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Delaware
13

Delaware State Parks

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USA Parks
Delaware
Southern Region
Delaware Seashore State Park
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Delaware Seashore State Park Evening Striper Fishing © LIZ STINGER
Picture taken heading west through the Indian River Inlet striper fishing the high tide.
Delaware Seashore State Park Little Fisherman © BILL HUNTER
Childern learning the art of fishing
Delaware Seashore State Park Kite Flying © BILL HUNTER
A young man enjoying the ocean breeze
Delaware Seashore State Park Sea Gull © BILL HUNTER
Sea Gull taking a break on a hot summer day
Delaware Seashore State Park Sunbathing and Swimming © BILL HUNTER
Weekday at the beach at the mouth of the Indian River Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean
Delaware Seashore State Park Indian River Inlet © BILL HUNTER
View of the Indian River Inlet
Delaware Seashore State Park Kite Flying © BILL HUNTER
A nice breeze off the Indian River Inlet for our campers
Delaware Seashore State Park Sunrise © BILL HUNTER
The Sun coming up over the Atlantic Ocean at Delaware Seashore State Park
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DELAWARE SEASHORE STATE PARK
DELAWARE SEASHORE STATE PARK
39415 Inlet Road
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware   19971

Phone: 302-227-2800
Toll Free: 302-739-9220
Reservations: 877-987-2757
Email: park email button icon
Water, water everywhere describes Delaware Seashore State Park. Bounded on the east by the mighty Atlantic Ocean, and on the west by Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay, the 2825-acre park is a beach-goer's delight.

Throughout history, the forces of wind and water have kept this barrier island largely inaccessible, due to the frequent natural changes of the inlet channel between the bays and the sea. Transportation along this narrow stretch of land was difficult until the Federal government completed construction of two large steel and stone jetties in 1939, stabilizing the Indian River Inlet. The State Park Commission (now the Division of Parks and Recreation) began operating Delaware Seashore State Park in 1965. Today, the park is a major attraction for millions of visitors who enjoy the large variety of water-related activities available along Delaware's coast.
History of the Area
Established in 1965, the park is located near Dewey Beach. It spans over 2,825 acres along Delaware's Atlantic coast. The area was once home to Native American tribes and later colonized by European settlers.

In the mid-20th century, it became a popular vacation spot for tourists seeking beachfront camping experiences. In response to this demand, state officials designated it as an official public recreation site.

The Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum within its boundaries opened in 1976 showcasing maritime history of shipwrecks and rescues on Delaware's coastline.

Over time amenities were added including campgrounds with electric hookups (1981), cottages (2003) and cabins(2014). Today visitors enjoy swimming beaches patrolled by lifeguards during summer months while fishing enthusiasts appreciate two ocean piers open year-round.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Bike Trailsyes
 Swimming Beachyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Marinas
Indian River Marina

Located on the north side of the Indian River Inlet at Delaware Seashore State Park, the park's marina features many convenient services for boaters and fishermen. And it's just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Inland Bays - some of the finest fishing grounds on the east coast!
Cottages
The Cottages at Indian River Marina

The Cottages at Indian River Marina are located on the north shore of the Indian River Inlet inside Delaware Seashore State Park. The park is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's most popular recreational destinations, with a wealth of natural settings and six miles of ocean and bay shoreline.

Visitors can enjoy swimming, surf- and deep-sea fishing, surfing, sailing, paddling, hiking, bird watching and much more. The cottages are adjacent to the Indian River Marina and close to resorts, restaurants, tax-free shopping outlets, historic sites and park amenities.
Camping
Campsites at Delaware Seashore State Park:

- Indian River Inlet Campground: Offers tent, RV and cabin rentals with water views.

- North Inlet Tent & Pop-Up Campsites: Provides basic amenities for tents or pop-up campers.

Amenities within the campsites:

- Bathhouses: Equipped with hot showers, laundry facilities and dishwashing stations.

- Picnic Areas: Each site has a picnic table and grill.

Activities available in the park:

-Hiking Trails

-Fishing Spots

-Surfing Beaches



Picnicking
For group activities with families and friends, two picnic pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis, one on the bay shore at Savages Ditch Road and the other at the Inlet.
Trails
- Burton Island Nature Preserve Trail: This 1.3-mile loop trail offers a variety of wildlife and plant species, including herons and egrets; it's rated as moderate due to some uneven terrain.

