Annual Passes
2023 Annual Passes are available at the webstore!
Participating parks are also selling them; please contact the park to make sure they have them in stock before you visit.
Please note that the Four-Wheel-Drive Beach Annual Pass are not sold online and can only be purchased from the park office at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.
Seasonal Parking Passes are also not sold online and can only be purchased from the visitor center at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake state recreation areas.
About the Annual Pass Program
The North Carolina State Parks Annual Pass program allows visitors to enjoy equipment rentals, swimming, and more throughout the year for a discounted package rate.
North Carolina State Parks is offering three types of passes for 2023:
- Seasonal Parking Pass
- Annual Pass
- Four-Wheel-Drive Beach Annual Pass
Types of Passes
This pass is perfect for outdoor recreation enthusiasts who frequent our three reservoirs: Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake state recreation areas.
The pass covers the entrance fee of one vehicle per day at boat ramps and day-use areas.
These cannot be purchased online and can only be purchased by visiting the visitor center at either Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, or Kerr Lake state recreation areas.
Full List of Benefits for the Seasonal Parking Pass
| Park | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle admission |
| Jordan Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle admission |
| Kerr Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle admission |
This pass offers year-round outdoor adventures for the whole family! In addition to entrance fees at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake, this pass covers boat rentals and swim passes for up to six people, boat launches at Carolina Beach and Hammocks Beach state parks, and ferry tickets for six people at Hammocks Beach.
Full List of Benefits for the Annual Pass
| Park | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Carolina Beach State Park | one boat launch (must check in at marina) |
| Cliffs of the Neuse State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats available) |
| Dismal Swamp State Park | 1-hour boat or bike rentals for six people (bikes, canoes, and kayaks available) |
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle admission |
| Hammocks Beach State Park |
one boat launch six ferry passes (must check in at visitor center for either benefit; ferry has limited capacity) |
| Hanging Rock State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, paddleboards, and rowboats available) |
| Jones Lake State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes and pedal boats available) |
| Jordan Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle admission |
| Kerr Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle admission |
| Lake James State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards available) |
| Lake Norman State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats available) |
| Merchants Millpond State Park | 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes available) |
| Morrow Mountain State Park | 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards available) |
This pass has all the benefits of the Annual Pass but includes the benefit of accessing the four-wheel-drive beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.
This offers significant savings to off-roaders, who would normally pay $20 to $30 to access the 4WD beach each visit.
If you already purchased the basic Annual Pass and want to upgrade to the 4WD Beach Annual Pass, you can do so by turning in your annual pass and paying the difference in price ($60) to receive your 4WD Beach Annual Pass.
The pass cannot be purchased online and can only be purchased by visiting the park office at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.
Full List of Benefits for the Four-Wheel-Drive Beach Annual Pass
| Park | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Carolina Beach State Park | one boat launch (must check in at marina) |
| Cliffs of the Neuse State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats available) |
| Dismal Swamp State Park | 1-hour boat or bike rentals for six people (bikes, canoes, and kayaks available) |
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle admission |
| Fort Fisher State Recreation Area | one four-wheel-drive beach access (must check in at park office) |
| Hammocks Beach State Park |
one boat launch six ferry passes (must check in at visitor center for either benefit; ferry has limited capacity) |
| Hanging Rock State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, paddleboards, and rowboats available) |
| Jones Lake State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes and pedal boats available) |
| Jordan Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle admission |
| Kerr Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle admission |
| Lake James State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards available) |
| Lake Norman State Park |
six swim passes 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats available) |
| Merchants Millpond State Park | 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes available) |
| Morrow Mountain State Park | 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards available) |
Important Pass Information
- All benefits listed are per day and valid only at listed state parks and recreation areas.
- Passholders must display pass hang tags from their vehicle's rearview mirror.
- There are no refunds. No refunds will be issued if park activities are limited by weather, natural disaster, health crisis, etc.
- There are no discounts on the Annual Passes.
- 2022 Annual Passes are valid from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023, regardless of when you purchase the pass. Cost of passes cannot be prorated.
- A receipt for the Annual Pass does not substitute for the actual pass.
- Lost or stolen passes will not be replaced.
- Duplication of passes is prohibited.
- Violation of state law and/or park regulations may invalidate the pass.
- Please check park pages for seasonal operating schedule of facilities, as well as park hours.