🌤 Weather at Delaware Seashore State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38–75 °F | 66–88 °F | 42–80 °F | 30–50 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Lewes, 13 mi away, elevation 10 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏆 Official Guide: Delaware Seashore State Park — A barrier island paradise stretching 6 miles between the Atlantic Ocean and Rehoboth/Indian River Bays, just south of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware — featuring ocean + bay swimming beaches with lifeguards (Memorial Day–Labor Day), surfing beach at Indian River Inlet, the Indian River Inlet fishing pier, a full-service marina (boat slips, charters, bait shop), 2 large campgrounds with full RV hookups, Burton Island Nature Trail (1 mi — salt marsh birding), the historic Indian River Life-Saving Station (1876 museum), surf fishing with vehicle permits, kayaking, crabbing, clamming — plus waterfront dining at Big Chill Beach Club + Dockside Marina Grill.
Delaware Seashore State Park is the crown jewel of Delaware’s coastline — a 6-mile barrier island where the Atlantic Ocean meets Rehoboth and Indian River Bays. With ocean and bay beaches on either side, world-class fishing at Indian River Inlet, a full-service marina, and two large campgrounds, this park delivers the complete coastal experience just south of bustling Rehoboth Beach.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | South of Rehoboth Beach, DE — barrier island |
| Ocean Beaches | 2 guarded swimming beaches (Memorial Day–Labor Day) |
| Surfing | Dedicated beach — north of Indian River Inlet |
| Marina | Full-service — slips, dry storage, charters, bait/tackle |
| Historic Site | Indian River Life-Saving Station (1876) — museum/visitor center |
Camping
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| North Inlet CG | Tents, trailers, RVs — full hookups (water/electric/sewer) |
| South Inlet CG | Tents, trailers, RVs — full hookups |
| Facilities | Bathhouses, showers, dump stations |
Activities
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Ocean + bay beaches — lifeguards seasonal |
| Surfing | Dedicated beach — year-round access |
| Fishing | Indian River Inlet pier + surf fishing (vehicle permit req.) |
| Boating | Full-service marina + public boat launch — bay access |
| Kayaking | Multiple bay launches — 20 mi of bay shoreline |
| Crabbing/Clamming | Bay side — popular with families |
| Nature Trail | Burton Island — 1-mi loop — salt marsh, maritime forest |
| Birding | Burton Island + salt marshes — shorebirds, migrants |
| Dining | Big Chill Beach Club + Dockside Marina Grill |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive on the beach?
Yes — surf fishing vehicles with a valid permit can drive on designated beach areas. Standard beach visitors park in the parking lots and walk to the sand. The surf fishing permit is separate from the park entrance fee.
Is there dining inside the park?
Yes — the Big Chill Beach Club (south side of Indian River Inlet) and Dockside Marina Bar & Grill (north side) both offer waterfront dining with views. Concession stands are also available at the main beach bathhouses.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Cape Henlopen State Park (a short drive away) or Holts Landing State Park (a short drive away).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Delaware state parks online at delawarestateparks.reserveamerica.com.
⛺ Camping at Delaware Seashore State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | Two campgrounds sit on the north and south sides of the Indian River Inlet, connected by a bridge with a protected walking/biking path. Full Hookup Sites and No Hookup Sites accommodate RVs and tents; a separate Walk-In Tent Sites loop is also offered. Rates vary by three seasons (Winter/Spring-Fall/Summer), weekday/weekend and resident/non-resident. Full Hookup Sites: weekends resident $38/$52/$60, non-resident $48/$65/$75; weekdays resident $32/$47/$57, non-resident $40/$59/$72. No Hookup Sites: weekends resident $31/$37/$46, non-resident $39/$47/$58; weekdays resident $25/$32/$43, non-resident $32/$40/$54. Walk-In Tent Sites: weekends resident $26/$35/$42, non-resident $33/$44/$53; weekdays resident $20/$30/$39, non-resident $25/$38/$48. Overflow Camp is the only site-general (not site-specific) campground in the Delaware State Parks system. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | The campground itself has no cabins, but the park's Cottages at Indian River Marina (managed by Indian River Marina, adjacent to the campground) offer three overnight options. The Cottages: Bedroom 1 with queen bed, Bedroom 2 with two twin beds, a loft with queen bed, screened porch, year-round climate control, gas fireplace (October 15-April 15), full kitchen, washer/dryer, ADA-accessible; six units rent Saturday-to-Saturday and six Sunday-to-Sunday. The 4-bedroom Assawoman Canal House: California King, king, queen and double beds across four bedrooms, hotspot internet, screened porch, gas fireplace, outdoor fire pit, gourmet kitchen; 3-night minimum year-round except 7-night minimum Memorial Day-Labor Day; sleeps up to 7. The Oceanfront House: 3 bedrooms (king, queen, and a double-under-twin bunk), hotspot internet, ocean-facing deck, propane grill, gourmet kitchen; sleeps up to 6; same seasonal minimum-stay pattern as the canal house. Pets are allowed only in Waterfront Cottages 11 and 12. |
| Pets | Pets are permitted in the campground, attended at all times. Pets are not allowed in the Cottages, Assawoman Canal House or Oceanfront House, except Waterfront Cottages 11 and 12. |
| Reservations | Reserve online at destateparks.com or by phone at 1-877-98-PARKS (1-877-987-2757); stays under one week at the Cottages must be booked through the Call Center, not online. Campsite reservations open up to 1 year in advance, up to midnight the day before arrival online. Cottage/house reservations require a 50% deposit, with the balance due 60 days (credit card) or 70 days (check) before arrival. Cancellation: $10 fee for campsites if cancelled 31+ days before arrival (one night's fee within 30 days); a $300 fee applies for waterfront cottage cancellations made 121+ days in advance, or forfeiture of half the rental fee if cancelled within 121 days. |
| Special sites | Campground amenities include a bait and tackle shop, camp store, gift shop, dump stations, pet areas, restrooms and showers. Campfires are not permitted at Delaware Seashore at any time. The park also administers the Fresh Pond Area, Assawoman Canal Trail and Thompson Island Nature Preserve, and oversees management of Fenwick Island and Holts Landing State Parks. |
| Season notes | The campground is open year-round; during the winter months it is limited to self-contained RV units only. |
Camping questions about Delaware Seashore State Park
Can you camp at Delaware Seashore State Park?
