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Annual Passes

What is an annual pass?

Your annual pass sticker allows your vehicle and its occupants unlimited year-round entry to 14 state parks without having to stop to pay the daily entrance fees!

When Can I Buy An Annual Pass?

Annual passes go on sale online and--> at these retailers on Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving Day), and on the first Monday after Thanksgiving at any park office or at the central office in Dover. Annual passes are also available for purchase at Delaware Seashore State Park's Indian River Life-Saving Station, and from May 1 through Labor Day weekend at the Indian River Marina.

Passes for the next year always go on sale at the end of November; prior to that, we only sell passes for the current year. Your annual pass is only valid during the year printed on the pass, so if you buy a 2013 pass in October 2013, it will expire two months later, on December 31, 2013.

How Should I Attach My Pass?

Your pass is not valid until you remove its protective cover and apply it by affixing the entire adhesive surface on the inside, lower left-hand corner of your vehicle’s windshield. If your pass isn't properly glued to the windshield with its own adhesive, it can be confiscated and will not be replaced.

Also, your annual pass is not transferable; in other words, you can only use it one vehicle, and cannot transfer it from one vehicle to another.

Delaware State Parks charge a daily entrance fee during 9 months of the year, from March 1 to November 30, but once your annual pass is properly affixed to your vehicle, you can visit as many times as you want all year long without paying the entrance fee!

Does My Pass allow me free entry to all Delaware State Park Properties?

Your annual pass is valid for free entry to all Delaware State Park properties that charge a vehicle entry fee. Exceptions are the Brandywine Zoo at Wilmington State Parks and the ferry to Fort Delaware State Park. At Fenwick State Line Beach, the annual pass grants free entry, but a parking fee is charged.

Some of our parks are extremely popular, particularly during the summer or when a special event is held. When our parking areas are filled to capacity, entrance is not guaranteed. We especially recommend that, on summer weekends, you arrive early in the day or late in the afternoon to be assured of entry to our beach parks.

If your vehicle is sold or in an accident and you need a replacement pass, peel off all or a portion of your annual pass and bring it to a park office for your new pass. There is a $5 administrative fee for this service.

Vehicle registration is not necessary to purchase most passes.

Does my pass allow me to Drive on the Beach?

Because driving on the beach can cause serious damage to vegetation and wildlife and contributes to shore erosion, Delaware State Parks limits vehicles on the beach to designated surf fishing areas only for the sole purpose of actively engaging in fishing. To use these areas, you must have a valid surf fishing vehicle permit and be actively engaged in surf fishing at all times while on the beach. To keep our beaches clean and safe for wildlife and park visitors, other recreational beach driving is not allowed.

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