Red Lion State Forest

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Red Lion State Forest is a 4,073-acre forest located in the state of Delaware.


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Summary

There are many reasons to visit this beautiful area, including hiking, birdwatching, and fishing. The forest is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, wild turkey, and bald eagles. Visitors can also enjoy camping and picnicking in designated areas.

One of the main points of interest in Red Lion State Forest is the Brandywine Creek, which runs through the forest and is a popular spot for fishing and kayaking. The forest also contains several hiking trails, including the Brandywine Trail and the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail. These trails offer scenic views of the forest and its wildlife.

Interesting facts about Red Lion State Forest include that it was once used as a hunting ground by Native Americans and that it was also used as a training ground for soldiers during World War II. The forest is now managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

The best time of year to visit Red Lion State Forest is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, the forest is open year-round and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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