Freeman Park

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NOTICE: OVERNIGHT CAMPING IN FREEMAN PARK
HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Due to excessive beach erosion and the upcoming beach nourishment project,
overnight camping in Freeman Park has been suspended until further notice.
Anyone that has existing reservations will receive a cancellation notice via email
and a full refund of monies paid. If you have questions, please call us at (910) 458-4614.

freeman park image

Residents and visitors have long enjoyed the beach area now known as Freeman Park. In fact, the area has become one of Carolina Beach's major attractions as it is one of the only beaches in NC that you can drive your 4X4 vehicle on.

Whether coming to the area to swim, camp, fish, or go boating, crabbing or casting for minnows, people love Freeman Park. Visitors are drawn to the beautiful beach with its variety of wildlife, dunes and majestic sea grasses indigenous to the region.

Click on the tabs below for details on access, rules, camping, and more.

NOTICE: The effects of tides and erosion still exist, and the northern areas of Freeman Park remain closed to all vehicular traffic.
The effects of extremely high tides and erosion still exist, and the northern areas of Freeman Park remain closed to all vehicular traffic. This has caused limited beach area for vehicles to travel and park. Please note that there could be intermittent closures of Freeman Park due to limited beach area based on the level of patron usage and/or extreme high tides. Please check our website and Facebook page often for notification of closures. If you have questions, please call (910) 458-4614.

Daily Access Pass

Access passes are required year round for entrance to the park using a 4x4 vehicle, and must be displayed 24 hours a day. There are two types of access passes available: daily access passes and annual permits.

Daily Passes: Daily Passes are sold only at the entrance of Freeman Park using a 24 hour pay station. The pay station accepts credit cards and cash. During peak season and hours, an attendant is available to assist with the machine. Daily access pass costs are as follows (effective January 1, 2022):

•April 1 - September 30, Mon-Sun$50 per day
•October 1 – March 31, Mon-Sun, $30 per day

Daily passes are valid until 10:00 am the following day.

Daily passes should be securely displayed on the vehicles dashboard.

Daily passes are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Annual Access Permit

Access passes are required year round for entrance to the park using a 4x4 vehicle, and must be displayed 24 hours a day. There are two types of access passes available: daily access passes and annual permits.

Annual Permits: Annual Permits are valid from January 1st through December 31st. Permits are available for purchase in person at a discounted rate during normal business hours in December, and then at the full price online January 1st.

In-person purchases may be made using cash or credit/debit cards at one of the following locations

Town of Carolina Beach Parking Office
1708 Canal Drive Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-4614
OPEN: Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM except holidays

Carolina Beach Town Hall - Billing Department
1121 N. Lake Park Blvd. Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-2999
OPEN: Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM except holidays

All annual permit purchases must be picked up in person -they cannot be mailed. . NOTE: Paper receipt from online purchase is not valid at the gate and will not grant entry into Freeman Park. For more information or if you have questions, please contact the Town of Carolina Beach Parking office at (910) 458-4614, or email us at cbparkingoffice@pivotparking.com.

Annual Permit purchases are NON-REFUNDABLE for any reason including but not limited to loss, theft, or park closure. Permits are issued to the vehicle, not the operator, and must be permanently affixed to the vehicle’s windshield or they will be considered invalid. Annual Permit purchasers will be responsible for the full purchase price of a new permit if the permit or vehicle is lost, stolen, or damaged.

In the event a vehicle is sold or a windshield is replaced, a new permit may be issued when the permit holder brings the original permit to the Town of Carolina Beach Parking Office. The Annual Permit is designed for a single placement and will destruct upon removal. You must scrape the original permit off and present all pieces, regardless of condition at the Town of Carolina Parking Office to be eligible to receive a replacement.

Annual Permits are not available for purchase at the Park’s entrance.

Rules and Regulations

A Freeman Park Management Plan is in place to protect the environment and public interest in the Park and to discourage unauthorized entry onto adjacent private property. If you plan on visiting the park please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations listed below. Visitors are expected to be mindful of this natural wonder and respectful of fellow visitors.

ALCOHOL
• It is illegal to possess spirituous liquor and or fortified wine per NC General Statute 18B-301.
• No glass bottles.

CONDUCT
•Visitors to Freeman Park should be considerate of others when using televisions, radios, stereos, musical instruments, generators or other similar items.
•Visitors should conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of other people in the park.

