Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Mary Vessels Park Zwaanendael Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve is a beautiful coastal preserve located in Delaware, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the area's diverse natural beauty.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The preserve is home to a variety of native animal and plant species, including migratory birds, horseshoe crabs, and diamondback terrapins.
Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and beachcombing on the preserve's undeveloped sandy beaches. The area is also known for its salt marshes, which are home to a variety of wildlife and provide important ecosystem services.
Some of the points of interest in the area include the Osprey Trail, a boardwalk that winds through the salt marshes, offering visitors stunning views of the area's wildlife. Visitors can also explore the beach and dunes, which provide habitat for endangered species such as the piping plover.
Interesting facts about the area include that it is one of the few remaining undeveloped stretches of Delaware's coast and is home to several rare plant species. The area is also an important stopover for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway.
The best time of year to visit Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve is during the spring and fall, when migratory birds are passing through the area and the weather is mild. However, visitors can enjoy the area year-round, with summer offering the opportunity to explore the beach and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Overall, Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Delaware's coast.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Cape Henlopen State Park
|
||
Tall Pines Campground
|
||
Massey Landing
|
Mary Vessels Park
Zwaanendael Park
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Cape Henlopen State Park