Holts Landing State Park

Hidden Facet

Holts Landing is an undiscovered facet of the Diamond State's park system. The 203-acres area contains a variety of beautiful landscapes, from bay shore beach to grassy fields and hardwood forests. Historically, the shores of the inland bays were home to native Americans, who harvested seafood and hunted in the surrounding marshes and forests. After the European settlers arrived, agriculture developed slowly around the "little bays."

The property that is now Holts Landing State Park has a long recorded history as a small family farm. The Holt family maintained a farm with a bayshore boat landing on this site until 1957, when the property was sold to the state highway department. Then, in 1965, the first parcel of land was transferred to the State Park Commission, forming Holts Landing State Park

Holts Landing State Park is home to the only pier on Delaware's Inland Bay that was built specifically for crabbing.The sturdy pier opened in 2001 and overhangs the shallow bay waters, allowing crabbers and anglers alike to fish for blue crabs and other mid-Atlantic delicacies. The pier is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset.

Picnic on the Bay

Today, the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation provides a surprising variety of recreation pursuits at this small bayside park. Picnicking is one of the more popular activities. Picnic tables and grills are located under shade trees throughout the park, and the large grassy lawns overlooking the bay invite visitors to spread out a picnic blanket. A picnic pavilion with a built-in barbeque grill can be reserved for family reunions, corporate parties, and other group events. Children will enjoy the new playground near the picnic area, and horseshoe pitching provides an entertaining diversion for those who bring the stakes and horseshoes.

The World Isn't Tame, Yet

Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy the park's peaceful surroundings with a quiet stroll along the shoreline or through the fields. Many large birds, such as hawks, herons, and osprey frequent the area, and songbirds make their home among the forest trees and shrubs. Careful hikers may spot a deer, raccoon, possum, muskrat, or fox, or see animal footprints in the sandy soil. Several old borrow pits used by the highway department have evolved into small ponds hidden in the woods, creating a valuable freshwater habitat for native flora and fauna. A well-kept secret, Holts Landing harbors many pleasant surprises.