Trails
Contact the park
910-326-4881
hammocks.beach@ncparks.gov
Address
Visitor center
1572 Hammock Beach Road
Swansboro, NC 28584
GPS: 34.671, -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:
8:00am to 5:00pm
daily
- June to August:
8:00am to 6:00pm
daily
- Closed Christmas Day
No Ferry Service Bathhouse Closed and...
There is no ferry service January – March 2020. Ferry service for the 2020 season is scheduled to begin Friday, April 3, 2020. Currently, access to Bear Island is available by canoe, kayak, private boat, or private water taxi. The bathhouse on Bear Island, with rest room facilities and potable water, is closed and winterized. Camping is permitted but campers must bring all necessities with them including drinking water. Campsites 9 - 11 are currently closed through 3/15/2020 due to beach erosion. Open fires are not permitted at any time. Barring freezing temperatures or maintenance issues, the bathhouse will reopen on March 16, 2020. All facilities on the mainland are open including the trails, kayak launch, and boat ramp.
Please see Hammocks Beach Updates for additional information.
Last updated on: Friday, January 3, 2020List of trails
Enjoy three well-marked paddle trails, ranging from 200 yards to more than six miles.
Beach at Bear Island
Location: Bear Island
Description:
While Bear Island does not have designated walking trails, the beach is always available for hikes.
Surface: sand
Length:
4.00 miles
one way
4.00 miles
one way
Difficulty:
easy hike
easy hike
Blaze:
Bear Inlet Trail
Location: Starts at the kayak launch to Bear Island ending at Bear Inlet on the western side of the island
Description:
Saltmarsh paddle considered difficult due to length, strong currents, and proximity to powerboat channels.
Surface: water (paddle trail)
Length:
5.60 miles
one way
5.60 miles
one way
Difficulty:
difficult paddle
difficult paddle
Blaze:
orange over white
orange over white
Bear Island Trail
Location: Starts at the kayak launch and ends at the Bear Island campsites
Description:
Saltmarsh paddle affected by strong currents, tide changes, and wind. Portage possibilities at low tide.
Surface: water (paddle trail)
Length:
2.60 miles
one way
2.60 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate paddle
moderate paddle
Blaze:
white over orange
white over orange
Coastal Fringe Trail
Location: Spurs off the Evergreen Trail
Description:
Coastal upland forest trail with three boardwalks across wet drainages
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.80 miles
loop
0.80 miles
loop
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
red circles
red circles
Evergreen Trail
Location: Spurs off the Live Oak Trail
Description:
Coastal evergreen forest trail that will soon connect through to the FFA Camp Road
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.30 miles
one way
0.30 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
blue circles
blue circles
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 - 1:00pm
Saturday, February 1, 2020 - 2:00pm
Sunday, February 2, 2020 - 11:00am