Guidelines to Park Rules and Regulations

Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is generally prohibited, except in designated areas or by permit.

Visitors shall not be or become intoxicated while within any state park or recreation area.

As a courtesy to other campers, please observe the campground quiet hours. Quiet hours are typically from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Parks with different quiet hours will have them listed on the park's camping page.

The production or emission in any park or recreation area of noises, amplified speech, music or other sounds that annoy, disturb or frighten state park visitors is prohibited at all times.

Some state parks border or are scattered along many miles of rivers, waterways, and other areas, which may border privately owned land. When traveling waterways and using parklands in any of the state parks, please respect the rights of private property owners and avoid trespassing on private land when parking vehicles, hiking, biking, paddling, etc.

Pets are permitted in all state parks as long as they are on an attended leash or other restraint of no longer than six feet and under the constant control of the owner. 

Pet owners who do not have their pets on a leash may receive a fine.

Pet owners should pick up after their pet. Pet waste is not fertilizer and should not be left on the ground. It is toxic and harmful to plants and other animals in the state park. Pet waste can also transmit disease and puts other state park visitors at risk. Properly dispose of pet waste in garbage bins. Do not throw waste bags in the woods or leave them on the ground.

Pets should stay on trail. Many rare plants live on thin soils and wet rocks and are vulnerable from climbing, trampling, and scraping. Visitors with pets should yield to all other trail users, including bicyclists and equestrians, when possible.

Pets are allowed in most state park campgrounds. Overnight, pets must be confined to the owner's tent or vehicle during quiet hours. Pets are not permitted in cabins.

Pets are not allowed in the bathhouses or swimming areas.

Pets are strictly prohibited from entering any building.

Owners may be asked to remove dangerous or noisy pets from the state park.

Guests who bring pets to Bear Island should arrange their own transportation for their pets to the island.

Reasonable accommodations for service animals that meet the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq) or G.S. 168-4.2 may be made. Please contact the Park Superintendent to request such accommodations. 

Park visitors are prohibited from landing or taking off within or upon any state park property, of any airplane, flying machine (including drones, unmanned aircrafts, and quadcopters), balloon, parachute, glider, hang glider (except with permit at Jockey's Ridge State Park), or other apparatus for aviation.

In some limited circumstances, these aviation apparatuses may be operated after obtaining a Special Activity Permit from the state park.

Additionally, state law prohibits people from launching or recovering any unmanned aircraft systems from state property without consent.

Firearms and other weapons (air guns, air soft guns, paint ball guns, archery equipment, sling shots, or other apparatus capable of firing a lethal projectile of any kind, etc.) are prohibited, except: 

• individuals with a proper permit may possess a concealed handgun in permitted areas and under the requirements of North Carolina G.S. 14-415.11; and
• other individuals as permitted by statute or rule.

Exception: Federal law (36 C.F.R. § 327.13) prohibits all loaded firearms or ammunition on those lands and waters at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake state recreation areas managed by the state parks system and owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

All firearms and weapons are prohibited in state park visitor centers and park offices.

Fireworks are prohibited on all properties managed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, except with an approved Special Use Permit in connection with a public exhibition and in accordance with the requirements of 07 NCAC 113B .0901(c). 

Metal detectors are not allowed in any state park area, except to locate lost personal property when authorized by a Special Activity Permit.

The removal, destruction or injury of any plant, fungus, mineral, or artifact in any state park is prohibited unless with an approved collection permit for scientific or educational purposes.

Certain areas of the state park may be closed to public use for public safety or for the management and protection of natural resources.

Research Permit Application 

A Research Activity permit is required for any academic, historic, scientific, or other research, study, or project occurring on state park property, including projects involving the collection, removal, or disturbance of any natural or cultural resource or that require placing monitoring equipment in any state park property. Requests for Research Activity Permits for personal or commercial collecting, or for projects that do not meet the requirements outlined in 07 NCAC 13B .0201(d), will be denied.

School trips for the purpose of simple observation do not require a Research Activity Permit. However, classes that visit the state park to collect specimens or to conduct experiments that are not part of a scheduled state park educational program are required to obtain a permit. Teachers should contact the park superintendent in advance of their arrival to determine if a permit is needed.

Research projects may require compliance with other federal or state statutes or rules or require additional permitting from other regulatory agencies. It is the applicant's responsibility to determine if additional permits are required, to contact the appropriate agencies, and to obtain those permits. The Division of Parks and Recreation will not issue a Research Activity permit until all other required permits have been obtained.

