Delaware Seashore State Park
Seven miles of ocean and bay beaches around the Indian River Inlet — swimming, calm bay water, a marina, and a historic life-saving station.
39415 Inlet Rd, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 · About 1.5 hours
Hours
8 AM – sunset
Show the week Hide the week
| Fri | 8 AM – sunset |
|---|---|
| Sat | 8 AM – sunset |
| Sun | 8 AM – sunset |
| Mon | 8 AM – sunset |
| Tue | 8 AM – sunset |
| Wed | 8 AM – sunset |
| Thu | 8 AM – sunset |
Last checked 2026-09-22
- Cost
- Free
- Best for
- All ages
- Indoor / outdoor
- Indoor & outdoor
- Typical visit
- Half to full day
Ten beach access points with two bathhouses and guarded swimming, plus a playground, museum, marina and the inlet bridge walk.
The Quick Version
- • A big coastal state park between Dewey and Bethany, with ocean swimming beaches, calm bay beaches, and the Indian River Inlet in the middle.
- • Family mix: lifeguarded ocean swimming (summer), gentle bay-side wading and crabbing, the marina, surf fishing, and the free Indian River Life-Saving Station museum.
- • Ocean-rate vehicle fee in season ($10 DE / $20 out-of-state); free December–February; beach wheelchairs available year-round.
- • About 1.5 hours from Wilmington; a full beach day with more variety than a town beach.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
Half to full day
Adults
Free entry (ocean-rate vehicle fee in season: $10 DE / $20 out-of-state)
Kids
Free
What to Expect
Delaware Seashore is a 2,700-acre coastal park strung along the barrier between Dewey Beach and Bethany, split by the Indian River Inlet under the tall Charles W. Cullen Bridge. The variety is the point: on the ocean side there are guarded swimming beaches with bathhouses and summer concessions; on the bay side the water is calm and shallow — good for wading, clamming, and crabbing with little kids.
In the middle, the Indian River Marina bustles with boats, and the restored Indian River Life-Saving Station (built 1876) tells the story of the surfmen who rowed out to rescue shipwreck crews — it's free with park entry. There's surf fishing, a drive-on beach for 4WD, and a nature trail out on Burton's Island through the salt marsh.
Set expectations: it's a beach day with more to do than a town beach, but it's spread out — pick the ocean side for swimming or the bay side for calmer water, and plan around the lots filling on summer weekends. Note the ocean-rate fee is higher than inland parks. About 1.5 hours from Wilmington.
Who It's Best For
Swimming families get a guarded ocean beach in summer; little kids do better on the calm, shallow bay side (wading, clamming, crabbing); older kids surf-fish or watch the boats run the inlet. The life-saving station is a quick history stop for any age.
Highlights
Ocean swimming beaches
All agesGuarded in summer, with bathhouses, showers, and concessions — the main event on a beach day.
The calm bay side
Little onesShallow, gentle bay water for wading, clamming, and crabbing — far easier than the ocean with toddlers.
Indian River Life-Saving Station
Ages 5+A restored 1876 station, free with park entry, about the surfmen who rescued shipwrecked crews off this coast.
The inlet & marina
All agesWatch boats run the Indian River Inlet under the big bridge; surf fishing and the marina are right here.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Putting toddlers in the ocean surf — use the calm bay side instead.
- • Summer weekend arrivals after mid-morning — the lots fill.
- • Forgetting the fee is the higher ocean rate — bring the annual pass or budget for it.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
Free entry (ocean-rate vehicle fee in season: $10 DE / $20 out-of-state)
Kids
Free
Under
Free
Per-vehicle ocean rate, in effect March 1–November 30; free December–February. The Indian River Life-Saving Station museum is free with park entry.
Membership tip: A Delaware State Parks annual pass ($50 DE residents) covers it — and given the higher ocean-rate fee here, it pays off fast over a beach summer.
Getting There
Parking
Lots at Tower Road (ocean), the north and south sides of the inlet, and the marina.
Summer weekends fill — arrive early. The inlet lots are central for the marina and the life-saving station.
Entrance
Enter off Coastal Highway (Route 1) at the Indian River Inlet; pay the vehicle fee in season.
Parent Logistics
The bathhouse and concession areas and paths are stroller-friendly; the beach is soft sand. Beach wheelchairs are available year-round at Tower Ocean and South Inlet.
Bathhouses with showers and changing rooms at the ocean swimming areas.
Changing rooms in the bathhouses.
Little shade on the beach — bring an umbrella or tent and sun protection.
Food & Snacks
Seasonal beach concessions (late May–mid-October), plus dining at the marina. Otherwise bring a cooler.
Snack strategy: Pack a cooler for the beach; Dewey and Bethany are minutes away for a meal.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Split the difference: ocean side for swimming, bay side for calmer water and crabbing.
- ✓ The Indian River Life-Saving Station is free with entry — a quick, genuinely interesting stop.
- ✓ Beach wheelchairs are available year-round at Tower Ocean and South Inlet.
- ✓ An annual state-parks pass pays for itself fast here given the ocean-rate fee.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Summer for lifeguarded swimming and concessions (late May–mid-October); spring and fall are quieter for fishing and walking; entry is free December–February.
Seasonal Notes
Open daily 8 AM–sunset year-round. Entrance fee in effect March 1–November 30 (7 AM–10 PM); free December 1–February 28. Lifeguards are summer only; concessions run late May–mid-October. Beach wheelchairs are available year-round at Tower Ocean and South Inlet.
Rainy Day?
A beach park — save it for nice weather; the life-saving station is the only indoor stop.
While You're in the Area
Dewey and Bethany beaches are minutes away; Rehoboth and Cape Henlopen are a short drive north.
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events listed for Delaware Seashore State Park right now.
Check all eventsFeatured in these guides
Know when something good is on near Delaware Seashore State Park
Free, one email a week — the weekend's best picks for New Castle County families, with ages, cost and logistics on each pick.