![Picture of White Clay Creek](/wwwroot/images/parks/whiteClayCreek/WhiteClay-HERO.jpg)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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..
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.
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Join volunteer Mary Frank from the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association for an intro to orienteering. This is a fun sport that involves navigational skills. Call to register by April 25. 302-368-6900. Free program. Appropriate for ages 5 and up with an adult partner.
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Hike with Park Superintendent Laura Lee along one of her favorite trails. Dress for the weather; bring plenty of water, and plan about 1 ½ hours of hiking and chatting. Call for meeting location, pre-registration required by noon on April 26. Free.
Monday, April 29, 2024 at 10:00 AM
For ages birth to 2 1/2. Bring your little ones out for their first nature programs at the park! Cost includes one parent /guardian with child. $30 per child for the series. Register online. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-368-6900
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Join Delaware State Parks, White Clay Wild and Scenic Program, National Park Service, Veolia Water and other organizations to celebrate the White Clay Creek. We will have displays and exhibits related to the healthy water, healthy people, energy, recycling and our natural world. Also enjoy games, hikes, live music, a live bird show, kid’s activities and more! For more info visit www.whiteclay.org. Free
Monday, May 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM
For ages birth to 2 1/2. Bring your little ones out for their first nature programs at the park! Cost includes one parent /guardian with child. $30 per child for the series. Register online. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-368-6900
Friday, May 17, 2024 at 8:00 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
Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Let your creative juices flow by making and decorating a vessel to sail in the creek. Using recyclable materials and the laws of physics, make a boat and test it before our grand parade of ships in the creek. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Monday, May 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM
New to the park? Ready to find a new favorite trail? Join our naturalist to explore our trails and learn a bit about the park while you’re out. Dress for the weather, bring bottled water and come ready for adventure! Registration required by calling 302-368-6900; meeting location provided upon registration.
Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Join us to explore the Wild and Scenic White Clay! We’ll use buckets and nets to see what may be living in the creek as well as learn a little about the geology of the area. Be prepared to get your feet wet, closed toed water shoes or old sneakers recommended. Pre-registration require, call 302-368-6900. Free program.