Silver Lake & Killens Pond State Park

Dover's beautiful Silver Lake is the core of a recreation area in the heart of the city. Biking, swimming, and picnicking draw most people, but the park also has a boat ramp, exercise circuit, volleyball court, and walking/jogging trail. The park has entrances on Washington Street and Kings Highway; it's open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Contact the Dover Parks and Recreation Department (tel. 302/736-7050) for additional information.

Some 13 miles south of Dover, about a half-mile east of Route 13, is Kent County's only state park, Killens Pond State Park, 5025 Killens Pond Rd., Felton (tel. 302/284-4526). Covering 1,444 acres, with a 66-acre millpond, Killens Pond is a natural inland haven. Facilities include picnic areas, shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, biking and hiking trails, volleyball courts, boat rentals, pond fishing, camping, and the all-new Killens Pond Water Park, which has lap lanes, a mushroom fountain, and a lily-pad fun walk -- something for every age. Park entry fees, applicable daily May through October, are $3 for Delaware-registered cars and $6 for out-of-state vehicles. Entrance to the water park is an additional $1.50 for adults and $1 for children under 16. The park is open year-round; the water park is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Also at the park are 77 campsites, including 10 cabins, 17 tent-only sites, and 1 pond-view cottage (cabin with living room). The campground is open year-round. Reservations are taken up to 7 months in advance; call tel. 877/987-2757. Fees are $16 to $20 for tent sites and $22 to $26 for sites with water and electric hookup. Note: NASCAR fans fill the campsites quickly on race weekends in April and September. Be sure to reserve 7 months in advance.