Picture of White Clay Creek

White Clay Creek State Park


Recording of the January 7, 2024 public meeting on the status of reconstruction of the former Big Pond in White Clay Creek State Park which may present high hazard risks and require several more million dollars of funding.

Please note the meeting content starts at the 11 minute mark. The application automatically started recording when people first joined in advance of the start time.

View the video presentation

Find Your Adventure at White Clay Creek

White Clay Creek is stocked with trout

Go Fish

White Clay Creek is the most heavily stocked water in the state of Delaware! Try fly-fishing, or casting your line from the creek’s edge. The park offers catch-and-release fishing for largemouth bass, and Smith Mill Pond offers accessible docks for anglers of all abilities.

Trail at White Clay Creek State Park

Explore A Diverse Trail System

With 37+ miles of trails, this is a popular destination for hikers, bikers, runners, and mountain bikers! Hikers of all abilities can enjoy paved trails, and historical monuments throughout the park tell the history of White Clay and the state of Delaware.

Chambers House Nature Center at White Clay Creek State Park

Visit the Chambers House Nature Center

Visit the 200-year-old Chambers House Nature Center to learn the history of the park and the natural and cultural resources of this piedmont stream valley. Hike along the creek trail to enjoy views of the creek, wildlife and geologic outcroppings.

Sanguinaria canadensis bloodroot at White Clay Creek State Park

Discover a Wild and Scenic River

White Clay Creek is a nationally-designated Wild and Scenic River. Check out the spring wildflowers that bloom along the creek, including trout lily, spring beauty, bloodroot, nodding trillium, and mayapple.

 

Disc golf is popular at White Clay Creek State Park

Play Disc Golf

The disc golf course at the Carpenter Recreation Area is an 18-round course that meanders through wooded areas. Even better: the course is located near picnic areas and pavilions!

 

Bryans Field trail at White Clay Creek State Park

Superintendent’s Pick: Bryan’s Field Trail

Hike or mountain bike this trail for great wildlife viewing opportunities and access to hunting and fishing areas. For advanced bikers, there is a challenging mountain biking skills course. Don’t forget to check out the Post Mark’d West!

About the Park

Named for the clay that was once mined in the area, White Clay Creek State Park’s natural vistas, woodlands and creek with its many small tributaries span piedmont ridges and stream valleys along Delaware’s northern edge. White Clay Creek, a National Wild and Scenic River, is stocked with fish for anglers. The forest provides critical habitat for migrating and nesting birds, including the rare cerulean warbler. More than 37 miles of trails welcome hikers, bikers and runners on the most diverse trail system in Delaware. The rich history of the park, woven through natural and cultural resources, is still evident in the ruins and buildings found here, like the 1790s Judge Morris Estate and Chamber’s House Nature Center.

As overdevelopment in the northern part of the state became a matter of increasing concern in the late 1960s, the state began to purchase lands adjoining a small recreational park, which in 1975 became known as Walter S. Carpenter State Park. State land acquisitions and donations, from the Du Pont family and others, eventually expanded the park to over 3,600 acres. The park was renamed White Clay Creek State Park in 1995. The White Clay Creek was named a National Wild and Scenic River by the National Park Service in 2000, which added an additional layer of protection to the area. Today, the park continues to serve as a vital protected area of scenic and recreational open space in northern Delaware. White Clay Creek State Park also features a pavilion, a bandshell and stage, a playground, accessible fishing docks, disc golf course, and more.

Master Plan

After significant input from the public, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has adopted the White Clay Creek Master Plan. The plan will provide the park with a vision and framework for the next 10 years. Top strategies include infrastructure improvements to the White Clay Creek Nature Center area to meet the demand of programs and relocation of the park office to the Maxwell House.

Freshwater Fishing

The Smith Mill Pond offers accessible docks for bluegill fishing, and a catch-and-release program for largemouth bass can be found at Judge Morris Estate. The White Clay Creek offers anglers the opportunity to fish for stocked rainbow and brown trout. Trout fishing opens the first Saturday in April. A fishing license is required at all times when fishing. A trout stamp is required April through June 30th and again in October through November. Fly-fishing is only allowed north of the Chambers Rock Bridge up to the Pennsylvania border. The creek closes to all fishing two weeks prior to the opening day of trout season. Get information on fishing permits..

Hiking and Biking

White Clay Creek Bridge

Over 37 miles of trails lead explorers to historic sites and scenic vistas overlooking lush valleys and impressive rock outcrops. Hikers and mountain bikers enjoy the large number of easy-to-moderate trails throughout the park. Of special interest are those at Possum Hill and the Judge Morris Estate, along with the Pomeroy Rail-Trail, which runs alongside White Clay Creek.

