In order to make our beaches accessible to all visitors, Delaware State Parks offers beach wheelchairs which are available from 8:00 a.m. until sunset, all year. Wheelchairs are available at no charge, on a first-come, first-served basis; however, 24-hour notice will ensure that the chair is reserved for use.

Guidelines

• One beach wheelchair is available at the locations listed below.
• Wheelchair use is limited to the beach area where the chair is picked up.
• Chairs are kept in a locked area. Visitors requesting to use the chair will receive a combination to open the lock.
• It is the visitor’s responsibility to return the chair to the locked area after use and to secure it.
• A companion will be needed in order to push the chair through the sand, if staff are not available to assist.

Wheelchairs are available at the following beach areas

• for Cape Henlopen Main Beach or Gordons Pond call 302-645-8983
• for Towers Road Parking Lot, South Inlet Day Area, or Fenwick Island Lot call 302-227-2800

Additional Information

Park office hours are:

April 1 through October 31, daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

November 1 through March 31, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lifeguards are available to assist at guarded beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Mobi-Mats are available at the Cape Henlopen Main Beach area. Mobi-Mats enable persons using a standard wheelchair to have access to the beach. During storms, extremely high tides may require that the mats be removed until the tides return to normal levels.

Persons requiring a beach wheelchair for more than one day may be interested in renting one from Grand Central Rental to ensure availability throughout their stay. Call (302)227-7328 regarding rental prices and policies.

1. Disc Golf is played like ball golf, using a flying disc. One stroke is counted each time the disc is thrown, and when a penalty is incurred. The winner is the golfer with the lowest score.
2. Tee throws must be completed within the designated tee areas. Beginners should always use "short" tees, when provided. After teeing off, the player whose disc is farthest from the hole always throws first. The player with the least amount of strokes on the previous hole is first to tee-off on the next hole.
3. Fairway throws must be made with the foot closest to the hole on the front edge of the lie where the last throw landed. The other foot may be no closer to the hole than the foot on this lie.
4. A run-up and normal follow-through, after release, is allowed more than 10 meters from the hole. Inside 10 meters, a player may not step past the point of his lie until after the disc thrown has landed.
5. A disc that comes to rest inside the Disc Pole Hole basket or chains constitutes successful completion of that hole. A disc that comes to rest on top of the Pole Hole does NOT constitute a successful putt.
6. A disc that comes to rest more than 2 meters above the ground is considered unplayable. The disc must be thrown from the ground directly below the disc. 1 throw penalty.
7. A throw that lands out-of-bounds must be played from the point where the disc went out-of-bounds. Water, roads, pavilions and walkways are normal disc golf out-of-bounds hazards.
8. Never throw until the players ahead of you are out of range, and until the fairway is completely clear of spectators and park guests.
9. Enjoy the game of Disc Golf! It's fun... it's fast... it's the sport of the future!

*Available at Trap Pond and Lums Pond

**Only available at Trap Pond

Dogs in Waterfront Cottages and Killens Cabins: NEW

Waterfront Cottages 11 and 12 and Killens Pond Cabin #10 shall be designated as dog friendly. Occupants of dog-friendly cottages and Killens cabin who do not have a dog shall be advised upon making the reservation of the unit’s dog friendly designation.

