4 Best State Park Beaches in Delaware to Visit to Close Out Summer

As summer fades into fall and the days get shorter, we may think it's time to pack up our beach gear and put it in storage until next year. But is it? There's still warm weather, sunshine, and time left to hit the beach this summer, and what better way to close out the season than to visit one of the best state park beaches in Delaware? Here are a few to visit before the summer comes to an end:

Fenwick Island State Park

As summer draws to a close, how about one last day trip to Fenwick Island State Park? Located in southern Delaware, this gorgeous state park offers three miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. Come for the day, stretch out on the sand, swim, body surf, and enjoy fewer crowds as we get closer to the end of the season. Lifeguards patrol the beaches between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and there's a bathhouse with a changing room and showers, a concession stand, and a stand where you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Fenwick Island State Park's beaches are also accessible with a boardwalk, 30-foot mobility access mats onto the sand, and beach wheelchairs. Everyone can enjoy this state park beach! Visit the Delaware State Parks website for more.

Delaware Seashore State Park

With 6.5 miles of barrier beaches on the bay and ocean sides and 10 different beach access points, it's easy to plan an entire day at Delaware Seashore State Park. In addition to seemingly endless stretches of sand, the park's amenities include bathhouses, the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum & Visitor Center if you need a break from sunbathing, and trails, some of which are pet-friendly and also accessible for those with mobility equipment. One trail, in particular, leads to Burton Island, an exceptional area for birdwatching and scenery. During the summer months, this state park's beaches are patrolled by the Delaware State Beach Patrol to keep beachgoers safe.

Cape Henlopen State Park

The 5,000-acre Cape Henlopen State Park at the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay in Lewes is an exceptional park for both history buffs and beachgoers. Home to Fort Miles, this state park was once an area of coastal protection during WWII. Today, visitors can walk through the artillery park and visit the Fort Miles Museum located in Battery 519. If you're here for the beach and not so much a history lesson, head to one of the park's ocean or bay beaches with wide stretches of sand.

Brandywine Creek State Park

Close to the Delaware-Pennsylvania border, Brandywine Creek State Park may not be a coastal park with sandy beaches and saltwater, but it's still worth visiting. While tubing, canoeing, and kayaking on the tranquil Brandywine Creek are popular activities, you can swim here, too, although there's no designated swimming beach. This state park is also swim at your own risk — there are no lifeguards here.

Which of the above best state parks in Delaware will you visit to close out the summer season? Each park offers places enjoy the sand plus stunning scenery. If you're looking for more outdoor adventure to fill the rest of the year, take a look at our Ultimate Guide to State Parks in Delaware—or try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.