Best arrival
Before 9 a.m.
On summer weekends and holidays
Updated for the 2026 beach season
Beach Parking in Delaware & Ocean City, Maryland
Compare seasonal hours, rates, permits and park-and-ride options from Lewes to Ocean City—then spend less time circling and more time on the sand.
Most-used app
ParkMobile
Set up your plate before you arrive
Covered here
6 beach towns
Lewes through Ocean City
Town-by-town guide
Compare beach parking before you go
Parking rules change at each town line. Choose your destination for the essential 2026 details, a local backup plan and a link to the official source.
Delaware
Lewes
Season & hours
Beach lots: May 1–Sept. 30
9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Rate & payment
$3/hour at city beach lots
ParkMobile, pay station, coins or text
Savannah Beach and Johnnie Walker Beach have the city’s main metered beach lots. Downtown meters run through October 14 and have a different rate.
- Roosevelt Inlet, Otis Smith Park and several other city lots offer free parking; always check posted limits.
- Cape Henlopen State Park is a practical alternative for a full beach day, with larger lots and a daily entrance fee.
Delaware
Rehoboth Beach
Season & hours
May 15–Sept. 15
10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Rate & payment
$4/hour citywide
ParkMobile, credit card or quarters
Meters cover Rehoboth Avenue, the beach blocks and other commercial streets. Most non-metered residential spaces require a seasonal parking permit.
- Enter every letter and number on the license plate; payment is checked with license-plate readers.
- For a less stressful arrival, park at the Rehoboth Park & Ride on Shuttle Road and take DART into town.
Delaware
Dewey Beach
Season & hours
May 15–Sept. 15
9 a.m.–2 a.m.
Rate & payment
$4/hour or temporary permit
ParkMobile, meters or permit kiosk
Every public street space in compact Dewey Beach is regulated during the summer season. Hourly, daily, weekend and weekly options are available.
- Summer parking is free Mondays from 5–11 p.m., except on major holidays.
- The center of town fills first. Look north or south, then walk; every street in town has beach access.
Delaware
Bethany Beach
Season & hours
May 15–Sept. 15
10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Rate & payment
$4/hour
ParkMobile or pay-by-plate station
More than 1,000 public spaces sit within two blocks of the beach, but signed residential and business permit areas are not open to visitor permits.
- Garfield Parkway spaces have a two-hour transaction limit; other public pay spaces do not.
- The town reports that summer weekend parking often fills by about 10:30 a.m., so an early start matters.
Delaware
Fenwick Island
Season & hours
May 15–Sept. 15
Follow posted permit hours
Rate & payment
$4/hour or $25/day
ParkMobile for street parking
All vehicles parked within town limits need a permit during the season. Public street parking is marked with white lines; yellow lines mean no parking.
- ParkMobile and visitor permits cover street parking only. Beach-end spaces require a blue resident hangtag.
- Day visitors often find Fenwick Island State Park simpler because it has oceanfront parking and visitor facilities.
Maryland
Ocean City
Season & hours
Paid season: April 1–Oct. 31
Varies by street or lot
Rate & payment
Peak rates vary by location
ParkMobile or Passport Parking
Downtown, ocean-block streets and municipal lots are paid during the season. North-end side streets can be easier, while the Inlet Lot is closest to the Boardwalk.
- The West Ocean City Park & Ride at 12848 Ocean Gateway offers free parking and regular shuttle service into town.
- Inlet Lot payment does not cover another lot or street. Check the zone and pay separately when you move.
Checked against official town parking pages in July 2026. Rates, special-event rules and available spaces can change. Posted signs and instructions at your parking space always take precedence.
A smoother beach day
Four things to do before you leave
Save your plate
Add the correct vehicle and full license plate—including letters—to your parking app.
Pack an arrival plan
Choose a primary lot and a park-and-ride or state-park backup before traffic builds.
Read every sign
Permit zones, time limits, head-in rules and accessible parking policies vary by block.
Set an alert
Start a phone timer before walking away, even if your parking app also sends reminders.
Quick answers
Beach parking FAQs
The details most visitors need when choosing when to arrive, where to park and how to pay.
What time should I arrive to find beach parking?
On summer weekends and holidays, aim to arrive before 9 a.m. Bethany Beach says its public spaces often fill by about 10:30 a.m., and the blocks closest to the ocean fill first in every resort town.
Where can I park for free near the Delaware beaches?
Most municipal parking is free outside the summer enforcement season. In season, Lewes has several free lots, while the Rehoboth Park & Ride and West Ocean City Park & Ride let visitors park away from the busiest beach blocks. Transit fares may still apply.
Do I need the ParkMobile app?
No, but it is the most widely accepted mobile payment option in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. Ocean City accepts ParkMobile and Passport Parking. Most towns also offer a meter, pay station, kiosk or phone payment option.
Is beach parking free with a disabled parking placard?
Rules differ by town. Dewey Beach allows a properly displayed placard or plate to serve as a parking permit, while Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island generally still require payment or a valid permit. Ocean City provides limited free time in signed ADA spaces. Always follow the sign at the space.
Where can I park a trailer or oversized vehicle in Ocean City?
Ocean City directs trailers and oversized vehicles to the 100th Street Municipal Lot or the West Ocean City Park & Ride. From May 1 through October 31, they are generally prohibited in other public streets and lots without a special-event permit.
Park the car. Plan the rest of the day.
Check beach rules, tides and local transportation before you head for the coast.