Delaware Seashore State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Delaware Seashore State Park |
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The beautiful beach and sand dunes at Delaware Seashore State Park.
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| Location | Sussex County, Delaware, United States |
| Area | 2,722.87 acres (1,101.91 ha) |
| Elevation | 7 feet (2.1 m) |
| Established | 1965 |
| Administered by | Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control |
Imagine a special place with the powerful Atlantic Ocean on one side and two calm bays on the other. That's Delaware Seashore State Park! This huge park is located near Dewey Beach and covers over 2,700 acres of land.
The park is a top spot for visitors who love the water. It sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay. Whether you like swimming, fishing, or just relaxing on the sand, this park has something for you. It was officially created in 1965 for everyone to enjoy.
Contents
History of the Park
The land that is now the park has a fascinating past, shaped by the power of the ocean.
A Changing Coastline
Long ago, the channel connecting the bays to the ocean, called an inlet, didn't stay in one place. Storms and tides would often move it, which made traveling along the coast very difficult.
To solve this problem, two massive stone walls called jetties were built in 1939. These jetties locked the Indian River Inlet into its current location, making the area more stable. In 1965, the state decided to protect this beautiful land by creating a park, which was named Delaware Seashore State Park in 1967.
The Historic Life-Saving Station
A very important building in the park is the Indian River Life-Saving Station. It was built way back in 1876 by the United States Life-Saving Service, which was like an early version of the Coast Guard. Its brave crew would rush out to sea to rescue sailors from shipwrecks along the dangerous coast.
Today, the station is a museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can visit it to see what life was like for these ocean heroes.
Fun Things to Do
Delaware Seashore State Park is an outdoor playground with six miles of shoreline to explore.
Beach and Swimming Fun
The park is perfect for a classic beach day. You can go swimming and sunbathing at two large ocean swimming areas. These areas have lifeguards on duty for safety during the summer.
They also have bathhouses with showers and changing rooms. If you forget your gear, you can rent beach chairs, umbrellas, and rafts.
Fishing and Boating
Fishing is a very popular activity here. You can try surf fishing, which means casting your line right from the beach into the ocean waves. There are also special crossings that let four-wheel-drive vehicles drive onto the beach to find the best fishing spots.
If you prefer calmer waters, you can fish in the Indian River Inlet. The park also has the Indian River Marina, a large dock where many boats are kept.
Surfing and Other Water Sports
Just north of the inlet, there is a beach that is great for surfing. The calmer waters of the bays are perfect for windsurfing and sailing. You can also launch your own boat to explore the bays. In some parts of the bay, you can even go clamming and crabbing.
Camping and Nature Trails
If you want to stay overnight, the park has a large campground for both tents and recreational vehicles (RVs).
For those who love nature, there's a trail on Burton's Island. This trail gives you amazing views of the salt marshes and bay islands, where you can see many types of birds and other wildlife. The park also has two picnic areas for enjoying a meal outdoors.
