Last-minute getaway? Kayaking, hiking, and swimming are just a few of the popular pastimes. Tons of big shells and sand dollars. The beach is also a nesting place for loggerhead sea turtles. Curry Hammock State Park 56200 Overseas Highway MM 56 Marathon, FL 33050 Ranger Station: (305) 289-2690 Campground Reservations: Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance by calling (800) 326-3521. yes that's plenty of time ..They go to Bear Island .On island there is camping places where you can stay the night in your tent but there is no stores or anything like that it's empty island. The Hammocks Beach State Park office and ferry dock are located in Onslow County between Jacksonville and Morehead City. Hammocks Beach State ParkSwansboro, North Carolina Overview We travel to North Carolina and visit the crown jewel of the North Carolina Coast. Water and a bathhouse with hot showers is located at Bear Island, but is available from only mid-March through mid-November. The ferry to Bear Island runs daily through Sept. 6, 2021 (the daily schedule changes after Sept. 6 and service for the season ends on Oct. 31). Discover tiny specimens of marine life in tidal pools and mudflats. Only show listings you can book instantly with no waiting for a Host's confirmation. You take a deep, relaxing breath. Camping near Hammocks Beach State Park is easy with Hipcamp, where private landowners offer one-of-a-kind camping experiences. Ferry service will resume April 7, 2023. Get an alert when a campsite becomes available at Hammocks Beach State Park! CAMPSITE INFORMATION: Tourists who prefer to avoid the loud crowds, as witnessed in places like South Beach, will come to Matheson Hammock Park.. Sharpe intended to will the property to John Hurst, his longtime hunting guide and friend, but Hurst persuaded him to donate it to the North Carolina Teachers Association, an organization of AfricanAmerican teachers. Hammocks Beach State Park. Hammocks Beach State Park is home to land and water attractions. If you are planning on taking the ferry to Bear Island, please check the availability and schedule on our Ferry Schedule page. Lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day 10:00 am through 5:00 pm daily as staffing allows. + Dates . What restaurants are near Hammocks Beach State Park? Use a camera or paintbrush to capture the green and gold grasses that color the salt marshes. Cash only. An excellent experience! There is a small ferry that takes you over or you can canoe or kayak. The calm, crystal-clear water of Hammocks Beach allows visitors to enjoy a peaceful and serene day out on the water on rented gear or a private boat. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times. For more information on the positions and how to apply, please visit our Jobs page. Secluded and tranquil, free from intruding commercialism, Hammocks Beach may not be for everyone, but the island is a retreat for people who welcome the challenges of relentless sun, sand, sea and sky. The 20-minute roundtrip passenger ferry ride takes passengers to the parks main attractions, including the iconic Bear Island, where visitors can get an up-close view of the wild horses, as well as enjoy the pristine white sand beaches and spectacular sunsets. Instead, youll find peaceful solitude under the sun. Campers are advised to seek shelter in tents or the bathhouse. Hammocks Beach State Park is a treasure trove of fish, with the estuarine waters home to a wide variety of species. 1572 Hammock Beach Rd Swansboro, NC 28584 View Phone View Website $ $$$ Average Rate 16 Sites Hookups 100 m 500 ft + - Leaflet | OpenStreetMap Add Photos Login for Latitude, Longitude, and Elevation Info - Click Here Features & Amenities Pets Allowed Tent Camping Connectivity Wifi ATT Sprint Starlink T-Mobile Verizon Submit a Speed Test Discover tiny specimens of marine life in tidal pools and mudflats. Water and other facilities are available on the island, except from mid-November through mid-March when the facilities are winterized. Fourteen family campsites accommodate six people each. Fires are not permitted at Bear Island. The ferry also offers a regular schedule of nature cruises, showcasing some of the most diverse ecosystems in the region. Its cash only. A local naturalist will guide passengers on a two-hour interpretive tour through Bear Island, Huggins Island, and Swansboro. Here are some of the top things to do on a day trip to Hammocks Beach State Park. Is Hammocks Beach State Park sold out? I would certainly suggest you do just that - short answer YES. Lifeguards are on duty Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as staff is available. Open fires of any kind are not allowed on Bear Island nor anywhere in the park. Please note that group camping reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. 