Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park
A sandy trail in Carolina Beach State Park
Interactive map of Carolina Beach State Park
LocationNew Hanover County, North Carolina, United States
Coordinates34°02′50″N 77°54′26″W / 34.0471°N 77.9072°W / 34.0471; -77.9072[1]
Area761 acres (308 ha)[2]
Established1969[2]
Administered byNorth Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
WebsiteOfficial website
Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach State Park
Location in North Carolina
Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach State Park (the United States)
North Carolina State Parks

Carolina Beach State Park is a North Carolina state park in New Hanover County, North Carolina. It covers 761 acres (3.08 km2) on Pleasure Island.[2] The state owns 420 acres (1.7 km2) of the park in fee simple, and the remainder of park land is leased from the Department of the Army.[3][4] The park is located along the Cape Fear River and Snow's Cut (part of the Intracoastal Waterway).

Pocosin wetlands, a type of wetland that supports rare carnivorous plant species, are found in the park. Carnivorous plants found at this park include Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, butterworts and bladderworts.

The park features six miles of hiking trails. Other amenities include a marina, campsites, picnic area, and a visitor center featuring natural history exhibits.

References

  1. ^ North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation (2015). "Carolina Beach State Park". NCpedia. State Library of North Carolina. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Carolina Beach State Park: Ecology & History". North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  3. ^ "Size of the North Carolina State Parks System". North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. January 1, 2015. Archived from the original (XLS) on October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  4. ^ "IX. Land Acquisition" (PDF). Carolina Beach State Park General Management Plan (Report). North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. January 22, 2007. pp. 50–51. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 5, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015. The state owns 420 acres and leases 266 acres from the Department of the Army. ... 75 additional acres are pending as an addition to the MOTSU lease[.]