- Camping and Cottages
- Sports and Leisure Activities
- School Group Programs
- Nature/History Programs
- Summer Camps
- Indian River Marina
- Museums, Attractions, Brandywine Zoo
- Weddings, Meetings
and Celebrations - General Information
- Resident Curatorships
- Volunteering, Friends'
Groups, Internships
- Passes and Fees
- Rules
- Donate
- Home
Please Choose a Park:
Fort Delaware State Park
Delaware City, Delaware
(302) 834-7941
Access to Fort Delaware is by ferry
Fort Delaware is currently closed for the season. The Fort will reopen for Civil War tours and programs in spring of 2012.
Fort Delaware is part of The Delaware History Trail! You'll find Fort Delaware's History Trail sign near the Fort's ticket office and gift shop, located at 45 Clinton Street in Delaware City. Download your passport today and start discovering what makes the First State great!
Fort Delaware Highlights from park interpreter, Laura Lee.
Civil War Living History
Fort Delaware, the Union fortress dating back to 1859, once housed Confederate prisoners of war. It was originally built to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia.
Visitors take a ½ -mile ferry ride from Delaware City to Pea Patch Island. A jitney provides transport from the island dock to the granite and brick fortress. Here, costumed interpreters take you back to the summer of 1864.
Fill your day with hands-on history. Help the blacksmith hammer out new parts for a cannon or work with the laundress. Be on hand when the 8-inch Columbiad gun fires a live gunpowder charge! See a replica of Pea Patch Island as it appeared in 1864 and artifacts from the Island's past.
Make a day of it - there is a food concession stand on the island. And if you like, you can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in our picnic area - tables and grills are provided.
Travel on to Fort Mott State Park in New Jersey, and visit Finn's Point National Cemetery, the final resting-place for 2,400 Confederate prisoners who died at Fort Delaware.
Please Note
Private boats are not permitted to dock at Pea Patch Island. Pets and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Natural Treasures
Pea Patch Island is a summer home to nine different species of herons, egrets, and ibis. The remote marshes provide an outstanding habitat for one of the largest wading bird nesting areas on the East Coast. A hiking trail and its observation platform provide opportunities for photography and nature study.
From river crossing to ramparts, Fort Delaware State Park promises an unforgettable experience each time you visit.