11 Best Lakes in Delaware
- Rey Eleuterio
- 22 hours ago
- 13 min read
Delaware is flat, quick to cross, and easy to write off as the state you blow through on the way to the beach. The water tells a different story. Tucked behind old mill dams and pine woods, you'll find cypress swamps, sandy swim beaches, and quiet ponds where the loudest thing is a heron taking off.
Most of these spots sit a few minutes off Route 1 or US-13. You can pull over, stretch your legs, and be back on the road within the hour. Some have water parks and ziplines. Others are just you, a kayak, and still water.
The best lakes in Delaware aren't famous, and the locals seem fine keeping it that way. The cypress trees at the southern end have been standing since long before the state had a single highway.
Key Takeaways
The best lakes in Delaware run from the rolling hills near Wilmington all the way down to the cypress swamps near the Maryland line. Most are old millponds, calm and easy to paddle, with a few set up for swimming and camping. The biggest is Lums Pond, and the most unusual is Trap Pond with its tall cypress trees. You can hit several in a single drive, since the whole state is under two hours top to bottom.
Lake | Where | Best For | Good to Know |
Newark Reservoir | Newark | Walking & biking | Paved loop, no swimming |
Becks Pond | Bear | Easy fishing | Family park, boat ramp |
Lums Pond | Bear | Paddling & ziplining | Largest freshwater pond |
Lake Como | Smyrna | Swimming | Guarded sandy beach |
Silver Lake | Dover | City fishing & paddling | Walking paths, no swimming |
Moore's Lake | Dover | Quick fishing stop | Minutes from downtown |
Killens Pond | Felton | Water park & camping | Seasonal water park |
Wagamons Pond | Milton | Quiet paddling | Charming small town |
Gordon's Pond | Lewes / Rehoboth | Birdwatching & trail | Near the beaches |
Records Pond | Laurel | Kayaking | Also called Laurel Lake |
Trap Pond | Laurel | Cypress paddling | Delaware's first state park |
Quick Picker
Best for families: Killens Pond, Lake Como
Best for swimming: Lake Como
Best for paddling: Lums Pond, Records Pond, Trap Pond
Best for an easy walk: Newark Reservoir, Gordon's Pond
Best for fishing: Becks Pond, Silver Lake, Moore's Lake
Best for something you won't see anywhere else: Trap Pond
Wayback Tours helps you keep track of stops like these so the good ones don't slip off your radar.
A Small State with a Surprising Amount of Water
Here's the first thing to know: almost none of these are natural lakes. Most started as millponds, made when early settlers dammed a creek to power a grain or sawmill. The names stuck, so you'll see "pond" on water that looks every bit like a lake.
That history is why the freshwater ponds in Delaware feel so calm. They're shallow, slow, and ringed with trees, which makes them perfect for a kayak or a lazy afternoon of fishing. A handful sit inside Delaware state parks with rentals, trails, and campgrounds, so you don't need your own boat to get on the water.
One quick note on swimming. Many of these ponds don't allow it, usually because there's no lifeguard or because of summer algae. The few that do are worth knowing, and each one is flagged in the list below.
If you remember one thing, make it this: pond or lake, the water here is the same kind of pretty.
When to Go, What It Costs, and What to Pack
Late spring through early fall is prime time. The water warms up, rentals open, and the cypress at Trap Pond turns gold by October. Summer weekends get busy at the swimming and water-park spots, so come early or aim for a weekday.
Most state parks charge a small per-vehicle entry fee in season, and out-of-state cars usually pay a little more. City and county ponds are often free. Fishing anywhere in Delaware needs a license, which now covers both fresh and salt water.
Plenty of people fold a lake day into an East Coast road trip, and Delaware's small size makes that easy. If you're watching the budget, our breakdown of what a coast trip costs is a good starting point, and the state sits near plenty of East Coast vacation spots if you want to keep going.
Pack list for a Delaware lake day:
A fishing license if you plan to cast a line
Bug spray for the wetland ponds in summer
Water shoes for sandy or muddy launches
Cash or a card for park entry and rentals
Binoculars, since the birdwatching is better than you'd expect
Pack light, leave early, and you can comfortably see two or three ponds in one day.
