COVID-19 information for parks (Updated 2/26/2021)
Posted on: Friday, February 26, 2021 - 2:37pm |
Public input needed for new website redesign
Posted on: Tuesday, March 2, 2021 - 2:20pm |
Education

FERRY SERVICE to Bear Island does not operate in January, February, or March. Park staff hope to operate a regular ferry schedule beginning sometime in May 2021.
Beachside campsites 3-11 are currently CLOSED due to beach erosion. During periods of high tide there is no beachfront and campsites are inaccessible and may be unsafe.
Visitor center, trails, mainland restrooms, and boat ramp are open daily. Masks must be worn in buildings and social distancing should be practiced.
The bathhouse on Bear Island is closed and winterized, this includes rest room facilities and potable water. Barring any unforeseen repairs or freeze warnings, the bathhouse will open on March 15, 2021.
Bear Island is open for day use and Bear Island sound-side campsites and Sites 1 and 2 on the beachfront are open for campers with transportation to the island. Campers must bring all necessities with them. See the Reservations page to make a reservation. Please note open fires are not permitted anywhere on Bear Island.
Group campsite A is open for organized groups. Campers must have transportation to Bear Island, by canoe, kayak, or private boat.
Visitor center hours: 8am – 5pm, closed for lunch 12pm – 1pm, gate hours 8am – 6pm.
Please see the Hammocks Beach Updates Page or www.ncparks.gov/open for additional information.
Last updated on: Tuesday, March 2, 2021Contact the park
910-326-4881
hammocks.beach@ncparks.gov
Address
Visitor center
1572 Hammock Beach Road
Swansboro, NC 28584
GPS: 34.6710, -77.1429
Hours
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- September to May:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- June to August:
8:00am to 7:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
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- September to May:
Open daily:
8:00am to 5:00pm
- June to August:
Open daily:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
Ferry
Ferry service is not available in the off-season. Please check back in the spring for the 2021 ferry schedule.
Educational programs
Rangers hold regularly scheduled educational and interpretive programs about Hammocks Beach State Park. Check the Events calendar for more information.
Educational materials about Hammocks Beach State Park have been developed for grades 6-8 and are correlated to North Carolina's competency-based curriculum in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language arts. The Hammocks Beach program introduces students to the life history of sea turtles, focusing on the loggerhead sea turtle. The program's content includes information about animal adaptation, the sea turtle's lifecycle, endangered species, natural and human threats to wildlife, resource management and stewardship. Accompanying the program is a teacher's booklet and workshop, an electronic copy of the teacher's booklet is available, free of charge, to educators.
Park Maps and Brochures: