Phone: (302) 227-2800
Site: https://destateparks.com/Beaches/DelawareSeashore
Site: https://destateparks.com/Beaches/DelawareSeashore
Introduction
Bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay, the 2825-acre park is every beach-lover's dream. However, it wasn't always that way as throughout Delaware's history, the forces of wind and water have kept this barrier island the park resides on largely inaccessible, due to the frequent natural changes of the inlet channel between the bays and the sea. Transportation along this narrow stretch of land was difficult until the Federal government completed construction of two large steel and stone jetties in 1939, stabilizing the Indian River Inlet.
Today, the park is a major attraction for millions of visitors who enjoy the large variety of water-related activities that include everyone from the most basic of pastimes such as swimming and sunbathing to the more extreme types of activities like bodyboarding and windsurfing.
- open daily: 8 a.m. to sunset year-round
- amenities / facilities: boat ramp, family camping, drinking water, dump station, fishing / crabbing / clamming, horse trails, marina, nature trails, pavilions, picnic areas, refreshments, restrooms, shower facilities, swimming beach (w/ lifeguards in the summer)
Other Notable Attractions
- Southeast Day Use Area Beach Accessory Rentals: (302) 644-2956; open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, open weekends only in May and September from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; offers daily and weekly beach umbrella and chair rentals, as well as boogie board rentals
- Southeast Day Use Area Snack Foods: (410) 721-9116; open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, open weekends only in May and September from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; offers snack foods, hamburgers hot dogs, pizza, fries, ice cream, beverages, etc.
- Towers Ocean Beach Accessory Rentals: (302) 644-2956; open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, open weekends only in May and September; offers daily and weekly beach umbrella rentals, as well as boogie board rentals
- Towers Ocean Snack Foods: (410) 721-9116; open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, open weekends only in May and September from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; offers snack foods, hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs, fries, ice cream, beverages, etc.
- Camping: (302) 539-7202; 338 sites available from March 1 to November 30; 145 family sites w/ water, electric and sewer hookups (DE residents $33 per night, DE non-residents $37 per night), 156 overflow sites for self-contained units only (currently closed due to construction of new bridge), 37 family tent sites w/o hookups (DE residents $25 per night, DE non-residents $29 per night)
- Indian River Marina: (302) 227-3071; park office is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., boat ramp is open 24 hours a day; offers charter boats, two-lane boat ramp, transient slips, fuel dock (open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends), dry stack storage, haul out and storage, sewage pump-out, waste-oil recycling, certified year-round marine and repair service vendors, 24-hour security, Marina Boat Supply Store (open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily), and Hook 'em and Cook 'em (tackle sales, fish-cleaning, and fresh seafood sales)
- The Cottages at Indian River Inlet: 877-98-PARKS; open year-round; Located on the north shore of the Indian River Inlet inside Delaware Seashore State Park, 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.
- each furnished cottage sleeps six and features: two bedrooms, one w/ a queen-sized bed, the other with two twin beds, a loft w/ a queen-sized bed, living and dining areas, a fully-equipped kitchen w/ dishes, flatware, cooking utensils, glassware, cooktop, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, gas fireplace, satellite TV w/ built-in DVD / VCR, heal and air-conditioning, washer dryer, screen porch, remote parking for two vehicles, handicapped accessibility
- Indian River Life-Saving Station: (302) 227-6991; located on Route 1 in the Delaware Seashore State Park, three miles south of Dewey Beach or one mile north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge; The Indian River Life-Saving Station was built in 1876 for use by the United States Lifesaving Service, a government organization created to respond to the alarming number of shipwrecks along the coastlines of the United States. Over the years, the station has been meticulously restored to its 1905 appearance, complete with diamond-shaped trim and is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Tours of the station are offered daily and a gift shop is located next door offering some unique nautical mementos.