There are a number of accessible and stroller-friendly trails on Delmarva but figuring out how to locate those trails is a challenge - until now.
Our walking path and bike trail databases and locator maps are a great place to start. You can even filter the walking path search results by trail surfaces such as paved, crushed stone, or packed earth. This makes it so much easier to narrow down the options to the trails that fit your individual needs, whether you’re bringing a stroller, a wheelchair, rollerblades, or a youngster learning to pedal a bike!
Be sure to search this site for yourself, but to make it a bit easier, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite accessible and stroller-friendly trails on the peninsula. Take a look:
Wayne Gilchrest Trail
Chestertown, MD
2 miles, paved
The Wayne Gilchrest rail trail is one of Chestertown’s greatest assets. The trail begins at the waterfront Wilmer Park and passes through part of town and up to the campus of Washington College. And walking just a few blocks off the trail will bring you to some excellent restaurants and adorable shops.
Sudlersville Park
Sudlersville, MD
0.9-mile loop, paved
It’s probably pretty likely that most Marylanders have never even heard of the town of Sudlersville. But that’s not reason to stop someone from checking it out. Sudlersville Park is a gem of a community park. It has a playground, outdoor exercise equipment, volleyball courts, picnic pavilions, restrooms, and a 0.9-mile paved walking trail - perfect for anyone traveling on non-motorized wheels.
John Selby Sports Complex
Centreville, MD
1.3-mile loop, paved
If Sudlersville is too far off the beaten path, you can get a similar experience at the John Selby Sports Complex, also known as the Route 18 Park, in Centreville. The park has baseball fields, a playground, restrooms, and best of all, a 1.3-mile, ADA-accessible walking path.
Augustine Wildlife Observation Decks
Port Penn, DE
0.1 miles, crushed stone & boardwalk
For those that aren’t looking for a lengthy excursion and just want to spend some time in nature with beautiful views, the two observation decks within the Augustine State Wildlife Area are both ADA-accessible. The first deck is accessed with a 0.1-mile crushed stone trail, ending at a stunning overlook with views of the marsh. The second deck is a short drive away with an even shorter access boardwalk. Both sites have accessible port-o-jons and handicap parking spaces.
Brecknock Park
Camden, DE
0.9-mile loop, crushed stone
This park has a similar vibe to Sudlersville and John Selby parks, but Brecknock Park also has a nature center and historic site. The trail also passes through some wooded areas, instead of just circling around ball fields. The park is a hub of activity for the Dover and Camden communities.
Browns Branch County Park
Harrington, DE
1.4-mile loop, crushed stone & boardwalk
Browns Branch County Park has a great 1.4-mile trail that meanders through a municipal park, but a lengthy stretch of the trail passes through the woods and along the creek (the Browns Branch) with some scenic boardwalks.
Oxford Conservation Park
Oxford, MD
0.6-mile loop, paved
It might be a short stroll, but the paved loop through Oxford Conservation Park is packed with native plants that bloom from spring to fall and are buzzing with pollinators. Several benches and an accessible port-o-jon make this path ideal for all abilities.
Woodland Park
Woodland, DE
0.9-mile loop, crushed stone
If you’re looking to get off the beaten path but still find an easy stroll of a trail, Woodland Park in western Sussex County might be what you need. The park has some history dating back to 1911 and was more recently a golf course, which is evident by the way the park has been landscaped.
Gordons Pond & Walking Dunes
Lewes & Rehoboth Beach, DE
6 miles, crushed stone & boardwalk
The Gordons Pond Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park is probably one of the most well-known trails in the state, but it’s worth mentioning in this roundup since it’s ADA-accessible and the views are unlike anything else nearby; just beware of minor trail washouts after a heavy rain. The Walking Dunes Trail is yet another trail within the park that is also of a crushed stone surface and connects with the Gordons Pond trail, making for a total of 6-miles of smooth trails to explore.
Assawoman Canal
Ocean View, DE
1-mile, crushed stone
The Assawoman Canal was dug in the late 19th century to create a navigable waterway between Indian River and Little Assawoman bays, with a spur known as the Bethany Beach loop canal. The trail runs along a mile of the canal with plans to extend it in the future. There are seasonal restrooms, parking, and a kayak launch at the trailhead on Town Rd.
Herring Creek Nature Park
West Ocean City, MD
0.7-mile loop, crushed stone
The small park is located in a residential park of West Ocean City and is the result of a land developer running out of funding for a nearby project. The county purchased the land and turned it into Herring Creek Nature Park which opened in 1997. The park also has port-o-jons and a picnic pavilion.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Chincoteague, VA
5+ mile trail system, paved
Between Wildlife Drive, the Woodland Trail, and several connecting trails, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge has over 5 miles of paved, accessible trails to cycle, walk, run, or stroll. The refuge also has two visitor centers, flushing toilets, and plenty of beach access.
Now while you’ve reached the end of this list, please be aware that this list is far from complete! For more accessible trails on Delmarva, check out our roundup of bike trails, and take a moment to search for even more trails across the region.