DNREC considers fee changes for Delaware State Parks amid rising costs, record demand

DNREC is considering fee changes as rising costs and record demand put pressure on the state park system. (Photo courtesy DNREC)

Delaware State Parks may see changes to entrance, annual, and lifetime pass fees for the first time in a decade, as the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) weighs options to sustain operations under rising costs and record visitation.

Park fees have remained unchanged since 2015, despite expenses funded by user fees increasing by 127%.

According to DNREC, the state park system is currently 65% self-funded through visitor fees that support daily operations, maintenance, lifeguards, restrooms, public safety, and programming.

Record Visitation and Economic Impact

In 2024, Delaware’s 17 state parks, along with its marina and accredited zoo, attracted 7.4 million visitors, generating $822 million in economic activity for tourism and local businesses. Since 2015, trips to Delaware State Parks have increased 35%, adding nearly 2 million more visitors.

According to a Rockport Analytics report:

Parks contributed $64 million to the state’s tax base, supporting the equivalent of 3,500 public school teachers or 900 students annually.
Parks supported 10,700 jobs through concessionaires, business partners, professional services, and finance and insurance.
For every dollar spent in the parks, 74 cents remained in Delaware’s economy.

Despite the strong economic impact, the state faced challenges over the summer. Coastal parks, including Cape Henlopen, Gordons Pond, Deauville Beach, Delaware Seashore, and Fenwick Island, had to close 94 times after reaching capacity.

“The user fees collected at Delaware State Parks help make our facilities and programs the best, earning our state the National Recreation and Park Association’s Gold Medal recognition for being the best managed state park system in the country two times in the last 10 years,” said Matthew Ritter, director of the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation.

“Unfortunately, our efforts to broaden revenue opportunities, find creative ways to reduce expenses and capitalize on the significant contributions by our Friends groups and volunteers are no longer enough to keep pace with the growth in expenditures.”

Public Open Houses Scheduled

DNREC will host three open houses to present proposed fee changes and gather public feedback:

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 5:30 – 7 p.m. – Blue Ball Barn, Alapocas Run State Park, 1914 W Park Dr., Wilmington, Del.
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 5:30 – 7 p.m. – Officers Club, Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, Del.
Thursday, Oct. 2, 5:30 – 7 p.m. – Killens Pond Nature Center, Killens Pond State Park, 5025 Killens Pond Road, Felton, Del.

Attendees will be able to review visitation, staffing cost, and revenue data, ask staff questions, and provide input. No formal presentation will be given; however, the public will be encouraged to complete a survey on the proposal after attending or reviewing the materials online, starting September 30.

Additional details and the public survey will be available HERE.