To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the award-winning Delaware State Parks system, the 2026 parks fee season, which begins Sunday, March 1, will be packed with special events, activities and opportunities, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Celebrations will include many events that are free with paid park entrance, making an annual pass the key to a year of exciting and affordable recreational opportunities.

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 Monday, Nov. 30.

The annual pass, which is affixed to the lower left front window of a vehicle, provides access to all 17 state parks in Delaware 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.

To learn more, go to destateparks.com/passes-permits-and-fees.

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, Independence Day 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. For information on the reservation process, go to destateparks.com/surf-fishing-permits.

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.

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation will continue to offer free or low-cost options to make Delaware State Parks accessible for all. In partnership with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, those who receive assistance from a state service center are eligible to purchase an annual pass for $10. A park pass also can be reserved online at no cost using a library card.