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. From there, follow the NC-24 north to Swansboro and take its continuation as NC-24 N. From Topsail Island, youll go through Surf City to join NC-24 N and follow along until you reach the Hammocks Beach State Park entrance. Hammocks Beach State Park, NC 110 Ratings See or Upload Photos Venture to Bear Island and reward yourself with vivid memories of one of the most unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic coast. All campsites located on Bear Island with no vehicle access, (*Rate may vary across dates; displayed rates do not reflect discounts, fees or taxes). North Carolina State Park Services website, Finally, the Stories of South Carolinians Who Fought in Vietnam Are Vividly Told, The Best Winter Hikes in North and South Carolina. You will need to hire a private boat service to take you over. Positions range from 3 to 6 months and up to 11 months. Early check-in permitted on day of arrival at visitor center to allow for travel to Bear Island. On the hour is the large boat, on the half hour is the small boat during the week. During the Civil War, Confederate troops used Bear Island to defend it against Union soldiers and built an earthwork fortification on Huggins Island to protect Bogue Inlet. To learn more, view our full privacy policy. Same-day cancellations will incur an additional charge of one night's camping. Fourteen family campsites accommodate up to six people and two tents each. Follow NC 24 east through Jacksonville to Swansboro. Make your camping reservations here. (800) 526-6432, Carolina & Kure Beach Accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat, there's just one thing at Hammocks Beach that's crowded - the list of things to do. Create Campsite Availability Alert Stroll the beach with laughing gulls and sandpipers. Visitors can also take self-guided tours of the old campground and the ruins of an old hotel dating back to the early 1900s. Located at the foot of Bear Island - one of the major attractions of the State Parks for kayakers and canoeists from across the state - Hammocks Beach State Park offers four miles of unspoiled shoreline accessible by ferry or private vehicle. Lured by the variety of fishing opportunities, anglers can find plentiful red drum, spotted seatrout, and flounder. Look for a hammock at least 8.5 feet long and between 4 and 5 feet wide for a single, or greater than 6 feet wide for a double. You'll find all the local beach camping sites on the 4-mile long Bear Island (access by ferry, private boat or paddling only). Does camping on a remote sandy beach sound appealing? From Fri Mar 03 2023 to Sat Mar 04 2023. With the purchase of initial ferry tickets and multiple nights of camping, campers are permitted one free round-trip ferry ride per day per person. Theres plenty of room to spread out on the beach at Bear Island, Hammocks Beach State Park, near Jacksonville, NC. Early in the 20th century, Dr. William Sharpe, a neurosurgeon of New York, came to Bear Island to hunt. Restroom facilities and outdoor showers available 24 hours per day. Current camp permit with an attached receipt for ferry tickets must be presented at the visitor center to receive ferry tickets at no charge. Restaurants near Hammocks Beach State Park: 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Camp in your designated campsite. All vehicles left in the parking lot overnight must be registered at the visitor office or be subject to towing. Campgrounds operated by federal and state agencies are not yet bookable on Hipcamp. The park's 33-acre, wel-lappointed mainland site is a boat ride away from the main attraction Bear Island, an 892-acre, undeveloped barrier island. Bear Islands only permanent fixture is a small picnic area and concessions stand (with bathrooms see Know before you go, below). The Bear Island ferry is scheduled to operate until Oct. 31, 2021 (the concession stand closes Sept. 6), with round-trip ticket prices of $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and children 3-12, children 2 and under are free. You'll find Hammocks Beach State Park nestled into the Topsail area, with local attractions like the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Lejeune Memorial Gardens. The park is open during all other holidays. The areas long and interesting history has shaped it into the iconic destination it is today. Please input the date in MM dash DD dash YYYY format. Current camp permit with an attached receipt for ferry tickets must be presented at the visitor center to receive ferry tickets at no charge. be aware also it may be a bit of a walk so a rolling cooler is a great idea. Campsites 1 to 11 are accessible via ferry, private boat or paddling only. I booked on the website 3 weeks out, & everything went smoothly. