Five hidden Delmarva gems for your outdoor enjoyment

Explore Delmarva's hidden treasures: Serene parks and waterfront escapes off the beaten path

The Delmarva Peninsula is a wonderland of outdoor beauty spots. Everyone knows about Assateague State Park in Maryland and Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware (if you don’t, where have you been? Start at those amazing parks first!). But here are a few places off the beaten path. Locals know them, and now you can, too. 

Adkins Mill Park 

Find a peaceful path among the cypress trees in Powellville along Adkins Pond. Adkins Mill Park is a quiet, beautiful spot to take a little walk or have a picnic. The shade keeps it cool and pleasant. Bring your fishing rod, because there’s a pier on the pond where you can catch bass and bluegill. You can also launch a kayak or canoe here and explore the four-acre pond.  

5168 Powellville Road, Pittsville, MD. Free, open dawn to dusk. 

Holts Landing State Park 

For an afternoon of crabbing, fishing or hiking in Sussex County, leave the crowded Delaware beaches and head to Holts Landing State Park located on the Indian River Inlet. This is a popular spot for windsurfers and kayakers, so bring your gear, or pack a picnic and just watch the entertaining water sports. The water is shallow, so if you have a youngster who likes to wade but not swim, it’s perfect. The Seahawk Trail is a pleasant walk through marshland that will give bird lovers a chance to watch hawks, herons and ospreys and it’s beautiful any time of year; in fact, you don’t have to pay off season. Otherwise, April through October, it costs $4 for Delawareans and $8 for out-of-staters.  

27046 Holts Landing Rd., Dagsboro, DE. Open 8 am to sunset. 

Homer Gudelsky Park 

Heading to Ocean City for the day? Before you cross the bridge and face the crowds, take a little detour in West OC. Homer Gudelsky Park, aka “Stinky Beach,” is right across from the Ocean City Inlet on the Sinepuxent Bay. The big draw here is that it’s dog-friendly, unlike the boardwalk during the summer season. So, if you have a lab who loves to splash, it’s ideal. Be forewarned: Parking can be limited, so make it a walking activity by parking at the West OC Park & Ride, which is less than a mile away. Your dog will appreciate the extra steps!  

13055 Old Bridge Rd, Ocean City, MD. Free, open 6 am to dusk. 

Janosik Park 

This little jewel in Laurel, Del., offers views of Broad Creek, a pleasant, brief path to walk and beautiful shade trees. Bring a picnic, sit on one of the benches and watch the ducks and turtles, or bring a fishing pole and take advantage of the waterfront. There’s a canoe/kayak launch spot nearby as well.  

Front Street, Laurel, DE 19956. Free, open dawn to dusk. 

Tyaskin Beach 

This place is out there — way past the restaurant known as Boonies, and you probably won’t have a cellphone signal. It’s small, with limited parking, but if you go on an off-peak hot day in the late spring or early fall, you may well have the beach to yourself. If you come in the summer the waters of the Wetipquin Creek are warmer than the ocean; it’s shallow and only has the gentlest of waves, so it’s a great place to bring kids. There are no lifeguards, so you should still keep close watch on anyone in the water. There’s a picnic area and a pier that’s great for crabbing or viewing the nearby ospreys. Tyaskin Park is part of Wicomico Recreation and Parks Department. 

4778 Tyaskin Road, Tyaskin, MD. Free, open dawn to dusk.