Tons of big shells and sand dollars. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees. The beach was larger/longer than expected, & absolutely beautiful. Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine) A popular beach campground just south of historic St. Augustine, Anastasia State Park spans 1,600 acres and has tons of activities on- and off-shore. Do not enter marked nesting bird areas. For more information on the positions and how to apply, please visit our Jobs page. Current camp permit with an attached receipt for ferry tickets must be presented at the visitor center to receive ferry tickets at no charge. If you are staying at a vacation rental around Topsail Island or Pleasure Island, taking a day trip to Hammocks Beach State Park is easy and fun. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. With the nearby boat rentals and nature trails, everyone can enjoy something here. Three group campsites, available to affiliated groups only, accommodate up to 12 persons each. For hammocking, find a set of palm trees or post up near the picturesque live oaks that provide not just a great photo op but vital shade for the hiking and . Prices subject to change without notice. 2023 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. Open fires of any kind are not allowed on Bear Island nor anywhere in the park. From mid-November to mid-March, there is no water at Bear Island, including at the bathhouse. Same-day cancellations will incur an additional charge of one night's camping. Matheson Hammock Park is South Miami's well-hidden secret. 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. From boating to picnics, this park is ready to host your family's trip. We prefer a more secluded spot to a. Seabirds fly overhead. Grills are permitted. 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. Light and simple is the way to travel, as campers must carry all provisions to the campsites from the beach or ferry dock. Or, travel by boat or ferry to Bear Island and see what this park's water attraction has to offer. Ferry Schedule: The Park occupies 630 acres, which is more than enough space for you all to explore during . From September to May, open daily, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. From June to August, open daily, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Top:Marsh at Hammocks Beach State Park, Visit NC, Gallery:Paddlefest, M. Kane | Great egret, S. McElhone | Dolphins seen from the park ferry, S. Bland | Beach camping at Bear Island, C. Peek | Marsh reflection, R. Evans, 1572 Hammocks Beach Road Open fires of any kind are not allowed in the park. They come back every half hour to get people off the island. Our app helps you find canceled reservations at Hammocks Beach State Park. Its the perfect day trip from your vacation rental in Topsail or Pleasure Island! The ferry also offers a regular schedule of nature cruises, showcasing some of the most diverse ecosystems in the region. This 40 covered boat is handicap accessible, has a full shade top, padded seats and a bathroom on board. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. If you need specific information about parks that you are unable to find online, please email us at state.parks@ncparks.gov for assistance. Hammocks Beach is known for its rich history, wonderful wildlife, and of course, its natural beauty. Sites 1 to 11 have a picnic table, while sites 12 to 14 do not. The wide-open sandy beaches here might just be the best on the whole east coast. This is an especially interesting destination for history buffs. Double Hammock: 9.5' length with 400 lb capacity; ideal camping accessories for women and men ; Simple Setup: Relax in your hammock anywhere; compatible with all ENO hammock straps and accessories ; Outdoor-Ready Camping Gear: Durable hammocks built with a triple-stitched seam and breathable nylon Hammocks Beach State Park: Family camping - See 243 traveller reviews, 146 candid photos, and great deals for Swansboro, NC, at Tripadvisor. I saw some people with rolling suitcases which was a very smart way to bring everything without carrying it! Fishing is a popular activity at Hammocks Beach State Park. Fortunately, the answer is: plenty! In the spring and fall, it runs less frequently, and does not run during the winter. What rhymes with "hammock" and is a must-have while camping? Local weather information available at visitors center when checking in. Hammocks Beach State Park is a located in Swansboro, North Carolina. Secure websites use HTTPS certificates. The ferry runs from March through October (check the website for the schedule). Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. And youll notice where people have camped in the past. Jul 10, 2015 - Venture to Bear Island and reward yourself with vivid memories of one of the most unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic coast. Campers are responsible for transportation to Bear Island. Check the weather at Hammocks Beach State Park. koala tree. Hammocks Beach recently opened several nature trails on the mainland section of the park. With its access to the Intracoastal Waterway, Hammocks Beach State Park has a few good kayak launch spots for boaters to set out on a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or small motorized private boat. Please note that group camping reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. Best beach in NC! Cast a baited hook into endless rows of foaming breakers. 