
In accordance with Gov. Carney’s goal of limiting interactions among people in Delaware’s beach areas to reduce transmission of COVID-19, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced the following restrictions to be imposed starting on Friday, July 3 and lasting until further notice:
Walk to the top of the Indian River Inlet bridge for an unforgettable view of where Delaware Seashore all comes together – the Atlantic ocean, Delaware’s inland bays, and miles of undeveloped coastline.
Take a step back in time to tour the Indian River Life-Saving Station and catch a glimpse into the daily lives of the surfmen that patrolled out coasts and performed high seas rescues over 100 years ago.
Paddle a kayak from Savages Ditch to explore the vast salt marsh islands of Rehoboth Bay and see diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs, and a wide variety of nesting birds such as laughing gulls, osprey, snowy egrets, tricolored herons, and glossy ibis.
Partake in a pastime that has become part of Delaware Seashore’s legacy – fishing! Cast your line from one of the marina’s charter boats, from the rock jetties of the inlet, or from the beach itself.
Hike through Burton Island Nature Preserve, and experience the changing scenery as you meander from salt marsh to maritime forest habitats.
Delaware Seashore State Park is a great place for surfing! Grab your board and catch a wave after sunrise at the North Inlet Day Area beach.
Transportation along this barrier island, bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay, 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 managing the land as Indian River State Park in 1965, but it didn't become Delaware Seashore State Park until 1967.
Two ocean swimming areas, patrolled by lifeguards from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the summer season, feature modern bathhouses with showers, changing rooms and concession stands. The beach just north of the Inlet is one of the few surfing areas within the park. Mobi-Mat equipment, consisting of three 30-foot mats allowing those in wheelchairs and power chairs to access the beach from the boardwalk, is also available at the Towers Ocean and South Inlet locations.
Two campgrounds, one on each side of the Indian River Inlet, accommodate a variety of camping units, from tents to large recreational vehicles. North Inlet campsites feature three-point hookups (electricity, water, and sewer service), with three-point hookups (electric, water and sewer) and Standard (no hookups) sites, and tent sites available at the South Inlet campground.
Two campgrounds, one on each side of the Indian River Inlet, accommodate a variety of camping units, from tents to large recreational vehicles. North Inlet campsites feature three-point hookups (electricity, water, and sewer service), with three-point hookups (electric, water and sewer) and Standard (no hookups) sites, and tent sites available at the South Inlet campground. Get info about camping at Delaware Seashore.
Anglers may try their luck along the banks of the Indian River Inlet or on the ocean beaches, and head boats and charter boats launch out of the full-service Indian River Marina, offering wet slips, fuel docks, boat storage, supplies and more. Visit our Indian River Marina page for hours and information.
Built in 1876 for use by the United States Lifesaving Service, the full-restored station today features maritime exhibits and historic reenactors who periodically demonstrate turn-of-the-century techniques to rescue sailing ships in distress. Includes a gift shop offering unique coastal and maritime merchandise. Visit our Indian River Life-Saving Station page for hours and information.
A special access pier at the Indian Inlet allows the elderly and people with disabilities to get close to the fishing action. Clamming and crabbing are permitted in some sections of the bays; please check with the Park Office for open areas. Marked dune crossings allow surf-fishing access for four-wheel drive vehicles on the beach (permits required). Permits are also required for fishing, clamming and crabbing. Click for information about surf fishing permits and fishing licenses. WARNING: The State online automated fishing license system is NOT compatible with mobile devices or iPads and may encounter printing issues with touch screen computers and apple products.
Located at the South Inlet Day Use Area at Delaware Seashore State Park, Big Chill Beach Club is an oceanfront restaurant and event tent featuring an umbrella deck with breath-taking 360° views of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Inlet, and Indian River Bay. The Big Chill Beach Club features casual beach fare from breakfast to dinner, full-service cocktails, wine and beer, an oyster bar and Umbrella Bar, fire pit and hang-out game area, beach amenities for the beach-goers, and catered events for up to 200 people. Open daily April to October, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. A park entry fee is charged March through November.
Bury your toes in the sand tableside at Hammerheads Dockside at the Indian River Marina! This full-service outdoor restaurant offers a fresh, vibrant menu with terrific views of the marina. Features include live music, a full-service bar, free parking, and complementary dockage for boaters (subject to availability). Open daily at 7 a.m. during the summer.
The shallow bays are perfect for windsurfing and sailing. A non- motorized boat launch provides access for sail boards, kayaks, and boats in the New Road area.
Six different family-friendly trails showcase a variety of habitats for hikers, bikers, or horseback riders, and entertaining and informative programs, such as bay seining and marsh hikes, are held throughout the summer. The park hosts a popular Sandcastle Contest each July, where amateur participants create unique sculptures and castles to compete for prizes.
