, and the granite stone of the Transpeninsular Line marks the course of the boundary.
  - Ocean City, Maryland: the destination of the route, one of the largest seaside resorts on the East Coast with a boardwalk about four kilometres long and high-rise buildings. Suitable only for a stroll or shopping. The continuation to Assateague Island, Virginia and Annapolis is in the CampingSpirit travel guide “Wild ponies, bridge tunnels and oyster boats: by camper from the Colonial Parkway across the Eastern Shore to Annapolis”.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** For this stage, too, Delaware Seashore State Park remains the best base (return trip 30–45 minutes depending on traffic, see stage 5). If you want to go further south, use Assateague State Park on the Maryland side or the NPS campgrounds on Assateague Island. Private campgrounds in Fenwick Island and Ocean City are expensive in high season and book up early; clarify status and motorhome rules beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Fenwick Island, Bethany Beach, South Bethany and Ocean City prohibit overnight stays in vehicles on streets and public car parks; in summer there are night patrols. Here, too, there are no legal free-camping areas.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Beach driving is allowed only with a surf fishing permit and only for fishing, at a maximum of 15 mph and only over the designated dune crossings. A shovel, a jack with a base plate, a tow rope or chain and a tyre pressure gauge are mandatory; watch the tides. Motorhomes are unsuited to soft sand, so use an off-road vehicle or a pickup for this. If you plan a beach day in high summer, park before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Check tide and weather status on the Delaware State Parks map.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Delaware has no public land for dispersed camping, and sleeping in your vehicle outside designated sites is prohibited in state parks, nature reserves (Wildlife Areas, National Wildlife Refuges) and coastal towns. Rangers and police patrol, above all on the coast; fines and being moved on are common.
- Rest areas on I-95 and DE-1 are meant for breaks; observe the signs with maximum parking time. Supermarket car parks (for example Walmart) only with the express permission of the store.
- Reservations: all state park campgrounds (Lums Pond, Killens Pond, Trap Pond, Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore) are booked through the Delaware State Parks reservation system, up to a year in advance; for summer weekends on the coast, book as early as possible. Check beforehand that your chosen campground is open.
- State park fees: in the high season (usually March to November) an entry fee is charged per vehicle, and non-residents pay more than Delaware residents. Check current amounts and season dates at destateparks.com; annual and day passes are also available online.
- Surf fishing permits: if you want to drive onto designated beach sections at Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore, Fenwick Island State Park or Beach Plum Island to fish, you need a surf fishing permit (annual, two-year or off-season; an off-season permit is not valid on peak weekends). The permit applies only to two-axle, registered vehicles with surf fishing plates and sticker and is not valid for other beaches. In high season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) some beach sections also require a paid reservation at weekends. Buy online, at the park office or from retailers; check fees for non-residents and four-wheel-drive requirements at destateparks.com (not confirmed).
- Wildlife: do not pick up horseshoe crabs in spring; shorebirds (plovers) nest on the beach, so keep dogs on a lead. Ticks and greenhead flies are common in marsh and woodland.
- Apps: iOverlander, Campendium and The Dyrt; the supply of free sites is very small in Delaware, and Park4Night has hardly any entries here.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations: at the state park campgrounds Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore and at private campgrounds; at Lums Pond, Killens Pond and Trap Pond check when booking. Clarify opening hours and season beforehand.
- Drinking water: at taps on campgrounds; tap water is drinkable. Fill up with water before driving to the marsh and Fort Delaware.
- Empty grey water and chemical toilets only at dump stations; discharging into water, marsh or canals is strictly prohibited.
- Propane: fuel stations, DIY stores and campgrounds refill US cylinders; European cylinders are generally not refilled, so clarify adapters beforehand.
- Electricity: sites mostly offer 30 A, sometimes 50 A and more; observe the campground’s generator rules.
- Shopping: Delaware charges no sales tax on goods; supermarkets in Dover, Milford, Lewes, Rehoboth and on the coast, outlet centres on the Coastal Highway. Hotels, restaurants and holiday rentals still carry taxes, and fees may apply on campgrounds.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: interstates mostly 55–65 mph, DE-1 up to 65 mph, US-13 and country roads 50–55 mph; towns and coastal towns 25 mph; phone at the wheel hands-free only.
- Tolls: I-95 (Delaware Turnpike, toll plaza near Newark) and DE-1 (toll plazas at Biddles and Dover and ramp tolls at Boyds Corner, north of Dover and South Smyrna) are toll roads; you pay by E-ZPass or in cash in the staffed lanes. Whether billing by licence plate is possible is not confirmed. South of Dover, DE-1 is toll-free. Clarify rental vehicle rules beforehand.
- Ferries: Cape May–Lewes Ferry (motorhomes under 13 ft 6 in height, state the length when booking, propane rules see stage 4, reservation recommended in summer); the Fort Delaware ferry is for passengers only and seasonal.
- Dimensions: bridges and car parks in coastal towns have height limits; Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach and Ocean City are tight for large vehicles, and car parks fill early in summer.
- Hurricane season: 1 June to 30 November, peaking August to October. When warnings are issued the coast is evacuated and campgrounds are cleared; check the weather daily and note the evacuation routes. Flooding from nor’easters mainly affects the marsh and the coast.
- Summer rush: between Memorial Day and Labor Day (late May to early September) the coast is heavily loaded at weekends; choose time windows outside peak times.
- Emergency: 911. Mobile coverage is mostly good, patchy in places in the marsh.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Mosquito net for door and windows and repellent with DEET or picaridin: mosquitoes and greenhead flies are the biggest plague in summer on the marsh from Bombay Hook to Slaughter Beach.
- Binoculars or a spotting scope: snow geese and herons at Bombay Hook and red knots at Mispillion Harbor can only really be seen well with optics.
- Bicycles and cycle helmets: the Junction & Breakwater Trail between Lewes and Rehoboth, the Gordons Pond Trail and the state park paths replace the hunt for parking and traffic jams.
- Sun protection, a beach shelter with sand pegs and a windbreak: dune beaches offer little shade, and the wind comes off the sea.
- Tick remover and tick repellent: ticks are common in Delaware’s woods and marsh; check yourself after hikes.
- A small weather radio or the National Weather Service warning app: in hurricane season the warning time decides whether you can leave in good order.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Delaware State Parks – Surf Fishing (Fahrzeugpermits, Regeln)](https://destateparks.com/Fishing/SurfFishing)
- [Delaware State Parks – Cape Henlopen State Park](https://destateparks.com/Beaches/CapeHenlopen)
- [Delaware State Parks – Delaware Seashore State Park](https://destateparks.com/Beaches/DelawareSeashore)
- [Delaware State Parks – RV and Tent Camping (Reservierung, Saisonzeiten)](https://destateparks.com/reservations/RVandTentCamping)
- [Delaware DMV – Toll Services (Newark, Biddles, Dover)](https://dmv.de.gov/About/tollServices/)
- [U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Visit Us](https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bombay-hook/visit-us)
- [Cape May-Lewes Ferry – RVs & Long Vehicle Information](https://cmlf.com/rvs-long-vehicle-information)
- [Cape May-Lewes Ferry – Frequently Asked Questions for Vehicles](https://www.cmlf.com/frequently-asked-questions-for-vehicles-on-the-ferry/)
- [Delaware Greenways – Junction & Breakwater Trail](https://delawaregreenways.org/trail/junction-breakwater-trail/)
- [Delaware Bicycle Coalition – Forts Ferry (Fort Delaware, Saison)](https://bicyclecoalition.org/delaware-state-parks-forts-ferry-enables-you-to-bike-through-three-states-in-a-day/)
- [State of Delaware News – Fort Delaware State Park (Fähre, Tickets)](https://news.delaware.gov/2022/05/25/new-tram-path-other-improvements-to-greet-fort-delaware-state-park-visitors-this-season/)

