Passes, Tags, and Fees

Discount not applicable to Non-Active Non-Resident Veterans.

Your annual pass decal allows your vehicle and its occupants unlimited year-round entry to all state parks charging an entry fee. The annual pass does not allow vehicle access to drive on the beach for surf fishing. A surf fishing permit must be purchased.

Online Sales and Inquiries

Non-discounted annual passes and senior annual passes are available for purchase online:

Online orders may require two to three weeks for delivery.

Annual passes are also available for purchase at these park offices:

• Alapocas Run State Park
Auburn Valley State Park
• Bellevue State Park
• Brandywine Creek State Park
• Cape Henlopen State Park
• Delaware Seashore State Park
• Fort Delaware State Park
• Indian River Life-Saving Station
• Indian River Marina (May 1 through Labor Day)
• Killens Pond State Park
• Lums Pond State Park
• Trap Pond State Park
• White Clay Creek State Park

Annual passes are also available for purchase at these retail sales agents:

• Carlisle Marine
  49 Artisan Dr.
  Smyrna, DE 19977
   
• Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce
  36913 Coastal Hwy
  Fenwick Island, DE 19944
   
• Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce - Dagsboro
  33370 Main St.
  Dagsboro, DE 19939
   
• Cabela’s
  1100 Christiana Mall
  Newark, DE 19702
   
• Dover Air Force Base Outdoor Recreation Office
  475 Chevron Avenue
  Dover AFB, DE 19902

Annual Pass Information

• Your annual pass is only valid during the year printed on the pass.
• Your pass is not valid until you remove its protective cover and apply it by affixing the entire adhesive surface to the outside lower corner on the driver’s side of the windshield, ensuring the pass is entirely affixed to the surface. If your pass isn't properly glued to the windshield with its own adhesive, it can be confiscated and will not be replaced.
• Your annual pass may be used on only one vehicle and cannot be transferred from one vehicle to another.
• Your annual pass does not allow vehicle access to drive on the beach for surf fishing. A surf fishing permit must be purchased.
• Delaware State Parks charge a daily entrance fee during 9 months of the year, from March 1 to November 30, but once your annual pass is properly affixed to your vehicle, you can visit as many times as you want all year long without paying the entrance fee!
• Your annual pass is valid for free entry to all Delaware State Park properties that charge a vehicle entry fee. Exceptions are the Brandywine Zoo at Wilmington State Parks and the ferry to Fort Delaware State Park.
• When our parking areas are filled to capacity, entrance is not guaranteed. We especially recommend that, on summer weekends, you arrive early in the day or late in the afternoon to be assured of entry to our beach parks.
• If your vehicle is sold or in an accident and you need a replacement pass, peel off all or a portion of your annual pass and bring it to a park office for your new pass. There is a $5 administrative fee for this service.
• Vehicle registration is not necessary to purchase most passes.
• Note: Vehicles designed to carry 16 passengers or more will be charged the bus fee.

Deauville Beach Annual Pass Information

• Deauville Beach annual pass is valid for free entry to Deauville Beach only.
• Your annual pass is only valid during the year printed on the pass.
• Your pass is not valid until you remove its protective cover and apply it by affixing the entire adhesive surface to the outside lower corner on the driver’s side of the windshield, ensuring the pass is entirely affixed to the surface. If your pass isn't properly glued to the windshield with its own adhesive, it can be confiscated and will not be replaced.
  • Alternative location for passes – when the front windshield is not available (e.g. out-of-state inspection stickers already placed in this area) the pass can be placed on the outside, upper front corner of the left side passenger.
• Your annual pass may be used on only one vehicle and cannot be transferred from one vehicle to another.
• Your annual pass does not allow vehicle access to drive on the beach for surf fishing. A surf fishing permit must be purchased.
• Delaware State Parks charge a daily entrance fee during 9 months of the year, from March 1 to November 30, but once your annual pass is properly affixed to your vehicle, you can visit as many times as you want all year long without paying the entrance fee.
• When the Deauville Beach parking area is filled to capacity, entrance is not guaranteed. We especially recommend that, on summer weekends, you arrive early in the day or late in the afternoon to be assured of entry to Deauville Beach.
• If your vehicle is sold or in an accident and you need a replacement pass, peel off all or a portion of your annual pass and bring it to a park office for your new pass. There is a $5 administrative fee for this service.