• $20.00 per night/per dog fee will be charged to stay in a cottage or Killens cabin.
• No more than two pets are allowed to stay on any one campsite or designated cabin/cottage, regardless of size.
• Pet(s) must have current rabies vaccinations and must display a valid license (if applicable). Pets must be clean and free of ticks, fleas, worms and mange.
• For the pet’s health and safety of park staff, pets may not be left unattended in your cabin, cottage, camper or vehicle.
• To avoid attracting rodents and wildlife, pet food must be stored in a sealable container and placed inside a camping unit, vehicle, cottage or cabin and carried out when leaving the park
• Pets shall not be tied to bushes, trees, split rail fence or any exterior structure.
• Only house-trained dogs are allowed in cottages/cabins. Female dogs should not be in cottages/cabins while in cycle (heat).
• Owners must always pick up after their pet(s) and properly dispose of the waste deposited by the animal.
• Extra fees will be assessed for damages to the cottage/cabin and/or fixtures, or if special cleaning is required. Park staff will assess damage fees based upon the materials and labor required to make any repairs necessary to return the damaged area to its condition before the damage occurred.
• Pets must be towel dried thoroughly if they become wet before entering the cabin or cottage.
• Dog(s) may not be rinsed or bathed inside the cottage or Killens cabin. The outside spigot may be used but the area must be cleaned of debris after washing. Dog must be towel dried before entering the cottage.
• Pets are not permitted on the furniture or bedding at any time.
• Excessive barking is not permitted.
• Visitor complaints will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Enforcement action, if warranted, is at the sole discretion of the Division.
• Refunds will not be granted if guest is asked to leave because the dog(s) is a nuisance.

The following pet restrictions shall apply to all areas of the park in accordance with Division of Parks and Recreation Rules and Regulations:

• Pets must be leashed and under owner’s physical control at all times. Leash must not exceed six feet in length.
• Pet owners must honor all park signs that prohibit pets in specific areas.
• Service dogs are permitted in all areas.
• Owners must clean up after their pets.
• Pets must not be left unattended.
• All other park rules & regulations apply.

Please call (302) 739-9220 for more information about bringing your pet to a state park.

Horses and riders are permitted on designated roadways, trails and beaches on lands administered by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation.

• At Cape Henlopen State Park, horseback riding is permitted on the beach only and according to the beach access schedule below.
• Designated trails and access schedules are subject to change upon review by the Division.
• Access is limited to park operating hours (8 a.m. to sunset.)
• Vehicles and trailers used for the transport of horses must park in designated areas.
• Access from parking areas to the beach will be limited to designated dune crossings.
• Trails and beaches may be closed on a temporary basis due to hazardous conditions.
• Riders are responsible for cleaning up after their horse on roadways and in parking areas.

Beach Access Schedule

Delaware Seashore State Park -- Towers Ocean

January 1- February 28

Park office hours are:

Trailers and tow vehicles must park in the Towers Ocean parking lot. The maintenance vehicle crossing located at the southern end of the parking lot is designated for equestrian access to the beach. Designated beach for equestrian use runs from the crossing, south to within 200 yards of the Indian River Inlet. A sign at the toe of the primary dune will designate this southern boundary. (4.6 miles)

Delaware Seashore State Park -- Keybox Road

Daily: March 1– April 30; Labor Day - December 31

Weekdays only: May 1 – Labor Day

Trailers and tow vehicles must park in the Keybox Road parking lot. The surf fishing vehicle crossing is designated for equestrian access to the beach. The designated beach for equestrian use runs from the crossing, south to within 200 yards of the Indian River Inlet. A sign at the toe of the primary dune will designate this southern boundary. (3.4 miles)

Cape Henlopen State Park

November 1 – April 30

Horseback riding is permitted on the beach only. Trailers and tow vehicles must park in either the Gordons Pond Parking lot or the Point Comfort Station Parking lot. At Gordons Pond, the surffishing vehicle crossing is designated for equestrian access to the beach. At the Point Comfort Station lot, a dune crossing is marked and designated for equestrian access to the beach. Designated beach for equestrian use runs from the oceanside of the Point of the Cape south to the Gordons Pond surffishing vehicle crossing. (4.6 miles)

Fenwick Island State Park

November 1 – April 30

Trailers and tow vehicles must park in the bathhouse parking located north of Fenwick Island. The maintenance vehicle crossing located at the southern parking area is designated for equestrian access to the beach. Designated beach for equestrian use runs from the crossing north to the park boundary near South Bethany Beach. (2.6 miles)