Fort Macon State Park: Beaches, Fort Tours, and Visitor Planning

Fort Macon State Park occupies the eastern tip of Bogue Banks in Carteret County, where the Atlantic Ocean, Beaufort Inlet, and Bogue Sound meet. The coastal setting is part of the visit: alongside the historic fort, the park protects coastal habitat and provides opportunities for birdwatching. Park materials report more than 300 bird species.

The park map shows both ocean and inlet beach accesses, as well as parking, picnic areas, and a refreshment stand. Its combination of shoreline and historic features gives you options for shaping a visit around the fort, the beach, or time outdoors.

For a broader sense of the town and its setting on Bogue Banks, the Atlantic Beach, NC visitor guide puts the park in context with the community around it.

The restored pre-Civil War fort is the park’s central historic site, and daily guided tours offer a way to explore it with interpretation. The park also holds frequent cannon and musket demonstrations and regularly scheduled interpretive programs. Check the official site before you go for current program details.

Opening hours

• Monday to Sunday: 8 AM–6 PM

Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.

Allow time to look around the fort as well as join a program. Lower portions of the fort, including interpretive programs and exhibits, are wheelchair accessible. Some exhibits and videos at the fort and visitor center are accessible to visitors with hearing or vision loss.

Fort Macon beach access includes ocean and inlet beaches, with a bathhouse, restrooms, and parking identified on the park map. Picnic areas and a refreshment stand are also shown. Beach wheelchairs are free for guests to use.

The park has nearly 5 miles of trail and beach combined. For a longer outing, the Elliott Coues Nature Trail is a 3.2-mile loop for hiking and biking; it is moderate and not accessible. Yarrow’s Loop is a 0.25-mile hiking loop, easy and not accessible.

Pets must stay on an attended leash no longer than 6 feet. They are not allowed on the swim beach, inside the fort, or inside buildings.

The park has no camping facilities; Hammocks Beach State Park is the closest state park with camping. For a separate indoor attraction on Bogue Banks, the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores offers another way to spend time in the area.

Day-use admission is free, and the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It closes on Christmas Day and is open on other holidays. The visitor center, Coastal Education Center, and bookstore follow the same daily hours and holiday schedule.

Hours vary by facility: the bathhouse and fort parking area have different opening and closing times across the calendar months. Lifeguards are available at the swimming area from Memorial Day to Labor Day, as staffing permits, from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

For current hours and conditions, check the official site before you go; the park is operated by North Carolina State Parks.

The park is at 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512. North Carolina State Parks places it 39 miles southeast of New Bern. If you’re staying at Bali Hai, a motel in Atlantic Beach, Fort Macon is about 3.2 miles away.

Is Fort Macon State Park free?

Day-use entry is free. Fees apply to certain event permits.

Can you take a guided tour of Fort Macon?

Yes. The park offers daily guided fort tours, along with frequent cannon and musket demonstrations.

Are there trails at Fort Macon State Park?

Yes. The Elliott Coues Nature Trail is a 3.2-mile hiking and biking loop, and Yarrow’s Loop is a 0.25-mile hiking loop. Neither trail is accessible.

Can you bring a dog to Fort Macon?

Dogs must remain on an attended leash no longer than 6 feet. They are not permitted on the swim beach, inside the fort, or inside buildings.