Summer 2026 Newsletter

This Season: June to August

Spring may be coming to a close, but we look forward to a summer being out on the creek and getting our best farmers tan on. You will see all of our team out and about this season be sure to give a friendly wave to our amazing Conservation team out mowing or our volunteers out doing trail maintenance.

Rest assured there is a lot of great programing happening over this summer. Our Day camps are 95% filed for the summer! Two new programs this month are Mammals of BCSP and Illuminate the Park! We are bringing back such classics as our Stone Walls Walk, Owl Prowl, and a Canoe Trip down the Brandywine! We also debuted a new exhibit on our back porch, Discarded but not Disregarded: The Buttons of the Brandywine. This exhibit showcases how buttons were more than just a fastener for clothes as well as why you may find them around this area.

Programs are filling up for the season so pre-registration is required for all paid and highly recommended for some free programs.

For free programs register over the phone at (302)655-5740 or via email at DNREC_brandywinecreekprograms@delaware.gov.

For paid program registration is online at https://www.destateparks.com/park/brandywine-creek/

Bug Days of Summer!

Come out to Brandywine Creek State Park Saturday, August 15th to celebrate the end of summer! Join our staff and make insect themed activities or listen to Silly Joe Sings and enjoy the food vendors from 5pm - 8pm.

Free event with paid park admission.

Upcoming Public Programs

Mammals of BCSP

Wed. June 10th at 02:30 PM

Ever wondered which mammals call the park home? Many are so elusive you may never spot them! Join us as we highlight our four-legged friends and learn how to identify them using animal pelts and real trail camera footage.

Free with paid park admission

Illuminate The Park

Sat. June 13th at 8:00 PM

Fri. July 3rd at 8:30 PM

Explore bioluminescence in the natural world during a night at the park. Discover hidden colors on some animals our eyes can't see, and how lightning bugs glow!

Owl Prowl

Wed. June 17th at 8:00 PM

Rescheduled: Thurs. July 30th at 8:00 PM

What makes owls so cool? Discover the owls of Delaware and explore their unique adaptations. Then head out into the night on a quiet hike to listen for these elusive nocturnal creatures.

Only red flashlights permitted.

Not recommended for children under 12.

Canoe Trip Down The Brandywine

Sat. June 20 at 09:00 AM

Rescheduled: Sat. July 25 at 09:00 AM

Sat. August 22 at 09:00 AM

Join certified guides on a canoeing adventure down the Brandywine and see the Brandywine Valley from a whole new perspective!

Adults must accompany those age 15 and younger (same boat). Canoes hold up to 3 people (2 paddlers). You and a partner will carry your canoe a short distance to the river. Equipment will be provided.

Please bring drinking water, a snack, water shoes or old sneakers, and be prepared to get wet!

Some canoeing experience recommended. Trip is typically 3-4 hours. Space is very limited; pre-registration and payment are required.

Insects! At The Pollinator Garden

Wed. June 24 at 09:00 AM

What’s blooming in the pollinator garden, and who’s buzzing around? Take a guided walk to discover why the garden is so important and where to spot these amazing pollinators.

Free with paid park admission.

Stone Walls Hike

Fri. June 26 at 12:00 PM

Take a walk through history and discover the somewhat mysterious, and very impressive history of the stone walls that line the park landscape. Who built these walls? When? Why? How? Enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the rolling hills as we unravel the story behind the walls.

Free with paid park admission.

Monthly Bird Walk

Sat. June 27 at 08:00 AM

Sat. July 25 at 08:00 AM

Sat. August 29 at 08:00 AM

Bring your eyes, ears, and a comfortable pair of hiking boots the last Saturday of every month for the Monthly Bird Walk! Our expert volunteer birder from the Delaware Ornithological Society will lead the group, provide tips and advice to all interested bird watchers. Meets at the Nature Center parking lot.

No Registration required, but you may register over the phone at (302)655-5740 or via email at DNREC_brandywinecreekprograms@delaware.gov

Free with paid park entrance fee.

Creek Study On The Brandywine

Wed. July 1 at 10:00 AM

Join our Naturalists in the Brandywine Creek looking for Macro invertebrates and other aquatic life.

Registration required please call (302) 655-5740 or email DNREC_BrandywineCreekPrograms@delaware.gov to register.

Free with paid park entrance fee.

Sodalicious History

Wed. July 8 at 05:00 PM

Join the naturalists for an exploration of antique and vintage soda bottles found in the park. This artifact talk will be indoors and a sweet, historically inspired, treat will be provided!

Back Porch Birding

Wed. July 22 at 12:00 PM

Take a seat out on our back porch as we learn more about the frequent fliers to our feeders. Learn more about bird feeder care, as well as new ways to identify birds in your own backyard!

Free Program with paid park admission.

Fairies In The Garden!

Sat. August 1 at 10:00 AM

Has the pollinator garden attracted more than just insects? Fairies! Discover the folklore behind their love of flowers, then explore the garden in search of beautiful creatures hiding amongst the flowers! This scavenger hunt is great for all ages.

