Delaware State Parks fee season to begin March 1

The Division of Parks and Recreation reminds visitors to Delaware’s state parks that entrance fees will be collected beginning Friday, March 1. The fee season extends until November 30.  Revenue generated from park entrance fees is used to manage 16 state parks and more than 26,000 acres of state park lands.  The income is used for trail maintenance, environmental and recreational programs, visitor amenities, guarded beaches, management of campgrounds and cabins, and more.

Entrance fees remain unchanged from last year. Daily park entrance fees for vehicles registered in Delaware are $3 at inland parks and $4 at ocean parks. Fees for out-of-state vehicles are $6 at inland parks and $8 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.  According to Mary Voshell, chief of business services for Delaware State Parks, “For just $27, Delaware residents can enjoy unlimited park visits to get their children outdoors and to enjoy the parks with friends and family. Quicker access, convenience and cost-savings give the Delaware State Parks Annual Pass a great bang for your entertainment, recreational and educational bucks! ”

There are several categories of passes and all are offered at a reasonable price. Park offices and destateparks.com have more information and prices. Annual park passes may be purchased online at destateparks.com, at all park offices and at DNREC’s main office in the Richardson & Robbins building at 89 Kings Highway in Dover.  More information is available by calling 302-739-9220 or go to destateparks.com.