With its dense forests, vast marshlands and miles of nature trails, Delaware is a wonderful place for folks who love autumn color. And whether you live upstate, downstate or in the middle, you rarely have to go far to find the burgundies and golds that celebrate the season. Weather forecasts for 2025 are currently predicting peak color during the weeks from late October to mid-November, so if you’d like to plan a day or even a weekend trip, here are some favorite spots.
UP NORTH
White Clay Creek State Park in Newark has 37 miles of handicap-accessible wooded trails for walking and biking, along with and catch- and-release fishing from White Clay Creek. Visit the Web site for trail maps and to learn about disc golf in the park and all-terrain motorized chairs.
Wilmington’s Brandywine Creek State Park has more than 900 acres of beautiful protected land, including Delaware’s first recognized old-growth forest. There are wooded trails for mountain biking and birding and lovely Autumn views along the creek. Its rolling hills also make it a great spot for sledding and cross country skiing after the snow falls.
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Wilmington is absolutely delightful in the fall, with gorgeous color all around its grounds and special events that include the Oktoberfest-style Hops and Harvest on October 18th, the Tram and Treat Halloween event on October 25th and the Delaware Antiques Show November 7th through 9th.
Rockwood Park and Museum is centered around an 1851 mansion filled with antique furnishings, artwork and photos of the Bringhurst family, this historic site features 72 acres of parkland, gardens, a wildlife habitat and trails that link to the Northern Delaware Greenway.
MID-STATE
Killens Pond State Park outside of Felton surrounds a 66 acre pond and features a walking and biking trail that meanders through forests. You can also fish in the pond or rent a kayak, peddle boat or canoe and tour the on-site nature center.
Blackbird State Forest in Smyrna is comprised of 5,400 acres of oak, poplar, maple, gum and hickory trees and offers horseback riding and trails for enjoying nature, including a ½ mile wheelchair-accessible wildlife and nature interpretation trail along with camping and fishing sites.
DOWNSTATE
The Redden State Forest outside of Georgetown has 14,000 acres of loblolly pine trees with stands of oak, maple and gum trees and 44 miles of trails for walking, horseback riding, biking and bird watching. You can also fish in the small pond and camp overnight.
The Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton is one of Delaware’s greatest natural treasures, with 10,000 acres of forests and marshlands that create a vast wildlife habitat alongside Delaware Bay. It’s especially beautiful in the autumn and
much-loved by photographers and bird watchers.
Cape Henlopen State Park connects Lewes with Rehoboth and has been a beloved nature and history spot for generations, with more than 5,000 acres of pine forest and marshlands and miles of trails for biking and hiking and gorgeous vistas everywhere. You can also walk along miles of ocean and bay beaches and visit Fort Miles to learn all about Delaware’s WWII history.