Click the links below to view frequently asked questions (FAQs).
| Alcohol? | Golf Carts? | Reservations? |
| Entrance Fee? | Max People? | Season Passes? |
| Firearms? | Metal Detecting? | Senior Discounts? |
| Fires? | Park Hours? | |
| Fishing License? | Pets? |
All alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited in state parks.
Only three parks (Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake) have entrance gate fees. Entrance fees at those parks are charged to supplement operational costs and help maintain and improve the areas for visitors.
All deadly weapons, including firearms, airguns, bows and arrows, sling shots, or lethal missiles of any kind, or other deadly weapon is strictly prohibited in all areas owned or operated by the NC Division of Parks and Recreation except for commissioned park rangers and other authorized personnel. Cap pistols and fireworks are also prohibited.
Fires are permitted in designated areas only. Most family and group campsites have either a fire ring or fire pit available for campfires and cooking. Most picnic pads and shelters have grills.
A fishing license is required for all individuals over the age of 15. Anyone 15 years of age or under does not need a fishing license while in a state park. There are some state parks that require a special permit depending on the type of fish you are after. There are also numerous exemptions to these regulations. Check with your local Wildlife Resources Commission Service Agent or the
There is a new N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing License, and it is required in order to fish at coastal parks.
No unregistered motor vehicles are allowed in any park area. This includes golf carts, mini-bikes, go carts, 4-wheelers, etc. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with physical disabilities. Electric wheelchairs are permitted but the operator must be the person with the physical disability.
There is a maximum limit of 6 people, 2 tents and 2 vehicles per family campsite. All camping equipment and vehicles (if applicable) must be on the campsite and not spread out in the woods. Group campsites vary depending on the size of the campsite, but typically hold 5-25 individuals.
Metal detectors are not allowed in any park area except to locate lost personal property and visitors must be accompanied by a park employee while searching for such property. Sand beaches at ocean parks are exempt from this prohibition except during the months of June, July and August. Please contact the park office for more details.
The operating hours of most NC State Parks and Recreation Areas is as follows: November-February, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. March and October, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. April, May and September, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. June-August, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. The park gate is closed and locked at closing time. All parks are open on holidays with the exception of Christmas Day. There are a few parks that have a different operating schedule or close areas during the winter months, so please contact the park office for further details.
Pets are permitted so long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under the constant control of the owner. Overnight, pets must be confined to the owner's tent or vehicle during quiet hours. Pets are strictly prohibited from entering any building, with the exception of service animals and authorized search and rescue dogs. Owners may be asked to remove dangerous or noisy pets from the park.
All family campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers can only claim a campsite by setting up a tent or other camping unit. The camping unit must be fully set up. Single items such as coolers, lawn chairs, etc. are not enough to claim a campsite and will be removed and placed in lost and found. We do accept reservations at state recreation areas where camping is permitted, but they must be made two weeks in advance for no less than a seven-night stay. Reservations are needed for group camping and can be made through the park office.
Season passes are available for those state recreation areas that charge day use entrance fees (Kerr, Jordan, Falls lakes) and for limited permit activities at parks. They are not available for camping or swimming. Where available, you can purchase passes at the parks' offices. Check with your park of interest to determine what season passes are offered.
Season passes are good through December 31st of every year and grant the holder free admission to all parks that charge entrance fees. The passes are transferable between vehicles.
Anyone who is 62 years of age or older is eligible for a senior discount on entrance fees and camping. This discount may change, so please contact the park office for further information.
N.C. Division of Parks & Recreation • 1615 MSC • Raleigh N.C. 27699-1615 (919) 733-4181