White Clay Creek State Park

About the Park

The land that is today known as White Clay Creek State Park includes parts of the boundary line made famous by Mason and Dixon, who began their historic survey at “a post mark’d west,” a location that lies within the park.

As overdevelopment in the northern part of the state became a matter of increasing concern in the late 1960s, the state began to purchase lands adjoining a small recreational park, which in 1975 became known as Walter S. Carpenter State Park. State land acquisitions and donations from the Du Pont family and others eventually enlarged the park to over 3,600 acres. It was renamed White Clay Creek State Park in 1995. The White Clay Creek was named a National Wild and Scenic River by the National Park Service in 2000, which added an additional layer of protection to the area.

Activities:

Biking
Cultural/Recreational/Nature Programs
Day Camps
Disc Golf
Fishing
Geocaching
Hiking
Homeschool Programs
Horseshoes
Hunting
Mountain Biking
Organized Youth Camping
Picnicking
Summer Concerts
Volleyball

Amenities:

Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club
Disc Golf Course
Hiking/Biking Trails
Horseshoe Pits
Nature Store (located inside park office)
Pavilion
Picnic Area
Playground
Restrooms

Freshwater Fishing

Millstone and Cattail Ponds offer year-round fishing for bluegill and crappie, and a catch-and-release program for largemouth bass. The White Clay Creek offers anglers the opportunity to fish for stocked rainbow and brown trout. Trout fishing opens the first Saturday in April. A fishing license is required at all times when fishing. A trout stamp is required April through June 30th and again October through November. The creek closes to all fishing two weeks prior to the opening day of trout season.

Hiking and Biking

Over 37 miles of trails lead explorers to historic sites and scenic vistas overlooking lush valleys and impressive rock outcrops. Hikers and mountain bikers enjoy the large number of easy-to-moderate trails throughout the park. Of special interest are those at Possum Hill and the Judge Morris Estate, along with the Pomeroy Rail-Trail, which runs alongside White Clay Creek.