Explore the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Many visitors say this is the beach that makes them fall in love with Kure Beach. Located at the southern tip of Pleasure Island, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area offers six miles of clean, protected, undeveloped shoreline. There are no high-rises, resorts, or rows of rentals crowding the dunes—just sand, surf, and sky. What makes it unique is that it’s really two beaches in one: an easy-access swim beach near the parking area and a wild, drive-on stretch that runs for miles to the south.

The Swim Beach

If you want a classic beach day, the pedestrian swim beach is the perfect spot. It’s just a short walk from the main parking lot near the park office and has all the amenities that make a family outing easy: a beach pavilion, restrooms, a changing area, and foot rinses to wash off the sand before heading home. There’s also a shaded picnic area with grills nearby, so you can enjoy lunch between swims.

The sand is soft and the ocean bottom slopes gently, making it a comfortable place for swimming and wading. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer, usually from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but it’s always a good idea to check posted signs for current water conditions before swimming. Since the recreation area is protected and a little farther from town, it usually stays less crowded—even in the middle of summer, you’ll often find plenty of space.

Each November, this beach hosts the Cape Fear Kite Festival. The wide-open sand and steady ocean breeze fill the sky with color for the weekend. If you’re visiting then, it’s worth planning your trip around the festival. Check our Cape Fear Kite Festival page for more details.

The Drive-On Beach

If you head south past the swim beach, you’ll find what makes this place truly unique. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is the only state park in North Carolina, and one of the only beaches in New Hanover County, that lets four-wheel-drive vehicles drive right onto the sand.

With a permit and a proper 4WD vehicle, you can drive for miles along remote, undeveloped shoreline and set up your beach day right next to your truck—coolers, chairs, fishing gear, and more. Surf fishermen love this spot, as they can set up along the water and spend the day casting for red drum, flounder, bluefish, and other fish. The farther south you go, the quieter it becomes. This is where you can truly feel like you have the coast to yourself.

A few important things to remember: You need a permit to drive on the beach, which you can get through the park. There are specific areas where driving is allowed. Sometimes, seasonal restrictions are in place to protect nesting wildlife, so always check the current access rules with the park office before you go.

A Beach That Protects Its Wild Side

One reason Fort Fisher beach stays so pristine is that it’s actively protected. The undeveloped shoreline is one of the most important sea turtle nesting areas in North Carolina. Every summer, loggerhead sea turtles and sometimes green sea turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs in the soft sand. Park rangers patrol regularly to find and protect nests, and you’ll often see marked-off nest sites roped off along the beach. If you’re driving on the beach, this is a big reason why it’s important to stay in the designated areas.

The beach is also home to protected shorebirds like piping plovers, as well as pelicans, terns, and gulls along the surf. Leashed dogs are welcome on the beach all year, except on the swim beach itself or inside park buildings, so the whole family, including four-legged members, can enjoy the day.

Plan Your Day

The swim beach is best for families, swimming, and picnicking. Arrive early on summer weekends to get a good spot near the pavilion.
The drive-on beach is best for surf fishing, solitude, and a true wild-coast experience. Bring a 4WD vehicle and the required permit.
Pack water, sunscreen, and shade because amenities become scarce once you go south of the swim beach.
Always check current conditions, permit rules, and any seasonal wildlife closures with the park office before your visit.

The Best of Both Worlds

Whether you want a relaxed family beach day with restrooms and a picnic table nearby, or you want to air down your tires and explore an empty stretch of sand, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area offers both. This kind of unspoiled coastline is getting harder to find, and it’s one of the best reasons to visit Kure Beach.