Upcoming Events

Full Moon Friday

Friday, November 15, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Join our park naturalist for an evening hike near the full moon. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-368-6900 prior to 3 p.m. Meeting location provided upon registration. $6 per person

Register Online

Add to Calendar 11/15/2024 7:00:00 PM 11/15/2024 8:00:00 PM America/New_York Full Moon Friday Join our park naturalist for an evening hike near the full moon. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-368-6900 prior to 3 p.m. Meeting location provided upon registration. $6 per person White Clay Creek

Nature Babies Session 2

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 9:30 AM

For ages birth to 23 months. Bring your little ones out for their first nature programs at the park! Cost includes one parent /guardian with child. $30 per child. Register online. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-368-6900

Register Online

Add to Calendar 11/18/2024 9:30:00 AM 11/18/2024 10:30:00 AM America/New_York Nature Babies Session 2 For ages birth to 23 months. Bring your little ones out for their first nature programs at the park! Cost includes one parent /guardian with child. $30 per child. Register online. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-368-6900 White Clay Creek

Nature Nuggets Session 2

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM

For ages 2-4 we’ll spend about an hour with the toddlers/preschoolers and their adults investigating a variety of nature topics(register child/adult is free). Join our naturalists for a weekday morning program series, where we will explore something that is happening seasonally in our park with songs, a story and an outdoor adventure! $30 per child. Register online. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-368-6900.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 11/18/2024 11:00:00 AM 11/18/2024 12:00:00 PM America/New_York Nature Nuggets Session 2 For ages 2-4 we’ll spend about an hour with the toddlers/preschoolers and their adults investigating a variety of nature topics(register child/adult is free). Join our naturalists for a weekday morning program series, where we will explore something that is happening seasonally in our park with songs, a story and an outdoor adventure! $30 per child. Register online. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-368-6900. White Clay Creek

Stroller Ramblers

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Do you want to hike stroller friendly paths with a Naturalist? Come explore our parks, learn about and share the nature we encounter with your little ones, and meet other caregivers and parents. Free Program, pre-register and get meeting location by calling 302-368-6900 by the day before.

Add to Calendar 11/19/2024 10:00:00 AM 11/19/2024 11:00:00 AM America/New_York Stroller Ramblers Do you want to hike stroller friendly paths with a Naturalist? Come explore our parks, learn about and share the nature we encounter with your little ones, and meet other caregivers and parents. Free Program, pre-register and get meeting location by calling 302-368-6900 by the day before. White Clay Creek

History Hike

Friday, November 29, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Visitors enjoy the scenic views along White Clay Creek and its tributaries, however, 19th-century landowners valued the upland meadows even more because they were better suited to farming. Join local historian Dr. Jim Jones on a hike to examine the relationship between “upland” and “lowland,” and the unique multi-racial community that developed along Hopkins road in the era before the Civil War. Be prepared for a 2-3 mile hike on uneven terrain. For meeting location and to pre-register call 302-368-6900, space is limited.

Add to Calendar 11/29/2024 10:00:00 AM 11/29/2024 11:30:00 AM America/New_York History Hike Visitors enjoy the scenic views along White Clay Creek and its tributaries, however, 19th-century landowners valued the upland meadows even more because they were better suited to farming. Join local historian Dr. Jim Jones on a hike to examine the relationship between “upland” and “lowland,” and the unique multi-racial community that developed along Hopkins road in the era before the Civil War. Be prepared for a 2-3 mile hike on uneven terrain. For meeting location and to pre-register call 302-368-6900, space is limited. White Clay Creek

Wreath Making Workshop

Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Join us for a cup of coffee in the cozy Judge Morris Estate during our wreath making workshop. Bring clippers and gloves. $32 per person, includes greens, base and accents for one holiday wreath.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 12/7/2024 10:00:00 AM 12/7/2024 12:00:00 PM America/New_York Wreath Making Workshop Join us for a cup of coffee in the cozy Judge Morris Estate during our wreath making workshop. Bring clippers and gloves. $32 per person, includes greens, base and accents for one holiday wreath. White Clay Creek

Wreath Making Workshop

Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 1:00 PM

Join us for a cup of coffee in the cozy Judge Morris Estate during our wreath making workshop. Bring clippers and gloves. $32 per person, includes greens, base and accents for one holiday wreath.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 12/7/2024 1:00:00 PM 12/7/2024 3:00:00 PM America/New_York Wreath Making Workshop Join us for a cup of coffee in the cozy Judge Morris Estate during our wreath making workshop. Bring clippers and gloves. $32 per person, includes greens, base and accents for one holiday wreath. White Clay Creek

Map and Directions