Guidelines to Park Rules and Regulations

Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is generally prohibited, except in designated areas or by permit.

Visitors shall not be or become intoxicated while within any state park or recreation area.

As a courtesy to other campers, please observe the campground quiet hours. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The production or emission in any park or recreation area of noises, amplified speech, music, or other sounds that annoy, disturb, or frighten state park visitors is prohibited at all times.

Some state parks border or are scattered along many miles of rivers, waterways, and other areas, which may border privately owned land. When traveling waterways and using parklands in any of the state parks, please respect the rights of private property owners and avoid trespassing on private land when parking vehicles, hiking, biking, paddling, etc.

Pets are permitted in all state parks as long as they are on an attended leash or other restraint of no longer than 6 feet and under the constant control of the owner. 

Pet owners who do not have their pets on a leash may receive a fine.

Pet owners should pick up after their pets. Pet waste is not fertilizer and should not be left on the ground. It is toxic and harmful to plants and other animals in the state park. Pet waste can also transmit disease and put other state park visitors at risk. Properly dispose of pet waste in garbage bins. Do not throw waste bags in the woods or leave them on the ground.

Pets should stay on the trail. Many rare plants live on thin soils and wet rocks and are vulnerable to damage from climbing, trampling, and scraping. Visitors with pets should yield to all other trail users, including bicyclists and equestrians, when possible.

Pets are allowed in most state park campgrounds. Overnight, pets must be confined to the owner's tent or vehicle during quiet hours. Pets are not permitted in cabins.

Pets are not allowed in the bathhouses or swimming areas.

Pets are strictly prohibited from entering any building.

Owners may be asked to remove dangerous or noisy pets from the state park.

Guests who bring pets to Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park should arrange their own transportation for their pets.

Reasonable accommodations for service animals that meet the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et. seq.) or N.C.G.S. § 168-4.2 may be made. Please contact the park superintendent to request such accommodations. 

Park visitors are prohibited from landing or taking off within or upon any state park property, of any airplane, flying machine (including drones, unmanned aircrafts, and quadcopters), balloon, parachute, glider, hang glider (except with permit at Jockey's Ridge State Park), or other apparatus for aviation.

In some limited circumstances, these aviation apparatus may be operated after obtaining a Special Use Permit from the state park.

Additionally, state law prohibits people from launching or recovering any unmanned aircraft systems from state property without consent.

Firearms and other weapons (air guns, air soft guns, paint ball guns, archery equipment, sling shots, or other apparatus capable of firing a lethal projectile of any kind, etc.) are prohibited, except: 

• Individuals with a proper permit may possess a concealed handgun in permitted areas and under the requirements of N.C.G.S. § 14-415.11; and
• other individuals as permitted by statute or rule.

Exception: Federal law (36 C.F.R. § 327.13) prohibits all loaded firearms or ammunition on those lands and waters at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake state recreation areas managed by the state parks system and owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

All firearms and weapons are prohibited in state park visitor centers and park offices.

Fireworks are prohibited on all properties managed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, except with an approved Special Use Permit in connection with a public exhibition and in accordance with the requirements of 07 N.C. Admin. Code 113B.0901(c). 

Metal detectors are not allowed in any state park area, except to locate lost personal property when authorized by a Special Use Permit.

The removal, destruction or injury of any plant, fungus, mineral, or artifact in any state park is prohibited unless with an approved collection permit for scientific or educational purposes.

Certain areas of the state park may be closed to public use for public safety or for the management and protection of natural resources.