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. If you're headed here today, be sure to check out travel times and driving directions before you go. Please use a JavaScript enabled browser in order to access the full functionality of this site. This state park is located just off the mainland and is accessible by land or by water. Venture to Bear Island and reward yourself with vivid memories of one of the most unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic coast. 1572 Hammock Beach Rd, Swansboro, NC 28584-9523, $$ - $$$ Quick Bites Mediterranean Greek, $$ - $$$ American Seafood Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Seafood Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options. Make your special occasion naturally wonderful. I dont know, but cant believe it would a problem; this is a pretty relaxed place. Both the island and mainland areas have plenty of opportunities for primitive and group camping. The Roo Double is a great option for any couples or buddies who love the outdoors, as it comes with a 500-pound weight limit and made of 100% . Check in required at mainland visitor center during visitor center hours. Note: the campsites on this pristine island are closed during king tides. No facilities in the winter. Huggins Island, located in Hammocks Beach State Park, North Carolina, about 30 miles north of Charlotte, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state and a popular destination for visitors from around the world. May and September - Wednesday through Sunday - 9:30 am - 4:30 pm The wide-open sandy beaches here might just be the best on the whole east coast. Indoor showers available after 6:00 pm and before 9:00 am daily. Venture to Bear Island and reward yourself with vivid memories of one of the most unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic coast. The restrooms on Bear Island are open and drinking water is available at the bathhouse. Four mile long island and we were only visitors. 910-278-5644 ext 500. Otherwise, the site will be marked as a no-show and will be made available to other campers. How strict is the park about campfires? 72 reviews of Highlands Hammock State Park "One of the best campgrounds for familes and groups. According to the rangers at Falls Lake SRC there's no regulation prohibiting hammock camping. Memorial Day through Labor Day - Daily 9:30 am - 5:30 pm; Use a camera or paintbrush to capture the green and gold grasses that color the salt marshes. Phone: 850-267-8300. This is largely due to the fact that you can only get here by ferry or private boat, so youll never have to crowd in with a thousand other people lathered in banana boat. Light and simple is the way to travel, as campers must carry all provisions to the campsites from the beach or ferry dock. When camping in North Carolina make sure you visit and leave a review on MobileRving.com your premier rv travel search engine. You cannot cancel a one-night reservation on the same day. Yes the schedule changes in September so you can't get there via the ferry on Monday and Tuesdays. To get to Hammocks Beach you have to take a ferry, which costs $5 for adults and kids ride free. From I-95, take I-40 east to NC 24. Later, pirates and Spanish privateers frequented the area and attacked merchant ships, with Blackbeard being one of the most notorious pirates. Located in Harnett County 40 miles southwest of Raleigh, Raven Rock State Park boasts the namesake 150-foot crystalline structure that overlooks the Cape Fear River. Meet Sarasota's newest cultural hub: the Bay.Part restoration, part recreation, this 53-acre urban park located along Sarasota's waterfront opened to the public in . The trails are relatively easy to traverse and offer great opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Swansboro, NC 28584, An official website of the State of North Carolina, View the dates and times the ferry departs for Bear Island and back. Other than taking a few selfies to share, you'll relish the "back to nature" vibe of this island that is free of cars and houses. Fires are not permitted, and campers must remove all trash. Ferry tickets purchased at mainland visitor center for $4 to $6 per person. This park is a great introduction to the slow-paced charm of Swansboro, NC. Easy hike of about 2 miles through the maritime forest on several loops and a nice way to experience the park without going to Bear Island. Here is your guide on how to get there, where to explore, and what activities await! The island, 3.5 miles long and less than a mile wide, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and by salt marshes, estuarine creeks and the Intracoastal Waterway to the north. Campers must carry all equipment to and from