There’s something magical about snow. Flurries can turn even a hardened adult into a child again as they marvel at the flakes falling from the sky.

While some people prefer to stay inside lest they be nipped by the cold, many enjoy venturing outdoors to explore the snow-covered landscape. And one of the best things about a winter wonderland, especially for those with children, is grabbing a sled and heading to the nearest hill.

Although Delaware is famously small and flat, we still have some hills suitable for sledding. Below are Outdoor Delaware’s favorite public sledding spots. The list does favor northern Delaware — there just aren’t many publicly accessible hills downstate.

(Delaware DNREC/Lisa Moy)

But first, a few quick words of advice:

If you’re sledding at a state, county or municipal park, remember to check the hours. You don’t want to show up only to find the gate is closed. Most Delaware State Parks are open from 8 a.m. until sunset, but locations may have varying dates and times of operations.

For those living near the beaches, the dunes may look enticing, but please stay off them. Dunes provide precious habitat for wildlife and protection for infrastructure and can be quite fragile. Anyone venturing onto the beach dunes risks causing environmental damage and earning a fine.

If sledding isn’t your thing but you still want to be outdoors, Delaware has plenty of trails and natural areas that can be good for hiking, snowshoeing, watching for animals or simply taking in the fresh air and snow.

Brandywine Creek State Park

This northern Delaware state park has a broad hill known as Hawk Watch that is suitable for sledding. Parking is very convenient, and there’s a pavilion that’s an excellent place for a post-sledding snack. It’s also a good location for parents to rest while their children wear themselves out going up and down the hill. Be warned it can get quite windy here, so bundle up beforehand.

Glasgow Park

Located in (where else?) Glasgow, this park is run by New Castle County. It contains a hill helpfully marked on a map as a sledding hill. It’s a good outlet for those living in the southern portion of our most populous county. If you choose to sled here, you’ll probably find others have already had the same idea, so consider coming early if possible.

Delcastle Park

This county park west of Elsmere has a decent hill behind the tennis courts. Visible from Duncan Road, the hill isn’t huge but can still serve as a suitable location for sledding. Delcastle Park itself has plenty of parking and is ideal for those living between Newark and Wilmington.

Rockford Park

Part of Wilmington State Parks, Rockford Park in north Wilmington is a popular spot when it snows. The park contains a hill next to the steps at Tower Drive. Because the hill isn’t super steep and levels out into a field that stretches for hundreds of feet, it’s a great place to take young children. Just don’t expect to have the whole expanse to yourself!

White Clay Creek State Park

White Clay Creek State Park has a sloping hill in the Carpenter Recreation Area, located by Newark right on the edge of the Wedge. It’s not hugely popular owing to the fact the area is more of a broad slope than a steep, well-defined hill, but people have been sledding in the park for years.

Rockwood Park

Rockwood Park lies by Bellefonte, only a few miles from Rockford Park, although it’s part of the New Castle County system rather than Delaware State Parks. The site has some slopes on the grounds, and while the hills aren’t particularly steep, there’s a nice broad stretch sloping downward along the entry drive. You might also want to check out the historic mansion on the grounds as well.

Smyrna-Clayton Little League Park

A hill extends down from the road at the Smyrna-Clayton Little League Park, opposite Smyrna High and Middle schools. Stretching for roughly half a mile, this hill is a good location because it can hold a large number of sledders at one time. Some spots are largely blocked by fencing surrounding the baseball fields, but visitors have been turning up on snow days here for decades for a reason.

Well, that’s our list. What are we missing? Let us know on social media your favorite public sledding spots!

Related Topics:  delaware state parks, fun, outdoor delaware, parks, parks and recreation, recreation, sledding, snow, winter