Delaware Seashore State Park occupies a long, slender barrier island south of Dewey Beach, with the Atlantic on one side and Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay on the other. It is a place of wide beaches, shifting dunes and fishing piers, crowned by the Indian River Inlet and its tall cable-stayed bridge, which carries Route 1 over the water. For visitors based in Rehoboth, the park is an easy drive south and offers a more natural, less developed beach experience than the town sands, with room to spread out and fewer buildings in sight.
Activities include swimming at guarded beaches in season, surf fishing for striped bass, bluefish and flounder, crabbing and clamming in the bays, and kayaking or paddleboarding in the sheltered water. The bay side has launch areas, marinas and campgrounds, and the ocean side has long public beaches with lifeguards in season. The inlet itself is a dramatic spot where tides rush through a narrow channel, and anglers line the jetties. Birds, from ospreys and herons to piping plovers, are abundant, and sunset on the bay side is memorable.
The park has campgrounds with sites on the bay and near the ocean, and they book out early in summer. Day visitors pay a vehicle entry fee, with annual passes available. Facilities include bathhouses, picnic areas, a nature trail and a small museum or interpretive center at the inlet. Vehicles with the proper permits can sometimes access designated fishing areas on the beach, subject to seasonal closures for nesting birds, so check the current rules.
Seasonal notes
Summer is busy but still more spacious than the town beaches. Spring and fall bring excellent fishing and birdwatching and thinner crowds. Winter brings dramatic skies and empty sand. The wind can be strong and the sun relentless, so bring shade, water and layers. Greenhead flies appear in midsummer on the bay side, and ticks are common in grassy areas, so use repellent.
Who it suits
Anglers, campers, kayakers, birders, families who want a quieter beach and photographers who love big skies. Pair the park with lunch in Dewey Beach or Bethany, and a sunset on the bay. The park's ocean beaches are a good alternative to Rehoboth on very crowded weekends. Allow at least half a day, and consider a full day if you bring fishing gear or a picnic.
Getting the most out of a visit: check tide tables before you plan fishing or paddling, because the inlet and the bay channels behave very differently at high and low tide. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars and visit at dawn, when shorebirds and waders are most active on the bay flats. Families with small children may prefer the guarded ocean beaches and the bay-side shallows rather than the inlet, where currents are strong and boat traffic is steady. If you plan to camp, reserve early, bring insect protection and secure food from raccoons.
The Indian River Inlet Bridge itself is worth a pause, and the nearby parking areas give a good view of the tidal flow and the anglers working the jetties. Sunsets at the bay side are especially lovely, with the light turning the marsh grass gold. Pack a picnic, since food options inside the park are limited, and carry out all trash to help keep the park clean.
What to expect
The experience
A long barrier-island state park with ocean beaches, bay shores, fishing, camping, paddling and the Indian River Inlet.
Best time
Summer for swimming, spring and fall for fishing and birds.
How long
Half a day to a full day.
Tips
Pay the vehicle fee, bring shade and repellent and check beach driving rules.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anglers, campers, kayakers, birders and beachgoers who want more space.
- Families
- Wide beaches and calm bay water suit children, but supervise near the inlet currents.
- Couples
- Sunset on the bay side with a picnic.
- Pair with
- Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Cape Henlopen.
- Time needed
- Plan at least half a day.
Good questions
Is there an entrance fee?+
Yes. A per-vehicle fee applies, and annual passes are available.
Can I fish there?+
Yes, from the beach, jetties and piers, subject to state licensing and seasonal rules.
Is swimming safe at the inlet?+
No. Currents are strong at the inlet, so swim only at guarded beaches.
Can I camp?+
Yes. The park has campgrounds that book up early for summer.
Where is it?+
South of Dewey Beach along Route 1, between the Atlantic and the bays.