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State park entrance fees in effect March 1

February 28, 2018

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation reminds visitors to Delaware’s state parks that entrance fees are in effect from Thursday, March 1, to Friday, Nov. 30.

Revenue generated from park entrance fees is used to manage 16 state parks and more than 26,000 acres of state park lands. Delaware’s state parks are primarily self-funded, with 65 percent of revenue to operate and maintain the parks generated by park users. The revenue is used for trail maintenance, environmental and recreational programs, visitor amenities, guarded beaches, and management of campgrounds, cabins, and more.

Daily 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 inland parks and $10 at ocean parks. Where fee attendants are not on duty, visitors should deposit the daily fee in the self-registration envelopes provided at park entrances and place them in the designated secured drop boxes.

Annual passes are a convenient way to access the parks for the entire fee season. A Delaware resident annual pass costs $35, and Delaware residents 62 and older will receive a discounted rate of $18. A $65 lifetime pass is available for Delawareans 65 and older. Reduced rates are also offered to Delawareans who receive public assistance, or who are active-duty military or veterans. Active-duty military personnel with an out-of-state license plate can purchase an annual pass at the in-state rate. For more information, go to www.destateparks.com.

The corporate and group pass program offers participating businesses, nonprofits and other groups discounted annual passes for their employees. For more information, or to purchase corporate passes, contact Caroline Foltz at caroline.foltz@state.de.us.

Parks officials remind customers that annual passes and surf fishing permits can be purchased online to save time when they visit a park during fee season. For more information or to purchase passes online, go to www.destateparks.com. Passes are available at all park offices, at DNREC’s main office in the Richardson & Robbins building at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, and at six retail locations. 

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