LAUREL, Del. — Just outside Laurel, you can escape the daily grind without ever leaving Lower Delaware. Trap Pond State Park offers hiking, camping, and miles of trails — but it’s the water that makes this place one of a kind.

Welcome to Delaware’s hidden bayou.

“When you get into the swamp, you are transported out of Delaware. You are in the Louisiana bayou,” said Lindsey Goebel, park superintendent.

Trap Pond is home to the northernmost natural bald cypress swamp in America, and it’s a world to explore by canoe, kayak, pedal boat, or guided pontoon tour.

“What’s really cool is when you go back into the swamp, you start seeing all those knees popping up, and it’s a magical place back there,” Goebel said. “I highly recommend for folks to get into the swamp to really experience and immerse themselves in Trap Pond.”

Hiking the Bob Trail

The Bob Trail is the main trail surrounding Trap Pond, and it’s a favorite for hikers and bikers alike. It also serves as a pathway to some of the park’s hidden treasures.

Wildlife is never far away.

“We have kingfishers, we’ve got otters, beavers, so you get the opportunity to kind of get up close to that wildlife,” Goebel said. “You come out, it’s dusk, so you have a good chance of seeing owls, which is a really big draw for us.”

A Place With History

The park’s history runs deep, too. On the pond’s eastern shore sits Jason Beach, which for generations served as a gathering place for the local African American community.

Something for Every Season

Unlike many seasonal attractions on Delmarva, Trap Pond doesn’t slow down when summer ends.

“There’s no off season here. The park delivers no matter the time of year,” Goebel said. “We do have a campground, so we’ve got 146 sites. We’ve got eight cabins and two yurts.”

Even in the colder months, there’s a draw all its own.

“It’s very peaceful. So you have like the tundra swans that come down. That’s a big draw for folks.”

Visit Trap Pond State Park’s website for more information.