Carolina Beach State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
- Official site
- ncparks.gov(910) 458-8206
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Carolina Beach State Park is a park in New Hanover County, in Carolina Beach.
Popular activities here are canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, fishing, and hiking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Overnight options include 3 camping areas, with RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping. Roofed lodging includes cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other — January | Daily | 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. | — |
| Other — February | Daily | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. | — |
| Other — May | Daily | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Park | The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. | ||
| Visitor center | Daily | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
| Other — January | Daily | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
| Other — February | Daily | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
| Other — May | Daily | 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. | — |
Official wording
January: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
March: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
April: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
May: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
June: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
July: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
August: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
September: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
October: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
November: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
December: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Visitor Center: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
January: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
February: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The marina is closed on Christmas Day.
January: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
February: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
March: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
April: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
May: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
June: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
July: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
August: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
September: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
November: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The fuel dock is closed on Christmas Day.
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
January: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
February: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The marina is closed on Christmas Day.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
Free entry at most parks ('Most state parks are free to enter'); per-vehicle day-use fees at the reservoir SRAs (Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake) and fees for swimming, boat launches, rentals, ferries and camping.
Statewide fee rule from North Carolina's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
North Carolina park passes
- Annual Pass for Reservoirs — $70 Details
- Annual Pass — $100 Details
- Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access — $200. Annual Pass benefits plus four-wheel-drive beach access Details
From the North Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (northcarolinastateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-722-6762
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tent, Trailer, and RV Camping – Some Full Hookups Campsite at Carolina Beach. Photo by J. Shimel.
The park's family campground is located in a wooded area near Snow's Cut.
The campground has a bathhouse with toilets and hot showers available to all campers. There are also potable water spigots and trash and recycling bins around the campground loop for campers to use. Firewood is available for purchase at the visitor center or marina store.
There are 69 campsites with no hookups. Ten campsites have full hookups (water, electric and sewer). Electric hookups offer 50-amp, 30-amp, and 20-amp services. Long driveways can accommodate RVs of all… | — | Tent, Trailer, and RV Camping – Some Full HookupsShowers | — |
| Camper Cabins Flytrap Cabin at Carolina Beach. Photo by DPR staff.
In addition to the 79 campsites, the park has six camper cabins located in the family campground.
These camping cabins sleep six people in two rooms, one with a queen bed (sleeps two) and one with two sets of twin-sized bunk beds.
Campers must bring their own pillows and sleeping bags or linens, as these are not provided. Each cabin has electrical outlets and a heating and air-conditioning unit. There are no restrooms inside the cabin, and campers must use the nearby bathhouse and water spigots. Outside each cabin, there is a picnic table,… | — | — | |
| Group Camping – Primitive Walk-In Tent Campsites Carolina Beach State Park has two camping areas for organized or established groups (i.e. scout troops, church groups, etc.) located along the Swamp Trail and are available by reservation only.
Site #1 accommodates up to 26 people; site #2 accommodates up to 40 people. These are all walk-in campsites, and all camping equipment and supplies must be carried to the site, approximately 400 yards from the Flytrap Trail parking area. These sites are not accessible by vehicle.
These areas include two picnic tables, grills/fire rings and pit toilets. Water and shower facilities are not available.… | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
- Camper cabins
- Tent sites
- Trailer and RV sites (some with electric, water, and sewer hookups)
- Group tent sites
- Dump station
- Showers
- Firewood
Tent, Trailer, and RV Camping – Some Full Hookups
Campsite at Carolina Beach. Photo by J. Shimel.
The park's family campground is located in a wooded area near Snow's Cut.
The campground has a bathhouse with toilets and hot showers available to all campers. There are also potable water spigots and trash and recycling bins around the campground loop for campers to use. Firewood is available for purchase at the visitor center or marina store.
There are 69 campsites with no hookups. Ten campsites have full hookups (water, electric and sewer). Electric hookups offer 50-amp, 30-amp, and 20-amp services. Long driveways can accommodate RVs of all sizes. All sites are each equipped with a picnic table and grill or fire ring.
The following sites are accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities: sites 37 and 59, and site 8, which has full hookups. Please do not reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
Book Now
Camper Cabins
Flytrap Cabin at Carolina Beach. Photo by DPR staff.
In addition to the 79 campsites, the park has six camper cabins located in the family campground.
