Status of Park Facilities as of January 24, 2022

Visitor center, exhibit hall, trails, mainland restrooms, and the boat ramp are open daily. Masks are required in all park buildings.

2022 Annual passes are available at the visitor center for $90. Good for up to 6 ferry tickets or boat ramp use per day.

Beachside campsites 1-10 are CLOSED through March 12, 2022, due to beach erosion from a recent storm. Campsite 11 along the beach side and sound side campsites 12-14 remain open but can ONLY be reached through the kayak trail access on the sound side of Bear Island. Campers must bring all necessities with them including drinking water. Please see the Reservations page to make a reservation. Please note open fires are not permitted anywhere on Bear Island.
Ferry service is CLOSED for the season and will resume in April 2022.

The Bear Island bathhouse with restroom facilities is CLOSED and winterized until Mid-March 2022. There is no potable (drinkable) water and no restrooms on Bear Island.

Beachside campsites will be CLOSED during “King Tide Events”, May 15 – 19, 2022; June 12 – 15, 2022; and July 11 – 15, 2022. A king tide occurs when the sun, earth, and moon align, resulting in exceptionally high tides. Beach erosion from hurricanes and winter storms, reduced the Bear Island primary dune and during king tides, ocean waves will be at the dunes, restricting access to campsites 1-11 for extended periods of time.

The concession stand is CLOSED and will re-open along with lifeguards on duty Memorial Day weekend. Please swim at your own risk and use extreme caution as rip currents and strong currents can occur at any time.

Visitor center hours: 8am – 5pm, Gate Hours 8am – 6pm.

Last updated on: Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Contact 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 SCHEDULE 2022

Hammocks Beach State Park

A crown jewel of the North Carolina coast and Hammocks Beach State Park is Bear Island—a 4-mile-long, undeveloped barrier island accessible by the park’s passenger ferry or private ferry, or by paddling a canoe or kayak. A wide beach between massive dunes and the ocean is interrupted only by primitive campsites and a modest concession/picnic complex. The park’s mainland gateway offers a full-service visitor center and is the launch site for ferry service, canoes or kayaks. Rent or bring your own kayaks, canoes or paddleboards to explore paddling trails leading to marshes, Bear Island or Huggins Island, which is graced with unspoiled maritime forest. Interpretive programs and extensive exhibits teach about park ecology and wildlife including endangered sea turtles and nesting shorebirds.

Reservations

Find and book a campsite or facility online

Or make your reservation at 1-877-722-6762

Notices and alerts

Camping closures during king tide events

The beachfront campsites, campsites 1 to 11, at Hammocks Beach State Park will be closed during king tide events. A king tide occurs when the sun, earth, and moon align, resulting in exceptionally high tides. Beach erosion from hurricanes and winter storms reduced the Bear Island primary dune, and during king tides, ocean waves will be at the dunes, restricting access to the campsites for extended periods of time. In 2022, king tide campsite closures will occur on: May 15 to 19, June 12 to 15, and July 11 to 15.