Hammocks Beach State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Hammocks Beach State Park is located in Onslow County, North Carolina, and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
The park is situated on a barrier island and boasts a pristine beach, miles of hiking trails, and a vast array of wildlife. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, and camping in this picturesque location.
One of the main attractions at Hammocks Beach State Park is Bear Island, a secluded, undeveloped beach accessible only by ferry. The island offers visitors a chance to escape the crowds and enjoy a peaceful day on the beach. Other points of interest include the park's extensive network of hiking trails, which wind through coastal forests and salt marshes, and the visitor center, where guests can learn about the park's history and ecology.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the park is home to several endangered species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker and the loggerhead sea turtle. Visitors can also explore the remains of a World War II-era bunker, which was used to train soldiers for beach landings.
The best time of year to visit Hammocks Beach State Park is in the warmer months, from May through September, when the weather is ideal for outdoor activities and the beach is open for swimming. However, visitors can enjoy the park year-round, with opportunities for birdwatching, fishing, and hiking available throughout the year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Hammocks Beach State Park
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Onslow Beach Military - Camp Lejeune
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Cedar Point
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