- Thompson Island Preserve Trail: A short but scenic 0.7-mile out-and-back trail that takes hikers through maritime forests before ending at the Rehoboth Bay shoreline; ideal for bird watching.

- Prickly Pear Loop Hiking & Biking Trails: These interconnected trails total about 3.5 miles in length with views of freshwater marshes, forested wetlands, open fields, sandy scrub areas and old agricultural lands.

- Indian River Inlet Bridge Walkway/Trail: An easy paved path approximately one mile long offering panoramic views over the inlet from both sides of the bridge - perfect for walkers or cyclists alike.

- Sea Hawk Nature Trail (North): Located on North Campground Road this is an easy half-mile walk featuring interpretive signs detailing local flora/fauna along its route - suitable for all ages/skill levels.

-Junction Breakwater Bike/Hike Path : Stretching between Lewes-Rehoboth Canal towards Cape Henlopen State Park covering around five miles each way providing stunning coastal scenery throughout journey- great option if looking to cover more ground quickly by bike rather than foot alone

-Cottontail Loop Walking/Bicycling Route : Approximately three-quarter mile circular track located near South Side campground area showcasing diverse range habitats such as pine woodland plus salt/fresh water marshland environments

-Fox Tail Short Cut Track : Slightly shorter alternative offshoot Cottontail main circuit measuring roughly quarter mile distance enabling quicker return back starting point should weather conditions suddenly change / become unfavorable during hike
Nature Programs
Entertaining and informative programs, such as bay seining and marsh hikes, are held throughout the summer. The park also hosts a popular Sandcastle Contest each July, where amateur participants create unique sculptures and castles to compete for prizes.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
August 22 Great location by TC Mann
park review stars; one to five Love being at this park. Love the location under the bridge, close to Rehoboth and Bethany Beach. Great bike lanes lead all over the coast. Wish the park had a better map like many places we visited. Helps us find stuff to do, find places we need. Just a suggestion.
August 7 Beware of sand fleas!!!
park review stars; one to five We camped at this park one night and now I regret it. We were itching all night long and once morning arrived, our poor kids were covered in little red bite marks. These bites are now raised and very itchy. I was told that these are from sand fleas. We will not be camping at the beach ever again! Also, our site was right near the smelly dumpsters, the highway, and there were NO trees.
February 26 sand fleas
park review stars; one to five camped in tent site area. thought mosquitoes were biting but heard no buzzing. discovered from other campers next am that it was sand fleas. child looked like he had chicken pox and was even asked by another tourist if so.
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Area Campgrounds
Holly Lake Campsites
32087 Holly Lake Road
Millsboro, DE
302-945-3410
Homestead Campground
25165 Prettyman Road
Georgetown, DE
302-684-4278
Tall Pines Campground Resort
29551 Persimmon Road
Lewes, DE
302-684-0300
Lighthouse Beach RV Resort
26162 Bay Boulevard
Millsboro, DE
302-515-2300
Steamboat Landing LLC
13849 Steamboat Landing Road
Milton, DE
302-645-6500
Big Oaks Campground
35567 Big Oaks Lane
Rehoboth Beach, DE
302-645-6838
Treasure Beach RV Park & Campground
37291 Lighthouse Road
Selbyville, DE
302-436-8001
Sun Retreats Rehoboth Bay
25491 Dogwood Lane
Millsboro, DE
302-945-2000
Sea Air Village
19837 Sea Air Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, DE
302-227-8118
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
- Head south on I-95 S.
- Take exit 4A to merge onto DE-1 S toward Christiana/Mall Rd.
- Continue straight for about an hour and a half.

From Baltimore, Maryland:
- Start by getting on I-695 E from MD-2S/S Hanover St.
- Follow US -40E and DE -1S to Rehoboth Beach in Sussex County
- Drive until you reach Delaware Seashore State Park

Directions within the park itself:
Upon arrival at the park:
- Proceed through main entrance gatehouse. Pay required entry fee if necessary.
- After passing gatehouse turn right towards Indian River Inlet Bridge area of the park.

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Delaware
13

Delaware State Parks

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