Two campgrounds sit on the north and south sides of the Indian River Inlet, connected by a bridge with a protected walking/biking path. Full Hookup Sites and No Hookup Sites accommodate RVs and tents; a separate Walk-In Tent Sites loop is also offered. Rates vary by three seasons (Winter/Spring-Fall/Summer), weekday/weekend and resident/non-resident. Full Hookup Sites: weekends resident $38/$52/$60, non-resident $48/$65/$75; weekdays resident $32/$47/$57, non-resident $40/$59/$72. No Hookup Sites: weekends resident $31/$37/$46, non-resident $39/$47/$58; weekdays resident $25/$32/$43, non-resident $32/$40/$54. Walk-In Tent Sites: weekends resident $26/$35/$42, non-resident $33/$44/$53; weekdays resident $20/$30/$39, non-resident $25/$38/$48. Overflow Camp is the only site-general (not site-specific) campground in the Delaware State Parks system.
How do you reserve a campsite at Delaware Seashore State Park?
Reserve online at destateparks.com or by phone at 1-877-98-PARKS (1-877-987-2757); stays under one week at the Cottages must be booked through the Call Center, not online. Campsite reservations open up to 1 year in advance, up to midnight the day before arrival online. Cottage/house reservations require a 50% deposit, with the balance due 60 days (credit card) or 70 days (check) before arrival. Cancellation: $10 fee for campsites if cancelled 31+ days before arrival (one night's fee within 30 days); a $300 fee applies for waterfront cottage cancellations made 121+ days in advance, or forfeiture of half the rental fee if cancelled within 121 days.
Are there cabins at Delaware Seashore State Park?
The campground itself has no cabins, but the park's Cottages at Indian River Marina (managed by Indian River Marina, adjacent to the campground) offer three overnight options. The Cottages: Bedroom 1 with queen bed, Bedroom 2 with two twin beds, a loft with queen bed, screened porch, year-round climate control, gas fireplace (October 15-April 15), full kitchen, washer/dryer, ADA-accessible; six units rent Saturday-to-Saturday and six Sunday-to-Sunday. The 4-bedroom Assawoman Canal House: California King, king, queen and double beds across four bedrooms, hotspot internet, screened porch, gas fireplace, outdoor fire pit, gourmet kitchen; 3-night minimum year-round except 7-night minimum Memorial Day-Labor Day; sleeps up to 7. The Oceanfront House: 3 bedrooms (king, queen, and a double-under-twin bunk), hotspot internet, ocean-facing deck, propane grill, gourmet kitchen; sleeps up to 6; same seasonal minimum-stay pattern as the canal house. Pets are allowed only in Waterfront Cottages 11 and 12.
Are pets allowed at the Delaware Seashore State Park campground?
Pets are permitted in the campground, attended at all times. Pets are not allowed in the Cottages, Assawoman Canal House or Oceanfront House, except Waterfront Cottages 11 and 12.
Source: destateparks.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Delaware Seashore State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Delaware State Parks are pet-friendly: leashed pets are welcome in most park areas, but all pets must be licensed with proof of rabies vaccination, and picnic areas, park buildings and yurts are closed to pets.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash no longer than 6 feet, except in designated off-leash areas.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- State law prohibits pets from all swimming and sunbathing beaches May 1 - September 30; Beach Plum Island bans pets year-round.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Only dogs are allowed, and only in designated dog-friendly units (e.g. cabins at Killens Pond, Trap Pond, Cape Henlopen, cottages at Delaware Seashore); $25 per night pet fee, 2-dog maximum.
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $25 per night pet fee for dog-friendly cabins/cottages (max 2 dogs).
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Fort Delaware State Park and Killens Pond Water Park are closed to pets; pets allowed in surf-fishing vehicle areas on a 6-foot leash.
Are dogs allowed at Delaware Seashore State Park?
Delaware State Parks are pet-friendly: leashed pets are welcome in most park areas, but all pets must be licensed with proof of rabies vaccination, and picnic areas, park buildings and yurts are closed to pets. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via destateparks.com. More: Delaware state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Delaware Seashore State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
Top Tours & Activities Near Rehoboth Beach
from $65
from $175
from $60