Does camping on a remote sandy beach sound appealing? If you need specific information about parks that you are unable to find online, please email us at state.parks@ncparks.gov for assistance. We are working hard on restoring the content as quickly as possible. When you say get there early to buy tickets but the first boat doesn't leave until 9:30, how early do you mean? We can help! And youll notice where people have camped in the past. 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 intercoastal waterway provides a scenic boat trip as an alternative route, so be sure to check out local charter services for your trip. If you need specific information about parks that you are unable to find online, please email us at state.parks@ncparks.gov for assistance. We prefer a more secluded spot to a. From endangered sea turtles to nesting shorebirds, theres always something to explore. The calm, protected waters make it a great spot for the whole family to take a dip and cool off. Vehicles without a pass at closing may be towed. You can also recline under the sun and work on your tan with the rotisserie technique. Hours 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year Fees $6 per vehicle See all fees Location 5931 Hammock Road Sebring FL 33872 Get directions Contact Info 863-386-6094 Park Menu Hours & Fees Experiences & Amenities Events Make a Reservation Download Park Map Welcome to Highlands Hammock State Park 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. Check with the park during office hours for the after-hours emergency phone number. Positions range from 3 to 6 months and up to 11 months. Stroll the beach with laughing gulls and sandpipers. Tourists who prefer to avoid the loud crowds, as witnessed in places like South Beach, will come to Matheson Hammock Park.. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. All used charcoal must be carried out with you. I'm heading back to Bear Island tomorrow! Check the ferry schedule for current sailing times. See the park's website for ferry schedule. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act made the park open to all people. Four mile long island and we were only visitors. On the hour is the large boat, on the half hour is the small boat during the week. Sites 1 to 11 have a picnic table, while sites 12 to 14 do not. When camping in North Carolina make sure you visit and leave a review on MobileRving.com your premier rv travel search engine. It takes approximately an hour to drive from Topsail Island or two hours from Pleasure Island to reach the park. The group helps provide funding for Junior Ranger and Youth in Parks Environmental Education programs, as well as grants for state parks projects. 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. Hammocks Beach State Park is an enjoyable location with features that can accommodate various recreational plans. If you are planning on taking the ferry to Bear Island, please check the availability and schedule on our Ferry Schedule page. Facilities:14 primitive campsites, 3 primitive group camps, picnic area, trails, canoe . Campsites 1 to 11 are accessible via ferry, private boat or paddling only. Hammocks Beach State Park Parks Directory of the United States / State Parks / North Carolina Location:Bear Island; 4.5 miles west of Swansboro off NC 24 on State Road 1511. Top 6 Qualities that Make a Great Vacation Rental. . Is there just Bear Island Beach area at this state park or another Beach area as well? For those who enjoy camping, outdoor recreation, and spending time with nature. bluewater@carolinaretreats.com
Perfect camping experience on a pristine beach. These campsites are available to organized or affiliated groups only. The beach is also a nesting place for loggerhead sea turtles. Swansboro, NC 28584, An official website of the State of North Carolina, Find and book a campsite online at ncparks.gov/habe/reservations or call 1-877-722-6762. Or, take the ferry service to Bear Island and walk 3-4 miles of shoreline. The trails along the bluffs that lead to the rock are dotted with beautiful wildflowers, including mountain laurel. All vehicles left in the parking lot overnight must be registered at the visitor office or be subject to towing. Campers must vacate campsite by 12:00 noon on departure date. Is 9 am, 9 15 ok? The trails are very new, so they're not on the printed map and don't yet have names. Hammocks Beach State Park is a treasure trove of fish, with the estuarine waters home to a wide variety of species. The park encompasses two large barrier islands, and water routes travel among the . You take a deep, relaxing breath. There are no bears on Bear Island, but its the most beautiful beach in NC. topsail@carolinaretreats.com
Once slated to become a condominium development, this park contains one of the largest tracts of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in the United States. 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 . Same-day cancellations can be made only by calling the reservations number at1-877-722-6762. Dont forget a stop at the Park Office visitor center to pick up some information and get oriented. This is an especially interesting destination for history buffs. Water and a bathhouse with hot showers is located at Bear Island, but is available from only mid-March through mid-November. Is Fort Desoto Open For Camping? Otherwise, the site will be marked as a no-show and will be made available to other campers. Use a camera or paintbrush to capture the green and gold grasses that color the salt marshes. Lifeguards are on duty Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as staff is available. Stroll the beach with laughing gulls and sandpipers. 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. NC State Parks Weekend. Hammock Beach on Bear Island is stress-free bliss. Campers are responsible for transportation to Bear Island. 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. Don't sweat it! There are no fees required to access Hammocks Beach State Park for day use, except for boat launches and ferry passes. So if you're looking for a great beach day without tripping over crowds of other people, Bear Island is the destination of choice. The nature is everywhere, its so quiet, and there is NOTHING else like waking up to the sound of the ocean less than 100ish feet away. If you are planning on taking the ferry to Bear Island, please check the availability and schedule on our Ferry Schedule page. All Hipcampers should review and adhere to these standards for safety, trip preparation, and respect in order to uphold Hipcamps most important value: leave it better., Hipcamp is created with and hope for our future. With its 3 miles of unspoiled shoreline, this pristine park will take your breath away. 2023 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. People come to Hammocks Beach State Park for one thingthe beach. Along the way, youll be able to enjoy stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. In the late summer, if you're very lucky, you might just see some hatchlings making their way to the sea. To learn more, view our