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.
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.