Places › Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach State Park is a North Carolina state park in Carolina Beach, New Hanover County, in our Coast region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.
- AdmissionFree day usesome services cost extra
- HoursCloses 6 to 10 p.m.Opens 7 a.m., by month
- ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
- DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below
About Carolina Beach State Park
This coastal park south of Wilmington is where the Venus flytrap grows wild, and it also has a 50-foot dune and three limesink ponds with their own plant communities. Its marina opens onto the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway for boaters and anglers.
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Day-use admission is free.
Closes 6 to 10 p.m.Bring the Dog?
Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.
Full rules belowMake It a Trip
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is about 7 miles away (straight line).
1 units within 30 miles
Carolina Beach State Park Hours
The gate closes between 6 p.m. (Dec to Jan) and 10 p.m. (May to Aug). It opens 7 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:
Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| March | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| April | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| May | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| June | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| July | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| August | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| September | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| October | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| November | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| December | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| April | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| June | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| July | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| August | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| September | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| March | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| April | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| May | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| June | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| July | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| August | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| September | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
- Visitor Center: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The park is closed on Christmas Day.
- The park is open during all other holidays.
- The marina is closed on Christmas Day.
- The fuel dock is closed on Christmas Day.
This park prints 3 hour tables because its accesses keep different gates; the first one is used for the tiles above.
Admission and Fees
There are no fees required to access Carolina Beach State Park for day use, except for boat launches. Fees are charged for camping, marina use, certain event permits, and facility reservations.
Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.
Dogs and Strollers
- Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings or in camper cabins. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
- Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (910-458-8206) before you go.
Directions and Contact
- Address: 1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- Phone: 910-458-8206
- Map point: 34.04720,-77.90660. Latitude and longitude printed on the park's own ncparks.gov page, checked within 25 miles of the OpenStreetMap match. Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/carolina-beach-state-park
State Parks Near Carolina Beach State Park
- 1Fort Fisher State Recreation AreaState Recreation Areaabout 7 mi
- 2Lake Waccamaw State ParkState Parkabout 36 mi
- 3Singletary Lake State ParkState Parkabout 48 mi
- 4Jones Lake State ParkState Parkabout 59 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Carolina Beach State Park?
Day-use admission is free, per the park page. Camping, boat rentals, swim passes, event permits and reservations can cost extra where the park offers them.
Are dogs allowed at Carolina Beach State Park?
Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings or in camper cabins. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
What time does Carolina Beach State Park close?
It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.
Is Carolina Beach State Park open on Christmas?
The park is closed on Christmas Day.
Are strollers allowed at Carolina Beach State Park?
Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.
What We Could Not Verify
- Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Sources
- Carolina Beach State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
- NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
- OpenStreetMap (map point check)
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Carolina Beach State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/carolina-beach-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.