Our guided hikes have gone digital! Hike the following trails at your leisure. At each of the trailheads, scan the posted QR code with your smart phone, and use your phone’s GPS to track your location along the trail. Educational “pin-drops” will help you discover the area’s natural and cultural resources. Digital trail guides can be found at:
Enjoy a self-guided, cell phone audio tour of the historic Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum located at our visitor’s center. Our tour gives detailed stories and history into the daily lives of our surfmen; it’s like having your own tour guide! Learn the history of the U. S. Life-Saving Service, the precursor to the current day U.S. Coast Guard, by visiting this original 1876 shipwreck victims along the coasts of the United States.
Self-guided tours of the station are $4/adult, $3/senior citizens (62 or older), and $2/child ages six to 12 years old. Children 5 and under are admitted free.
Social distancing has created some challenges with our ever-popular crafts programs, so we’ve made some take-home packets to do on your own. Available for purchase at the Indian River Life-Saving Station, call (302)-227-6991 for more information.
Looking to find out more about park programs for private groups? We provide a variety of programs for ALL ages. We can cater to your staff, scout troop, class, or community group. Call the Indian River-Life Saving Station at (302)-227-6991 and ask for our Programs Coordinator. Private program bookings can be scheduled on the following days:
Saturday, April 24, 2021
4:00 PM
If only the dunes could talk, they’d have some fascinating stories to tell! Luckily, our park’s historian has uncovered some not-so-well-known stories about how the park has changed over the last century. Visit some iconic sights in the park, as well as some lesser-known areas, and discover the hidden history of Delaware Seashore State Park. Meet at the Indian River Life-Saving Station; participants must drive themselves since social distancing is not possible in the park bus. Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $6 per person
Sunday, April 25, 2021
11:30 AM
Delaware’s Inland Bays have the state’s largest concentration of this important raptor. Learn how to identify these “fish hawks”, how they fish, preferred nesting sites and how they care for their young. Binoculars will be available to borrow. $4 per person
Friday, April 30, 2021
3:30 PM
Learn park rules, licensing requirements and tips from park staff to maximize your safety while driving on the beach. Then, follow park staff out to the beach to practice driving on the sand (participants must have a valid surf tag and the necessary equipment to do so). Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $10 per person
Saturday, May 1, 2021
10:00 AM
Celebrate Arbor Day by attending a guided hike over the Sea Hawk Trail with a state park naturalist. This 1.3 mile loop starts with an expansive boardwalk across the marsh and ends in the maritime forest. Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $5 per person
Saturday, May 1, 2021
4:00 PM
Have you always wanted to try surf fishing but weren’t sure how to get started? If so, this program is for you! Everything from fish identification to proper casting techniques will be covered in this three-hour program. Rods, reels and bait are provided. Ages 12 and up. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $25 per person
Friday, May 7, 2021
3:30 PM
Learn park rules, licensing requirements and tips from park staff to maximize your safety while driving on the beach. Then, follow park staff out to the beach to practice driving on the sand (participants must have a valid surf tag and the necessary equipment to do so). Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $10 per person
Saturday, May 8, 2021
4:00 PM
Have you always wanted to try surf fishing but weren’t sure how to get started? If so, this program is for you! Everything from fish identification to proper casting techniques will be covered in this three-hour program. Rods, reels and bait are provided. Ages 12 and up. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $25 per person
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
4:00 PM
Have you always wanted to try surf fishing but weren’t sure how to get started? If so, this program is for you! Everything from fish identification to proper casting techniques will be covered in this three-hour program. Rods, reels and bait are provided. Ages 12 and up. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $25 per person
Saturday, May 15, 2021
12:00 PM
Go for a hike through Thompson Island Nature Preserve with a park interpreter. Learn about the island’s Native American presence and observe the abundant wildlife that calls this island home. Pre-registration is required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $5 per person
Friday, May 21, 2021
3:30 PM
Learn park rules, licensing requirements and tips from park staff to maximize your safety while driving on the beach. Then, follow park staff out to the beach to practice driving on the sand (participants must have a valid surf tag and the necessary equipment to do so). Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $10 per person
Saturday, May 22, 2021
3:00 PM
Hike the Indian River Inlet Bridge with a park interpreter. Learn about the dynamic forces that have shaped the inlet over the last 200 years. Find out about the bridges that have spanned the inlet and how the current bridge design came to be. Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. $6 per person
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
3:00 PM
A horseshoe crab is more than just a funny looking shell that washes up on the beach. Learn about its unique adaptations for survival, its contributions to scientific research and its key role in Delaware’s coastal ecosystem. Then venture out into Rehoboth Bay to find horseshoe crabs in the park. Closed-toe shoes are required. Participants should be prepared to wade in ankle-deep water. Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. Free
Saturday, May 29, 2021
11:00 AM
Right around Memorial Day Weekend, just when traffic increases exponentially, Diamondback terrapins can be spotted all over the roads in our park. Learn what is being done to protect this brackish water turtle and what you can do to help ensure its survival in the park! Pre-registration required. Call 302-227-6991 to register. Free