The Best Lakes in Delaware, North to South
We're starting up near Wilmington and working straight down to the Maryland line. Drive it in order and you've got a full day, easy.
1. Newark Reservoir (Newark)
Up in the northwest corner, just outside Newark, sits a clean, modern reservoir with one of the easiest walking loops in the state. It's the kind of place locals circle after work.
Why it's worth stopping: The paved path runs a little over a mile around the water, flat and smooth enough for strollers, bikes, and a quick jog. The whole thing was built in the early 2000s after a drought, so it feels tidy and well kept. You get open sky, wide water views, and a connector trail into the next park over. No crowds, no fuss.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: off Paper Mill Road, Newark (New Castle County)
Hours: daylight hours, year-round
Cost: free
Time needed: 30 to 60 minutes for the loop
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for a stretch-your-legs walk, and a great pick if you want flat, easy ground.
Save this quiet loop to your bucket list before the next busy weekend
⭐ What is a Bucket List? Save places you want to visit and come back to later. Your Wayback Tours bucket list keeps track of stops you don't want to forget, perfect for planning future trips.
2. Becks Pond (Bear)
A few miles down the road near Bear, Becks Pond is small, friendly, and beloved by anglers. If you've got kids and a tackle box, this is your spot.
The quick pitch: This little freshwater pond sits inside a county park with a playground, pavilions, picnic tables, and a boat ramp. It's one of the most popular fishing ponds in the state, partly because it's easy to reach and stocked with crappie, sunfish, and largemouth bass. Shoreline access is good, so you can fish without a boat. Bring lunch and make an afternoon of it.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Becks Pond Park, near Bear (New Castle County)
Hours: daylight hours
Cost: free
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for families and beginner anglers; skip it if you're after a long paddle.
Want to remember this easy fishing spot? Add it to your bucket list
3. Lums Pond (Bear)
This is the big one, Delaware's largest freshwater pond, and the most action-packed lake on the list. You could spend a whole weekend here and not run out of things to do.
Why this one stands out: Lums Pond State Park wraps around 200 acres of water with miles of trails, a campground, a disc golf course, and a boathouse renting kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats. The headline act is the Go Ape treetop course, with rope ladders, a Tarzan swing, and ziplines that send you right over the pond. Swimming isn't allowed, since there's no lifeguard, but everything else is on the table. It's busy on summer weekends for good reason.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: near Bear, off Route 71 (New Castle County)
Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset; Go Ape and rentals are seasonal
Cost: small per-vehicle park fee in season; Go Ape and rentals cost extra
Time needed: half a day or more
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for almost anyone, and a clear winner for active families and groups.
Fun Fact:
Lums Pond is widely known as the largest freshwater pond in Delaware, and it was created long ago when a creek was dammed to feed the canal.
Drop Lums Pond on your bucket list so the zipline day really happens
4. Lake Como (Smyrna)
Down in Smyrna, Lake Como is the rare Delaware lake where you can go for a real swim. For families with little kids, that's a big deal.
Don't skip this if you like… a proper swimming beach. Lake Como has a sandy shore with lifeguards on duty in summer, plus a playground, picnic pavilions, and a boat launch. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, or cast a line for bass and crappie. The calm, clean water is a gentle place to teach a nervous swimmer before the ocean. Weekends fill up, so a weekday visit is smoother.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: just outside downtown Smyrna (Kent County)
Hours: swim beach opens Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
Cost: small fee for the swim area and for rentals
Time needed: 2 to 4 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for families and new swimmers; it's one of the few guarded swim lakes around.
Fun Fact:
Lake Como is said to be one of the only public lakes in Delaware with a lifeguard-staffed swimming beach.
Add this rare swimming lake to your bucket list for a hot summer day
5. Silver Lake (Dover)
Right in the capital, Silver Lake gives Dover a big, leafy escape without leaving the city. It's a favorite for a lunchtime lap or an evening paddle.
