Hammocks Beach State Park

Star4.53
43 reviews
1572 Hammocks Beach Rd, Swansboro, North Carolina, 28584, United States

Quick Facts

33 ft

Price

$6 - $13/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

24 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Showers

Opens North Carolina State Parks site

Official Website
Get Directions
Hammocks Beach State Park
$6.00 - $13.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Camping fees range from $13 per night for Bear Island primitive camping, while ferry rides to Bear Island cost $6 per person.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Reserve America
Provider
9103264881
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.53

Top-Rated

Based on 43 reviews

1173 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanbeachstafffriendly

"Visitors generally praise Hammocks Beach State Park for its natural beauty, clean facilities, and the unique experience of camping on Bear Island. Highlights include pristine beaches, friendly staff, and the ferry service. However, some issues like bugs and ferry-related inconveniences were noted."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

1572 Hammocks Beach Rd, Swansboro, North Carolina, 28584, United States

Hammocks Beach State Park

1572 Hammocks Beach Rd, Swansboro, North Carolina, 28584, United States

Driving directionsFrom I-95, take I-40 east to NC 24. Follow NC 24 east through Jacksonville to Swansboro. Turn right onto Hammocks Beach Road. Simmons Campground, 1/4 mile on the right. Turn right about 500 feet before the end of the road for the park main entrance and ferry dock.
The roads to the campground are paved and well-maintained, with no seasonal closures noted. Access to Bear Island requires ferry service or personal watercraft, and ferry service schedules may vary by season.
Nearby places
Jacksonville (19 miles southeast), Swansboro (few miles), Cape Carteret, Emerald Isle.
Nearby supplies
Swansboro is a nearby town offering supplies, groceries, dining, and shopping. Additional information on fuel and camping supplies locations is null.

Best Time to Camp at Hammocks Beach State Park

Each season paints Hammocks Beach in different colors. Winter brings crisp, dry days perfect for beachcombing without the crowds or bugs. Summer transforms the islands into a warm, sultry paradise where afternoon thunderstorms provide dramatic sky shows and welcome relief from the humidity. Spring and fall offer the sweet spots—moderate temperatures ideal for paddling the marshes, with just enough rain to keep the maritime forests lush and green. Pack layers and prepare for nature's moods, but know that every season reveals its own coastal magic.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Peak season with lifeguarded swimming but higher insect activity and crowds noted.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Mild weather and fewer bugs/crowds; good season for beachcombing and hiking.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring brings mild weather and good activities, with fewer crowds than summer.

Best
Winter(Dec-Feb)
4.0 / 5
Top 8% in NC

Winter offers crisp, dry days and bug-free hiking/beachcombing without crowds.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day is noted as a peak season period.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Visitor center and park gates are open year-round, gates open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (year-round) and extended to 7:00 PM Memorial Day through Labor Day.
  • Current Alerts: User review mentions ferry cancellations affecting access to Bear Island. Additional active alerts are null.

About Hammocks Beach State Park

Where pristine barrier islands meet the Atlantic, Hammocks Beach State Park invites adventurers to choose their own coastal camping journey. Whether you prefer the convenience of mainland drive-up sites or the raw beauty of primitive beach camping on Bear Island, this coastal gem delivers unforgettable experiences. As one visitor raved, 'The privacy of the beach and the easy ferry access made this a great place for summer day trips too!' The park seamlessly blends accessibility with untouched wilderness, offering a rare escape where sea turtles nest and dolphins play just offshore.
Hammocks Beach State Park offers two distinct camping experiences: primitive beach camping on Bear Island and traditional drive-up camping at Simmons Mainland Campground.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
3PM
Check-out
12 PM
Stay Limit
Check-in at 3 PM and check-out at noon. Maximum stay limits are not defined.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Flush toilets
Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Hammocks Beach State Park offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, kayaking, paddle boating, fishing, and swimming. Visitors can explore unique coastal ecosystems, enjoy shelling on Bear Island's beaches, or attend educational programs. The ferry to Bear Island adds an adventurous element.
HikingHiking opportunities at Hammocks Beach State Park include trails on the mainland and Bear Island. During winter, the trails are particularly enjoyable due to the absence of bugs. "We visited in the winter, which was perfect for the trails. No bugs!" stated one reviewer.
FishingFishing is allowed, and Bear Island is noted as a good location for it. Some reviewers mentioned the quality of fishing but did not provide specifics on fish types.
SwimmingSwimming is a popular activity on Bear Island, with lifeguards present during the summer. Visitors also enjoy the pristine and less crowded beaches. "The beach is beautiful, and there were lifeguards on duty," mentioned one review.
BoatingBoating is a key feature of the park, with a ferry service to Bear Island, kayak rentals, and opportunities for paddle boating. "We took our own kayaks and paddled to Bear Island, about 2.5 miles away," wrote one user.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a highlight, with frequent sightings of birds, fish, crabs, and even occasional blacktip reef sharks. "We saw birds, deer, fish, crabs, and a little too close to two blacktip reef sharks!" noted one visitor.
Beach activitiesBear Island offers pristine beaches ideal for shelling, sunbathing, and swimming. "The shelling is fantastic! Haven’t found anywhere better," one user mentioned.
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSeasonal bugs, biting black flies, mosquitoes, fire ants, and no-see-ums are noted by campers. Low tide may create paddling challenges for kayakers.
Active AlertsUser review mentions ferry cancellations affecting access to Bear Island. Additional active alerts are null.

Weather at Hammocks Beach State Park

Reviews

4.5
43 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Hammocks Beach State Park is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Visitors generally praise Hammocks Beach State Park for its natural beauty, clean facilities, and the unique experience of camping on Bear Island. Highlights include pristine beaches, friendly staff, and the ferry service. However, some issues like bugs and ferry-related inconveniences were noted.
Review Summaries
Based on 43 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive feedback includes the park's pristine beaches, excellent shelling opportunities, clean facilities, and friendly staff. Users also appreciated the unique ferry service and the secluded nature...
Show more
Based on 43 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback highlighted issues such as biting insects (e.g., black flies and no-see-ums), the lack of trash bins on Bear Island, and occasional overcrowding of the ferry. Some visitors also...
Show more
Based on 43 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from users include bringing bug spray and mosquito nets, planning ferry trips early to avoid crowds, and packing lightly for beach camping. One user suggested, "Bring everything you'll need,"...
Show more
Based on 43 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter is noted as bug-free, making it a great time for hiking. Summer reviews highlight the swimming and lifeguarded beaches but also mention high insect activity. Spring and fall offer mild...
Show more
Based on 43 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The beaches are only dotted with beachgoers, and that’s by design. It’ll NEVER get crowded." "Bring bug spray and a mosquito net." "The bathhouse is always clean and tidy, although a long walk!"
Based on 43 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 13 on Bear Island is noted for being on top of a dune, with users mentioning the need to pack light and plan for tides and wind. Several users mentioned the secluded nature of the Bear Island...
Show more
Based on 43 reviews

Accessibility Features

The golf cart shuttle for those unable to walk to the beach was praised. "If you’re handicapped, that’s not gonna stop you; come on because they got a golf cart," said one visitor.
Based on 43 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed on Bear Island but cannot be transported via the state ferry. "Dogs aren’t allowed on the ferry for whatever reason, but they are allowed on the island if you bring them by private...
Show more
Based on 43 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Hammocks Beach State Park? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in North Carolina

Campgrounds
Hammocks Beach State Park