Annual Passes
The North Carolina State Parks Annual Pass program allows visitors to enjoy equipment rentals, swimming, and more throughout the calendar year for a discounted package rate.
Most state parks are free to enter, so NC State Parks Annual Passes are different from typical annual passes at other states.
The passes mostly cover swimming, equipment rentals, and certain activities, where available. Please read the full benefits of each pass level below if you are purchasing the pass for the first time.
Types of Annual Passes
per year
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 unlimited admission of one vehicle at boat ramps and day-use areas at these parks.
Full List of Benefits for the Annual Pass for Reservoirs
| State Park | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for day use |
| Jordan Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for day use |
| Kerr Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for day use |
per year
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 1-hour boat rentals for up to four people, swim passes for up to six people, boat launches at Carolina Beach and Hammocks Beach state parks, and ferry tickets for up to four people at Hammocks Beach State Park.
Full List of Benefits for the Annual Pass
| State Park | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Carolina Beach State Park | one boat launch (must check in at marina) |
| Cliffs of the Neuse State Park | up to six swim passes for Swim Lake beach 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes and kayaks available) |
| Dismal Swamp State Park | 1-hour boat renal for up to four people (kayaks available) |
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for day use |
| Hammocks Beach State Park | one boat launch up to four ferry passes (must check in at visitor center for either benefit; ferry has limited capacity) |
| Hanging Rock State Park | up to six swim passes for Park Lake beach 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats available) |
| Jones Lake State Park | 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes and pedal boats available) |
| Jordan Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for day use |
| Kerr Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for day use |
| Lake James State Park | up to six swim passes for Paddy's Creek beach |
| Lake Norman State Park | up to six swim passes for Lake Norman beach 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats available) |
| Merchants Millpond State Park | 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes available) |
| Morrow Mountain State Park | up to six swim passes for Morrow Mountain pool 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards available) |
| William B. Umstead State Park | 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes available) |
per year
This pass has all the benefits of the Annual Pass, plus unlimited access to the four-wheel-drive beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.
The pass offers significant savings to off-roaders, who would normally pay $20 to $30 to access the four-wheel-drive beach each visit.
Full List of Benefits for the Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access
| State Park | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Carolina Beach State Park | one boat launch (must check in at marina) |
| Cliffs of the Neuse State Park | up to six swim passes for Swim Lake beach 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes and kayaks available) |
| Dismal Swamp State Park | 1-hour boat renal for up to four people (kayaks available) |
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for day use |
| Fort Fisher State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for four-wheel-drive beach |
| Hammocks Beach State Park | one boat launch up to four ferry passes (must check in at visitor center for either benefit; ferry has limited capacity) |
| Hanging Rock State Park | up to six swim passes for Park Lake beach 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats available) |
| Jones Lake State Park | 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes and pedal boats available) |
| Jordan Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for day use |
| Kerr Lake State Recreation Area | one vehicle unlimited admission for day use |
| Lake James State Park | up to six swim passes for Paddy's Creek beach |
| Lake Norman State Park | up to six swim passes for Lake Norman beach 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats available) |
| Merchants Millpond State Park | 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes available) |
| Morrow Mountain State Park | up to six swim passes for Morrow Mountain pool 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards available) |
| William B. Umstead State Park | 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes available) |
How to Purchase
All three types of Annual Passes are now available online through our webstore! Passes ordered through the webstore will be activated before being mailed, so visitors can use them immediately upon receipt.
You can also purchase any of the passes by visiting any state park, including the ones that are not part of the Annual Pass program. To expedite the in-person purchase process, please make sure you have an Aspira account. You can create an account on our reservations website.
Beginning in mid-January, webstore purchasers will have the added option of picking up the pass at any state park. Visitor centers and park office staff will activate the pass at pick-up.
How to Use the Pass
- The physical pass must be presented to staff and scanned to receive any benefit.
- All benefits are per day and valid only at the listed state parks and state recreation areas.
- The pass does not guarantee entry or services if the park or service is at capacity or unavailable.
- The pass cannot be transferred to another individual.
- The pass cannot be duplicated.
- If the pass is lost or stolen, the owner must report it to a park immediately so it can be voided. Issuance of replacement passes may be subject to a small fee.
- Passes automatically expire at the end of the calendar year. Passholders will receive an email alert in December of that year with a link to renew for the following year.
- Any violation of State Parks or Annual Pass rules and regulations may result in the cancellation of the pass for the remainder of the calendar year.
Annual Passes for Eligible Veterans with Disabilities
Under North Carolina State Law 2024-45, Section 15.(a) to 15.(d), eligible veterans with disabilities receive a free Annual Pass from the Division of Parks and Recreation.
A veteran with a disability is eligible if:
- They served in any branch of the Armes Forces of the United States;
- Their character of service at separation as honorable or under honorable condiitons; and
- They have received:
- benefits under 38 U.S.C §2101, or
- certification by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or another federal agency indicating that the veteran has a service-connected disability.
Information on how to request an Annual Pass under this program will be added in January 2026.