DOGS
•Dogs are allowed in Freeman Park ON A LEASH between April 1st and September 30th.
•Dogs are allowed in Freeman Park OFF LEASH between October 1st and March 31st so long as they remain under voice command and the owner is within reasonable distance of the pet.
•The owner(s) of a dog(s) who harm or cause offenses or damages to the public or deposits waste upon public land or property will be held responsible for such action and must immediately clean up the waste.
•Dog owners must carry a minimum of two plastic bags, or other suitable plastic or paper containers, that can be used to clean up and contain dog waste until it can be disposed of in an appropriate container. The bags must be produced and shown upon request.

DRIVING ON THE BEACH
•Four Wheel Drive Vehicles Only - No All Wheel or Two Wheel Drive Vehicles Permitted.
•Speed limit at Freeman Park is 15 miles per hour.
•Please drive safely and be courteous to other motorists, pedestrians, and all other beach visitors.
•Riding on bumpers, tailgates or on the hoods of vehicles is strictly prohibited.
•Cutting circles (also known as “making doughnuts”) or otherwise defacing the beach is strictly prohibited.
•No trailers, campers, RV's, tail bed campers, dirt bikes, or ATVs.
•No stopping or parking on the hatteras ramp near the entrance of the park.

FIREARMS and FIREWORKS
•No concealed weapons without a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit. NC General Statute 14-415.23 and NC general Statute 14-415.11(C2) shall be enforced.
•Fireworks are not permitted at any time.

FIRES - ALLOWED OCTOBER 1st THROUGH MARCH 31st ONLY
The following regulations pertain to campfires from October 1st through March 31st. Campfires are not allowed April 1st through September 30th.

•Only natural firewood can be burned in a fire container less than 3 feet in diameter. Burning trash, shipping pallets, or construction material is not allowed. See Campfire regulations below for additional information.
•Small campfires are allowed Oceanside at Freeman Park starting at Marker F and extending north to the end of the park.
•Campfires must be contained within fire containers no greater than 3 feet wide.
•Small campfires are allowed in campsites but must be contained within a fire pit or container that may not exceed three (3) feet in diameter. Fire pits are not provided. Visitors must bring in and remove fire pits following its use.
•No campfires are allowed within 10 feet of the dune or vegetation line.
•Fires may not be left unattended and must be extinguished with water, not sand. Only natural firewood can be burned. Burning trash, shipping pallets, or construction material is not allowed.
•All fire remains and debris must be picked up and placed in park provided ASH CANS or removed from the beach. Failure to do so will result in a fine.
•Camping privileges can be revoked for failure to follow any campfire rules or regulations.

VEHICLE RULES
•Major repairs of vehicles are not allowed in the Park or in the adjacent Municipal parking lots.
•Abandoned vehicles left unattended for more than 24 hours will be claimed by the Carolina Beach Police Department.
•Trailers or ATVs are not permitted in Freeman Park at any time.

Overnight Camping

Overnight camping is only allowed in designated, reserved camp sites Labor Day through the Thursday before Memorial Day each year. Reservations are on a first come/first service basis. During this period, there is a $50.00 per night fee for a campsite permit. Campers without an annual park permit will also need to purchase a daily vehicle access pass for Freeman Park.

NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING is allowed the Friday before Memorial day through the Sunday before Labor Day.

Visitors and campers driving 4-wheel drive vehicles must have a valid Freeman Park access pass at all times to enter the park (can be purchased online or in person at entrance to park).Camping permits can only be purchased on-line. CLICK HERE to make camp site reservations.

