Freeman Park (Carolina Beach)

Carolina Beach is a long and broad beach in North Carolina, just south of Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington. Camping is allowed only in designated areas (there are 21 campsites). Reservations must be made in advance, camping is $50 per night. A daily access pass or season pass is also required to drive on the beach.

Freeman Park is located on the northern end of the beach and the entrance can be reached by driving into the town of Carolina Beach and making your way towards the pier on the north end. At the entrance to Freeman Park there is daily parking available and a pay station located on the road as soon as you start to head into the park. The pay station, where you can purchase a daily access pass, accepts credit cards and cash. There is also an attendant on hand at the entrance during the peak seasons to help out and answer any questions you may have.

Once you pay the access fee you head into the park and will hit the beach in about 50 yards. It's recommended that you pull off to the side of the road just past the entrance and let some air out of your tires in order to drive properly on the beach. I drive a Jeep Wrangler and usually decrease the PSI in my tires to around 20 for the best traction and handling. Next, put your vehicle into four-wheel drive and head on down the beach. Note: you must have a 4WD vehicle, no AWD vehicles permitted.

There are trash cans and port-a-potties located periodically down the beach so there shouldn't be any lack of bathroom facilities or locations to dispose of your trash before you leave. Once you leave the park be sure re-inflate your tires to their recommended PSI (there are plenty of gas stations nearby with air fill up stations).

Camping reservations and more info can be found here: carolinabeach.org.