📷 Mx. Granger, CC0Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach, NC
One of the few places where carnivorous Venus flytraps grow in the wild, seen along the short Flytrap Trail in the pine savanna. The park also has a marina and campground on the Cape Fear River; entry is free.
Carolina Beach State Park is in New Hanover County, about 12 miles (roughly 19 km) south of Wilmington in southeastern North Carolina. Its best-known resident is the carnivorous Venus flytrap, which grows naturally only within about 100 miles (roughly 160 km) of Wilmington. It grows in wetland areas; according to WECT, visitors come from around the world for the bloom in May and June.
The park combines this plant life with coastal scenery: NC Parks lists Venus flytraps, Sugarloaf Dune, brown pelicans and river otters as highlights. The trails are easy. There is a marina and a boat ramp on the Cape Fear River, fishing and boating on the river and the Intracoastal Waterway, paddling, and a campground with full-hookup RV sites, tent sites and cabins. If you want to see the plants, stay on the trails: picking or harvesting them is a felony in North Carolina. Please check programs and opening hours in advance.
- Nearest town
- Carolina Beach, NC
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 34.0476, -77.9190
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and September. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Carolina Beach State Park CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Carolina Beach State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Motorhome stopover · SouthportMotorhome stopover5 mi from Carolina Beach State ParkMotorhomes
- Motorhome stopover · SouthportMotorhome stopover9 mi from Carolina Beach State ParkMotorhomes
- Wilmington KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover17 mi from Carolina Beach State ParkTentsCaravansMotorhomes
- Holden Beach RVCampsite22 mi from Carolina Beach State Park
- Holden Beach RV CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Carolina Beach State ParkTentsCaravans
All campsites in North Carolina · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Carolina Beach State Park?
Carolina Beach State Park is in Carolina Beach, NC, at GPS 34.0476, -77.9190. It is about 10 mi from Southport.
Can you camp near Carolina Beach State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Carolina Beach State Park Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 7 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Carolina Beach State Park?
Carolina Beach State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Cape Fear coast: Wilmington, Fort Fisher and Southport.
What is there to see near Carolina Beach State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Fort Fisher State Historic Site (5 mi), Oak Island Lighthouse (13 mi), Battleship North Carolina (13 mi) and Hammocks Beach State Park (62 mi).
When is the best time to visit Carolina Beach State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)