CAMPING RULES

No vehicles or equipment may be stationed within ten (10) feet of the sand dune fencing.
Walking or driving on the sand dunes is strictly prohibited. Park privileges may be revoked or a civil citation issued for any violation.
All vehicles, campfires, and camping equipment must remain within the bounds of the campsite at all times and must not block the travel lane.
Campfires are only allowed in the park October 1st through March 31st.
Glass containers are strictly prohibited.
It is illegal to possess spirituous liquor and or fortified wine per NC General Statute 18B-301.
Trash must be removed by all visitors. A Pack It In, Pack It Out policy is in place. Failure to clean and remove all trash and personal items from campsite will result in a civil citation.
Tents and camping equipment must not be left unattended in a campsite beyond the reservation period. Day tents, canopies, other similar devices, and camping equipment that are left unattended may be removed from the park by the Town of Carolina Beach without notice.
Dogs must be on a leash April 1st through September 30th. All owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animal.
Only normal camping and beach furniture will be allowed onto Freeman Park. No commonly known household furniture such as couches, chairs, non-inflatable mattress, box springs, etc. are permitted.
As a courtesy to other campers, please observe the campground quiet hours. Quiet hours are from 11:00 pm until 7:00 am.
Do not attempt to remove or adjust the campsite boundaries markers for any reason.
No concealed weapons without a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit. NC General Statute 14-415.23 and NC general Statute 14-415.11(C2) shall be enforced.
Fireworks are not permit at any time.
Camping or sleeping in a vehicle for more than fourteen (14) consecutive days is not allowed.

Litter/Trash

Pack in...Pack out
Freeman Park is a Trash Free park. Blue trash cans are provided along the beach strand to encourage visitors to pick up trash when it is seen and help us keep the beach clean. All visitors are expected to carry out the refuse they generate and dispose of it properly at home or at another appropriate destination. By encouraging all visitors to bring out what they bring in we are helping to maintain the beach, protect the environmental resources; including birds, fish and turtles, reduce solid waste in the park, and embracing the ideas of reduce, reuse, and recycle. We all must working together to address trash and littler in Freeman Park to ensure its sustainability for years to come.

We hope all visitors will plan ahead but trash bags are available from the entrance gate attendant and campground staff. If unable to remove trash bags from the park we ask that they be placed in the blue trash cans, not beside them, or deposited into the trash trailers located on the sand at the exit of the park. Please speak with a park attendant if you have any questions or need any additional information.
•Littering of any kind is strictly forbidden in Freeman Park. This includes cigarette butts, fishing tackle, campfire remains, and other trash.
•DO NOT LEAVE ANY TRASH ON THE BEACH. All litter must be taken from the park or discarded in public receptacles. Burning trash or debris is strictly prohibited and will result in fines.
•Glass containers are not allowed.
•Wastewater from self-contained vehicles must be kept in a holding tank and may not be emptied while at Freeman Park

Horseback Riding

Horses may be ridden within and on the sand portion of the beach of Freeman Park between October 1st and March 31st only. Horses are not allowed within Freeman Park from April 1st to September 30th. It is unlawful to ride, lead or drive any animal upon the sidewalks, boardwalk, roads or beaches within any other area of the Town’s corporate limits. HORSEBACK RIDING RESTRICTIONS:

Horses and horseback riding shall be allowed at Freeman Park during daylight hours only and are not allowed on private property (areas with vegetation).
Horses and riders are not allowed to walk or ride on the sand dunes or disturb the fencing and signs. Dune violation fines range from $100 to $1,000.
Any feces dropped by the horse on the beach, on the streets on the way into the park, and in the Town parking areas shall be removed by the rider and disposed of away from the beach in an environmentally safe and appropriate manner.
The number of riders and horses together in a group shall not exceed four (4) combinations of horse and rider on the ocean beach and on the public streets on the way into the park.
At no time shall a horse be ridden on the ocean beach at a speed or in a manner likely to endanger persons or property.
The owner of a horse ridden in violation of these provisions, as well as, the rider shall be subject to the penalty provided herein.
No renting of horses, horseback riding tours or any commercial related horse activities will be allowed at Freeman Park.

HORSEBACK BEACH ACCESS
Horseback riders wishing to access the beach shall go directly from the north end parking areas to the beach by way of the following access points:

•North end of Canal Drive/Freeman Park entrance.

These access locations are the only horse and rider designated access points for the purpose of going on to and departing from Freeman Park while riding a horse. Horses and riders shall access the beach only at the above locations and may only use the Town streets as corridors to get to arrive at these approved entrances.

PARKING
Unloading of vehicles associated with horseback riding will be allowed between October 1st and March 31st at Public Parking Lots located at 1708 Canal Dr. and 1810 Canal Dr. (if spaces are available), or on private property in the vicinity of this area with the permission of the Town Manager.

Paid parking is enforced during the months of October and March, and payment must be made for all spaces taken up by vehicle/trailer.
Vehicles and trailers shall obey all parking regulations