What To Know About Carolina Beach

Carolina Beach is located 15 miles south of Wilmington, NC, on the northern end of Pleasure Island.

Carolina Beach is home to some of the best on the North Carolina coast for those who love boating or fishing. The Carolina Beach Fishing Center and Marina is home to one of North Carolina's largest selections of recreational fishing fleets. The marina also offers charters for inshore, offshore, Gulf Stream, and tournament fishing excursions.

Carolina Beach is home to a unique beachside boardwalk, named one of the most awesome boardwalks in the country. Carolina Beach bursts with exciting activities and things to do. The fun begins on the vintage seaside boardwalk lined with pizza, donuts, ice cream stands, and an arcade. 

The Town of Carolina Beach has metered parking spaces and parking lots; town-operated and metered spaces are open year-round. Paid parking is in effect from March 1 - Oct. 31, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., $5/hour or $25/day and Nov. 1 - Feb. 28, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., $2/hour or $10/day. Parking is managed by Pivot Parking, 1708 Canal Dr. All parking designated "Handicap" spaces are free as long as the vehicle displays an accessible parking placard. For information on parking and any restrictions, call the Town Parking Office at (910) 458-4614. To enjoy overnight beach camping and 4-wheel drive beach access, head to Freeman Park. 

A Freeman Park Management Plan is in place to protect the environment and public interest in the Park and to discourage unauthorized entry onto adjacent private property. If you plan on visiting the Park please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations listed below. Visitors are expected to be mindful of this natural wonder and respectful of fellow visitors.

ALCOHOL

• It is illegal to possess spirituous liquor and or fortified wine per NC General Statute 18B-301.

• No glass bottles.

•Visitors to Freeman Park should be considerate of others when using televisions, radios, stereos, musical instruments, generators or other similar items.

•Visitors should conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of other people in the Park.

•Dogs are allowed in Freeman Park ON A LEASH between April 1st and September 30th.

•Dogs are allowed in Freeman Park OFF LEASH between October 1st and March 31st so long as they remain under voice command and the owner is within reasonable distance of the pet.

•The owner(s) of a dog(s) who harm or cause offenses or damages to the public or deposits waste upon public land or property will be held responsible for such action and must immediately clean up the waste.

•Dog owners must carry a minimum of two plastic bags, or other suitable plastic or paper containers, that can be used to clean up and contain dog waste until it can be disposed of in an appropriate container. The bags must be produced and shown upon request.

 

•Four Wheel Drive Vehicles Only - No All Wheel or Two Wheel Drive Vehicles Permitted.  

•Speed limit at Freeman Park is 15 miles per hour.

•Please drive safely and be courteous to other motorists, pedestrians, and all other beach visitors.

•Riding on bumpers, tailgates or on the hoods of vehicles is strictly prohibited.

•Cutting circles (also known as "making doughnuts”) or otherwise defacing the beach is strictly prohibited.

•No concealed weapons without a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit. NC General Statute 14-415.23 and NC general Statute 14-415.11(C2) shall be enforced.

•Fireworks are not permitted at any time.

The following regulations pertain to campfires from October 1st through March 31st. Campfires are not allowed from April 1st through September 30th.

•Only natural firewood can be burned in a fire container less than 3 feet in diameter. Burning trash, shipping pallets, or construction material is not allowed. See Campfire regulations below for additional information.

•Small campfires are allowed in Oceanside at Freeman Park, starting at Marker F and extending north to the end of the Park. 

•Campfires must be contained within fire containers no greater than 3 feet wide.

•Small campfires are allowed in campsites but must be contained within a fire pit or container that may not exceed three (3) feet in diameter. Fire pits are not provided. Visitors must bring in and remove fire pits following its use.  

•No campfires are allowed within 10 feet of the dune or vegetation line.

•Fires may not be left unattended and must be extinguished with water, not sand. Only natural firewood can be burned. Burning trash, shipping pallets, or construction material is not allowed.

•All fire remains and debris must be picked up and placed in Park provided ASH CANS or removed from the beach. Failure to do so will result in a fine.

•Camping privileges can be revoked for failure to follow campfire rules or regulations.

•Major repairs of vehicles are not allowed in the Park or the adjacent Municipal parking lots.

•Abandoned vehicles left unattended for more than 24 hours will be claimed by the Carolina Beach Police Department.

•Trailers or ATVs are not permitted in Freeman Park at any time.