NC State Parks are raising camping and visitor fees. Here’s when and how much
The N.C. State Parks system is raising some user fees for its facilities across the state to reflect increased costs of operation.
The state Division of Natural and Cultural Resources announced the price increases Friday, April 25, and said they would go into effect May 1. Reservations made before midnight on April 30 will be charged at the old rates, the announcement said.
The division said this is the first broad price increase in the parks since 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Since then, visitation at the parks has steadily increased; in 2023, the 42 parks hosted more than 20 million visits.
Here’s the breakdown on prices.
New rates for tent, trailer and RV camping
Campsites at state parks are priced according to the amenities they offer and whether they’re single, double or group sites. A campsite with water, sewer and and electrical hookups will cost more than one with none of those luxuries.
▪ Primitive campsites (not in a developed campground) will go from $15 per night to $20 per night
▪ Sites with no hookups will go from $26 per night to $30 per night
▪ Sites with electricity only will go from $31 per night to $35 per night
▪ Sites with water and electricity will go from $33 to $40 per night
▪ Sites with “full hookups,” or water, sewer and electricity, will go from $36 per night to $45 per night.
All campsite prices include a $3 service fee.
The parks system uses ReserveAmerica for reservations.
Seasonal parking will cost more
Entry is free year-round at most N.C. State Parks. But Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake state recreation areas charge entry or parking fees (per vehicle, not per person) from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on holidays and weekends in April, May and September.
▪ Buses still will get in for $20.
▪ The price for other vehicles will go from $7 to $10 for the day. Senior citizens, military and veterans will pay $5 per day.
▪ Seasonal passes will go from $60 to $70, starting with 2026 passes.
▪ Four-wheel drive beach access, offered at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area only, will go from $150 per year to $200 per year.
▪ Boat slip rentals at the Carolina Beach State Park marina also will go up.
Not all park fees will increase
Cabins, which vary by type and price per night, will cost the same.
Picnic shelter reservations, equipment rental prices and swim passes will stay the same.
Senior citizens (aged 62 and over), active-duty military and veterans still will get discounts where applicable.
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM with the headline "NC State Parks are raising camping and visitor fees. Here’s when and how much."
