Fort Macon State Park
Fort Macon State Park is the 42nd park in our 2025 North Carolina State Park Challenge. It’s located in Atlantic Beach, 39 miles southeast of New Bern. The park’s main attractions is a restored pre-Civil War Fort, but the park also has a large swim beach with seasonal concession stand.
We visited on an incredibly windy, late fall day and started out by the swim beach. We walked on the pier out to the path down to the beach. Obviously on a cold, extremely windy day there was no-one there with the waves were crashing along the shore.
We started hiking along the Elliott Coues Trail, which is a 3.2 mile loop that goes up and around the Fort and back to the swim beach. Even though this trail did give up some relief from the wind, we only did a section of this trail before turning around because Axel got a couple sand spurs in his paws (and I had some stuck to the sides of my shoes). If you’re planning on hiking, I would recommend some dog boots for protection.
Up at the Fort we were able to stop by the Visitor Center and grab our passport stamp. To get to the Fort you have to walk though the Visitor Center. Dogs are not allowed in the Fort or the swim beach , but are allowed on all of the trails. The Eliott Coues Trail sections across from the Visitor Center will walk you along the beach by the Beaufort Inlet.
This park has something for the history enthusiasts and beach goers, but doesn’t have too much that’s dog friendly (which I did know going into it). They also frequently offer cannon and musket demonstrations- so check their website before visiting with your dog to avoid those times. Enjoy!
Park Details:
ADDRESS: 2303 E. Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach NC 28512
HOURS: October-March: 8am-6pm
April-May: 8am-7pm
June-August 8am-8pm
VISITOR CENTER: Open daily 9am-5pm
PASSPORT STAMP: Located at the Visitor Center
ENTRANCE FEE: No Entrance Fee
TRAILS: 3 hiking trails over 4 miles.
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking, Paddling, Swimming, Fishing
DOG RULES: Dogs are allowed on all hiking trails. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft. Pick up after your dog. Dogs not allowed in park buildings, the swim beach, or inside the fort.
Check out our videos about this Park on instagram @axel.theadventurepup