## Which stops are on the route from Winterthur to Ocean City?

1. **Winterthur** (Winterthur, DE): Henry Francis du Pont’s country estate with a huge collection of American decorative arts and a naturalistic garden best in spring.
2. **Wilmington** (DE)
3. **New Castle** (DE)
4. **Delaware City** (DE)
5. **Dover** (DE)
6. **Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge** (Smyrna, DE): Tidal salt marsh on Delaware Bay with a 12-mile wildlife drive and observation towers; tens of thousands of snow geese stop here in autumn and winter. Vehicle fee; biting flies and mosquitoes are heavy in summer.
7. **Killens Pond State Park** (DE)
8. **Milford** (DE)
9. **Slaughter Beach** (DE)
10. **Lewes** (DE)
11. **Cape Henlopen State Park** (Lewes, DE): Dunes, beaches and a climbable World War II observation tower at the mouth of Delaware Bay, with the Great Dune and a paved bike loop. Vehicle fee in season, higher for out-of-state cars; the campground is near the Cape May ferry.
12. **Rehoboth Beach** (DE)
13. **Indian River Inlet** (DE)
14. **Bethany Beach** (DE)
15. **Fenwick Island** (DE)
16. **Ocean City** (MD)

## When is the best time for the route from Winterthur to Ocean City?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. Cold, short days in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Du Pont gardens, migratory birds and bunker towers: by camper through Delaware from the Brandywine Valley to Cape Henlopen and the beaches of Fenwick Island?**
6-day road trip of about 260 km (162 mi) with 16 stops, from Winterthur to Ocean City. About 2 h 53 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Du Pont gardens, migratory birds and bunker towers: by camper through Delaware from the Brandywine Valley to Cape Henlopen and the beaches of Fenwick Island?**
We suggest 6 days: about 2 h 53 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Du Pont gardens, migratory birds and bunker towers: by camper through Delaware from the Brandywine Valley to Cape Henlopen and the beaches of Fenwick Island start and end?**
It starts in Winterthur and ends in Ocean City.

**Which states does Du Pont gardens, migratory birds and bunker towers: by camper through Delaware from the Brandywine Valley to Cape Henlopen and the beaches of Fenwick Island pass through?**
Delaware and Maryland.

**Where can you camp along Du Pont gardens, migratory birds and bunker towers: by camper through Delaware from the Brandywine Valley to Cape Henlopen and the beaches of Fenwick Island?**
OpenStreetMap lists 54 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Philadelphia/West Chester KOA Holiday, The Depot Travel Park and Woodlands Camping Resort.

**How much are the tolls on the route from Winterthur to Ocean City?**
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $5 (DE). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.