Annual Passes
2025 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 Annual Pass with Four-Wheel Drive Beach Access are not sold online and can only be purchased from the park office at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.
Annual Passes for Reservoirs 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: 2025 annual passes are valid from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, regardless of when you buy it.
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
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 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 Annual Pass for Reservoirs
| 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 |
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 four people, boat launches at Carolina Beach and Hammocks Beach state parks, and ferry tickets for four 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 for the swim beach 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes, kayaks and pedal boats available) |
| Dismal Swamp State Park | 1-hour boat rental 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 four ferry passes (must check in at visitor center for either benefit; ferry has limited capacity) |
| Hanging Rock State Park | six swim passes for Park Lake swim 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 | six swim passes for the swim beach |
| Lake Norman State Park | six swim passes for the swim 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 | six swim passes for the 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) |
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 Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access, you can do so by turning in your annual pass and paying the difference in price ($60) to receive your Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access.
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 Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access
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 for the swim beach 1-hour boat rental for up to four people (canoes, kayaks and pedal boats available) |
| Dismal Swamp State Park | 1-hour boat rental 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 four ferry passes (must check in at visitor center for either benefit; ferry has limited capacity) |
| Hanging Rock State Park | six swim passes for Park Lake swim 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 | six swim passes for the swim beach |
| Lake Norman State Park | six swim passes for the swim 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 | six swim passes for the 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) |
Important Pass Information
- All benefits listed are per day and valid only at listed state parks and recreation areas.
- The pass benefit for boat rentals is not interchangeable for additional hours for fewer people. There is a limit of 1 hour per rental per person.
- 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.
- 2025 annual passes are valid from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, 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.
Free Annual Pass 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 Armed Forces of the United States;
- Their character of service at separation was honorable or under honorable conditions; 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.
We are very excited to offer this small acknowledgment of the sacrifices that veterans have made and their selfless devotion to our country. We hope this program allows them to enjoy the beautiful natural and cultural resources that they have served to defend.
Request Instructions
- Fill out the request form.
- Obtain a copy of the veteran's Summary of Benefits Letter from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs as proof of eligibility. The Summary of Benefits Letter can be accessed through the VA: Health and Benefits app or the VA website, va.gov.
- Submit the completed form and the copy of the Summary of Benefits Letter by email to dpr.webstore@ncparks.gov or by mail to:
Attn: Annual Pass Program
1615 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699