Posts Tagged ‘Delaware State Parks’
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…
Read MoreUPDATED: Over 3000 People Hiked Maryland State Parks & 1400 Hiked Delaware State Parks on January 1st
Over 3000 people took part in First Day Hikes in Maryland State Parks on January 1st. Hikers had over 50 different hike options statewide. Over 2000 took part in ranger-led hikes – over 4400 miles. Over 1100 hikers completed about 2300 miles of self-guided hikes. Maryland State Parks kicked off a new challenge for 2026…
Read MoreNew Year’s Day First Day Hikes on Delmarva
Start the New Year off with First Day Hikes on January 1st. There are multiple locations where you can take a First Day Hike in both Delaware and Maryland – most hikes average 1 to 2.5 miles. You have your choice of self-guided hikes or ranger-led hikes. This is part of a nationwide initiative led…
Read MoreDNREC Names New Leaders to Delaware State Parks
There are several new leaders to Delaware State Parks. DNREC officials announced these recent appointments which include Jayce Madden as inland ponds regional administrator, Chris Pauley – superintendent of Delaware Seashore State Park and Lindsey Goebel – superintendent of Trap Pond State Park. Additional information from DNREC: Jayce Madden was promoted to inland ponds regional administrator…
Read More2026 DE State Parks Passes & Surf Fishing Permits Go on Sale December 9
Delaware State Parks will begin the sale of its 2026 park passes and surf fishing permits on Dec. 9. Passes and permits can be purchased online at the destateparks.com/buy-a-pass webpage or at park offices. Daily entrance fees in state parks will begin on March 1, 2026 with the start of the annual fee season. The…
Read MoreGround Breaking for New Cypress Splash Zone at Trap Pond State Park
State and local officials joined DNREC and the Division of Parks and Recreation for the ground breaking for a new Cypress Splash Zone at Trap Pond State Park. This will offer a place on the western side of the county were children and families can gather and cool off on hot summer days. The 5000-square…
Read MoreDelaware State Parks Fee Season to Begin March 1st
Visitors to Delaware State Parks should be aware of 2025 entrance fees that will go into effect starting Saturday, March 1st and continuing through Nov. 30th. According to DNREC, State park entrance fees for vehicles registered in Delaware are $4 at inland parks and $5 at ocean parks. Fees for out-of-state vehicles are $8 at…
Read More2025 Delaware State Parks Annual Passes, Surf Fishing Permits to Go on Sale Dec. 3rd
DNREC announced today that 2025 Delaware State Parks annual passes and surf fishing permits will go on sale starting at 8 a.m., Tuesday, December 3rd. Annual passes and surf fishing permits may be purchased at any state park office and at DNREC’s Dover campus Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Passes and…
Read MoreDelaware State Parks Hunting Permits Now on Sale
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) announced today that special hunting permits for Delaware State Parks can now be conveniently purchased wherever hunting licenses are sold in the state. The special permits are available online at Digital DNREC, at DNREC’s main campus in the Richardson and Robbins Building in Dover, and…
Read MoreDNREC Reminds Drive-On Surf Anglers Reservations are Required for Fourth of July Holiday
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) reminds those who plan to drive-on surf fish at one of the seven Delaware State Parks multi-use beaches that reservations are required during summer weekends and holidays. Drive-on surf fishing reservations for Thursday, July 4th, open Thursday, June 27th, at 11 a.m. Drive-on reservations for each weekend…
Read MoreDelaware State Parks Fee Season Begins Friday, March 1st
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) reminds visitors to Delaware State Parks that 2024 entrance fees will be in effect starting tomorrow–Friday, March 1st and continuing through Nov. 30th. State park entrance fees for vehicles registered in Delaware are $4 at inland parks and $5 at ocean parks. Fees for out-of-state vehicles…
Read MoreDNREC Extends Ocean Lifeguard Coverage to Weekends in September
The ocean swimming areas at Delaware State Parks are typically unguarded after Labor Day, but thanks to the significant growth of the Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol under new leadership, more than 70 lifeguards were hired this year. As a result, DNREC will continue to have lifeguards at two of its four Delaware State Parks–ocean swimming…
Read MoreFunding Comes To Del. State Parks For Campground Upgrades
Campground upgrades are coming to several Delaware State Parks, thanks to funds from the American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Program.Senator Tom Carper, D-Del., Delaware Natural Resources Secretary Shawn Garvin as well as U.S. Economic Development Administration Regional Director Linda Cruz Carnall visited Cape Henlopen State Park to announce $3.2-million for enhancements to…
