Places › Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is a North Carolina state recreation area in Kure Beach, New Hanover County, in our Coast region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 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 9 p.m.Opens 8 a.m., by month
- ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
- DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below
About Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
This is the only park in the state system that allows four-wheel-drive beach access, which makes it a draw for surf fishing. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beach in warm months, and a marsh trail ends at an observation deck facing Zeke's Island.
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Day-use admission is free.
Closes 6 to 9 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
Carolina Beach State Park is about 7 miles away (straight line).
1 units within 30 miles
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Hours
The gate closes between 6 p.m. (Nov to Feb) and 9 p.m. (Jun to Aug). It opens 8 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 | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| April | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 8 a.m. to 8 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 8 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
- Park Office: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Pedestrian Beach: Open year-round, 24 hours a day
- The park is closed on Christmas Day.
- The park is open during all other holidays.
Admission and Fees
There are no fees required to access Fort Fisher State Recreation Area for day use, except that fees are charged per vehicle to utilize the four-wheel-drive beach. Fees are also charged for 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, except they are not permitted on the swim beach or inside buildings. 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 (910-458-5798) before you go.
Directions and Contact
- Address: 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC 28449
- Phone: 910-458-5798
- Map point: 33.95340,-77.92900. Latitude and longitude printed on the park's own ncparks.gov page, checked within 25 miles of the Kure Beach town point (U.S. Census) and of the OpenStreetMap match. Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/fort-fisher-state-recreation-area
State Parks Near Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
- 1Carolina Beach State ParkState Parkabout 7 mi
- 2Lake Waccamaw State ParkState Parkabout 38 mi
- 3Singletary Lake State ParkState Parkabout 53 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 Fort Fisher State Recreation Area?
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 Fort Fisher State Recreation Area?
Pets are allowed at the park, except they are not permitted on the swim beach or inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
What time does Fort Fisher State Recreation Area close?
It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.
Is Fort Fisher State Recreation Area open on Christmas?
The park is closed on Christmas Day.
Are strollers allowed at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area?
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
- Fort Fisher State Recreation Area 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, “Fort Fisher State Recreation Area: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/fort-fisher-state-recreation-area/ (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.