The quick pitch: This is one of the easiest lakes near Dover, Delaware to reach, set inside a large park with paved walking paths, picnic spots, a playground, and a boat ramp. Paddlers can slip into the quieter back coves and spot turtles and herons. Anglers do well with bass, perch, crappie, and carp, though a city permit is required. Swimming isn't allowed here, so plan around the water rather than in it.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Silver Lake Park, downtown Dover (Kent County)
Hours: dawn to dusk
Cost: free to enter; fishing permit required
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you're in Dover; a relaxing add-on to a day at the capital's museums.
Tuck Silver Lake into your bucket list for your next Dover afternoon
6. Moore's Lake (Dover)
Just a few minutes from downtown Dover, Moore's Lake is a small, low-key spot most visitors drive right past. Locals know it for a quick paddle or a quiet cast.
Why it's worth stopping: It's tiny next to the state parks, but that's the appeal. You can launch a kayak, fish the shoreline, and be back in town in no time. The setting is simple and green, the kind of place that turns a spare hour into a real break. Don't expect amenities; expect calm.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: just south of Dover, near US-13 (Kent County)
Hours: daylight hours
Cost: free; fishing license required
Time needed: under an hour
Worth it or skip it? Worth it as a fast, easy stop near Dover; skip it if you want trails or rentals.
Save Moore's Lake to your bucket list for a quick paddle near town
7. Killens Pond (Felton)
Near Felton, Killens Pond is the family heavyweight of central Delaware, anchored by the state's only state-park water park. Bring the kids and a towel.
What makes this stop different: The 66-acre millpond is the centerpiece, with kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals and an easy loop trail around the shore. The seasonal water park adds tall slides, pools, and a splash area that kids beg to come back to. There's a campground with cabins, a nature center with live animals, and a newer elevated boardwalk for safe walking and wildlife watching. It works as a day trip or a weekend base.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Felton, between Dover and the beaches (Kent County)
Hours: park open 8 a.m. to sunset; water park runs roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day
Cost: small park fee; water park is a separate ticket
Time needed: half a day, or overnight if camping
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for families, full stop; the water park alone makes the drive.
Put Killens Pond on your bucket list for the family water-park day
Building a Delaware lake day? Save your favorite stops in Wayback Tours and drop them into a bucket list you can use right from the road.
8. Wagamons Pond (Milton)
In the charming little town of Milton, Wagamons Pond sits right at the head of the Broadkill River. It's a paddler's pond with a side of small-town wandering.
Why this one stands out: The pond is calm and made for kayaks and canoes, with a renovated boat ramp and a courtesy dock. Motorboats are limited to electric, so the water stays peaceful and quiet. After a paddle, Milton's walkable downtown offers old buildings, shops, and a brewery or two within a few blocks. It's a lovely pairing of water and a real town.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: edge of downtown Milton (Sussex County)
Hours: daylight hours
Cost: free; fishing license required
Time needed: 1 to 3 hours with the town
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you like quiet paddling plus a town to roam; great for a slow morning.
Slip Wagamons Pond onto your bucket list for a slow Milton morning
9. Gordon's Pond (Lewes and Rehoboth)
Tucked into Cape Henlopen State Park, Gordon's Pond is a wide saltwater lagoon with one of the prettiest trails on the coast. This is the one with an ocean view.
Don't skip this if you like… easy trails and big skies. A finely crushed-gravel path with a raised boardwalk runs a few miles between Lewes and Rehoboth, skirting the lagoon and the marsh. Two overlooks make it a top birdwatching spot, with herons, egrets, ospreys, and migrating shorebirds. The trail is flat and friendly for walkers and bikes, and it sits a quick drive from some of the prettiest classic beach towns on the coast. Pack binoculars.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Cape Henlopen State Park, between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach (Sussex County)
Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset
Cost: small per-vehicle park entry; out-of-state cars pay a bit more
Time needed: 1 to 3 hours depending on how far you go
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for walkers, cyclists, and birders, especially paired with a beach day.
Add this beach-side trail to your bucket list for sunrise birdwatching
10. Records Pond (Laurel)
Also called Laurel Lake, Records Pond runs right along the edge of the town of Laurel. It's a favorite for kayaking in Delaware, with a tannin-tinted, tea-colored surface.
