Delaware State Parks Fee Season Begins Sunday, March 1
Beginning Sunday – it will once again cost you to enter a Delaware State Park! The 2026 parks fee season will be underway from March 1st through November 30th. This year is the 75th Anniversary of the Delaware State Parks system and DNREC says that it will be packed with special events, activities and opportunities – many will be free with paid park entrance. Getting an annual pass is your best option and it’s good at all 17 Delaware State Parks through the entire season.
Additional information from DNREC:
With the start of fee season, daily entrance fees for vehicles registered in Delaware are $5 for inland parks and $10 for beach parks. Fees for out-of-state vehicles are $10 at inland parks and $20 at ocean parks. Annual parks passes are $50 for residents, and $100 for non-residents. Daily fees for Deauville Beach are $15 for weekdays and $20 for weekends, and an annual pass is $115. Entrance fees for Delaware state parks will remain in effect through Nov. 30.
An annual pass is a convenient and cost-effective way to access all 17 Delaware State Parks for the entire fee season and can pay for itself in 10 visits or less. Discount annual passes are available for active-duty military and veterans and may also be available to qualifying individuals, groups or athletic teams. For a complete list of discount programs and to purchase annual passes, visit the destateparks.com/passes-permits-and-fees webpage. All who purchase annual passes online will receive a virtual pass that can be used up to 30 days from the date of purchase until the actual pass is received via mail.
In response to visitor feedback collected throughout the year, the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is incorporating more convenient payment opportunities for daily entrance this summer. Outside of traditional cash and credit card payment stations, mobile pay will be available through QR codes at select locations. Another convenience for the upcoming season is a planned routine validation of parking for visitors through daily entrance payment, annual pass, lifetime pass or other pass and permit types. Lifetime pass holders are required to be present in the vehicle and show identification when asked, similar to the National Park Service.
Additionally, one- and two-year surf fishing permits and off-peak fishing permits are currently on sale for residents and non-residents online, with discounts for seniors. These permits allow anglers to both surf fish and visit all parks an unlimited number of times. Off-peak allows the permit holder to surf fish anytime except weekend and holidays Monday through Friday. Holidays for 2026 include Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th and Labor Day.
Surf fishing reservations will be required to access a limited number of multi-use, drive-on beaches on weekends and holidays including Gordons Pont, Herring Point, Navy Crossing and Point Crossing in Cape Henlopen State Park; and 3 Rs at Delaware Seashore State Park. Visit the destateparks.com/surf-fishing-permits webpage for information on the reservation process. Reservations are no longer required at the following beaches: Key Box, Conquest and Faithful Steward at Delaware Seashore; York, Middle and South beaches at Fenwick Island and Beach Plum Island north of Lewes.
Park users generate 65% of the revenue utilized to operate and maintain the parks and manage more than 27,000 acres of state park land throughout Delaware. Revenue helps to maintain trails, provide environmental and recreational activities, preserve history, protect natural resources, maintain visitor amenities, guard beaches and offer campgrounds, cabins and more.