Buy Deauville Beach Annual Pass Online

Online orders may require two to three weeks for delivery. A digital permit will be sent to your email that can be printed and displayed on your vehicle’s dash for up to 30 days from order date until the pass arrives.

Deauville Beach Annual passes are also available for purchase at these park locations:

• Cape Henlopen State Park
• Indian River Life-Saving Station
• Delaware State Parks Airstream at Deauville Beach on May 25th and 26th, June 1st and June 2nd, June 8th and June 9th from 8am to 12pm.

2024 Surf Fishing Permits will be available for sale online and in park offices beginning, Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

As a reminder, the Surf Fishing program requires reservations during peak times with a valid annual or two year surf fishing permit. Please visit the Surf Tag Sales page for more information.

Because driving on the beach can cause serious damage to vegetation and wildlife and contributes to shore erosion, Delaware State Parks limits vehicles on the beach to designated surf fishing areas only, for the sole purpose of actively engaging in fishing. To use these areas, you must have a valid surf fishing vehicle permit and be actively engaged in surf fishing at all times while on the beach. To keep our beaches clean and safe for wildlife and park visitors, other recreational beach driving is not allowed.

The purchase of an annual or off-peak surf fishing permit enables individuals to drive onto the beach for a great day of fishing. A valid surf fishing permit consists of three items:

• An official Delaware State Parks surf fishing license plate affixed to the front of your vehicle
• A surf fishing permit decal, valid for the current year, applied to your surf fishing license plate
• A receipt for the purchase of your surf fishing decal that serves as your permit. It should be stored in your glove box and be available for inspection at all times while fishing on state park beaches.

If you are a first-time buyer or do not already have an official surf fishing license plate attached to the front of your vehicle, you must purchase both the permit and a license plate. If you already have the official plate, you can purchase just the decal and affix it to the plate over the previous decal.

When applying for a surf fishing permit, you will need the following items:

• Valid vehicle registration
• Contact phone number
• Preferred email address
• Valid drivers license required for DE Taxpayer program, senior and firefighter permits

Surf fishing vehicle permits are NOT TRANSFERRABLE to anyone other than persons originally listed on the vehicle registration.

Your valid surf fishing permit also allows entry to other Delaware State Parks charging a daily entrance fee. Participants should acquaint themselves with the special regulations for this sport. Visit our fishing page for surf fishing information and requirements.

About Annual Surf Fishing Permits

An annual surf fishing permit allows you to drive onto the beach to fish all year long.

• Valid from January 1 through December 31.
• There is no sales cap for 2024.

Online orders may require two to three weeks for delivery.

About Off-Peak Surf Fishing Permits

An off-peak surf fishing permit allows you to drive onto the beach to fish on off-peak days only

• Valid only during the following times:
  • Monday through Friday during Peak Season (Memorial Day weekend to the Monday after Labor Day).
  • Vehicle access on holidays and weekends during Peak Season not allowed. All holiday access is excluded.
  • Seven days a week during Off Peak Season (Off Peak Tuesday after Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend) with no exclusions.

Online orders may require two to three weeks for delivery.

