Annual Passes

2024 Annual Passes are available at the webstore!

 

Buy your Annual Pass

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 Access Annual Pass are not sold online and can only be purchased from the park office at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.

Seasonal Access 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.

Please note: 2024 annual passes are valid from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, regardless of when you buy it.

Park staff assists visitors coming back from an excursion on a rented canoe at Morrow Mountain State Park
The boathouse at Morrow Mountain. Boat rentals are included in the Annual Pass and the Four-Wheel-Drive Beach Access Annual Pass. Photo by C. Peek.

About the Annual Pass Program

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.

There are three types of passes:

  • Seasonal Access Pass
  • Annual Pass
  • Four-Wheel-Drive Beach Access Annual Pass
     
A boater navigates his boat near the marina at Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach State Park marina. Use of the boat launch is included in the Annual Pass and the Four-Wheel-Drive Beach Access Annual Pass. Photo by C. Peek.

Most state parks are free to enter, so our Annual Pass is 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 below if you are purchasing the pass for the first time.

Types of Passes

Tab/Accordion Items

Visitors enjoying the swim beach at Satterwhite Point access at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
Beachgoers at Satterwhite Point access at Kerr Lake State Recreation area. The Seasonal Access Pass allows for unlimited day-use access at the three reservoir parks. Photo by C. Peek.

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.

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 Access Pass

Park Benefits
Falls Lake State Recreation Area one vehicle unlimited admission
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area one vehicle unlimited admission
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area one vehicle unlimited admission

 

Pedal boaters at Jones Lake State Park
Pedal boaters at Jones Lake State Park. The Annual Pass includes boat rentals for six people, for 1 hour each, at several state parks. Photo by C. Peek.

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

Note: The table below has two pages.

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 unlimited 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 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes and pedal boats available)
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area one vehicle unlimited admission
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area one vehicle unlimited admission
Lake James State Park six swim passes
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

six swim passes

1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards available)

 

A four-wheel-drive vehicle parked at the beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
The four-wheel-drive beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The 4WD Beach Access Annual Pass is the only annual pass that includes unlimited access here. Photo by DPR staff.

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 Access Annual Pass, you can do so by turning in your annual pass and paying the difference in price ($60) to receive your 4WD Beach Access 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 Access Annual Pass

Note: The table below has two pages.

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 unlimited 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 1-hour boat rentals for six people (canoes and pedal boats available)
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area one vehicle unlimited admission
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area one vehicle unlimited admission
Lake James State Park six swim passes
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

six swim passes

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.
  • 2024 annual passes are valid from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, 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.