As of March 2026, here is the latest information on parking fees for the 2026 season at several popular beaches near Wilmington, North Carolina:
Carolina Beach
Premium parking lots enforce paid parking year round and cost $7/hr or $35/day. See below for non-premium spots.
March 1st to October 31st, 9 am to 8 pm | Operated by Pivot Parking
- Parking Lots $6 per hour or $25 per day
- Bus, Limo, and oversized vehicle $10 per hour or $40 per day
- On-Street Parking: $5/hour
- Weekly Visitor Parking Pass: $100 – Available for purchase at Town Hall, the Parking Office (open 7 days a week during enforcement season) and online
- Annual Residential Parking Pass: $30 – Available only to Carolina and Kure beach residents and property/business owners.
- Annual LSV/Golf Cart Pass (See Note): $100 – May be purchased by anyone.
- Note: Effective July 1, 2023, only golf cart owners that have purchased a pass in the previous year calendar year may continue to renew their pass. All golf cart permit sales will end December 31, 2027.
- CBD Employees: $100 – Central Business District business owners/managers may purchase a parking pass for employees (no contract/1099 staff allowed).
- Handicap Parking: Free parking is available in town operated handicap designated spaces for vehicles displaying a valid handicap license plate, placard, or hang tag. Payment is required by all when parking any vehicle in spaces not designated for handicap.
Kure Beach
Paid parking season March 15th through September 30th 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m | Operated by Premium Parking
- Parking lots or on-street parking: $6.00 or $25/day
- Weekly Rate: $125.00
- Seasonal Permit Fees: In February you can purchase discounted passes ($50 – $250)
- Handicap Parking: Marked Handicap spaces are free parking with Handicap Placard or license plate
Additional Notes:
- Local business employees can obtain a seasonal permit for $75.00
- Purple Heart recipients with appropriate license plates may park for free in any marked space
North Topsail Island
- Enforcement Period: Year around
- Enforcement Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Rates: (Operated By Surfcast)
- Hourly: $5.00
- Daily: $25.00
- Weekly: $100.00
- Annual: $250.00
Onslow County offers free parking at three beach accesses, No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4. The second access is the largest with over 100 parking spaces and a concession stand. The beach accesses are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and managed by Onslow County Parks & Recreation.
Oak Island
- Enforcement Period: April 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026 | Operated by SurfCast
- Enforcement Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
“No Bumper, no parking” | Includes Splash Pad & Middleton Playground
Rates:
- Hourly Rate: $5.00
- Daily Rate: $20.00
- Weekly Rate: $80.00
Seasonal Permits:
- Non-Resident Pass: $225 per pass
- Residents: $10 per pass (up to 3)
Additional Notes:
- Handicap Parking: Parking is FREE to vehicles parked in a designated handicap space while displaying a handicap license plate or hangtag; however the use of any regular paid parking space will require the purchase of a Parking Permit.
Surf City
- Enforcement Period: March 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026 | Operated by Pivot Parking
- Enforcement Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Rates:
- Hourly Rates: $3 – $6 (depending on location)
- Daily Rate: $25
- Weekly Rate: $80
Additional Notes:
- Seasonal pass pricing for military, senior citizens, and ETJ discounts available. Resident passes remain free with allowance for up to 2 free passes per landowner. Click here to purchase passes: https://www.pivotparking.com/shop/
Topsail Beach
- Enforcement Period: March 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026
- Enforcement Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Rates: (Operated by SurfCast By Otto)
- $6 per hour for up to 4 hours/$30 per day (Ocean Front Lots)
- $7 per hour up to 5 hours/$35 per day (South End Parking Lot)
Wrightsville Beach
- Enforcement Period: March 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026
- Enforcement Hours: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Non-Premium) and 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Premium)
Rates: (Operated by Text-to-Park)
Premium Rates: Basically anywhere close to the beach on public beach access streets and parking lots like at Johnnie Mercer Pier (Access 16)
- Hourly Rate: $6.00
- Daily Rate: $30.00 (decreased from $35)
- Weekly Rate: $245 (was $150)
Non-Premium: Places like WB Park, Town Hall, Museum or Wrightsville Beach UMC + On-street parking.
- Hourly Rate: $5.00
- Daily Rate: $25.00 (decreased from $30)
- Weekly Rate: $245 (was $150)
Additional Notes:
- Residents are not allowed to park at designated spots.
- Seasonal Passes: Not available for non-residents
General Recommendations
Things change, so be sure to visit each website listed above to avoid any parking violations. They will ticket if your vehicle is found without a paid parking voucher during designated hours.
Driving on the Beach
Did you know you can purchase passes to drive right out onto certain local beaches? Below are the details as well as the fees associated:
Near Wilmington, North Carolina, there are two primary locations where you can drive on the beach: Freeman Park in Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach. Below are the details for each:
1. Freeman Park (Carolina Beach)
Location: Northern end of Carolina Beach, accessible via Canal Drive.
Permits and Fees:
- Daily Access: $50 per day from April 1 to September 30, and $30 per day from October 1 to March 31 (purchased at entrance via 24-hour pay station)
- Annual Pass: $235 (available online or at the Carolina Beach Parking Office or Town Hall) – was $200
- Vehicle Requirements: 4WD vehicles only.
- Hours: Open year-round, 24 hours a day.
2. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area (Kure Beach)
Location: 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC 28449.
Driving Hours:
- September 15 – March 31: Open 24 Hour
- April 1 – September 14: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM/8:30 PM
Permits and Fees: Passes can be purchased onsite 8AM – 5PM
- Daily Pass: $20 (weekdays) – $30 (weekends) – increased by $5
- Annual Pass: $200 (was $150)
- Vehicle Requirements: 4WD vehicles only.
- Drivers should lower their tire pressure to 20 psi at most to avoid getting stuck, and should carry along boards, a shovel, and other equipment to get out of soft sand as needed.
- Watch for seasonal sea turtle or bird nesting closures, which may occur in the summer months within Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and Zeke’s island Reserve.
- Disabled Veterans can get a pass for free.
3. North Topsail Beach 4×4 Area
Location: North end of North Topsail Beach, accessible from River Road.
- April 1 – September 30: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- October 1 – March 30: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Permits and Fees:
- Daily Pass: $25
- Weekly Pass: $100
- Annual Pass: $250
- Purchase: Through the SurfCAST by Otto app (available for Apple and Android devices).
Vehicle Requirements: 4WD vehicles only.
- Paved Parking Lot: Available at 3962 River Drive (end of River Road before entering the permissible driving area) for visitors without 4WD.
Gate Closure:
- Gate is closed and locked during prohibited driving hours.
- Town officials check the area before locking the gate to ensure it is clear.
- Pedestrians still have access after the gate is closed.
General Recommendations:
- Ensure your vehicle is equipped with essentials (tire pressure gauge, shovel, tow rope, etc.).
- Always adhere to local rules and regulations.
- Contact park officials or visit official websites for the most up-to-date information.
Looking for FREE Beach Parking?
Aren’t we all, friends? If you’re looking for free beach parking near Wilmington, NC, there are several options to consider. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach offers free parking at the main visitor lot. It does tend to fill up quickly, especially in the summer months.
Wrightsville Beach has limited free parking spots, but the time runs out fairly quickly. Caswell Beach provides free parking at multiple public beach access points year-round. Sunset Beach offers free public parking near the pier and on nearby side streets, while North Topsail Beach has limited free parking available mentioned above. My best advice as a local is arrive early, especially during peak season, as these spots can fill up quickly and encourage yourself to visit the beach when paid parking isn’t enforced (sunrise or sunset at select beaches).
Good luck everyone!
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