What makes this stop different: The water threads past walking paths, historic homes, and a riverfront park, so a paddle here comes with scenery. A renovated boat ramp and courtesy dock make launching simple, and the pond is well stocked for bass, pickerel, crappie, and sunfish. Late spring is lovely, when the lilies bloom and the crowds stay thin. It's a quiet, small-town kind of beautiful.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: along the town of Laurel (Sussex County)
Hours: daylight hours
Cost: free; fishing license required
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for paddlers and anglers who like a town within walking distance.
Save Records Pond to your bucket list for an easy kayak launch
11. Trap Pond (Laurel)
Save the best for last. Down near the Maryland line, Trap Pond is home to towering bald cypress trees that look like they belong in a Louisiana bayou.
Why people make the trip: Trap Pond State Park was Delaware's first state park, and its cypress swamp is the real draw. Paddle a rented kayak or canoe through the flooded forest and you'll glide between trunks and the knobby "knees" poking up from the water. Pontoon tours run in season for anyone who'd rather sit back and look up. There are cabins, yurts, flat hiking trails, and some of the most-booked campsites in the state. In fall, the needles turn gold and the whole place glows.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: near Laurel (Sussex County)
Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset; boat rentals and tours are seasonal
Cost: small per-vehicle park fee; rentals and tours cost extra
Time needed: half a day
Worth it or skip it? Worth the drive on its own; this is the one Delaware lake you shouldn't miss.
Fun Fact:
Trap Pond is widely considered home to the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees in the country.
Keep Trap Pond on your bucket list so those cypress trees don't wait forever
How Delaware's Lakes Compare to Its Neighbors
Delaware's water is calm and close to home, but it's small. If you catch the lake bug here, some of the best paddling on the coast is a short drive away.
Head north and the options open up fast. There are lakes in New York that stretch for miles, the Finger Lakes region is a road trip on its own, and there are enough things to do at Lake George to fill a long weekend. For a splurge, the castle resort at Lake Mohonk sits above its own private lake.
New England is the deep end. You've got lakes across New England to pick from, with standouts including New Hampshire's big lakes, Maine's quiet ponds, Vermont's mountain water, Connecticut's lakes, and the lakes in Massachusetts. Each one trades Delaware's flat calm for mountains and cold, clear water.
Prefer to drive south? Pennsylvania's lakes are right up the road, while South Carolina's lakes, North Carolina's lakes, and Norris Lake in Tennessee reward a longer haul. If you'd rather plan a full week on the water, our guide to lake vacations on the coast lays out the best of them.
The takeaway: Delaware is the easy day trip, and it pairs nicely with bigger water in any direction.
Ready to map your own Delaware lake run? Start saving stops in Wayback Tours today and build the trip one pin at a time.
Conclusion
Delaware won't out-muscle the big lake states, and it doesn't try to. The best lakes in Delaware win on ease. You can swim at Lake Como, paddle under the cypress at Trap Pond, and walk the marsh at Gordon's Pond, all in one unhurried day.
So next time the GPS says you're "just passing through," pull off and find the water. The herons won't mind the company.
Save these stops, build your own road trip bucket list, and keep track of every place you want to visit for future trips, all in one spot with Wayback Tours.
FAQs
Can you swim in any Delaware lakes besides Lake Como?
Lake Como is the best-known spot for open-water swimming with a guarded beach. Killens Pond offers a seasonal water park with pools and slides, which is a popular family alternative since many ponds don't allow swimming.
Do I need a boat to enjoy these lakes?
No. Several state parks, including Lums Pond, Killens Pond, and Trap Pond, rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards during the warmer months, so you can get on the water without owning a thing.
Are dogs allowed at Delaware's lakes and parks?
Most parks allow leashed dogs on trails and in many areas, though some swim beaches and water parks are off-limits in summer. Check each park's posted rules before you go.
Which Delaware lake is best for camping?
Lums Pond and Killens Pond both have campgrounds with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins. Trap Pond adds cabins and yurts right near the water, along with some of the state's most-reserved sites.
When do the cypress trees at Trap Pond look best?
Fall is the favorite, usually around October, when the needles turn rusty gold before dropping. Spring and summer bring lush green and plenty of birds, so any warm-weather visit is a good one.
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