To help maintain a clean and safe environment for state park visitors and wildlife, please place trash in proper containers. Wildlife may mistake plastic bags for food and may become entangled in discarded fishing line or other types of litter.

Burying trash is prohibited. Shifting winds and other types of weather may expose trash and endanger wildlife and the environment.

Please recycle all recyclable materials, including  aluminum cans and plastic bottles, by placing them in recycling containers.

Except for fishing in accordance with 07 NCAC 13B .0802, the hunting, trapping, pursuing, shooting, injuring, killing, or molesting of any bird or animal is prohibited.

Loggerhead and other sea turtles

... are protected by law. Anyone who harms the turtles, nests, or hatchlings is subject to prosecution. Do not enter marked nesting sites on foot or by vehicle.

Bald eagles

... are protected by law. It is illegal to kill, harass, or possess — dead or alive — any eagle or part of an eagle, including feathers and talons. Convictions related to such violations may result in fines as high as $20,000 and/or imprisonment for one year.

Nesting shorebirds

... are protected by law. Anyone who harms the birds, nests, or chicks is subject to a fine. Do not enter marked nesting areas on foot or by vehicles. Anyone who enters the sites, harms, or harasses the birds may be subject to a fine.

Where allowed, boating and fishing in state parks are regulated by all applicable North Carolina laws and regulations, including those regarding fresh and coastal recreational fishing licenses, boat registration, and safety requirements.

Laws and regulations may be enforced by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, as well as other regulatory agencies, including — but not limited to — the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and/or the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Please contact the relevant park office before your visit to learn of boating and/or fishing opportunities.

Boats, rafts, surf boards, personal watercraft, and canoes are prohibited within designated swimming areas.

Boat motor horsepower, motor type and the use of gasoline-powered motors on designated lakes completely contained within parks and recreation areas may be restricted. Please contact the relevant park office before your visit to inquire about boating restrictions.

Private boats, rafts, canoes, personal watercraft or other vessels may be launched or retrieved only at public boat ramps or designated launch sites.

The mooring of boats, personal watercraft or other vessels to a dock, wharf, pier, or boat launching facility in such a manner as to impede the flow of traffic or create a hazard to other watercraft is prohibited and may be moved by park staff at the owner’s expense.

Boating access areas should only be used for launching boats and other watercraft and parking vehicles and boat trailers. All other uses are prohibited, except where facilities are provided and any necessary permits are obtained.

In all state parks, bicycles are permitted only on those trails and/or other park areas specifically designated for their use. Not all state parks have bicycle trails. Please check with the state park for more information on park facilities.

On multi-use trails, bicyclists should yield to both hikers and equestrians when possible. Bicyclists should follow posted directions on bike trails for the safety of all visitors and to help park staff maintain bike trails.

Bicycle riders under the age of 16 must wear a helmet.

Bicycle passengers who weigh less than 40 pounds or who are less than 40 inches tall must be seated in a separate restraining seat. All other bicycle riders must be seated on saddle seats. Persons unable to maintain an erect, seated position cannot be bicycle passengers.

Class 1 and 2 E-bikes are allowed on all trails where traditional bikes are allowed. The speed limit on all trails is 25 mph.

Conducting commercial business and/or activity in any state park is prohibited, except when authorized by a Special Activity Permit.

Photography or video production for commercial purposes is prohibited, except when authorized by a Special Activity Permit.

Camping is allowed only in designated areas with a valid camping reservation.

There is no dispersed camping at state parks, except for the zone camping area at Elk Knob State Park.

Fires are permitted only in designated areas and must be tended at all times. Gathering firewood is generally prohibited but may be allowed in some parks.

Please do not transport firewood into our state parks, because you could unknowingly spread dangerous insects and diseases, such as the emerald ash borer, which can harm the natural resources. Buy firewood locally where you intend to burn it, or buy heat-treated firewood. Visit the Don't Move Firewood website for more information on how to have a risk-free campfire experience. All state parks with camping areas sell firewood at either the park office or visitor center, or the concession stand, or through the campground host.

All vehicles left in the park after posted park hours must be registered.

Visitors must be 18 years or older to reserve a campsite, and there must be at least one adult 18 years or older present at the campsite throughout the duration of the stay.

Generally, there is a maximum limit of six people, two tents, and two vehicles per family campsite. All camping equipment and vehicles (if applicable) should 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 to 25 individuals.

See the general Camping page for more information about camping and cabins.

