Delaware Seashore State Park

A lifeguard keeps watch over a long expanse of beach at Delaware Seashore State Park.

Just south of renowned Rehoboth Beach, the barrier island that is Delaware Seashore State Park stretches over 2,018 acres.

Consisting of beaches, salt marshes and islands, this popular park is a major access point to Indian River and Rehoboth bays to the west and the open Atlantic to the east.

While most day-trippers come for the long, sandy beaches, there are plenty of natural attractions for long-term visitors.

The park's shallow bays are perfect for windsurfing, fishing and boating. A campground at Indian River Inlet offers 434 sites, including some with three-point hook-up, from March through November.

A nature trail on Burton's Island offers up-close views of shorebirds nesting in the salt marshes. A recent addition to the park is Thompson Island, a salt-marsh preserve in Rehoboth Bay with limited human activities.

Surf fishing is popular at the park and a special-access pier opens up fishing opportunities for disabled people. Anglers also enjoy the banks of the Indian River Inlet, where, in addition, they can pick up supplies or charter a deep-sea boat at the marina.

For group activities, a picnic pavilion is available on the bay shore off Savages Ditch Road.

Informative programs, such as bay seining and marsh hikes, are held throughout the summer. The park also hosts a popular Sandcastle Contest each July, where amateur participants create unique sculptures and castles to compete for prizes.

History fans can visit the Indian River Lifesaving Station. The station has been meticulously restored to its 1905 appearance, complete with diamond-shaped trim. The station was built in 1876 for use by the U.S. Lifesaving Service, a government organization created to respond to the alarming number of shipwrecks along the coastlines of the United States.

This building was originally located 400 feet closer to the shore, but a sand dune began to form around it almost as soon as it was finished. It was moved to its present location in 1877 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

A recent addition to the park are the Indian River Marina Cottages. These fully-furnished cottages are located on the north shore of the Indian River Inlet and offer a scenic view and close access to park amenities, resorts, restaurants, tax-free shopping outlets and historic sites.