The oceanside stretch of The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park will reopen to the public Sat., Aug. 30, under an announcement from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, while the bayside section will stay closed until Oct. 1 to protect south-bound shorebirds, according to DNREC’s update.
The staggered schedule matters to campground and RV-park owners who market surf-fishing and beach access; for the next month guests can reach the Atlantic shoreline but must bypass the Delaware Bay side.
The Point has closed every March since 1993 under a 1990 management plan designed to balance recreation with sensitive habitat for threatened and endangered beach-nesting species, the agency plan states.
Late-August reopening therefore signals the annual shift from full closure to carefully managed recreation, giving anglers, birders and resort operators partial use of one of Cape Henlopen’s signature beaches.
In issuing the green light, DNREC warned that active least tern broods may still be present and asked visitors to use care “when driving or walking” the oceanside, noting that caution is needed because birds may still be present, the agency said.
For nearby campground and RV-park operators, clear, real-time messaging can prevent accidental intrusions. Operators can post daily access updates on websites, social channels and reservation portals to keep guests informed. Sending text or app alerts each morning helps ensure guests know the bayside remains off-limits until Oct. 1. Installing color-coded trailhead signs with QR links to DNREC maps and training staff to recommend alternative tours when portions of the beach are closed can further reduce confusion and prevent accidental entry into restricted areas.
The 2025 closure paid off biologically: nine piping plover chicks fledged, more than 27 least tern chicks hatched, and biologists logged 24 shorebird species, 10 tern species including the federally threatened roseate tern, and six gull species since March 1, according to season results.
DNREC notes that The Point, one of only three undisturbed intertidal zones in Delaware, offers undisturbed habitat where shorebirds, gulls, terns and other waterbirds can rest and feed after the breeding season, the agency said.
Management decisions depend on species’ nesting habits; solitary piping plovers can be fenced, but colony-nesting least terns cannot, leaving them vulnerable to disturbance and making visitor behavior in the coming weeks pivotal for fledgling survival, according to the same statement.
Operators who integrate on-property design tweaks can align guest experience with DNREC’s conservation aims. Installing downward-shielded warm LEDs can cut light pollution that might disorient birds. Creating pet-free buffers, elevating boardwalks, scheduling mid-day low-noise beach cleaning, adding interpretive signage and pursuing eco-certifications can all signal commitment to wildlife-friendly practices.
The bayside reopening set for Oct. 1 will broaden recreation opportunities, and the agency’s Division of Fish and Wildlife plans to publish a full season report once breeding concludes, outlining the October timeline. Campground and resort managers who maintain low-impact practices now can help keep that schedule on track and preserve long-term public access.