the campsites without assistance from park staff. Cast a baited hook into endless rows of foaming breakers. Campers arriving after final ferry departure must make alternate arrangements to Bear Island or you will NOT be able to Check-In. Don't sweat it! 12/11/2022. Please note that there is a $6 fee per night to cancel your reservation. Adults Ages 16 or above-+ Children Ages 3-15-+ Campers responsible for knowing weather forecast prior to arriving on Bear Island. No flashlights or white lights permitted on the beach front mid May through mid September, use a red lens, or cover flashlights with something red. Visitors can swim in the calm ocean waves or venture further up the estuary creeks filled with exciting wildlife. Most events are free, though some may require pre-registration. Now, note the ends. One of the most peaceful and pure places I've ever been. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. This diverse state park offers a few easy to moderate miles of trails through sandy beaches and maritime forests. Always double check the North Carolina State Park Services websitefor up-to-date information about hours and COVID-19 restrictions. Stroll the beach with laughing gulls and sandpipers. The ferry ride over was very nice, just a short 15 min ride (no cars, people only). The only downside is a 1/2 mile walk fom the ferry dock to the beach (it can be very hot and there isnt any shade). There is no water at Bear Island when the facilities are winterized. His love of the island prompted him to acquire it for his retirement. My family enjoyed walking the trails and spending some time reading on one of the piers. The wide-open sandy beaches here might just be the best on the whole east coast. They are not permitted inside buildings, on the ferry, or in the swimming area. If you want to add more listings at the same mailing address, please, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. 1572 Hammocks Beach Road Park gates are closed and locked at posted closing times for your protection. Stroll the beach with laughing gulls and sandpipers. There are no bears on Bear Island, but its the most beautiful beach in NC. Area Campgrounds. There will be no exiting or entering the gates at the mainland after the posted closing time. We apologize for the missing information on some of our website pages. Carolina Beach should operate under the same regulations, but I wouldn't trust a drive from Charleston on it. Scan for cancellations Pets, Carts, Wagons, Kayaks, and Canoes not permitted on ferry vessels. Once you arrive, youll be treated to one of the most beautiful beach areas in North Carolina. Whether youre looking for a day of fun in the sun or a unique history lesson, this secluded and peaceful park is sure to please. Comes in a matching bag for easy mocking on the go. Read the campsite information on ReserveAmerica to see photos of campsites; check availability and fees; find out whether a specific site is wheelchair accessible, has access to water, bathhouses or pit toilets, or has RV hookups; and learn other important information. The only place that I can think of that was comparable for white sands was in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Improve this listing All photos (146) Top ways to experience nearby attractions 1572 Hammocks Beach Rd, Swansboro, NC 28584 PHONE: 910-326-4881 WEBSITE The park's crown jewel, Bear Island, is one of Travel + Leisure's Top Ten NC Beaches, and just a passenger ferry ride or private boat ride away. Cast a baited hook into endless rows of foaming breakers. Additional fees for transportation may apply. Check out all pet friendly campgrounds and RV resorts in Sebring if you are in the mood for some RVs. Please do not approach or disturb sea turtles or their nests. Hammocks Beach State Park is a beautiful and serene outdoor paradise just north of North Carolinas Topsail and Pleasure Island coast, near Emerald Isle. Your tour guide will explain how the unspoiled beauty of Hammocks Beach State Park, Bear Island, Huggins Island, Jones Island and Swansboro came to be. Hammocks Beach State Park is an enjoyable location with features that can accommodate various recreational plans. Cast a baited hook into endless rows of foaming breakers. You can get to Bear Island on the Hammocks Beach State Park ferry. Campsites are open year round. You can cancel reservations online by logging into your account onReserveAmerica. Remember "what you bring you take back leaving only your footprints!" We were told that all 14 camp sites were full for the night, but we scarcely saw another person once we reached our campsite. I saw some people with rolling suitcases which was a very smart way to bring everything without carrying it! 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