Trails
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, October 19, 2019 - 10:00am
Sunday, October 20, 2019 - 10:00am
Saturday, October 26, 2019 - 10:00am
Trails
Nearly 9 miles of trails wind through a variety of distinct habitats at Carolina Beach State Park. Relatively flat and easy to walk, the trails offer an opportunity to observe the diversity of plant and animal life in the park. Insects may be plentiful during the warmer months; repellent is recommended. To avoid becoming lost, stop by the visitor center or marina for a trail map. Pay close attention to trail markers. Horses are not allowed on the park's trails.
Campground Trail
Location: Visitor Center; can be accessed from Sugarloaf Trail and family campground
Description:
This trail begins and ends at the visitor center and briefly joins the Sugarloaf Trail. Much of this trail winds through a coastal fringe sandhill forest, dominated by longleaf pines and live oaks.
Surface: natural surface, sand
Length:
1.00 miles
loop
1.00 miles
loop
Difficulty:
easy
easy
Blaze:
blue circle
blue circle
Carolina Beach TRACK Trail
Location: Connects picnic area and campgrounds
Description:
This section of the Snow's Cut Trail is designated as a self-guided trail for kids. Activity brochures may be found at the picnic area trailhead and at the family campground trail access near campsite #20.
Surface: natural surface, sand
Length:
0.25 miles
one way
0.25 miles
one way
Difficulty:
easy
easy
Blaze:
red diamond
red diamond
Fitness Trail
Location: Carolina Beach Recreation Center
Description:
This wheelchair-accessible loop has several exercise and activity stations set up along the way. This trail is located off of 7th Street, with parking at the Carolina Beach Recreation Center.
Surface: gravel
Length:
1.00 miles
loop
1.00 miles
loop
Difficulty:
easy
easy
Blaze:
yellow circle
yellow circle
Flytrap Trail
Location: Parking area at the end of Nature Trail Lane
Description:
This wheelchair-accessible trail loops through pocosin wetlands and longleaf pine and wiregrass savanna communities. Venus flytraps can be seen along the edges of the pocosins. (Please stay on the trail to avoid damaging these small and fragile plants). Wildflowers bloom along the trail. Parts of the trail travel along wooden boardwalks.
Surface: natural surface, boardwalk/bridge
Length:
0.50 miles
loop
0.50 miles
loop
Difficulty:
easy
easy
Blaze:
orange diamond
orange diamond
Oak Toe Trail
Location: Spur off Sugarloaf Trail
Description:
This trail spurs off the Sugarloaf Trail and journeys to the Marsh Overlook. It offers views of the Cape Fear River and brackish marsh and sightings of fiddler crab, dwarf palmetto and oak toe lichen.
Surface: natural surface, sand
Length:
0.25 miles
one way
0.25 miles
one way
Difficulty:
easy
easy
Blaze:
blue diamond
blue diamond
Contact
Office: 910-458-8206
Marina: 910-458-7770
carolina.beach@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Park office
1010 State Park Road
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
GPS: 34.047297, -77.906605
Mailing address
P.O. Box 475
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Hours
- December to January:
7:00am to 6:00pm
- February:
7:00am to 7:00pm
- March to April:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 10:00pm
- October:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- November:
7:00am to 7:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
- 8:00am to 5:00pm daily
- Closed Christmas Day
- December to January:
8:00am to 5:30pm
- February:
8:00am to 6:30pm
- March to April:
8:00am to 8:30pm
- May to September:
8:00am to 9:30pm
- October:
8:00am to 8:30pm
- November:
8:00am to 6:30pm
- Closed Christmas Day
- November to February:
8:00am to 5:00pm
- March to April:
8:00am to 7:00pm
- May to August:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- September to October:
8:00am to 7:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day