Annual Surf Fishing permits and Off-Peak Surf fishing permits may be purchased at these park offices:

• Alapocas Run State Park
• Bellevue State Park
• Brandywine Creek State Park
• Cape Henlopen State Park
• Delaware Seashore State Park
• Fort Delaware State Park
• Indian River Life-Saving Station
• Indian River Marina (May 1 through Labor Day)
• Killens Pond State Park
• Lums Pond State Park
• Trap Pond State Park
• White Clay Creek State Park

Annual Surf Fishing permits and Off-Peak Surf Fishing permits are also available for purchase at these retail sales agents:

• Carlisle Marine
  49 Artisan Dr.
  Smyrna, DE 19977
   
• Cabela’s
  1100 Christiana Mall
  Newark, DE 19702
   
• Dover Air Force Base Outdoor Recreation Office
  475 Chevron Avenue
  Dover AFB, DE 19902

For Delaware residents who are 65 years of age and over. The senior adult must be present in the vehicle when entering the park.

• One-time cost: $65
• Replacement fee is $10 -- restrictions apply.

You must show proof of eligibility to qualify. Lifetime passes may be purchased at any state park office.

Individuals who work in the state of Delaware and pay Delaware income tax but live out of state are eligible to purchase an annual pass or one-year surf-fishing permit at the resident rate. Two-year surf-fishing permits are not eligible for this program.

How to Apply for the Non-Resident Taxpayer Program

1. Complete the Non-Resident Taxpayer Program form, available here for download or at any park office.
2. Gather the required documentation:
• W-2 form for the current year, or other documentation which indicates the applicant is paying Delaware income tax, such as a current paycheck stub that shows deductions.
• Copy of the applicant's vehicle registration if buying a surf permit. The name on the vehicle registration must match the applicant name on the Non-Resident Taxpayer Program form.
• Applicants 62 years of age or older must provide proof of age to receive the senior rate.
3. Submit your application form and documentation at any State Park Office for processing to purchase an annual pass or one-year surf permit.

Exclusions

• Individuals retired from working for a company located in Delaware are not eligible for this program.
• Individuals who own property in Delaware are not eligible for this program unless they also pay Delaware income tax.

Forms are also available at

America the Beautiful Access passes are issued by the Department of the Interior. Passes are available to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have been medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled and, as a result, are eligible to receive benefits under federal law. Delaware residents who hold an America the Beautiful Access Pass are exempted from paying seasonal or daily entrance fees to Delaware State Parks.

The policy for family camping for all campgrounds is as follows: Delaware residents with an America the Beautiful Access Pass receive a 20% discount from normal camping rates. Pass holders who are not Delaware residents receive a 10% discount.

The America the Beautiful Access Pass can be purchased online at store.usgs.gov/access-pass, or at Alapocas Run, Bellevue, Killens Pond, and Cape Henlopen State Parks, as well as at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuges.

The Division of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Health and Social Services have teamed up to create opportunities for every person and family in Delaware to enjoy their state parks. A park entrance fee is charged daily from March 1 through November 30. If you currently receive assistance from a State Service Center, you may be eligible to purchase one annual state park pass for $10. This pass, which is placed on your vehicle’s windshield, allows the vehicle and up to six occupants unlimited entry to the parks during the fee season.*

Those receiving any of the following types of assistance are eligible for this program:

• Public Assistance
• General Assistance
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Social Security Income
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
• WIC
• Child Care Assistance Program

*Entry fees for the Brandywine Zoo, Fort Delaware State Park and State Line Beach are not included in this program.

Download the brochure or call  (302) 739-9220 for more information about this special program.

• Assistance Program Brochure

Unlock free access to Delaware State Parks with your library card! Simply have your card handy and reserve your pass online. Limit one pass per library card, with a maximum of 4 passes every 60 days. Passes are available to reserve for Delaware Library cardholders who are 18 years or older.

Visit the Delaware Libraries website for more information and to reserve.

Visit the Corporate and Group Passes page

We offer three different types of annual pass discounts: the Delaware Military Pass, the Out-of-State Military Vehicle Pass, and the Veterans of Southwest Asia Military Pass.

