Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

While the historic site shares Kure Beach’s past, the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area highlights its natural beauty. Just south of the historic site at the tip of Pleasure Island, this 287-acre state park marks the end of development and the start of untouched coastline. Here, six miles of protected shoreline run from the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape Fear River. It’s peaceful and wild—a place where you can spend the day with sand between your toes and hardly see anyone else.

A Different Kind of Beach Day

The recreation area’s beach stands out from others along this part of the North Carolina coast. Near the main parking lot, you’ll find a pedestrian beach with a pavilion, bathrooms, changing area, foot rinses, and a shaded picnic area with grills. Bring a lunch, lay out your towel, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

What makes this place unique is that it’s the only state park in North Carolina where you can drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle onto the beach. With the right permit, you can take your 4WD onto the sand and travel south along miles of undeveloped shoreline. You’ll leave the crowds and cell service behind, entering a stretch of coast that looks much like it did a hundred years ago. Surf fishermen love this spot, setting up next to their vehicles and spending the day catching red drum, flounder, bluefish, and whatever else the Atlantic brings.

The Basin Trail

The recreation area also features the Basin Trail, one of the area’s most popular hikes. The trail winds through coastal marsh and maritime forest to an observation deck overlooking The Basin lagoon, passing the well-known Fort Fisher Hermit’s bunker along the way. It’s a great stop during any visit. For more details, check the dedicated Basin Trail page.

Wildlife and the Wild Coast

The Fort Fisher coastline is one of North Carolina’s key sea turtle nesting areas. Each summer, loggerhead sea turtles and sometimes green sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in the soft sand of the undeveloped beach. Park rangers patrol often to find and protect nests, and the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project offers educational events throughout the season for visitors interested in learning more.

You might also see shorebirds like piping plovers and other protected species, along with pelicans, ospreys, and sometimes dolphins playing in the surf just offshore.

On the Water

The recreation area offers more than just the beach. The Basin lagoon is a favorite spot for windsurfers and kayakers, and a boat ramp and paddling launch are nearby for those who want to get on the water. Whether you’re fishing from the surf, paddling through the marsh, or floating off the beach on a warm summer day, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the Atlantic side of Kure Beach.

Programs and Events

The park offers educational classes and events all year, including beach safety workshops, guided birding walks, and programs about North Carolina’s sharks and sea turtles. Most events are free, but some require pre-registration. Check the park’s calendar before your visit to see what’s scheduled.

A Quiet Escape

Whether you’re loading up the 4WD for a day of surf fishing, packing the kids for a picnic by the beach pavilion, or just looking for a quiet place to walk your dog—leashed dogs are welcome on the beach all year—the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area offers a side of Kure Beach you won’t find anywhere else. It’s wide-open, wild, and beautifully unspoiled, just as it should be.

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Resources

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Website

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