Open Facilities
The mainland area is open daily. Facilities on Bear Island and the ferry to the island is open daily. The visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The visitor center gate hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restrooms are open and can be accessed through the visitor center or outdoor entrances. The Simmons Mainland Campground is open, campground gate has 24-hour access, see camping information below. The boat ramp is open daily.
The Bear Island concession stand is open daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day from 10a.m to 5:00p.m.
Lifeguards are on duty in the Bear Island protected swimming area Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Ferry Service
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, ferry service operates daily. Please see Ferry Schedule | NC State Parks for complete schedule to/from the mainland to Bear Island. The ferry schedule may change without notification for any reason, including mechanical, staffing, weather and the capacity of Bear Island being reached. Capacity is reached when the number of visitors on Bear Island reach the Coast Guard limit of passengers for each of the scheduled ferry departures.
Ticket Sales and Boarding Policy
- Ferry tickets are sold on the day of departure on a first-come, first-served basis. No online or advance reservations are available.
- Every passenger, babies included, must have a ticket.
- Pets are not permitted on the ferry.
- Carts and wagons are permitted only if collapsible.
- Tickets are purchased for a specific departure time and the scheduled departure time is printed on the ticket.
- Passengers who miss their scheduled departure must visit the park office to exchange their tickets for the next available departure. Priority is not given for missed departures.
- Ticket sales close five (5) minutes before the scheduled departure time.
- Ferry boarding begins ten (10) minutes before the scheduled departure time at the ferry waiting station.
- The boarding gate will close at the scheduled departure time. If you have not boarded the ferry prior to the gate closing, you will not be allowed to board the ferry.
- To request a refund, ticket holders must present the unused ticket and original receipt for a refund to be given.
Camping Information
Simmons Mainland Campground
The Simmons Mainland Campground is open, and reservations can be made within the 6-month booking window. There are 12 full hook-up sites, 7 non-electric sites, 2 primitive campsites, a group campsite and 4 camper cabins. The camper cabins have a 2-day minimum year-round and a 3-day minimum for holidays. Check-in at the visitor center after 3:00p.m.
Bear Island Campsites
All Bear Island campsites are open for reservation within the 6-month booking window. Campsites are accessed only by seasonal passenger ferry service, canoe, kayak, or private boat. Campers must check-in at the visitor center to obtain a parking permit for overnight parking. There is no late check-in for Bear Island campsites and campers are responsible for getting to Bear Island.
Open fires are not permitted anywhere on Bear Island. There are no white lights (flashlights) permitted on Bear Island at night during turtle nesting season approximately May through October. Use a red lens only on the beachfront at night.
Paddling and Boating Information
Kayak launch and paddle trails are open for use.
The five paddle trails are all marked:
- Huggins Island Loop Trail: 6 miles round trip (difficult)
- Bear Inlet Trail: 5.6 miles one way (difficult)
- Bear Island Trail: 2.7 miles one way (moderate)
- Queen's Creek Trail: 0.7 miles one way (easy)
- Trout Channel Spur: 0.4 miles, one way (moderate)
Please see the paddle trail map for additional information.
The boat ramp in the maintenance area is open. There are eight parking spaces allocated for boat trailer parking. You must obtain a permit to utilize the boat ramp — present your Annual Pass at the visitor center or pay the boat ramp fee ($7). All boaters must check in at the visitor center.
Please note that park, emergency, and construction vessels have priority use of the boat ramp.
Contact Information
Questions can be directed to the park at hammocks.beach@ncparks.gov or 910-326-4881.