Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Locals know this is the place to go to. Free access and 4WD for those who enjoy off roading. The gates close around 8 or 9 but you can still park outside of them and stay longer if you would like! The aquarium is close and there's lots of sights to see at this beautiful location.

This is where we parked and went in for the beach. Great access area. Free. Has bathrooms, changing areas, and a few places you can grill or have a get together. The beach area was super nice and way less crowded than going to somewhere like myrtle beach. My family and I absolutely loved it.

Great beach to drive on! Nothing more to say really. The office staff were helpful. Although if you arrive after 5pm the office closes and you can’t buy a daily pass. The beach was clean and tidy. Be prepared to bring an air compressor to fill your tires back up, wish they had one on site, even one you pay to use would be helpful sometimes.

Great beach spot with lifeguards, restrooms, covered picnic tables and a place to wash off! Parking is usually available and easy access to the beach.

At least half of it is in sand for anyone who has mobility issues but otherwise a decent walk seeing little crabs was a highlight for the kids also have bug spray and water for hot days! Beautiful!

A great 'drive on' beach, but you must have 4 wheel drive vehicle. Park right where you want to set up your chairs, tent, whatever!
Some shelling, but most are small or broken.
Swimming, wading and fishing ... something for everyone!

Absolutely my favorite place to come. Love driving on the beach in my jeep, it's so relaxing to just back up to the ocean, set out your chairs and enjoy the day. Nothing soothes the soul like the sounds of the ocean waves and staring into the abyss losing yourself in your thoughts.🌊🥰 It's also fun to bring your dog, a book or even fishing gear if that's your thing. Pack a cooler with food and beverages and relax and escape. You MUST have 4WD and you have 5 miles of beach to drive on and enjoy, find your quiet spot and it's heaven on earth. We buy the season pass each year and love it. The Kite Festival each November is amazing to see as well or coming out with a bunch of jeep friends to hang out of the day.

What a calming spot to refresh. It is very dog friendly (and dogs are allowed), offers free parking, restrooms and grills. I visited in March so it wasn't crowded at all. The day I visited was very misty and I had a great opportunity to photograph and enjoy this gem. Would be a great spot for family occasions,

I went to Fort Fisher beach for the first time recently and really enjoyed my time there. Took my Jeep out for its first sand excursion and didn't have any issues traversing the beach. Be sure to air down to the recommended PSI and run in 4 low and you won't have any issues.

While out there saw several people get stuck or didn't know how to drive in the sand and needed help. I think the biggest thing was that they didn't air down.

The beach wasn't crowded at all, it was peaceful and serene. Was able to get a couple days worth of Vitamin Sea in and can't wait to come back.

Wonderful location. Went for the afternoon during Labor Day weekend and it was such a chill afternoon! Of course there were lots of people there and parking was a bit of an effort, but still plenty of room. Beach was clean, lots of families, no one playing super loud music or being too drunk and rowdy. Someone had an Italian ice stand, cash only $4, so good and perfect for a hot day.

Great place to see some history and explore the area. Easy walk on the trail, viewing creation, and visiting the Hermit Bunker. Visitor center is a great stop as well. Great job keeping everything prestige.

Super nice beach area with free parking. I visited on a week day so I had no trouble getting parking and finding a convenient spot to set up on the beach, but I could see it being a lot busier on the weekends.

Bathrooms and and changing rooms are clean and set up well. Outdoor shower/rinses are available, but none inside.

Four wheel beach driving was tough in my Audi Q7!! Be prepared for extreme sand terrain and lower your pressures to 20 psi

Such a beautiful place to walk, beach, or fish. Lots of people with rods and nets- saw founder, crab and shrimp being pulled out of the water. Gorgeous sea birds, wide powder sand beach, and tons of free parking.

Nice place to drive over in the off- season! Helpful staff and clean facilities.

Fort Fisher Recreation area for someone who's visiting the area with a pup is perfect. That's right dogs are allowed but have to be on leash. So, if your furry friend has never been to the Atlantic Ocean here's your chance to create an amazing memory. The beach area has plenty of parking, but it does fill up so get your spot early and be kind to the ocean and shoreline, take your trash. Pack in, pack out baby! Safe travels and enjoy.

Keep it clean the offroad beach is a gem lets keep it open.

Great place for the whole family to come enjoy the sun sand and sea! We drive out on the fort fisher access. 2-3 miles of wide open non crowded clean beach! Highly recommend! $20 Mon-Thur, $30 Fri-Sun or $150 season pass.

Love this area. Amazing views and great beach that also caters to 4wd beach access(buy a pass for day or season)

Beautiful area. Nice asphalt trails around the coast that have impressive rocks and the sea on one side, and on the other side strangely beautiful trees and shrubbery. Little red flowers poke out around the trail. Me and my brothers went through here for a geocache, so we did not stay super long. Overall, a nice place to be.