COVID-19 CLOSURES AT ALL PARKS
Posted on: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 1:05pm |
Trails
No Lifeguards on Duty Monday or Tuesday Aug. 3rd & 4th
Fort Macon State Park will not have lifeguards on duty Monday Aug. 3rd or Tuesday Aug. 4th. Lifeguards will however be back on duty Wednesday the 5th through the weekend.
With the summer season winding down, many of our lifeguards will be returning to school and college, and the days we will have enough people to guard the beach may be reduced. Our priority through the end of the summer will be to have lifeguards on duty every weekend plus as many days during the week as possible. We will update this message as we determine what days will have guards and what days will not.
Park visitors are also reminded that swimming, wading, surfing, and boat/kayak launching is never allowed on the inlet beach near the fort between the large rock jetty and the Coast Guard boundary.
Last updated on: Sunday, August 2, 2020
Status of park facilities as of May 22
The beach, trails, and restrooms are open. The visitor center, the inside of the fort, exhibit rooms, and concessions remain closed. All programs, including tours, are canceled until further notice.
When visiting, please follow social distancing guidelines, regardless of the behavior of others. Please try to stay 6 feet away from other visitors and park staff or wear a mask or face covering. Try to touch as few surfaces as possible and do not enter areas that have been closed off. Wash or sanitize your hands before, during, and after your visit, and stay home if you are sick.
Last updated on: Friday, May 22, 2020
Contact the park
252-726-3775
fort.macon@ncparks.gov
Bookstore
252-247-3100
Address
Visitor center
2303 E. Fort Macon Road
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
GPS: 34.6979, -76.6783
Hours
►
- Open daily:
9:00am to 5:30pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- Including coastal education center and bookstore
- Open daily:
9:00am to 5:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- November to February:
8:00am to 5:30pm
- March:
8:00am to 7:00pm
- April to May:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- June to August:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- September:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- October:
8:00am to 7:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- October to March:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- April to May:
8:00am to 7:00pm
- June to August:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- September:
8:00am to 7:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- Lifeguards available Memorial Day to
Labor Day
- 10:00am to 5:45pm
- As staffing permits
►
- Monday to Friday:
8:00am to 1:00pm
2:00pm to 5:00pm
- Closed state holidays
List of trails
Fort Macon has over 1.5 miles of ocean beach for hiking. As you walk along the beach you may see one of the 302 different species of birds found in the park or experience the thrill of watching dolphins playing in the ocean.
Beach Trail
Location: On the beach
Description:
The beach is always available for hikes. As you walk along the beach you may see one of the 302 different species of birds found in the park or experience the thrill of watching dolphins playing in the ocean.
Surface: sand
Length:
1.50 miles
one way
1.50 miles
one way
Difficulty:
easy hike
easy hike
Blaze:
Elliott Coues Nature Trail
Location: North end of the Fort area parking lot & Northeast corner of the Beach Access parking lot
Description:
The Elliott Coues Nature Trail is a new hiking trail that connects the Fort area with the Swim Beach area. It stretches approximately 3.2 miles round trip and travels along the marsh, through the maritime forest, and through the sand dunes. The trail can be accessed both at the Fort parking lot or the Beach Access parking lot. Park visitors are reminded that these two parking lots have separate closing times and these times change throughout the year based on the month, so please be mindful of your time if you start your hike later in the afternoon.
Surface: natural surface, sand, gravel, boardwalk/bridge
Length:
3.20 miles
loop
3.20 miles
loop
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
Yellow Circles
Yellow Circles
Yarrow's Loop
Location: Fort Parking Lot
Description:
Yarrow's Loop is a short quarter mile nature trail that starts and ends at the north end of the fort parking lot. Information signs along the trail tell about some of the common plants and animals that can be found in the park.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.25 miles
loop
0.25 miles
loop
Difficulty:
easy hike
easy hike
Blaze:
Park Maps and Brochures:
