Holts Landing State Park: Great Outdoor Fun Near Delaware Beaches

Tucked away on 203 acres on the shore of the Indian River Bay, Holts Landing State Park in Delaware has trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Plus it’s the perfect spot for crabbing, clamming, fishing, and kayaking. And it’s got a boat launch, picnic areas, and a large playground; see the list below for a complete list of amenities. It’s less than 10 miles northwest of Bethany Beach (directions below) which makes it an ideal destination for a few hours of fun away from the beach.

An expansive view over a bay. — **An expansive view of the Indian River Bay — with the Indian River Inlet Bridge in the background — is yours at Holts Landing.**

A QR code sign sits to the right of a boardwalk at a trail end. — **Scanning the QR code at the trailhead will help you navigate the state park.**

Contents

Admission

Admission is charged from March 1 through November 30. In-state residents pay $4 per car; others pay $8 per car.

A wooden dock juts out from the land into the bay. — **A dock for fishing and crabbing is easily accessible from the parking lot.**

What You’ll Find at Holts Landing

diverse habitats including the bay, salt marshes, freshwater man-made pools, woodlands, and open fields
flat trails with fine crushed stone and boardwalks over wet marsh land
a picnic pavilion plus additional picnic tables in various locations — all steps from the parking lot
a charcoal grill and a huge fire pit
a dock for crabbing & fishing
a boat launch
area to launch kayaks/SUPs
a charging station for electric cars
large parking lots
primitive camping sites
horseshoe pits
a large playground

Sunlight shines through tall trees on a crushed stone trail. — **Fine crushed stone forms the trails at Holts Landing.**

**A picnic pavilion, a large fire pit, and a playground (in the distance) await visitors. There are other picnic tables scattered around the grounds close to the parking lots, too.**

Tips for Your Visit

Bring exact cash for admission. When we visited, the admission was $4 per car for in-state residents and $8 for out-of-state residents.
Wear sunscreen and bug spray. It can get quite buggy at times. And remember that ticks may be present, as well.
Bring your own food and drink. Don’t forget to bring water! There is no snack bar or concession stand.
Restrooms are onsite.
Leashed dogs are welcomed (but they are not permitted near the picnic areas). 🐶

A sign is painted on a parking space indicating an electric vehicle charging station — **A charging station and a parking space dedicated to electric cars are available at Holts Landing State Park.**

Park Map

Directions from the Beaches

Address: 27046 Holts Landing Road, Dagsboro

From Route 1 in Bethany Beach, head west on Rt. 26.
Turn right on Old Mill Road (Giant will be on left; Weis Market on the right).
Turn right on Whites Neck Road (the Bay Forest community is on the right).
Turn right on Holts Landing Road for approximately 3.5 miles into the park.

A trail marker stands along a trail with a wooden bench in the background overlooking a pond. — **A trail marker stands next to a trail that leads hikers past a bench overlooking a pond.**

Nearby Attractions & Map

This Delaware beach guide will help you plan your visit to the southern Delaware beaches. Other attractions in the area are:

Air Mobility Command Museum, Dover
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna
Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes
Fresh Pond Trail, Bethany Beach
Indian River Life-Saving Station, near Rehoboth Beach
James Farm Ecological Preserve, near Bethany Beach
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Milton
Trap Pond State Park, Laurel

A map shows points of interest in southern Delaware

Final Thoughts

My family has spent a lot of time over the years enjoying the beaches in southern Delaware. However, we didn’t take much time to explore other areas that offer a diversion from the beach scene. Now we know better.

Holts Landing State Park is a short drive from the beaches but offers other activity options for the whole family: crabbing, fishing, clamming, kayaking, boating, picnicking, and more. Finally, the views of the Indian River Bay from the water’s edge at Holts Landing State Park are expansive and absolutely beautiful.

An osprey nest stands at the water's edge with a sign indicating the end of a trail. — **An osprey nest stands along the shore near a sign indicating the end of the trail. It sure is the end…the bay is steps away!**

Comments?

Please share your experiences and suggestions for other places to visit in the general southern Delaware area. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