Take a break from the busy beach scene to enjoy some of nature’s beauty. There are a few places to do so in southern Delaware, and James Farm Ecological Preserve is the perfect spot to do so if you’re staying at one of southern Delaware’s beaches or Ocean City, MD. Here you can walk through the woods, enjoy a stroll along the bayside beach, and maybe even ponder the lives of the osprey — birds that mate for life, migrate to different locations in the winter, and find their ways back to each other each spring. Managed by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bay and owned by Sussex County, James Farm Ecological Preserve is located just 4 miles from Bethany Beach, DE. James Farm is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset.
Admission
- Free!
- Leashed dogs are welcome. 🐶
What You’ll Find at James Farm
- Mainly flat terrain along the trails.
- Two sections of the park sit on either side of Cedar Neck Road. For woodland trails and the bayside beach, use the trails, heading west, from the main parking lot. For other woodland trails and marsh views, use the Purple Trail on the east side of the park – across Cedar Neck Road.
- Beach along Indian River Bay features gentle waves and is accessible from westbound trails from the main parking lot.
- Plenty of bird-watching opportunities from the observation platforms and beach. There are osprey nests throughout the preserve. Look out for shorebirds and songbirds, too.
- Benches and picnic tables throughout the preserve.
- Parking lot on the west side of Cedar Neck Road; additional parking is available across Cedar Neck Road in the field (inside the Purple Trail loop).
- Guided walks and talks through the spring, summer, and fall sponsored by the Delaware Center for Inland Bays. Check their online event calendar for listings.
Tips for Your Visit
- Open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset.
- Bring sunscreen and bug spray.
- Bring binoculars if you’re planning to do some birdwatching.
- Trails are covered with mulch, pine needles, and/or crushed oyster shells and some of the trails can be muddy especially as you approach the wetlands close to the beach — and, of course, after rain. (I wore sneakers which worked perfectly in the muddy stretches of the trail.)
- Bring your own water (and maybe snacks, too). There are no concessions.
- Carry in; carry out. Plan on taking your trash with you when you leave. No glass bottles.
- Do NOT try to feed or otherwise disturb the wildlife. Stay away from the osprey nests from spring through fall as that is their habitat where they nest and raise their young.
- For updated information, check out the James Farm Facebook page and the Delaware Center for Inland Bays website.
Location
James Farm Ecological Preserve: 30048 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View, DE
Directions from Route 1: take Fred Hudson Road (north of Bethany Beach). Turn right onto Cedar Neck Road (at the end of Fred Hudson Road). The preserve is about 1.3 miles ahead on the left.
Trail Map
Brief History of James Farm
This 150-acre land was in the James family for generations. It was gifted to the county by a James family member in 1992. The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays has been managing the property since 1998 and provides a variety of educational events for the public.
Nearby Attractions
Check out other great southern Delaware places to visit:
- Air Mobility Command Museum, Dover
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna
- Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes
- Delaware Beach Guide
- Fresh Pond Trail, Ocean View
- Holts Landing State Park, Dagsboro
- Indian River Life-Saving Station, Rehoboth Beach
- Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Milton
- Trap Pond State Park, Laurel
Final Thoughts
My husband and I look forward to our visits to southern Delaware. While we treasure our time at the beaches and in the towns that dot the state’s southern coastline, we also seek to leave the busy beach scene and explore what else nature has to offer. James Farm Ecological Preserve is a welcome respite while at the shore. When we last visited, we saw an osprey couple readying their nest for their soon-to-arrive offspring. We walked along the beach, saw lots of shells, and enjoyed its overall quietness and natural beauty.
Comments?
Please share your experiences and suggestions for other places to visit in southern Delaware. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂
