Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park in North Carolina is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking hiking trails, fishing spots, and unique ecosystems. Located along the Cape Fear River, this park is known for its beautiful maritime forest, rare Venus flytraps, and diverse wildlife. With opportunities for camping, kayaking, and birdwatching, visitors can experience the rich biodiversity of the Carolina coast. Its well-maintained trails and scenic views make it a must-visit spot for both adventure seekers and nature lovers.

Adventure Guide to Carolina Beach State Park

Sugarloaf Dune Trail

What makes it special: This 3-mile loop leads hikers through a maritime forest and along the banks of the Cape Fear River, ending at the historic Sugarloaf Dune, a 50-foot sand dune once used as a navigational landmark.
Key features: The trail boasts shaded paths, diverse plant life, and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Local insight: Early morning hikes offer the best chance to spot wildlife like foxes and ospreys.

Venus Flytrap Trail

What makes it special: This easy 0.4-mile loop is one of the few places in the world where you can see the Venus flytrap growing in its natural habitat.
Key features: Wooden boardwalks and informational signs provide insight into this rare carnivorous plant and its ecosystem.
Local insight: Visit in spring or early summer when flytraps are most active and likely to be seen catching insects.

Cape Fear River Fishing Pier

What makes it special: An excellent location for saltwater fishing, offering chances to catch flounder, red drum, and speckled trout.
Key features: Designated fishing areas with picnic tables and nearby restrooms for convenience.
Local insight: Live bait like shrimp or mullet increases your chances of a good catch, and fishing permits are required.

Visitor Tips

Best time to visit: Spring and fall offer mild weather and fewer mosquitoes, making outdoor activities more enjoyable.
What to bring: Bug spray, sunscreen, and comfortable hiking shoes. A camera is recommended for capturing wildlife.
Driving directions: From Wilmington, take US-421 South for about 15 miles to the park entrance.

Adventure Map

Reviews

Olga Hunter4 months ago

We spent the best fall break week with kids there at the state park! We loved everything about it: privacy at the sites (surrounded with trees), clean bathroom, hot water, awesome nature (several ecosystems), great beach, huge waves....

JM Miller5 months ago

Amazing state park with a fantastic view of the sunset. Campgrounds are beautiful & staff that we encountered were friendly & helpful.

Mark Dale6 months ago

Nice park with well marked trails Easy hike to the wetland area to see pitcher plants and fly catchers. For easy access with accessibility issues there are both plants behind and left of the park station. We were visiting from out of state but I could see all the nice fishing, boat launches and camp sites with outhouses. I have never been to a park with camp sites with outhouses at each site! What a concept! Overall a very nice state park.

Sukanto Mondal5 months ago

This is a nice park for super easy hiking. The trails are sandy like, you feel kind of walking over the beach. If you want to hike with small kid this is the place. The hike take you to the river which has sandy beach. Overall it is supper easy hiking, but enjoyed it. There is also a camp ground. Visitor center has water fountain and nice clean washroom. And importantly a lot of free parking.

Yvette Roman3 months ago

A place to explore. Go early, there are trails to traverse! The park has a small beach and a marina, a campground and you might come across some picnic areas in out of the way places along some of the trails. I came upon a picnic area along the swamp trail near the conjunction of the flytrap trail. It's an amazing and peaceful place.