Revisiting Delaware Seashore State Park

After a delightful visit to central Virginia we were excited to be revisiting Revisiting Delaware Seashore State Park. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there last summer and looked forward to more time camping with Brian and Eve.

Delaware Seashore State Park is in an awesome location for us. It’s a short walk to the beach and near every kind of shopping you could possibly want. It’s a short drive to Rehoboth for a visit to our friend Trish at her summer home. Plus just a few minutes further down the road is Lewes where you could catch the ferry to Cape May, NJ. More importantly for us, Steve’s cousins spend summer weekends in Lewes because it’s not too far from their home base in Wilmington.

As we approached the park we both commented on what a beautiful drive we had traveling from Virginia. It was a glorious day and driving across the Chesapeake Bay is always spectacular. Along the way, once on dry land, we passed many lush farms and farm stands that I wished we could have stopped at to buy farm fresh produce. But with our Jeep in tow, we measure just under 60-feet. When you’re flat towing a vehicle behind an motorcoach you cannot back up. A fact that makes it almost impossible to make a u-turn and certainly limits where you can park. Unfortunately all of those farm stands were too far from the RV park to return to, just for some fruit and veggies.

Revisiting Delaware Seashore State Park

Last summer our time at the Delaware Seashore State Park was split between the north park and the south park. This year our entire two week stay was booked at the north park which is much closer to the beach, friends and family.

While I got the inside of Ladybug set up, Steve took Hershi for a walk down to the beach and then to the back of the park where the Indian River Marina is located.

About the Park

Delaware Seashore State Park, boasts six miles of ocean and 20 miles of bay shoreline. It serves as an important part of the southern Delaware coastline. The dynamic Indian River Inlet connects the Indian River and Rehoboth Bays with the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the epicenter of the park’s many activities. A beautiful beach lies on either side of the inlet, welcoming anglers and beachgoers who stay for the day or overnight at the park’s waterfront campground and cottages. The Indian River Life-Saving Station, built in 1876 for use by the United States Lifesaving Service to respond to shipwrecks, now pays homage to its maritime heritage while doubling as a coastal event space and educational center. The barrier beach and inland bays provide the perfect salt marsh habitat and nesting grounds for birds and terrapins. More than seven miles of trails welcome hikers, bikers and birders.

Park History

Transportation along this barrier island, which is bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay, was difficult until the Federal government completed construction of two large steel and stone jetties in 1939, stabilizing the Indian River Inlet. The State Park Commission (now known as the Division of Parks and Recreation) began managing the land as Indian River State Park in 1965, but it didn’t become Delaware Seashore State Park until 1967.

Camping at the Beach

As I mentioned there are two campgrounds, one on each side of the Indian River Inlet, that accommodate a variety of camping units, from tents to large recreational vehicles. North Inlet campsites feature full hookups which means you have electricity, water, and sewer service. At the South Inlet campground also has full hookups as well as Standard (no hookups) sites, and tent sites available.

Indian River Marina

If you enjoy fishing you can try your luck along the banks of the Indian River Inlet or on the ocean beaches, and head boats and charter boats launch out of the full-service Indian River Marina, offering wet slips, fuel docks, boat storage, supplies and more.

The marina is huge and fully packed with sport fishing boats of all sizes. And where there are fishing boats there are fish that need to be cleaned. So there is even an area for cleaning fish, or for having someone do it for you.

Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum

Built in 1876 for use by the United States Lifesaving Service, the full-restored station today features maritime exhibits and historic reenactors who periodically demonstrate turn-of-the-century techniques to rescue sailing ships in distress. Includes a gift shop offering unique coastal and maritime merchandise.

Fishing, Clamming and Crabbing

A special access pier at the Indian Inlet allows the elderly and people with disabilities to get close to the fishing action. Clamming and crabbing are permitted in some sections of the bays. Marked dune crossings allow surf-fishing access for four-wheel drive vehicles on the beach (permits required). Permits are also required for fishing, clamming and crabbing.

Dining

Located at the South Inlet Day Use Area at Delaware Seashore State Park, Big Chill Beach Club is an oceanfront restaurant and event tent featuring an umbrella deck with breath-taking 360° views of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Inlet, and Indian River Bay. The Big Chill Beach Club features casual beach fare from breakfast to dinner, full-service cocktails, wine and beer, an oyster bar and Umbrella Bar, fire pit and hang-out game area, beach amenities for the beach-goers, and catered events for up to 200 people. Open daily April to October, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. A park entry fee is charged March through November.

Bury your toes in the sand tableside at Hammerheads Dockside at the Indian River Marina! This full-service outdoor restaurant offers a fresh, vibrant menu with terrific views of the marina. Features include live music, a full-service bar, free parking, and complementary dockage for boaters (subject to availability). Open daily at 7 a.m. during the summer.

Lewes Yacht Club

We had arrived at Delaware Seashore a couple of day before Brian and Eve did, which gave a chance to connect with Steve’s cousins Sheila and Art. We went to their old beach house which was going to be torn down in September to allow them to build a brand new home on the beach. After enjoying looking at the blueprints for their new home, we went to dinner at the Lewes Yacht Club nearby.

Lucky me. It was Lobster Night!!! As I’m sure I’ve said many times lobster and chocolate are my favorite foods. Just not in the same dish. LOL! We all had the lobster except for Steve who was more in the mood for a yummy filet mignon. What a great evening with family.

Cape May-Lewes Ferry

We had been enjoying every second with our kids. Brian made us breakfast each day and we shared lunch and dinner prep. The beach call us to it pretty much each day. And we sat by a blazing fire most evenings and watched movies under the stars. But toward the end of our time together Brian just could not stand that he was not going to have White House Hoagies again this summer. So he and Steve got up very early the next day and took the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to New Jersey and back.

They spent hours traveling both on land and sea. They arrived at the White House Sub Shop and found that they couldn’t even eat there. No indoor dining was available due to COVID! Undaunted they bought plenty of subs for all of us to enjoy for dinner that night and lunch the next day. Both guys agreed that it was worth the time and money.

For Steve and I it was not as important because we knew that our next stop was at the Jersey shore and we could have White House every single day, if we chose to.

Labor Day Party in Rehoboth Beach

To celebrate the unofficial end to summer our friend Trish had invited a bunch of friends, including us, to a Labor Day party at her home in Rehoboth Beach. Other than Trish, we didn’t know a soul when we arrived. But by the end of the evening we were all thick as thieves. It was the perfect ending to an amazing time Revisiting Delaware Seashore State Park.