Hammocks Beach State Park
Notice: Status of Facilities as of October 27, 2026 — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- ncparks.gov(910) 326-4881
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Closure Status of Facilities as of October 27, 2026Ferry service closed for the 2026 season. Mainland and Bear Island camping is open with restrooms, potable water, and showers. Bear Island bathhouse… (more)
Ferry service closed for the 2026 season. Mainland and Bear Island camping is open with restrooms, potable water, and showers. Bear Island bathhouse open until 11/15/2026. Reservations can be made within a 6-month booking window. The mainland areas, trails and the boat ramp is open. There is no public docking on Bear Island and there is no beach access on the mainland.
Posted by the park 2026-10-27T12:00:00Z. Official alert
Overview
Hammocks Beach State Park is a park in Onslow County, about 16 miles southeast of Jacksonville.
Popular activities here are canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Overnight options include 4 camping areas, with tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
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 | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
| Other — June | Daily | 8 a.m. – 9 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. | Sep 1 – May 31 |
| Daily | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Jun 1 – Aug 31 | |
Official wording
January: 8 a.m. to 6 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 8 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 8 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Visitor Center: From September to May, open daily, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. From June to August, open daily, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From September to May, open daily, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. From June to August, open daily, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Island Camping – Bear Island offers year‑round primitive camping in three areas: Campsites 001–008: Primitive oceanfront sites on the beach.; Beachfront Group Campsite: Improved group site located on the oceanfront.; Campsites 012–014: Primitive, boat‑in‑only sites on the sound side with no ferry or bathhouse access. Access by canoe, kayak, or private boat. | — | — | |
| Bear Island Camping The bathhouse is closed and winterized from mid‑November through March.; Open fires are not permitted anywhere on Bear Island.; During high tides, use the path behind the beachfront campsites due to erosion.; Concession stand and lifeguards operate Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.; Campers must check in at the visitor center before the visitor center closes to obtain an overnight parking permit. No late check‑ins are allowed.; Campers are responsible for their own transportation to Bear Island.; From approximately May–October (sea turtle nesting season), white lights are prohibited… | — | — | |
| Simmons Mainland Campground 12 full hook‑up sites; 7 non‑electric sites; 2 primitive sites; 1 group campsite; 4 camper cabins (2‑night minimum year‑round; 3‑night minimum on holidays) | — | — | |
| Simmons Mainland Campground Reservations are available within a 6‑month booking window.; Check‑in at the visitor center begins after 3:00 p.m.; The Simmons campground bathhouse is open year‑round; the outdoor sink and water fountain are winterized December through March. | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
- Tent sites (backpacking via ferry or paddle-in)
- Group tent sites (for organized groups only, backpacking via ferry)
- Showers
Bear Island Camping
Bear Island offers year‑round primitive camping in three areas:
- Campsites 001–008: Primitive oceanfront sites on the beach.
- Beachfront Group Campsite: Improved group site located on the oceanfront.
- Campsites 012–014: Primitive, boat‑in‑only sites on the sound side with no ferry or bathhouse access. Access by canoe, kayak, or private boat.
Important Information
- The bathhouse is closed and winterized from mid‑November through March.
- Open fires are not permitted anywhere on Bear Island.
- During high tides, use the path behind the beachfront campsites due to erosion.
- Concession stand and lifeguards operate Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.
- Campers must check in at the visitor center before the visitor center closes to obtain an overnight parking permit. No late check‑ins are allowed.
- Campers are responsible for their own transportation to Bear Island.
- From approximately May–October (sea turtle nesting season), white lights are prohibited at night. Use red‑lens lights only on the beachfront.
Simmons Mainland Campground
Located outside the main gate at 100 FFA Camp Road, Swansboro, NC 28584, the Simmons Mainland Campground is open year‑round and offers:
- 12 full hook‑up sites
- 7 non‑electric sites
- 2 primitive sites
- 1 group campsite
- 4 camper cabins (2‑night minimum year‑round; 3‑night minimum on holidays)
Additional Information
- Reservations are available within a 6‑month booking window.
- Check‑in at the visitor center begins after 3:00 p.m.
- The Simmons campground bathhouse is open year‑round; the outdoor sink and water fountain are winterized December through March.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingCanoeing and kayakingSwimmingFishingPicnickingBoatingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Island | 4 mi | Easy | 4-mile one way; Blaze: noneHiking only |
| Coastal Fringe Trail | 0.8 mi | Moderate | 0.8-mile loop; Blaze: red circlesHiking only |
| Evergreen Trail | 0.3 mi | Moderate | 0.3-mile one way; Blaze: blue circlesHiking only |
| Hickory Bluff Trail | 0.5 mi | Moderate | 0.5-mile loop; Blaze: white circlesHiking only |
| Live Oak Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy | 0.5-mile loop; Blaze: white circlesHiking only |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hiking Trails: Open
Paddle Trails: Open
Bear Island (4-mile one way; Blaze: none), Easy, Hiking only
Coastal Fringe Trail (0.8-mile loop; Blaze: red circles), Moderate, Hiking only
Evergreen Trail (0.3-mile one way; Blaze: blue circles), Moderate, Hiking only
Hickory Bluff Trail (0.5-mile loop; Blaze: white circles), Moderate, Hiking only
Live Oak Trail (0.5-mile loop; Blaze: white circles), Easy, Hiking only
Swimming
Swimming
Boating and paddling
Paddling
Fishing
Fishing
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
✓ 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
- 1572 Hammocks Beach Road
Swansboro, NC 28584 - Nearest town
- Jacksonville — about 16 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 34.6319, -77.1456 (from Wikidata)
- Phone
- (910) 326-4881
- hammocks.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
“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