Read MoreUpdate: Del. State Parks Surf Fishing Permits Sell Out In Hours
(update from DNREC) “The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today it has reached its cap of 17,000 Delaware standard surf fishing permits issued for the calendar year. While no more standard surf fishing permits that allow fishing anytime will be sold until the 2023 season, the popular off-peak permits introduced by…
Read MoreDel. Parks, Some DNREC Operations Adjusted In January
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources is making some changes in response to the recent surge in coronavirus cases. State parks, nature and wildlife areas are still open, but through the end of January public restroom facilities will be closed. Portable facilities will be available. Indoor programs will be held virtually or may be canceled.…
Read MoreDel. State Parks Invite You To Take A Hike Jan. 1st
Delaware State Parks will offer a total of 17 First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day, as part of a national movement sponsored by America’s State Parks to encourage people to ring in the new year with some activity while enjoying the great outdoors. Hikes are self-guided and there is no need to register in…
Read More2022 Del. Parks Passes, Surf-Fish Permits On Hold
The sale of 2022 Delaware State Parks passes and surf fishing permits is being held up by supply chain disruptions. The Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday that 2021 surf fishing permits will be valid at surf fishing beaches through January 31st. It’s not certain when the new passes and permits will arrive. Permits that…
Read More#OptOutside Black Friday: Del. State Parks Waive Admission Fee
Delaware State Parks will waive admission fees this Friday, and visitors to the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington will also be allowed in at no charge. It’s part of the national Black Friday movement, #OptOutside. More than 7-million people and more than 7,000 organizations nationwide take part in #OptOutside activities each year. DNREC also reminds visitors…
Read MoreDel. Begins Auction Of Low-Digit Surf Fishing Plates
Delaware low-digit surf fishing plates will be auctioned starting today (Monday at 9:00 a.m.). According to the Department of Natural Resources, 15 tags with numbers of interest will be available. The minimum bid for a low-digit surf fishing plate is $250. The Delaware General Assembly authorized a bid system for prized low-numbered plates in 2015.…
Read MoreBags Into Benches: Plastic Bags Recycled
Unused plastic bags in Delaware are being put to use. A non-profit organization, Eco Plastic Products of Delaware, accepted DNREC’s excess plastic bags when state parks converted carry-in carry-out bags to corn and paper products last year. About 2,000 pounds of bags, in the area of 450,000, will be made into 15 benches that will…
Read MoreFishing Enthusiasts Line Up Hours Before Permit Voucher Distribution
Vouchers for a Delaware surf fishing permit are going quickly. Cape Henlopen State Park was to be allocated 250 vouchers for distribution today, but they were already gone shortly after 8:00 a.m. Many fishing enthusiasts spent the night parked in their vehicles, lining up for one of one-thousand vouchers. After a cap of about 17,000…
Read MoreDel. Surf Fish Permits Sell Out
Sales of Delaware surf fishing permits have reached a cap of 17,000. There are no more permits to be had, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Sales of surf fishing permits began in December. The cap of 17,000 was established in 2019 by the Delaware Parks and Recreation Advisory Council as a way to…
Read MoreDel. State Park Entrance Fees Resume Monday
Delaware State Parks entrance fees will return Monday. Parks are free between November 30th and March 1st. According to the Department of Natural Resources, park entrance fee revenues are used to manage the 17 state parks and for trail maintenance, environmental and recreation programs, guarded beaches, camping and cabin facilities and other amenities. State Park…
Read MoreFirst Day Hikers Welcome At State Parks
If you are planning to take part in a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day, earlier might be better than later. Rain looks likely for the afternoon. State parks across the nation welcome visitors each January 1st to take to the trails. This year’s hikes will be self-guided. Visitors to Delaware State Parks are…
Read MoreDNREC to Close All Nature Centers within DE State Parks – Dec 14 thru Jan 11
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that it will close all nature centers within Delaware State Parks starting Monday, Dec. 14 through Jan. 11, 2021, to limit the spread of COVID-19. No in-person programming will be held at Delaware State Parks while the nature centers are closed in order to…
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