NC - Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

After starting my morning by learning that North Carolina has a passport system and their is another cancellation station just near where my condo is located, we go to Fort Fisher SRA. As we pull in, summer is in full swing as the parking lot is near capacity and their as county school recreation groups in attendance (a common thing in North Carolina as the Lottery funds education.) Anyway, I park and proceed towards the beach to get a few photos. I photograph the necessary signage as I see fit and some of the picnic tables as they are under a unique canopy. 

There is a change and comfort facility way off the ground and their is a line outside. I walk up to it and their is a wooden walkway to the Ranger Station. There is no visitor center here like Carolina Beach, but there is a building and I enter it and there are vending machines, and yes, more comfort facilities. There are waysides on how the park came to fruition as it only one year younger than myself (you'll have to figure that out on your own.) 

Alas, there is some resemblance of a office and I enter to what I later realize is the wrong way. However, no worries, I quickly realize this and do not move forward. Just then, the ranger notices me in the doorway and asks if she can be of assistance. I stated that I need my passport stamped. She proceeds to reach into her desk drawer and provides the stamp and I am on my way. For note, I got dropped off at the State Historic Site (they do not have a passport system as of 2017) 1/2 mile down the road. It tried to visit the day prior, but it was a Monday and the site is closed on Mondays. I walked the 20-phase wayside trail, rested at the visitor shelter with a water and a soda and walked back to the condo just in time to go swimming with the rest of the team.

Park Synopsis

Alternate between nearly six miles of pristine beach and trails through salt marsh brimming with wildlife at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, a park touching both the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River. Development on this protected shoreline is limited to a visitor center and related facilities and boardwalks that attract birders and photographers. Loggerhead sea turtles, piping plovers and other rare species nest along the sandy shore. The park is popular for surf fishing, and four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed seasonally with required permits. On this tip of Pleasure Island, visitors will also find a state aquarium, Civil War-era historic site and a boating ramp and paddling launch nearby.

If You Go

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is located in New Hanover County five miles south of Carolina Beach. From Wilmington, follow U.S. 421 through the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. Turn left on Loggerhead Road. The recreation area may also be reached from Brunswick County via the Southport-Fort Fisher ferry, which crosses the Cape Fear River. North Carolina State Parks are open every day, with the exception of Christmas Day. Park hours vary with the seasons.

Four-wheel drive beach access:

 Sept. 15 - March 14.....................24 hours a day

 March 15 - Sept. 14..... Closes 30 min. before park gates

Pedestrian beach access:................24 hours a day

Please visit the North Carolina State Park website or contact the park office for the most current information about seasonal hours, activities, alerts, camping fees, programs rules and weather.

Contact Information

1000 Loggerhead Road

Kure Beach, NC 28449

910-458-5798

fort.fisher@ncparks.gov

GPS: 33.9534, -77.929

Accessibility

Some picnic tables as well as the comfort, vending and hydration facilities at the Ranger Station are accessible. Furthermore, there is a accessible boardwalk over the dune to the beach 

NC - Carolina Beach State Park

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Beginning the 2017 Vacation season and there are two state parks in my proximity, this one and Fort Fisher SRA on the same island. Anyway, we found this one with ease, photograph the gateway and proceed to the visitor center. There we use the comfort facilities that have two entrances per gender, one from the exterior and one from the visitor center. Anyway, I go inside and learn that last year was the centennial of the North Carolina State Parks and they have  passports to celebrate the occasion, but they are not dated. You can also check off the activities relevant to each park as you do them. So as I get my passport and the ranger stamps it, he reminds me that Fort Fisher SRA is just six miles away and where our condo is is just about a mile away. Anyway, we explore the exhibits and learn about the thirteen species of reptiles native to the park. As it is early morning and is getting hot, we do not wish to waste too much time indoors.

While we did stay in a condominium for this vacation, we did however explore the campground as we drove through it we drove through one of two similar loops that have a wash and comfort facility in the center. There are sites for electricity, water and tents as well as camping cottages if you do not have your own tent. The one thing you have to keep in mind though in North Carolina State parks and some do not like this is that the rangers close the entrance gate at night, and it will be opened only in times of emergency. Not my thing, but just sayin'.

We drive through the marina and see what its all about. It too has a comfort and wash facility along with a concession with fuel and waste services. There are trails that connect this to the campground and picnic area which we pass on the way and plan to stop at on the return trip.

The picnic area is of your standard one and has a modern comfort facility (pictured.) It also has a accessible picnic site for disabled guests (pictured below in the Accessibility section). 
There are facilities for hydration, refuse and recycling as well as trails to the Campground and Marina which is bisected by the park road.

After visiting the Picnic Area, we proceed to the Flytrap Trail, which is a pleasant three-tenths of a mile loop through pocosin wetlands and drier longleaf longleaf pine and wiregrass savanna communities. There are boardwalks on part of the trail and it is of the nature type. Although it surface is designated as a natural one, it is deemed universally accessible.

Park Synopsis

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.

If You Go

Carolina Beach State Park is located in New Hanover County along Dow Road, 10 miles south of Wilmington off N.C. 421. North Carolina State Parks are open every day, with the exception of Christmas Day. Park hours vary with the seasons. Please visit the North Carolina State Park website or contact the park office for the most current information about seasonal hours, activities, alerts, camping fees, programs rules and weather. Swimming is prohibited throughout the park due to dangerous currents and sharp drop-offs existing near the shores.

Contact Information

1010 State Park Road
PO Box 475

Carolina Beach, NC 28428

910-458-8206

910-458-7770 Marina

carolina.beach@ncparks.gov

GPS: 34.0471, -77.9072

Accessibility

Accessible features are available within the Park Office/Visitor Center, Picnic Area, Marina, Flytrap Trail and the Campground