Fort Macon State Park

Fort Macon is a state park in Carteret County, North Carolina, set on a narrow spit of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Sound. The central fortress displays brick archways, cannon bays, and a courtyard surrounded by earthwork ramparts enclosed by the stone and brick outer walls.

Construction began in 1826 as part of a coastal defense plan following the War of 1812 and was completed in 1834. During the Civil War, Union forces captured the site in 1862 after a brief siege and used it through the end of the conflict.

The name honors Nathaniel Macon, a senator from North Carolina, and today families come to walk the trails or relax on the beach. School groups often use the guided tours as living history lessons, while the old walls provide shade for picnics.

Access to the fortress is free and rooms can be explored at your own pace, with guided walks available on most days. The beach sits right next to the fortress and offers opportunities for swimming and fishing when weather permits.

The lower-level casemates remain cool throughout the year, even during hot summer months, as the thick walls and earthworks regulate the temperature. A small museum in one of the rooms displays original cannonballs and uniform buttons found on the grounds.