Elk Neck State Park

This will be a brisk  12 to 14 mile hike with nice views of the Elk and North East Rivers. This hike will be a combination of marked trails, bushwacking, and some beach walking along the Elk River on our way to the Turkey Point lighthouse and overlook. Bring lunch and water.

Meet at the Park and Ride at 896 and Route 4 (across route 4 from the UD Stadium) by 8:15 a.m. to carpool  or meet at Camp Store at ENSP, ready to hike by 9:00 a.m. Directions to Camp Store: I95 South to Exit 100 Rt 272 south. Go 11.6 miles to sign on Left for Elk River Camping Area (Camping, Cabins, Park Store). Park fees are $3 per person in state and $5 per person out of state unless you have a park pass. Call Tom if you want to meet us at ENSP.

 

Tom Wheatley

From US-40 at the DE/MD state line. Proceed west on US-40 for 4.2 miles. Turn left onto Old Elk Neck Rd and proceed 8.7 miles. You will pass the State Forest. (Be aware that Google Maps thinks that there is a bridge out along the way on Old Elk Neck Rd, suggesting re-routes starting at McKinneytown Rd. The bridge was replaced more than a year ago. Stay the course, strait until this road dead-ends. There are two stop signs close together as you near the end. At the dead-end, turn left onto MD-272 (Turkey Point Rd) south and proceed 3.0 miles. You’ll pass the Beach and Office turn offs. Turn left on Campground Rd and proceed 0.4 mile. The parking lot will be on the left.

This is one of the tracts of the State PARK, not the State FOREST!  Elk Neck State Forest and Elk Neck State Park are very often confused. The State Forest’s area is much larger, with the main tract running all the way between Elkton and North East, MD. It has a climbable wooden lookout tower. The State Park is past the Forest and further from Delaware.  At its farthest section, it has a white lighthouse on a 120 foot bluff, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.

Campground Rd has no street addresses.  This parking area is in Elk Neck State Park, where the campgrounds are located on the eastern side of the peninsula, along the Elk River.