These camping cabins sleep six people in two rooms, one with a queen bed (sleeps two) and one with two sets of twin-sized bunk beds.
Campers must bring their own pillows and sleeping bags or linens, as these are not provided. Each cabin has electrical outlets and a heating and air-conditioning unit. There are no restrooms inside the cabin, and campers must use the nearby bathhouse and water spigots. Outside each cabin, there is a picnic table, charcoal grill, and a fire ring. There are also Adirondack chairs by the front door.
Centennial Cabin on site 42 is accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please do not reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
No smoking, cooking, or open flames are allowed inside any of the cabins. Animals are not allowed in the cabins or cabin area, with the exception of service animals. Each cabin has parking space for two vehicles.
Park gate is locked daily at posted closing hours. Vehicle access after gate closing and before opening is restricted, except in an emergency.
Cancellation Policy for Cabins
Please note that cabin reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
Book Now
Group Camping – Primitive Walk-In Tent Campsites
Carolina Beach State Park has two camping areas for organized or established groups (i.e. scout troops, church groups, etc.) located along the Swamp Trail and are available by reservation only.
Site #1 accommodates up to 26 people; site #2 accommodates up to 40 people. These are all walk-in campsites, and all camping equipment and supplies must be carried to the site, approximately 400 yards from the Flytrap Trail parking area. These sites are not accessible by vehicle.
These areas include two picnic tables, grills/fire rings and pit toilets. Water and shower facilities are not available. Reservations can be made by contacting the park marina office.
Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites
Please note that if you need to cancel your group campsite reservations, you have until 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
Call 910-458-7770 to book now.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingBikingCanoeing and kayakingFishingPicnickingBoatingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flytrap Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy | 0.5-mile loop; Blaze: orange diamondsHiking onlyAccessible |
| Sugarloaf Trail | 3 mi | Easy | 3-mile loop; Blaze: orange circlesHiking only |
| Campground Trail | 1 mi | Easy | 1-mile one way; Blaze: blue circlesHiking only |
| Sand Live Oak Trail | 1.5 mi | Easy | 1.5-mile loop; Blaze: yellow-green diamondsHiking only |
| Snow's Cut Trail | 0.75 mi | Easy | 0.75-mile one way; Blaze: red diamondsHiking only |
| Kids in Parks Track Trail | 0.25 mi | Easy | 0.25-mile one way; Blaze: red diamondsHiking only |
| Swamp Trail | 0.75 mi | Easy | 0.75-mile one way; Blaze: red circlesHiking only |
| Oak Toe Trail | 0.25 mi | Easy | 0.25-mile one way; Blaze: blue diamondsHiking only |
| Fitness Trail | 1 mi | Easy | 1-mile loop; Blaze: yellow circlesBikingHikingAccessible |
Trail descriptions from the park
Trails: Open
Flytrap Trail (0.5-mile loop; Blaze: orange diamonds), Easy, Hiking only
Sugarloaf Trail (3-mile loop; Blaze: orange circles), Easy, Hiking only
Campground Trail (1-mile one way; Blaze: blue circles), Easy, Hiking only
Sand Live Oak Trail (1.5-mile loop; Blaze: yellow-green diamonds), Easy, Hiking only
Snow's Cut Trail (0.75-mile one way; Blaze: red diamonds), Easy, Hiking only
Kids in Parks Track Trail (0.25-mile one way; Blaze: red diamonds), Easy, Hiking only
Swamp Trail (0.75-mile one way; Blaze: red circles), Easy, Hiking only
Oak Toe Trail (0.25-mile one way; Blaze: blue diamonds), Easy, Hiking only
Fitness Trail (1-mile loop; Blaze: yellow circles), Easy, Biking/Hiking
Boating and paddling
Paddling
Fishing
Fishing
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Group facilities
- Restrooms: not available (stated by the park)
Water
- Boat ramp
- Marina or boat slips
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer hookups
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Glamping or camper cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 1010 State Park Road
Carolina Beach, NC 28428 - Nearest town
- Carolina Beach
- Coordinates
- 34.0500, -77.9100 (from Wikidata)
- Phone
- (910) 458-8206
- carolina.beach@ncparks.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- North Carolina State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- NC State Parks 'Catalog: Find a State Park Access' (paged Drupal view, ?page=0..6)
- Wikidata
- Photo: Carolina Beach State Park 2.jpg — CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), Mx. Granger
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology