Cape Henlopen
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Entry fee: Daily entrance Mar 1-Nov 30: DE vehicle $10/day. Cape Henlopen is a lake cove in Sussex County, Delaware.
Closures and warnings
Delaware State Law prohibits pets from all lifeguarded beaches May 1 to September 30; pets allowed in the park on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Bird nesting areas are closed to pets, people, and vehicles. As of September 30, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Lake cove |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Lifeguards | Memorial Day Saturday through Labor Day Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Parking | Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958. |
| Fee | Daily entrance Mar 1-Nov 30: DE vehicle $10/day; out-of-state $20/day; walking/biking free (ocean park). |
| Hours | Park open daily 8:00 a.m. until sunset. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Wheelchair access | Beach wheelchairs available 8:00 a.m. until sunset year-round (first-come); Mobi-Mats at Main Beach Memorial Day through Labor Day. |
| Managed by | Delaware State Parks (Cape Henlopen State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | Yes |
| Note | Guarded ocean swimming beach; bathhouse with showers and changing rooms at the northern beach; Seaside Nature Center; Fort Miles; campground year-round. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Cape Henlopen open?
Delaware State Law prohibits pets from all lifeguarded beaches May 1 to September 30; pets allowed in the park on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Bird nesting areas are closed to pets, people, and vehicles. As of September 30, 2026. Hours: Park open daily 8:00 a.m. until sunset.
Can you swim at Cape Henlopen?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Cape Henlopen. Lifeguards: Memorial Day Saturday through Labor Day Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
How do you get to Cape Henlopen?
The road in is paved. Parking: Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.
Do you need a reservation for Cape Henlopen?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Cape Henlopen?
The fee is Daily entrance Mar 1-Nov 30: DE vehicle $10/day; out-of-state $20/day; walking/biking free (ocean park).
What facilities are at Cape Henlopen?
Restrooms and showers. Guarded ocean swimming beach; bathhouse with showers and changing rooms at the northern beach; Seaside Nature Center; Fort Miles; campground year-round.
What are the rules at Cape Henlopen?
Dogs are allowed and camping is allowed.
Nearby
Nearby
Public land
Just outside: Cape Henlopen State Park (0.4 mi) .
Sources
5
- https://destateparks.com/beaches/CapeHenlopen (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / access.hours / access.fee / access.parking / lifeguardSeason / swimmingAllowed, rules.camping / amenities.note, access.roadSurface / permitRequired false / entryType walk_in)
- https://www.destateparks.com/passes-permits-and-fees/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://www.destateparks.com/pets-in-the-parks/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs rules.dogs / hazardNote)
- https://www.destateparks.com/policies-and-regulations/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.wheelchairAccess)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Henlopen_State_Park (accessed September 30, 2026; backs amenities.restrooms / showers)
More: Delaware swimming holes