Carolina Beach State Park – Campground Trail

The Campground Trail at Carolina Beach State Park is an easy, one-mile hike marked with blue circles. It links the visitor center to the campground loops. Both trailheads are close to the campground, and since the trail also goes by the Visitor Center, it’s simple to reach if you park there. Please note that the trail crosses park roads a few times, so watch for cars, even though traffic is usually light. Most of the trail winds through a beautiful coastal sandhill forest, where tall longleaf pines and wide live oaks create a shady canopy over the sandy path.

For a short stretch, the Campground Trail joins the longer Sugarloaf Trail, the main trail in the park. This part of the trail is peaceful and flat, making it perfect for families or anyone wanting an easy walk. Although the trail is an out-and-back, you can turn it into a loop by walking around the campground on your return. It’s a handy way for campers to reach other trails without driving, and it gives visitors a chance to experience the park’s unique coastal ecosystem near the Intracoastal Waterway.