Free with paid park entrance fee.

Wilderness Survivor Series

Knots and Shelters:

Thurs. August 6 at 06:00 PM

Pack a Bag and Leave No Trace!

Thurs. August 20 at 06:00 PM

Ever wondered how to tie functional knots or build a shelter? How about packing your own hiking bag, cooking over a fire, or navigating the landscape with just a map and a compass? Get hands on experience with this and much more by joining our Wilderness Survival Series. Those who come to each session will be able to camp a night at our Primitive Campground at the park. Hot dogs to roast and buns will be supplied for each program.

Kids 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

$8 per person, register online.

History And Ruins Hike: Indian Springs

Sat. August 8 at 02:00 PM

Meet at the nature center and learn about BCSP’s agricultural past. Learn what was farmed here and how this area impacted the region. We will also visit some of the old ruins found in the park and discover what makes this a historic landscape.

Pre-registration is required as space is limited; call 302-577-3534 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to sign up. $6 per person.

Bug Days Of Summer

Sat. August 15 at 05:30 PM

Summer isn't over yet, celebrate with an evening of fun at Brandywine Creek! Enjoy live music, bug-themed crafts and activities, guided hikes, local conservation organizations, and food trucks as we give summer one last hurrah.

This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

Free with paid park entrance.

Full Moon Hike

Fri. August 28 at 07:30 PM

Join the naturalists for a hike under the wide-open skies and look for the beautiful full moon. Learn about the moon and some of the folklore it stars in.

Bluebird Monitoring Program: REPORT

BB: Eastern Bluebird

TS: Tree Swallow

CC: Carolina Chickadee

We are in our Eastern Bluebird Monitoring season here at the park! This is the 38th year of this program's existence here at Brandywine. 38 years of volunteerism that started with a handful of concerned environmentalists taking action to create habitat for wildlife and ultimately bringing back a population of birds thought to be extinct.

June Report

Total In Progress Nests: 40

BB: 14 TS: 17 CC: 0

Total Eggs: 123

BB: 59 TS:64 CC: 0

Total Young: 82

BB: 31 TS:51 CC: 0

Total Fledged: 37

BB: 16 TS:22 CC: 0

Total Predated/Non-Hatched: 43

BB: 26 TS:17 CC: 0

Volunteer Opportunities

Several hikers, walking along the hidden pond trail in late fall

Adopt a Trail

Become a trail steward, help us remove invasive plants, and report on trail hazards. This is a great opportunity for folks who already visit the park regularly and want to help take care of the park they love. For more information on getting involved with any of these opportunities or other ways to help the park please reach out to our volunteer manager, Luvina Cooley (Luvina.Cooley@delaware.gov).

Join the Friends Group

Want to get more involved in the park? Join the Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park! Help out at major events and get together to explore the park. Get hands on about conservation and support stewardship within the park. Work on philanthropy and outreach to make sure everyone gets to experience the beauty of the park! Learn more about the friends group at https://sites.google.com/view/httpswwwfriendsofbcsporg/home

For more information on getting involved with the park please reach out to our Manager of Volunteers, Luvina Cooley (Luvina.Cooley@delaware.gov).

Things To Be Aware Of

We want everyone who visits the park this season to be as informed as they can be. So here are a few important things we want folks to be aware of:

Fee Season has started!

A reminder that we continue to be in fee season here at the park. If you haven’t already you can pick up a 2026 park pass in the Nature Center/ Park Office!

It’s Heating up at Brandywine

As the temperatures keep rising be sure to plan ahead and prepare for your trip out to DE State Parks. Bring extra water, wear sunscreen/sun protective clothing, and don’t forget the insect repellent!

Competitive Parking

We will be seeing more visitation in the coming months, meaning parking at certain lots like our Rockland Bridge parking area and the Thompsons Bridge parking area will become full quicker. Please remember there is no parking along Thompson’s bridge outside of the designated parking lot.

Pavilion and Picnic Area Rentals

BCSP has a pavilion and a picnic area available for folks to rent. It's perfect for small gatherings like birthday parties, family reunions, club meetings, or even small weddings! Additional details about the area rentals can be found at https://www.destateparks.com/pavilions-and-picnic-areas/. But know, these areas book up fast in the spring, summer, and fall!

If you do rent one of these areas, please keep in mind your proximity to the nature preserve and other important natural resources, and wildlife in the park. Leave No Trace!

Connect With Us

Website: https://destateparks.com/brandywinecreek

E-mail: DNREC_Parks_BrandywineCreekPrograms@state.de.us

Facebook: facebook.com/BrandywineCreekStatePark

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandywinecreekstatepark/

To subscribe to receive this info as a monthly email newsletter, send an email to

join-de_parks_brandywine@lists.state.de.us

We'll send you send you one monthly email with upcoming programs and events.

Your email address will never be shared with third parties.

Park Office: (302) 577-3534

Program Reservations: (302) 655-5740

41 Adams Dam Road Wilmington, DE 19803

Brandywine Creek State Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, year-round.

Park Office and Nature Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

We hope to see you in the park soon!!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse