Lums Pond State Park

Lums Pond State Park in Bear Delaware was created around the largest freshwater pond in the state. The park offers fishing, hiking, and sports activities. Lums Pond State Park is 1790 acres, which is bordered on the north by Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Lums Pond is about 200 acres, leaving 1590 acres of land to explore.

Swimming is not allowed; however, boat rentals and fishing is possible in the summer months. There is a boat ramp and two piers for easy access to the water. Before the pond came into being, St. Georges Creek flowed into the hardwood forest close to hunting camps that Native Americans used. In the 1800s a dam was built in order to create the pond. Water from the pond is used to fill the locks of the canal and it was also used to power a saw mill.

In 1963, the land area was officially designated as a state park. Hikers can pick up a map at the local visitor center for trailheads. One of the longest trails is 7.5 miles running in a loop around the pond. It is called the Swamp Forest Trail. Lums has more than 10 miles of trails for horses, bikes, snowmobiles, and hikers.