Bellevue State Park
Bellevue State Park
4.5
About
A Park For All Seasons Bellevue Hall mansion commands a grand view of this historic estate, and its present form reflects alterations made by William du Pont, Jr. Mr. du Pont surrounded his home with the finest facilities: tennis courts, equestrian stables, gardens, and a picturesque pond, amid woodlands and fields overlooking the Delaware River. The park was acquired by the State of Delaware in 1976. The Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation has retained the historic charm of Bellevue while providing many opportunities for recreation. Walking and jogging are popular activities at any time of the year. A 1-1/8 mile fitness track circles a catch-and-release fishing pond while the nearby exercise trail offers a refreshing workout. Hiking trails allow you to explore other parts of the estate. If you prefer cycling, both paved and unpaved paths lead you on a leisurely tour. A popular spot for picnics, weddings and get-togethers.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
94 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
26
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Curt K
New Castle, DE1,748 contributions
Jan 2020
For the new year my wife and I are venturing to all the State Parks and hiking them. We recently hiked Bellevue State Park. There are lots to do at this park; Frisbee Golf, horseback riding, walking, biking, playgrounds for kids, etc. The path that we hiked was more than a mile long and all flat. Great place.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Route12N
Wilmington, DE106 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Each Sunday in the summer we pack a picnic dinner and head to Bellevue to meet friends for the free concert series, it's a tradition that grows each year and we treasure it. We also enjoy the former horse training track, walking paths and the beautiful pond in the center of the park. Families and friends can gather under mature trees, enjoy playgrounds and open spaces. Bellevue is a gem in our community, open year round and beautiful in all seasons!
Written June 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShoreCollins1
Wilmington, DE11 contributions
Aug 2019
This is right off of I-95 in Wilmington.
The grounds are beautiful, truly left in their natural state. They have a huge track for walking /running, nature trails, facilities for boarding horses,changing of the trees during fall is amazing as it reflects in the pond, perfect for pictures. Hayrides. Bellevue Hall is great for weddings/parties, the backdrop is beautiful. If you want something country, Cauffiel House (off of Governor Printz Blvd.) is on a hill that looks down to the Delaware River.
During the summer, concerts on the lawn at the bandshell, not a bad seat in the house, just bring your chairs and your favorite person for a night out under the stars to music. It helps if you have a State Park Pass otherwise their is a fee of $4.00 for residents, $8.00 for non.
All and all just a beautiful way to reconnect with nature and clear your mind.
The grounds are beautiful, truly left in their natural state. They have a huge track for walking /running, nature trails, facilities for boarding horses,changing of the trees during fall is amazing as it reflects in the pond, perfect for pictures. Hayrides. Bellevue Hall is great for weddings/parties, the backdrop is beautiful. If you want something country, Cauffiel House (off of Governor Printz Blvd.) is on a hill that looks down to the Delaware River.
During the summer, concerts on the lawn at the bandshell, not a bad seat in the house, just bring your chairs and your favorite person for a night out under the stars to music. It helps if you have a State Park Pass otherwise their is a fee of $4.00 for residents, $8.00 for non.
All and all just a beautiful way to reconnect with nature and clear your mind.
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adventuresinfour
Vicenza, Italy36 contributions
Dec 2015
this park features miles of trails for horseback riders, walkers and runners to enjoy. There are several playgrounds for kids, tennis courts, stables, etc. i have spent hours there with my family and alone.
Written April 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Candy S
New Port Richey, FL56 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
Beautiful old trees and wonderful scenery are abound here at the park. They have concerts here, family fun events and horse riding if you are so inclined. They also have a jog/run areas for your daily exercise. There is play equipment for the kids and ponds for skipping stones or fishing.
Written April 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kennykreider55
Wilmington, DE35 contributions
Jul 2015
Great big old horse farm with track. A nice little pond there that you can take the kids fishing.They also have concerts in the summer.
Written March 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LMCRN56
Media, PA61 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
This is a very nice family park, ride bikes, jog, run, fish or picnic under a pavilion or in the grass. Memberships are available to support the park and if you go often its worth it.
Written February 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vit_11
Wilmington, DE8 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Good pet friendly place to take a walk wit your dog. You can also have a picnic there or visit the horses in stables or take some exercises around the trail - they have about 20 different exercising places.
Written February 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daisyferret1
Bear, DE27,286 contributions
Sep 2014 • Family
We went to this park the other day for the first time. It is a really large park. They have several kids playgrounds, a pond, several barns, a huge mansion, arts center, equestrian center, a 1 & 1/8 mile fitness track, tennis courts/club, amphitheater, disc golf, fishing at the pond and lots of walking trails. I was surprised to see how much this park had to offer.
We were there for an event that started and ended at the Figure 8 barn. The trail that we walked on was paved. The trail started by going through some wooded area with a creek running through it, then it turned into an open grassy field. The Figure 8 barn itself is really large. It had some really neat old rafters and a neat dance floor in the center of it. I can see it being used for a wedding reception.
After the event was over, we checked out some more of the park. We saw the Bellevue Tennis Center & the adjacent courts. Then we saw the Bellevue Hall Mansion & gazebo. It was really pretty. It looked like they were setting up for a wedding and reception while we were there. It would be a really pretty place for a wedding. I just wish there was some kind of sign giving us some history on the mansion because I looked all over & couldn't find a single piece of history. I did look it up on their website & discovered that it was built in the 1850s and was acquired by the duPonts in 1883.
After that we walked around by the Bellevue Arts Center. Here we were greeted by some employees. They told us that they hold programs there like Stroller Rollers & the Wee Have Fun Club. They also host birthday parties there. We saw the little classroom that they hold the parties and activities in. It looked really nice. They gave us some brochures and told us where the kids playgrounds were.
So, we walked around past the stables to find the picnic areas and kids playgrounds. There were 3 main playgrounds that were set up according to age group. The equipment was all really nice. The kids had a blast playing on it. They loved the slides!
After playing on the playground for a while, we walked over along the pond and the wooden foot bridge. Here we saw a man fishing in the pond. We also saw a blue heron & some turtles in the pond. On our way back towards the Arts Center, we saw the disc golf & the restrooms. Once again we passed the Arts Center and the kiddie train. This is when we saw the amphitheater. It looks really neat. I can imagine some summer concerts here!
Overall, we had a nice morning & afternoon at Bellevue. It was nice to get out and explore a new park. The kids really had a great time on the playground. They also loved the little train and musical bongos by the Arts Center. I enjoyed the pond area and looking at the beautiful flowers that surrounded the Bellevue Hall & gazebo. The employees that we encountered at the Arts Center were really nice. It seems like this park would be a nice place to have a party or wedding. We saw several birthday parties going on in the various picnic pavilions while we were there plus we saw what appeared to be a wedding being set up at the Bellevue Hall. I would recommend this park to others. I may visit it again in the future, but probably not very often since it is quite a drive for me. It does look like the host several nice programs and summer camps for the kids in addition to concerts and movies in the park. I also believe they allow ice skating on the pond when conditions permit in the winter time. I wish the parks closer to me had so much to offer!
We were there for an event that started and ended at the Figure 8 barn. The trail that we walked on was paved. The trail started by going through some wooded area with a creek running through it, then it turned into an open grassy field. The Figure 8 barn itself is really large. It had some really neat old rafters and a neat dance floor in the center of it. I can see it being used for a wedding reception.
After the event was over, we checked out some more of the park. We saw the Bellevue Tennis Center & the adjacent courts. Then we saw the Bellevue Hall Mansion & gazebo. It was really pretty. It looked like they were setting up for a wedding and reception while we were there. It would be a really pretty place for a wedding. I just wish there was some kind of sign giving us some history on the mansion because I looked all over & couldn't find a single piece of history. I did look it up on their website & discovered that it was built in the 1850s and was acquired by the duPonts in 1883.
