Hammocks Beach State Park

The Hammocks Beach State Park TRACK Trail follows a 0.56 mile loop trail through newly-acquired forest on the mainland, full of longleaf pines that were once used for logging. There is also an additional 0.17 mile trail down to the Intracoastal Waterway.

A crown jewel of the North Carolina coast and Hammocks Beach State Park is Bear Island—a three-mile-long, undeveloped barrier island accessible by the park’s passenger ferry, private ferry or by paddling a canoe or kayak. A wide beach between massive dunes and the ocean is interrupted only by primitive campsites and a modest concession/picnic complex. The park’s mainland gateway offers a full-service visitor center and is the launch site for ferry service, canoes or kayaks. Rent or bring your own kayaks, canoes or paddleboards to explore paddling trails leading to marshes, Bear Island or Huggins Island, which is graced with unspoiled maritime forest. Interpretive programs and extensive exhibits teach about park ecology and wildlife including endangered sea turtles and nesting shorebirds.   

Track an adventure here
Hammocks Beach State Park Sticker

Location Details

Recreational Features: Canoe / Kayak, Camping, Picnic Tables, Fishing
Amenities: Restrooms, Visitor Center, Food Service
ADA Compliant: Yes
Seasonality: Open all year
Trailhead sign with brochures
Ferry dock on waterway
Gravel path through woods
Sand path leading to waterway
Small beach on the waterway

Adventures for Hammocks Beach State Park

Hiking

Bug Out

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
The "Bug Out" brochure is an investigation into the creepy crawlies of the forest. This adventure will help you learn how to identify the difference between insects, spiders and other arthropods.
Hiking

Hikin' to Find Lichen

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
This brochure-led adventure takes kids deep into the mysterious world of lichen. Kids will discover the three different forms lichen can take, and some of the features that make the lichen lifestyle unique. Kids will also read the Lichen story about Alice Algae and Freddy Fungi to help them remember how lichens work.
Hiking

Tracks and Traces

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
No animal can pass through an area without leaving traces. As you walk down the trail, use this brochure to discover the types of tracks and traces animals leave behind.
Hiking

Nature's Hide & Seek

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
The Nature's Hide & Seek brochure is designed so that kids of all ages can walk along the trail and discover common things that are often overlooked in nature. Some of them are hard to find, others are easy. Best of all, the adventure never ends because every time you walk the trail you will discover new things hiding in nature.
Hiking

Animal Athletes

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
The Animal Athletes adventure challenges kids to exercise with the animals. This brochure gives kids eight different animal exercises they can do along the trail. From hummingbird hand-swings to frog hops, kids are sure to have fun getting in shape with the animals during their outdoor adventures.
Hiking

Hammocks Beach State Park: Need for Trees

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
By following the picture and textual clues found in "The Need for Trees" brochure, you will discover six of the more common trees found in the area. During your adventure, you will learn about the need we, and other animals, have for trees and about the roles they play in the forest.
Hiking

Hammocks Beach State Park: Birds of the Coast

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
The Birds of the Coast brochure shows kids where to look for different birds along the trail. The brochure contains illustrations of some of the more common birds found at Vereen Memorial Gardens and information on how to identify them through various clues.
Hiking

Let's Explore - ecoEXPLORE

Difficulty:
Easy
Trail length:
0.60
Scientists need your help! Use this brochure to learn how to be an ecoEXPLORER and share your nature observations with real scientists.

Directions

1572 Hammocks Beach Road
Swansboro, NC 28584
Latitude: 34.672631600000
Longitude: -77.139370900000

Partners

This TRACK Trail was made possible through a partnership formed with North Carolina State Parks, Hammocks Beach State Park, and with funding provided by the BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation.

 

   

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