Delaware Military Passes are sold only at park offices. The Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom pass is issued only at our 89 King's Highway location, by our Office of Business Services. Discounted military passes are not available for online purchase or at retail locations.

Delaware Military Pass

The Delaware legislature’s House Bill 235, amended by Senate Amendment No. 1, created the Delaware Military Pass. It was signed into law July 5, 2012 and is found in Title 7 §4701(a)(5)(E). This legislation authorizes the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation to reduce the cost of an annual pass by 50% for military members who are permanent residents of the State of Delaware.

You may purchase a Delaware Military Pass if you are:

1. a permanent resident of the state of Delaware and
2. one of the following:

• An active-duty military member serving honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States or in the Delaware National Guard
• A veteran who was honorably discharged
• A military retiree who served honorably for 20 or more years

When you come in to purchase your pass, you will need to present documents that confirm your military status, your Delaware residency, and your ownership of the vehicle on which you will affix your pass.

To confirm your military status, provide:

• Your Military ID if you are an active duty military member or a military retiree
• Your DD214 discharge paper if you are a veteran

To confirm your Delaware residency, provide:

• Your Delaware driver’s license

To confirm ownership of the vehicle on which you will place your pass, provide:

• The official vehicle registration document for the vehicle on which you intend to place your pass. This vehicle must be registered in Delaware in your name.

Family members are not eligible to purchase the pass. The law stipulates that only military personnel, retirees and veterans may purchase the Delaware Military Pass.

You may purchase one Delaware Military Pass for each vehicle you own, provided the vehicle is registered in the state of Delaware in your name, and the address on the Delaware vehicle registration is the same as on your driver’s license.

Out-of-State Military Vehicle Pass

If you are on active duty in Delaware but your vehicle registration or driver’s license is from another state, you are eligible for an Out-of-State Military Vehicle Pass. At half the cost of the civilian out-of-state vehicle pass, it represents substantial savings for military personnel stationed here.

Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom Pass

In 2007, the Delaware Legislature authorized the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation to offer a free pass to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. To qualify, you must be a resident of the state of Delaware and have served honorably for 90 or more consecutive days on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, including service as member of the Delaware National Guard, in military actions in Southwest Asia associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. This pass is available for the first 12 months following the date the resident was honorably discharged or removed from active status. This pass is issued only at our 89 King's Highway location in Dover, by our Office of Business Services. Download the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom application form

A park entrance fee is charged daily from March 1 to November 30. This fee allows your vehicle and its passengers to enter any Delaware State Park on the date of purchase, except for Fort Delaware, Fenwick State Line Beach and the Brandywine Zoo. Once in the park, visitors may enjoy such activities as swimming, birdwatching, hiking, picnicking, or simply relaxing.

Note: Vehicles designed to carry 16 passengers or more will be charged the bus fee.

Each pass grants the passengers in the vehicle one day's admission to the park. The pass cannot be used for vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers.

Daily pass booklets may be purchased at any park office; online sales are not available.

*Inland Parks: Auburn Valley, Bellevue, Brandywine Creek, Fenwick Island, Fox Point, Holts Landing, Killens Pond, Lums Pond, Trap Pond, White Clay Creek State Parks

**Ocean Parks: Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore State Parks, Beach Plum Island, Indian River Marina

Vehicles designed to carry 16 to 30 passengers will pay a daily entrance fee of $17 if registered in the state of Delaware, and $34 if registered out-of-state. Vehicles designed to carry more than 30 passengers will pay a daily entrance fee of $34 with in-state registration, and $68 with out-of-state registration. School groups, kindergarten through 12th grade, visiting the parks through the end of the school year (by June 15), will be exempt from the daily entrance fee. To qualify, school groups are required to notify the park they intend to visit no later than five working days prior to their visit, or they may be charged the bus fee.

* To qualify, school groups are required to notify the park they intend to visit no later than five working days prior to their visit, or they may be charged the bus fee.

*Fee is based on complexity of event and number of participants.