full privacy policy. Before you go, review the Bear Island ferry schedule (the schedule may be published as a link to a PDF). They are not permitted inside buildings, on the ferry, or in the swimming area. You can get to Bear Island on the Hammocks Beach State Park ferry. Sells drinks and snacks only, no hot foods, no ice. The large parking lot and visitor center looks like it is set up for nothing more than a grassy field and some trees near a residential area. Has anyone made a fire and had an issue or made one and not had an issue? Stroll . All vehicle parking is at mainland visitor center parking lot. Pets are permitted in the park on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please see www.ncfisheries.net or call the Division of Marine Fisheries at 252.726.7021 or 800.682.2632 for information on how and where to obtain a license. From I-95, take I-40 east to NC 24. Site A accommodates up to 26 people (14 tents), and site B and C can accommodate up to 16 people (10 tents). The ferry ride over was very nice, just a short 15 min ride (no cars, people only). Fires are not permitted at Bear Island, but campers may bring propane or backpack camp stoves. 160 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842, Phone: 603-926-8990 Our experts' top picks for a long weekend getaway for couples: Best caves in the U.S., SD, Galena IL, Boise, St. Pete, San Jose, Taos, Fayetteville, Steamboat Springs, NH, East Coast, DE, GA, Little Rock 9. Restroom facilities and outdoor showers available 24 hours per day. Unaware where deepest part of channel was. Fees are charged for camping, certain event permits, and facility reservations. Spend the night among the sand dunes, or simply bask in the sun and do nothing at all. Campers will be considered a no show and charged 1 night camping regardless of occupying site if last ferry missed and camper unable to make alternate arrangements to Bear Island. The association tried, unsuccessfully, to develop the island, so they donated it in 1961 to the state of North Carolina to turn it into a park. Can you camp right on the beach? Yes the schedule changes in September so you can't get there via the ferry on Monday and Tuesdays. 1572 Hammock Beach Road, Swansboro, NC 28584. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. He intended to will it to his friend, John Hurst, but Hurst convinced him to donate it to the North Carolina Teachers Association. 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 at Bear Island. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If you're headed here today, be sure to check out travel times and driving directions before you go. Ferry vessels do not operate during periods of high winds or lightening storms. Bring breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Friends of the Hammocks and Bear Island promotes, supports, and advocates for Hammocks Beach State Park through organizing volunteer efforts, educating visitors, hosting events, and fundraising. 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. Real-time Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch Warnings help keep our community safe. Bear Island is an 892-acre barrier island. Campers responsible for knowing weather forecast prior to arriving on Bear Island. For more information on the positions and how to apply, please visit our Jobs page. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. You cannot cancel a one-night reservation on the same day. There will be no exiting or entering the gates at the mainland after the posted closing time. . 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Seabirds fly overhead. Light and simple is the way to travel as campers must carry all provisions to the campsites from the beach or ferry dock. Camping Camping at Hammocks Beach State Park Make a Camping Reservation Find and book a campsite online at ncparks.gov/habe/reservations or call 1-877-722-6762 Available Camping Facilities Tent Camping - Primitive Backpack or Paddle-In Campsites Group Camping - Primitive Backpack Tent Campsites Forms and Maps beachhouse@carolinaretreats.com
Discover tiny specimens of marine life in tidal pools and mudflats. The Bear Island concession stand is open for the 2021 season (woohoo!). Address: Hammocks Beach State Park, 1572 State Rd 1511, Swansboro, NC 28584, USA North Carolina In Your Inbox All vehicles left in the parking lot overnight must be registered at the park office or they are subject to towing. Do the lifeguards offer umbrella rentals on Bear Island? It is round trip, they take your ticket at the dock. Current camp permit with an attached receipt for ferry tickets must be presented at the visitor center to receive ferry tickets at no charge. The Grandview Hammock comes in two fun summer patterns and has a 450 lb load capacity. Remember "what you bring you take back leaving only your footprints!" In general, backpacking at Hammocks Beach State Park and the outer islands is a great way to experience North Carolinas maritime beauty. 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 Later, pirates and Spanish privateers frequented the area and attacked merchant ships, with Blackbeard being one of the most notorious pirates. 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. Here are some of the top things to do on a day trip to Hammocks Beach State Park. Hammocks Beach State Park is currently accepting applications for all temporary and seasonal positions. Among the most popular weekend adventures near Swansboro, NC, is kayaking from Hammocks Beach State Park to Bear Island or Huggins Island for a picnic or a night of primitive camping. A few years ago there was a great beach house which was destroyed by hurricanes. CAMPSITE INFORMATION: 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. Instead, youll find peaceful solitude under the sun. We had plans to go Monday - Tuesday but ferries only operate on Wednesdays? Only show listings you can book instantly with no waiting for a Host's confirmation. Yeah I'd call or email for sure before I head up. Tons of big shells and sand dollars. Create Campsite Availability Alert If you need specific information about parks that you are unable to find online, please email us at state.parks@ncparks.gov for assistance. For product related questions please contact: Catry International Group, Inc. at (626) 968-1516 or customerservice@catrygroup.com. If you need specific information about parks that you are unable to find online, please email us at state.parks@ncparks.gov for assistance. The short hike from the ferry to the beach is not too arduous - rewarding the hiker with the most incredible pristine beach imaginable. Use a camera or paintbrush to capture the green and gold grasses that color the salt marshes. 1572 Hammock Beach Rd, Swansboro, NC 28584-9523, $$ - $$$ Quick Bites Mediterranean Greek, $$ - $$$ American Seafood Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Seafood Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459. Prices subject to change without notice. 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 . 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