🏕️National Park Data
Red, yellow, and green leaves lay on the grass in front of a colonial building.
A view of the front of the John Dickinson House on the Plantation.
A brick bath leads to a door of an old church surrounded by vegetation.
Pews line the side of the room leading to the English style court room.
Rolling agricultural hills on a bright sunny day.
A replica of the original Kalmar Nyckel ship sails by the monument at Fort Christina.
National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

Delaware•Pennsylvania

💰
Entrance Fee
Free
🕐
Hours
Varies by day
📍
Location
New Castle, DE
📞
Visitor Center
302-317-3854
⭐

Expert Verdict & Insider Tips

⭐ **My Rating: 4.4/5** **The Vibe**: A peaceful escape with lovely views and quiet walking paths. **Insider Advice**: * Visit mid-week or early in the morning to enjoy the quietest views. Weekend afternoons can get busy near the main visitor centers. * Carry plenty of water and snacks. There are limited food concessions inside the park boundaries. * Stop by the visitor center first to grab a physical map and ask park rangers about current trail conditions.

For anyone traveling through Delaware and Pennsylvania, First State National Historical Park provides a refreshing and educational outdoor adventure. This national historical park is highly recommended for visitors who want to learn about the area's heritage while enjoying scenic trails and local wildlife.

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About First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park is a national historical park located in Delaware and Pennsylvania. For details and information, visit, http://www.nps.gov/frst/index.htm.

First State National Historical Park is made up of six individual sites throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania that explore early settlement through the ratification of the US Constitution. Please visit the individual pages for directions or hours of operation.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to First State is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

🥾 Things to Do

First State National Historical Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Biking, Mountain Biking, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, and 11 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Biking
✅ Mountain Biking
✅ Fishing Guide →✅ Freshwater Fishing Guide →✅ Fly Fishing Guide →
✅ Food
✅ Picnicking
✅ Hands-On
✅ Citizen Science
✅ Hiking Guide →✅ Front-Country Hiking Guide →
✅ Horse Trekking
✅ Horseback Riding
✅ Living History
✅ Junior Ranger Program

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at First State

0 of 10 packed

🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for First State

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of First State before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for First State. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of First State. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a distinct character that tolerated diversity in religion and national origin and valued independence.

Seasonal Visitor Guides

🌸
spring Guide
☀️
summer Guide
🍂
fall Guide
❄️
winter Guide

Frequently Asked Questions about First State

The entrance fee for First State National Historical Park is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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