Status of Park Facilities as of May 27, 2022

Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend ferry service to Bear Island operates daily. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday hourly and Thursday through Sunday every 30 minutes from 9:30 until 5:30. Please see the 2022 ferry schedule link for the complete schedule of departure days and times. Ferry tickets are sold in person on a first-come, first-served basis; there are no reservations for the ferry. Please see ferry sales and boarding procedure for additional information. Tickets can sell out early in the day on weekends, plan to arrive early in the day to purchase tickets.

Visitor center, exhibit hall, trails, restrooms, and the boat ramp are open daily. Masks are optional 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.

Bear Island bathhouse restroom facilities are open daily with potable (drinkable) water.

Beachside and sound side campsites are open. Beachside campsites can be accessed by ferry, when operating, canoe, kayak or private boat. Sound side campsites are accessible only by canoe, kayak or private boat. Please see the Reservations page to make a reservation. Open fires are not permitted anywhere on Bear Island.

The concession stand is OPEN daily through Labor Day weekend with drinks and snacks and is CASH ONLY.

Lifeguards are on duty as staffing permits through Labor Day weekend as well. Swimmers should use extreme caution as rip currents and strong currents can occur at any time.

Visitor center hours: 8am – 6pm, Gate Hours 8am – 7pm.

Last updated on: Friday, May 27, 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

►

September to May:
8:00am to 6:00pm
June to August:
8:00am to 7:00pm
Closed Christmas Day

►

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

► FERRY TICKET SALES AND BOARDING PROCEDURE INFORMATION

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.