Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control Division of Parks & Recreation
Beach Wheelchair Policy
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.
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 promptly return the chair to the locked area once the patron requiring the chair is situated on the beach, or back in their vehicle, so it is available for the next patron.
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.
Disc Golf Rules
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Never throw until the players ahead of you are out of range, and until the fairway is completely clear of spectators and park guests.
Enjoy the game of Disc Golf! It's fun... it's fast... it's the sport of the future!
Delaware State Parks Boat Rental Fees
Must be 18 with a valid ID to rent a boat.
Anyone 12 and under must be accompanied in their boat by someone 18 or older.
Half-Hourly Rate
Hourly Rate
Daily Rate
Canoe
N/A
$9
$45
Pedal Boat
$7
$11
$55
Single Kayak
N/A
$10
$50
Tandem Kayak
N/A
$12
$60
Paddle Board*
N/A
$16
$80
Pontoon Boat**, Adults
N/A
$8/person, per ride
N/A
Pontoon Boat**, 12 and under
N/A
$4/person, Per ride
N/A
Pontoon Boat**, Group
N/A
$65/per group
N/A
Rowboat
N/A
$8
$40
*Available at Trap Pond and Lums Pond
**Only available at Trap Pond
Pets in Campsites, Cabins and Cottages:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only Dogs are permitted in designated “Dog Friendly” cabins and cottages. Any reference in the Policy to a pet staying in a cottage or cabin specifically refers to dogs only.
Dogs are allowed in the following dog-friendly cabins and cottages:
Cabins 9 & 10 at Killens Pond State Park
Cabins 9 & 10 at Trap Pond State Park
Cabin 12 at Cape Henlopen State Park
Cottages 11 and 12 at Indian River Marina in Delaware Seashore State Park
Assawoman Canal House at Delaware Seashore State Park
Staying in a Cabin or Cottage with Your Dog:
There is a pet fee of $25 per night, 2-dog maximum, to stay in a dog-friendly cottage or 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.
Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control Division of Parks & Recreation
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Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control Division of Parks & Recreation
Equestrian Guidelines
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)
Cottages at Indian River Marina
Attention Visitors
Campgrounds, cabins & cottages at Cape Henlopen State Park & Delaware Seashore State Park are closed through 9/25 due to coastal storm. Check social media for further updates.
About Our Cottages
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.
two bedrooms, one with a queen-sized bed, the other with two twin beds
a loft with a queen-sized bed
living and dining areas
A well-equipped kitchen with dishes, flatware, cooking utensils and glassware, cooktop, dishwasher, full-sized refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster oven, and 2400-watt counter-top convection oven in each cottage.
Gas fireplace (October 15 to April 15)
Satellite TV and DVD player
Heat and air-conditioning for year-round climate control
Washer/dryer
Furnished screen porch
Remote parking for one vehicle (overflow parking for additional vehicles available)
Handicapped accessibility
All you need to provide are your own food, linens (including pillows and blankets), towels, paper products, trash bags, dishwashing/dishwasher/laundry soaps, and cell phone/wifi. And, of course, don't forget the personal and recreational clothing and gear you'll want to bring for maximum fun at the beach!
Cottages are duplexes separated by a covered breezeway; half of the units have a floor plan that's the mirror opposite of the one shown on this page. Click each floor plan below to open a printable PDF of that plan, or download a PDF containing complete plans of a duplex unit's main floor and loft, cottage front and side elevations, and a site plan.
The Main Floor
The Loft
Reservation Information
Reservations can be made up to one year before your arrival date. For the convenience of our renters, six cottages are designated as Saturday to Saturday rentals, and six are Sunday to Sunday.
Depending on availability, reservations for stays shorter than one week may be accepted during the summer months if made within two weeks of your date of arrival. There is a two-night minimum for stays of less than one week; one-night stays are not available. Reservations for less than a week's stay must be made through the Call Center (1-877-987-2757) and may not be made online.
Advance reservations are required -- the Cottages at Indian River Marina are not available for walk-up reservations.
A minimum deposit of one-half the rental fee is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due at least 60 days before your arrival date when reserving with a credit card and 70 days when reserving with a check. If the balance is not paid, the deposit will be forfeited and the reservation cancelled. Notifications will not be sent when final payment is due. Weekend rentals require payment in full at the time of reservation.
Cottages are adjacent to the Indian River Marina.
Check-in/Checkout and Security Deposit
Upon arrival, please check in at the Indian River Marina office. One person in the party must be 21 years of age or older and must stay with the party at the cottage during the rental period. Identification will be required upon check-in. A $220 security deposit, paid by credit card, is required at check-in. The deposit will be returned after a satisfactory final inspection of the property.
Check-in time for the Indian River Cottages is 3 p.m., and check-out is 10 a.m.
Reservation Changes Policy
You may change a reservation once at no charge. For each subsequent change, a fee of $10 will be charged. Changes may be a date or site change at any state park that offers family camping, cottages, cabins, or yurts. The transaction amount must remain the same as the original reservation charge to qualify as a change.
Changes to your reservation may be made online, or through the call center unless it is same day at which point please call the park office.
Cancellations and Refunds
Any cancellation made to the reservation 31 days or more before the arrival date will result in a cancellation fee equal to the first nights rental fee.
The deposit equal to one half of the total rental fee is forfeited for any cancellations made to the reservation 30 days or less before the arrival date.
Failure to provide notice of cancellation will result in a no-show with loss of all fees.
Emergency Closures
In the event Delaware State Parks must close a park or campground (due to storm or other emergency); the affected campers will be given a refund of the unused portion of their reservation. If the campground remains open and the camper elects to leave, the action will be treated as an Early Departure and no refund will be given.