Elk Neck State Park

We will not hike along the highway, as previously indicated and we are not going to the lighthouse.  I realized that there are more than enough trails to provide 9–10 miles of interesting hiking within this section of the park.  These trails are new for me, but they are established and pretty well marked.  There are lots of hills and bare tree roots, as there is plenty of natural erosion on this narrow peninsula.  We will hike around Wapiti Pond, overlook the Elk River, hike around the Beaver Marsh, overlook the Chesapeake Bay from the White Banks Trail, have lunch on large logs on a sandy beach of the Chesapeake Bay, and return by other woods trails.

Estimating 7 miles before lunch and 2.5 steepest after.  Please bring water, snack, and lunch.  When not in the woods, the peninsula can be quite cooler, especially on windy days.  The marsh is tidal, but the trails were mostly dry when I was there.  As is the case in this season, some areas are marked as open for hunting.  In the three times that I was there scouting, I did not hear or see any hunting at all …but consider bright clothes.

CARPOOL ALTERNATIVE: 8:00 AM, Glasgow County Park – East Lot, 2117 Pulaski Hwy, Newark, DE 19702 (39.608065, -75.725600).  From  I-95 exit south on DE-896. Proceed on DE-896 for 3.3 mi.  Turn left onto US-40 east for 1.4 mi.  Make a u-turn at DE-72, doubling back, heading west on US-40, for only 0.6 mi, staying in right-hand lane. Turn right into the first Glasgow Park entrance and park in the right hand lot.  Then proceed to the far end of the lot to meet.  No parking fee here. The lot on the left has a restroom.

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.