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2025-06-04 12 08 52 Bald Cypress trees along the south shore of Trap Pond within Trap Pond State Park in Sussex County, Delaware📷 Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0

Trap Pond State Park

Laurel, DE

Nature

A freshwater pond fringed by bald cypress trees, among the northernmost natural stands of the species. Rent a canoe to paddle between the trunks or walk the shoreline trail; summer brings insects.

Trap Pond is Delaware's first state park (since 1951) and preserves one of the northernmost natural stands of bald cypress in the United States. The pond, about 36 hectares (90 acres), was created when lumbermen dammed the outflow to power a sawmill. The whole park covers about 1,600 hectares (nearly 4,000 acres) near Laurel. Great blue herons, owls, woodpeckers and, seasonally, bald eagles nest or stop over here.

You can rent canoes, kayaks and pedal boats to paddle among the cypress trees, join guided pontoon boat tours from the boathouse, or explore on foot and by bike; the Bald Cypress Nature Center explains the pond's ecology. Allow two to three hours for a paddle. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance in high summer; spring and fall are more pleasant. The park has RV sites, tent sites, cabins and yurts.

Nearest town
Laurel, DE
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
38.5280, -75.4800

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Sources

Nearby

Delaware Seashore State Park, Indian River Inlet – Coastal Highway Bridge at Night© Andrew Parlette · CC BY 2.0
Nature

Delaware Seashore State Park, Indian River Inlet

Rehoboth Beach, DE
Lewes Historic Area – Lewes Delaware historical marker for Zwaanendael© Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0
History

Lewes Historic Area

Lewes, DE
Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk – DART First State bus 314 on Rehoboth Avenue at boardwalk© Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Oddities

Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk

Rehoboth Beach, DE
Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware - panoramio© Art Anderson · CC BY-SA 3.0
Editor's pick
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Cape Henlopen State Park

Lewes, DE

Campsites nearby

All campsites in Delaware · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Trap Pond State Park?

Trap Pond State Park is in Laurel, DE, at GPS 38.5280, -75.4800. It is about 25 mi from Lewes.

Can you camp near Trap Pond State Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Trap Pond State Park Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 33 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

What is there to see near Trap Pond State Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: Delaware Seashore State Park, Indian River Inlet (23 mi), Lewes Historic Area (25 mi), Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk (25 mi) and Cape Henlopen State Park (28 mi).

When is the best time to visit Trap Pond State Park?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

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