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. How do you get there in September? Concession stand is available Memorial Day through Labor Day as staffing permits. We had plans to go Monday - Tuesday but ferries only operate on Wednesdays? Park rangers were super nice and camp sites were . 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. Memorial Day through Labor Day - Daily 9:30 am - 5:30 pm; Check in required at mainland visitor center during visitor center hours. Getting to Hammocks Beach State Park from Topsail and Pleasure Island is an easy and enjoyable cruise along the road to Swansboro. All Hosts should review and adhere to these standards around providing a positive Hipcamp experience, being a thoughtful neighbor, and serving as a responsible citizen. The beach lies along the southern end of the island and stretches for about 3.5 miles. If you need specific information about parks that you are unable to find online, please email us at state.parks@ncparks.gov for assistance. Park staff lead regularly scheduled interpretive programs that allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful. Bring breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stroll the beach with laughing gulls and sandpipers. To learn more, view our full privacy policy. A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. Camping at Hammocks Beach The park offers year-round camping for those more adventurous souls on 14 family campsites and three group campsites, all of which are located on Bear Island's coastline near the ferry dock. As always, anglers should pay close attention to local regulations when fishing in any of the parks waters! We were told that all 14 camp sites were full for the night, but we scarcely saw another person once we reached our campsite. From biking and walking trails to swimming, kayaking, and more, theres something for everyone at Hammocks Beach State Park. The biodiversity of the newly acquired Huggins Island is well-documented. beachhouse@carolinaretreats.com You can cancel reservations online by logging into your account onReserveAmerica. They actually welcomed it at Shinleaf. A rope and clip are also included. 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. bluewater@carolinaretreats.com "What happens at camp, stays at camp" has a playful and lighthearted tone and suggests that the experiences and memories made while camping are special and should be kept private . Amenities include showers and pit toilets, and drinking water is available on the island from mid-March through mid-November. Hammock Beach on Bear Island is stress-free bliss. 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. Alternatively, visitors can rent or bring their own kayak or canoe for a closer exploration of the marshlands and maritime swamp forests that surround the park's island areas. Yeah I'd call or email for sure before I head up. But if you arent a paddler, what is there to do at Hammocks Beach and Bear Island? 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. 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. Paddleboard in the Bay. 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. With its gorgeous scenery and relaxing atmosphere, Hammocks Beach State Park is the perfect place for a day of boating. Don't sweat it! Accessible only by boat; park operates passenger ferry from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hammocks Beach State Park is the perfect destination for a memorable outdoor picnic! We apologize for the missing information on some of our website pages. Camping is permitted on numbered sites only and permits must be obtained from the park office on the mainland. The park's main attraction is Bear Island, but we visited in the winter when the ferry is not operating and had our dog with us for the state park passport program. Fires are not permitted on Bear Island, but campers may bring propane or backpack camp stoves. Otherwise, the site will be marked as a no-show and will be made available to other campers. Hammocks Beach State Park is a treasure trove of fish, with the estuarine waters home to a wide variety of species. Campers must carry all equipment to and from the campsites without assistance from park staff. Sea turtles nest on these barrier islands. Vehicles without a pass at closing may be towed. Bear Islands only permanent fixture is a small picnic area and concessions stand (with bathrooms see Know before you go, below). We are working hard on restoring the content as quickly as possible. Hammocks Beach State Park Where: 1572 Hammocks Beach Road Swansboro, NC 28584 Phone: (910) 326-4881 Email: hammocks.beach@ncparks.gov Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/hammocks-beach-state-park Hours: September to May: daily, 8am to 5pm June to August: daily, 8am to 6pm Closed Christmas Day Business Description You can see a list of closure dates on the reservations page (link above). Fourteen backpack family campsites, three backpack group campsites. State Government websites value user privacy. Is the cost for the farry round trip or is it$5 each way? Here are some of the top things to do on a day trip to Hammocks Beach State Park. Then camping at Hammocks Beach State Park might be for you. Guests . . Guests . 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. Has anyone made a fire and had an issue or made one and not had an issue? 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