Annual Pass Program

About the Annual Pass

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. 

Most state parks are free to enter, so our annual pass is different from typical annual passes at other states.

We are currently out of the $90 Annual Passes. We are working on purchasing more and hope to have them available again for purchase on the webstore by the end of April 2021. 

Participating parks (listed below) may have the $90 Annual Passes available for purchase at the park office or visitor center. Please contact the park beforehand to make sure.

Please note that the 4WD Annual Passes will not be sold online and can only be purchased from the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area park office. Seasonal Parking Passes are also not sold online and can only be purchased from Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, or Kerr Lake state recreation areas.

Alternatively, please check out our gift cards if you would like to give the gift of camping this holiday season (gift cards also cover vehicle parking fees, equipment rentals and swim passes).

2021 Annual Pass program benefits

​North Carolina State Parks is offering three types of passes for 2021: Seasonal Parking Pass, Annual Pass, and the 4WD Beach Annual Pass.

Seasonal Parking Pass ($60/year) is perfect for outdoor recreation enthusiasts who frequent our three reservoirs: Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake. The pass covers the entrance fee of one vehicle per day at boat ramps and day-use areas. This pass cannot be purchased online and can only be purchased by visiting the visitor centers at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, or Kerr Lake state recreation areas.

Annual Pass ($90/year) 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 equipment rentals and swim passes for up to six people, boat launches at Carolina Beach and Hammocks Beach, and ferry tickets for six at Hammocks Beach. 

4WD Beach Annual Pass ($150/year) 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 Fort Fisher State Recreation Area park office.

A complete list of each pass' benefits is listed below to make it easy to compare and determine which pass is right for you. You can download the table below as a flyer ».

Important pass information
 

• All benefits listed are per day and only valid 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.
   
• 2021 Annual Passes are valid from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, 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.