After that we walked around by the Bellevue Arts Center. Here we were greeted by some employees. They told us that they hold programs there like Stroller Rollers & the Wee Have Fun Club. They also host birthday parties there. We saw the little classroom that they hold the parties and activities in. It looked really nice. They gave us some brochures and told us where the kids playgrounds were.
So, we walked around past the stables to find the picnic areas and kids playgrounds. There were 3 main playgrounds that were set up according to age group. The equipment was all really nice. The kids had a blast playing on it. They loved the slides!
After playing on the playground for a while, we walked over along the pond and the wooden foot bridge. Here we saw a man fishing in the pond. We also saw a blue heron & some turtles in the pond. On our way back towards the Arts Center, we saw the disc golf & the restrooms. Once again we passed the Arts Center and the kiddie train. This is when we saw the amphitheater. It looks really neat. I can imagine some summer concerts here!
Overall, we had a nice morning & afternoon at Bellevue. It was nice to get out and explore a new park. The kids really had a great time on the playground. They also loved the little train and musical bongos by the Arts Center. I enjoyed the pond area and looking at the beautiful flowers that surrounded the Bellevue Hall & gazebo. The employees that we encountered at the Arts Center were really nice. It seems like this park would be a nice place to have a party or wedding. We saw several birthday parties going on in the various picnic pavilions while we were there plus we saw what appeared to be a wedding being set up at the Bellevue Hall. I would recommend this park to others. I may visit it again in the future, but probably not very often since it is quite a drive for me. It does look like the host several nice programs and summer camps for the kids in addition to concerts and movies in the park. I also believe they allow ice skating on the pond when conditions permit in the winter time. I wish the parks closer to me had so much to offer!
Written September 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nonna-Wilmington
Wilmington, DE15 contributions
Sep 2021
Lots of choices for walking paths. Great for kids and adults. Plenty of playground activities. Dogs allowed while on a leash and free bags for feces disposal.
Water available in some areas for dogs as well.
Water available in some areas for dogs as well.
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Say Cheese!
Are we allowed to come and take pictures in the park?
Thank You
Written September 2, 2018
MarissaW
Laurel, Delaware
Hello, the pond has not been restocked. There is no plan to restock it in the future.
Written April 6, 2017
Dogs are certainly welcome! They must be on a 6 foot leash and under control. We also provide poo pick-up bags and trash cans throughout the park.
Written April 3, 2017
Thirtyone1819
Voorhees, New Jersey
Having a large company event here, is there a field to have a softball game?
Written August 5, 2016
No baseball diamond there. (Lums Pond would have been a better choice.)
Written August 8, 2016
Does a lady named Rosie still have horses on Woodlawn near Brandywine Creek State Park or right over the state line? That is another state park close to Bellevue.
Written July 27, 2016
Hello, the stables at Bellevue are called Wellspring Farms. The person the runs them is not named Rosie. You may call them at 302-798-2407 and they may have some more information. Bellevue is about 7 miles and 15 minute drive away from Brandywine Creek. You may call Brandywine Creek at 302-577-3534.
Written July 28, 2016
Does this park offer horse back riding?
I have been looking to go riding through a trail
Thank you
Written July 26, 2016
My daughter attended a horse back riding camp several years ago. I would suggest emailing the park to ask by going to the Delaware State Parks website. There are places within five miles or so where you can ride if Bellevue no longer offers it.
Written July 26, 2016
Hello, Bellevue will not be restocking the pond this year. Construction will begin this spring to repair the pond’s outflow pipe and berm. These repairs should solve the water level fluctuations that we have been experiencing. We will look into restocking the pond once we are confident that we can provide a safe habitat for the fish and other wildlife that reside in and around the pond.
Written March 7, 2016
I wanted to rent a picnic area but for the date we need the only area available was the stables area. Does any one have any reviews for this area?
Written July 31, 2015
Hello, the stables picnic area is nice and shaded. It does sometimes smell like horses but also is very close to the playgrounds and bathrooms.
Written July 31, 2015
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