Fort Macon State Park

Fort Macon State Park

I came across Fort Macon State Park while exploring in Eastern North Carolina. It is right beside a coast guard station and near some coastal islands.

At first glance, it seems small but it has plenty to offer! You can easily stay busy for a whole day or more. You can take a guided tour or do a solo self-guided tour. It is right by the beach so you see some pretty coastal views while walking around.

Note:

The main areas (main level of base, vistor center, restrooms, bookstore) are handicap accessible but the upper and lower levels of the base is only accessible with stairs.

We enjoyed walking around the base at our own leisure. The upper level of the base gave some pretty coastal views and an up-close look at some cannons.

Note:

Be careful if you go with little kids. Some parts of the base (especially the upper level) don’t have railings and there are some steep drop offs. Proceed with caution and don’t let little ones just run freely on their own.

Quick facts:

  • Open daily (closed on Christmas Day)
  • Visitor Center with a coastal education center & bookstore
  • Bathhouse area with restrooms
  • Cannon and musket demonstrations
  • Guided tours
  • Fishing, swimming & picnicking areas
  • Hiking: over 1.5 miles of beach hiking trails and other nature trails with over 300 types of birds or maybe dolphins playing in the ocean
  • Fort Macon State Beach with big bathhouse, snacks, picnic areas, swimming, beach area
Fort Macon history sign
Son with a cannon
Fort Macon sign
Cannon
Cistern
Fort Macon entrance
Fort Macon entrance
Fort Macon map sign
Fort Macon entrance
Daughter sitting in window of fort
Daughter in Fort Macon doorway
Fort Macon
Fort Macon
Kids sitting in window of Fort Macon
Kids sitting in window of Fort Macon
Me in brick archway of Fort Macon
Fort Macon
Fort Macon rooms
Kids playing with brick oven in Fort Macon
Room in Fort Macon
Room in Fort Macon
Fort Macon
Fort Macon
Kids playing at Fort Macon
Fort Macon
Son walking at Fort Macon
Fort Macon
Daughter by cannon at Fort Macon
Fort Macon
Brick oven
Son with brick oven
Cannon
Cannons
Daughter with cannon
Son with cannon
Fort Macon
Kids with beach in background
Me and kids with beach behind us
Beach
Beach
Fort Macon
Fort Macon
Fort Macon
Kids at staircase
Window
Basement of Fort Macon
Basement of Fort Macon
Basement stairs
Flag on top of Fort Macon
Map of Fort Macon
Fort Macon park map
Trail signs at Fort Macon
Hiking trails at Fort Macon
Hiking beach trail at Fort Macon
Hiking trail at sunset at Fort Macon
Beach
Beach
Cannon
Sunset

Fort Macon State Park is located at 2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512. It is about 2 hours and 45 minutes from Raleigh, NC, and 35 minutes from the beach town Emerald Isle, NC.

If you are a history fan, a state park fan, or just enjoy checking out new places, you won’t want to miss this stop. There is a little something for the whole family to enjoy here!

Sincerely, Stephanie logo