Freeman Park

Short takes:

• Better to camp here during the cooler weather

• If you don’t have a yearly beach- access pass, it’s expensive

• Very crowded during warm weather

• Make sure to air-down.

• Don’t forget bug spray 

Camping here can be very hit-or-miss, depending on the time of year. I would recommend only during the cooler months. Feb-March, Sept-Nov. That’s about the only time you can hope to avoid a chaotic, party scene. 

I camped here in March and had a great time. Daytime beachgoers were mainly fishing, walking their dogs, shelling, etc. There were half a dozen other campers, everyone was friendly and quiet. 

My trip in late April didn’t go as well. The first morning I awoke to the sound of a dozen children from the site next to me playing in the surf, shrieking and screaming at 5:30 am. Saturday the beach was packed with day-trippers with a line of trucks parked at the crest of the beach from one end to the other. Constant vehicle traffic up and down the beach. Lots of young kids running around, not paying attention to their surroundings, people walking on the dunes. Many vehicles got stuck in the sand because they didn’t air down. Lots of competing, loud music. 

The next night, there was a family of 20+ people in the next site who warned us they were a loud group. At that point, we packed up and left. I wasn’t expecting that kind of scene until Memorial Day. 

Erosion continues to eat away at the beach and it probably won’t be long before camping is prohibited due to lack of room. The beach used to be much wider.

I've been camping on the beach since I was a teenager. I understand the designated sites now due to more people knowing about the beach. I still love it. And understand why half the beach is closed. High tide floods all the way to the dunes. So hard to cross once it's high tide so it's dangerous. But do you miss that side sometimes. I've read the reviews and as far as a clean Beach a day ago it's probably because I've picked up five bags of trash. My husband and I are out there all the time. And we camp out at least every other weekend. I'll pick up poopy diapers, tags off of clothes straws water bottles water bottle lids shoes clothes socks sanitary napkins and it disgusts me each time we go we are literally picking up bags and bags of trash. Not to mention tents and now large grills. It saddens me the beach is way over packed. With no more Beach than that we are allowed to drive on now the longer it happens the more of the beach will diminish. There should be no day passes only yearly. Trash bags should be handed out at the door and there should be a limited of Mount of trucks that are allowed on to the beach do one line on the beach side and fill up the campsites and that's it. It's all about the money now it is gone from $30 to $50 to camp there are rental jobs and 2 trash can. There should be a trash can at every site. And everyone that camps should be fine if they leave any trash at all. It is such a beautiful place and such a beautiful beach. But let's face it everything is about the money now. And it really sadness me very much. You can't even go and enjoy the beauty and the sound of the ocean because of all the loud noise cussing and acting the fool. Also the amount of ... Well be safe or will drive the inner a lot of them are at home that should not be let on knowing that they will get stuck in the beginning. When you enter the beach it is extremely thick. And some days there are three cars getting stuck and you can't even get past to enjoy your day after we've paid for a yearly pass that is also gone up in price. Something needs to be done and something needs to be done now. If you're visiting the speech please take the time to pick up every bit of your trash. Not just yours pick up others around you because they are not doing it. Of course wear gloves. It can be a nice Beach if we keep it that way but we all have to do our part. But so does the town of Carolina beach. And that is putting better rules and regulations on trash pickup and be in responsible to add trash cans. To limit the amount of trucks that are on their daily and if no one can get on because there is one complete line of trucks that are full. And so be it you will have to get out there early or camp instead. The more and more cars that drive on that beach like I said The more erosion will happen and we will no longer be able to enjoy this beach either just like has happened to the sound side. Otherwise is a beautiful relaxing place to go and reflect on life and enjoy your family. But please do your part when you come to visit. Please respect our beaches and keep them clean and be respectful. Thank you

Freeman Park is a beach area located in Carolina Beach. It's the place to take your 4x4 vehicle, your friends, kids, and dogs, and have some fun in the sand, wind, and waves.

First and foremost, make sure you know how to drive in the sand and what to do when your car gets stuck. It happened to us, as well as to many vehicles on the beach.

Also, be aware of the tides, it's dangerous to be driving near the water when the high tide comes in.

The camping is allowed on the beach Labor Day through memorial Day, but might require a permit, check the rules before you go. In the past, the permit was required only after April 1, so we always tried to come in February or March, when the weather is nice but not too hot.

The camping is allowed in the designated spaces. There's enough room for one tent. Remember, when camping on sand, you don't need stakes. Instead you bring 4 plastic bags, fill them with sand, tie the tent corners to the bags and bury them in the sand. This will prevent your tent from flying away,

There are several pit toilets on the beach, some trash cans are provided too. There's a store next to the fishing pier a short distance from the beach where we usually go to brush our teeth in the morning. 

I love Freeman park and give it 4 stars only because it's a primitive camping spot and people should be aware what to expect. It doesn't have fancy amenities, but the proximity to the ocean is priceless. 

Our favorite dining spot: The Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar in Carolina Beach.