Rocky Run Trail (Brandywine Creek State Park) Hiking Guide

The Rocky Run Trail is a short, hilly loop in Brandywine Creek State Park, the piedmont park on Wilmington's northern edge. From the Thompsons Bridge parking lot you follow the river, then turn up a side valley, climb through mature mixed forest, cross Rocky Run and come back over a spine of blue granite. The park is about 6 miles and 15 minutes from downtown Wilmington.

permit requireddog-friendly
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
2 mi
Elevation gain
293 ft
Trailhead
Wilmington
a climb over blue rock granite through mature mixed forestriver views from the wide, paved start along the Brandywinetwo crossings of Rocky Runlinks to the Longwall and Creekside trails
fallspringwinter

Permit: Brandywine Creek State Park charges $5 per day for Delaware-registered vehicles and $10 per day for out-of-state vehicles from March 1 to November 30. Walk-ins and cyclists enter free. Annual pass: $50 in-state, $100 out-of-state.

How Long and How Steep

The state's trail finder puts the Rocky Run Trail at 2 miles with a moderate rating. Hiking Project draws a 1.8-mile loop with about 293 feet of climbing and grades up to 22 percent, which is steep for Delaware. Hiking Project also has a 3.0-mile recommended route that pairs Rocky Run with the unmarked Longwall Trail from Garden of Eden Road, for about 306 feet of climbing.

The Route

Walk down the Brandywine Trail from the Thompsons Bridge lot until you reach the Rocky Run Bridge. This first stretch is wide and paved, with views of the Brandywine River. Just before the bridge the trail turns north and climbs gradually on rocky ground and packed earth into mature mixed forest, with Rocky Run on your right. After a long climb it drops quickly to cross the stream, rises again over a bed of blue rock granite, then descends back to the bridge.

A Hilly Corner of a Flat State

The park itself leans into the point: Delaware is known for flat ground, and Brandywine Creek is the exception on the Piedmont plateau. Its 14-plus miles of trail run through meadows, stone walls and a remnant old-growth forest, and many old farm roads from the Quaker community that farmed here in the late 1600s became today's paths. The Creekside Trail runs along the river below Rocky Run if you want to add creek views.

Fees, Rules and Conditions

Between March 1 and November 30, the daily vehicle charge is $5 for Delaware-registered cars and $10 for everyone else; it goes away December through February, and walkers never pay. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. Leashed dogs are allowed, on a lead no longer than 6 feet, and bikes are not allowed on this trail. Hiking Project warns that the area gets wet after rain, so give it time to dry. The park holds archery-only deer hunting from stands and pins from September 1 through January 30, but Brandywine Creek is not on Delaware's list of parks that close trails for gun season.

Hiking tips for Rocky Run Trail (Brandywine Creek State Park)

  • Start from the Thompsons Bridge lot and walk the Brandywine Trail to the Rocky Run Bridge.
  • Wear shoes with grip for the granite and the steep pitches.
  • Skip the loop for a day or two after heavy rain; it stays wet.
  • Add the Longwall Trail for Hiking Project's 3-mile loop.
  • Keep dogs on a 6-foot leash, as the park requires.

Nearby trails to explore

  • Hidden Pond Trail (Brandywine Creek State Park)
  • Tri-State Marker Trail (White Clay Creek State Park)
  • Bryan's Field Trail (White Clay Creek State Park)

Hike this trail with TrailMates

Rocky Run is 15 minutes from downtown, which makes it Wilmington's easy group hike with real hills. Post a loop in TrailMates, settle the Thompsons Bridge meetup in the event's group chat, and climb the granite together. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.