Hammocks Beach State Park

This state park protects three barrier islands off the North Carolina coast, including Bear Island, which is the largest of the group. The park covers 1,500 acres of beaches, salt marshes, and wooded areas that together support important ecological systems.

A physician named John Sharpe donated the land to the North Carolina Teachers Association in 1950 to create a recreational space. This gift was part of broader efforts to provide recreational opportunities for African American educators and their families.

The mainland visitor center displays exhibits about the maritime heritage of the region and explains how people and nature interact here. The displays help visitors understand the role that the ocean and islands play in the lives of local communities.

Visitors reach Bear Island by taking a ferry that runs daily during the warmer months and takes about 15 minutes to cross. The park itself is free to enter, but the ferry is the only way to access the islands, so checking operating hours beforehand is important.

Bear Island is an important nesting site for sea turtles, and certain areas are closed off during breeding season to protect the animals. Visitors can still walk along other parts of the beach without disturbing the creatures.

Location: Onslow County

Inception: 1961

Website: http://ncparks.gov/hammocks-beach-state-park

GPS coordinates: 34.63194,-77.14556

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:41