North Carolina State Parks

Carolina Beach

PO Box 475, Carolina Beach, NC 28428 · Office: (910) 458-8206 Marina: (910) 458-7770 · E-mail

With a marina providing access to some of North Carolina's best fishing spots, a secluded camping area beneath towering trees, and miles of hiking trails that traverse a variety of distinct habitats, not to mention the presence of the Venus flytrap, one of the world's most unique carnivorous plants, it's no wonder Carolina Beach State Park is a popular coastal attraction.

Located in an area steeped in both history and natural diversity, the park includes a visitor's center with exhibits depicting the wonders of its environment. Visit Carolina Beach State Park to relax, enjoy nature or embark on an eye-opening adventure.

Boating

Carolina Beach State Park offers access to a variety of waters. The fresh waters of the Cape Fear River, the estuarine waters of Masonboro Sound and the salt waters of the Atlantic Ocean are all only moments away.

A marina with two launching ramps and more than 40 boat slips is located at the junction of Snow's Cut and the Cape Fear River. Fuel, snacks and restrooms are available in the marina building. Showers are provided for slip renters. Tidal waters may be rough at times; exercise cautious seamanship.

Camping

The park's family campground is located in a wooded area near Snow's Cut. Pine and oak provide shade for 83 campsites, including two wheelchair-accessible sites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and grill. Drinking water and restrooms with hot showers are located nearby.

Campsites are available on a first-come basis for a modest fee. Hookups are not provided for recreational vehicles, but a dump station is available for a fee.

Two camping areas for organized groups are located along Swamp Trail and are available by advance reservation only. One site accommodates up to 20 people; the other accommodates up to 35 people. These areas include picnic tables, fire circles and pit toilets. Water and shower facilities are not available.

Fishing

Fish from the river bank,the wheelchair-accessible fishing deck or launch your boat at the marina. Spot, flounder, sheepshead and striped bass are waiting at Carolina Beach State Park. More than six miles of trails wind through a variety of distinct habitats at Carolina Beach State Park. Relatively flat and easy to walk, the trails offer an opportunity to observe the diversity of plant and animal life in the park. Insects may be annoying during the warmer months; repellent is recommended.

Hiking

More than six miles of trails wind through a variety of distinct habitats at Carolina Beach State Park. Relatively flat and easy to walk, the trails offer an opportunity to observe the diversity of plant and animal life in the park. Insects may be annoying during the warmer months; repellent is recommended.

Flytrap Trail is a pleasant half-mile loop through pocosin, longleaf pine and turkey oak, and savanna communities. Venus flytraps can be seen along the edges of the pocosins, and native orchids bloom along the trail. Parts of the trail travel along wooden boardwalks. Please stay on the trail, which is blazed with orange diamonds, to avoid damaging small and fragile plants.

Sugarloaf Trail, blazed with orange circles, offers a three-mile journey beginning at the marina parking lot. An excellent place for watching water birds and exploring the tidal marsh, the trail passes through the marsh, enters a pine forest and follows the river's edge to Sugarloaf. A habitat for fiddler crab, the trail offers the opportunity to observe these crustaceans as they travel over the mudflats.

Campground Trail is one mile in length and is marked with blue circles. The trail begins at the family campground and joins Sugarloaf Trail.

Snow's Cut Trail, less than a half-mile long and blazed in red diamonds, travels from the family campground to the picnic area through maritime forest.

Swamp Trail, a .75-mile trail blazed in red circles, begins and ends along Sugarloaf Trail. It provides access to the group camping areas.

Oak Toe Trail is a quarter mile in length and connects Swamp Trail and Sugarloaf Trail. Marked with blue diamonds, the trail passes through several different natural communities.

Picnicking

The Carolina Beach State Park picnic area is located near the bank of Snow's Cut, between the campground and marina. Under the shade of large oak trees, tables and grills supply all the necessities for dining. Water, restrooms and parking are conveniently located nearby.

Visitor's center

In addition to the multiple educational programs offered at Carolina Beach State Park, the park visitor's center features environmental education exhibits.

Carnivorous plants dominate the exhibit hall at the Carolina Beach State Park visitor's center. The hall, open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily, was opened in summer, 2001. Displays allow visitors to look deeper into the diversity of carnivorous plants in the park. From Venus flytraps to pitcher plants, from butterworts to bladderworts, the hands-on exhibits allow for interactive learning about these intriguing species. Exhibits include:

• "Biodiversity theater," an interactive quiz game for teams or individuals. The game allows players to test their knowledge on the park's different plant communities.
• A computer program about prescribed burning. Many of the park's plants and animals depend on fire for the health of their habitat, and the computer program explains that relationship.
• A Venus flytrap puppet allows visitors to view how this rare plant catches its prey.
• A maze game from the perspective of an insect. Visitors attempt to navigate a ball, which represents an insect in the park, around a maze without taking a wrong turn and being eaten by a carnivorous plant.

Conveniently located near the park's entrance, the visitor's center and exhibit hall are wheelchair accessible. Call the park office for more details.

For more information visit: North Carolina State Parks - Carolina Beach

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