Hammocks Beach State Park operates a ferry service to Bear Island.

Carts and wagons are prohibited on passenger ferries unless collapsible. Park staff reserve the right to suspend the use of collapsible carts due to space and weight limitations at any time. Passenger conveyance devices, such as strollers and wheelchairs, are allowed. 

Guests who bring pets to Bear Island should arrange their own transportation for their pets to the island. The ferry service at Hammocks Beach State Park is the only ferry service that the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation offers. For information about other coastal ferries, please visit the N.C. Department of Transportation's Ferry Division website.

Hang gliding is allowed only at Jockey's Ridge State Park. Only visitors with a U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Hang 1 rating or other agency-approved rating may hang glide in the park.

For your safety and protection, please stay on designated trails and hiking areas. Also, many rare plants live on thin soils and wet rocks and are vulnerable to damage from climbing, trampling, and scraping.

On multi-use trails, hikers should yield to equestrians when possible.

In state parks where horses are permitted in designated park areas or on bridle trails, horses are allowed only on those trails or other park areas specifically designated for their use.

Horses are prohibited from camping areas (except in equestrian camping areas), swimming areas, cabin areas, picnic areas, and other day-use areas.

Loading and/or unloading horses is permitted in designated park areas only. Not all state parks with bridle trails have horse trailer parking, so please contact the park prior to your visit to learn more about the facilities. Owners should remove all feces from designated horse trailer parking areas.

No carts, carriages, or other horse-drawn apparatus are permitted on park trails.

Horses using park trails must comply with all state statutes and rules for health testing. A negative Cogins test no more than 12 months old is required for all horses over 6 months of age. Proof of equine testing certification must be carried by the horse owner at all times while the animal is within the state park. 

Rock climbing is allowed only in five state parks and with a Special Use Permit. Climbers must register before beginning a climb. Climbers must climb in designated areas only and with proper equipment. The state parks that offer rock climbing are Chimney Rock, Crowders Mountain, Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain, and Stone Mountain state parks. Climbing is prohibited at all other parks.

All climbers must register with park staff and must keep in their possession a valid Special Use permit for rock climbing or rappelling. All climbers under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign their permit prior to participating in any climbing activities at North Carolina state parks.

Organized private, commercial, or nonprofit groups must obtain a Special Activity Permit prior to the outing. Please contact the park to submit the permit application and to pay the group climbing permit fee.

Climbers are solely responsible for obtaining proper equipment and training. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation offers no supervision or instruction to climbers and does not approve or certify instructors or climbers in any manner. Unroped climbing is discouraged.

North Carolina state parks do not install or maintain any climbing surface, route, or fixed anchors. Route selection and the decision to rely on any fixed anchors are the climber's responsibility. New routes are not permitted, unless reviewed through the park's climbing management plan.

Please report all accidents and injuries to park staff.

Sandboarding and kiteboarding are permitted only at Jockey's Ridge State Park. A permit is not required to partake in these activities. For kiteboarding, please use the parking area at the Soundside Beach access, located off of West Soundside Road.

State parks allow for many special recreational activities such as bicycling events, marathons, photo tours, kite-flying contests, club meetings, weddings, etc. However, all such events must be held under an approved Special Activity Permit. Please submit the completed application to the specific park where you are hosting your event.

Permit fees must be paid prior to the event. A $25 fee will be charged for all returned checks.

Swimming is not allowed in all state parks. Please contact the park prior to your visit to learn more about the facilities. Swimming and surfing — where allowed — are permitted only in designated areas.

Sharp drop-offs, boat traffic, strong currents, and unseen underwater hazards pose significant safety risks and make swimming outside designated areas very dangerous.

Public nudity, including public nude bathing, is prohibited. Children under the age of 5 are exempt from this rule.

North Carolina motor vehicle and traffic laws apply in all state parks.

Observe the posted speed limit when driving inside the state park. Be mindful of pedestrians, bicycle riders, and horseback riders that may use or cross the road.

Parking on the road or outside of designated parking areas is prohibited.

Unlicensed motor vehicles, including golf carts, unregistered motorcycles, snowmobiles, utility vehicles, mini-bikes, and all-terrain vehicles, are prohibited. Reasonable accommodations may be made for persons with limited mobility.

Unlicensed drivers may not operate motor vehicles on park roads.

Motorized vehicles are permitted only in designated areas and not permitted on park trails.

All vehicles left in the park after posted park hours must be registered.

No carts, carriages, or other horse-drawn apparatus are permitted on park trails.