Redden State Forest

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Redden State Forest is a 12,000-acre forest located in Sussex County, Delaware.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting available. The forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and bald eagles.

One of the main points of interest in Redden State Forest is the Redden Lodge, a historic log cabin that was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The lodge is available for rent for events, gatherings, and overnight stays.

Another feature of the forest is the Redden State Forest Education Center, which offers environmental education programs and hosts events such as the annual Redden Forest Day.

Visitors to Redden State Forest can also explore the forest's two ponds, which are popular spots for fishing and picnicking. The forest's trails are open year-round and offer opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Fall is considered the best time of year to visit Redden State Forest, as the trees turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. However, the forest is open to visitors year-round and offers different experiences depending on the season.

       

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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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