Freeman Park

We loved it. 

We were almost alone, only one other vehicle. Two nice guys just there to night fish. After they left we only had the police truck making his rounds every few hours. 

Wonderful to wake up to the sunrise over the ocean.

We had a great time and great view camping on the beach. The amenities are pretty basic but it’s all we need for camping!

Very nice to fall asleep to the sound of the crashing ocean waves and to wake up to the same. The sites were actually a bit larger than they sound online. Plenty of room for a couple vehicles and tents as well as a canopy. I camped “off season” in a converted 4x4 and it was perfect. Others in tents had a bit more of an adventure. Bear in mind that we come here for nature and Mother Nature can make herself known on the oceanfront!! Winds can be high and tents are a challenge to secure in loose sand. Also CRITICAL to be educated about beach weather and TIDES!!!! Super high tides were present during my visit. A high Queen tide came near the camp spots at night while a super high king tide COMPLETELY COVERED the camp sites in the morning!! I had an absolutely wonderful time and generated some lifelong memories, (watched the rising king tide from safety)! Highly recommended camp spot! Highly recommend one becomes educated about beach weather and TIDES! :)

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.

This is a great place where you can camp directly on the beach, but because it is located in Wilmington, NC it can get VERY busy. During busy times you have to apply for or get a permit. 

They charge just to drive on the beach to cut down on traffic. It's very hot and busy during the summer but if you go in spring, fall or warm winter days it's absolutely amazing.

Area right on the beach first time camping literally 50 feet from the ocean it was an awesome experience but also weird, we got in for free but we drove in 4x4 didn’t want to leave the car so we parked on the outside, the next day we decided to leave and they charged me 30 dollars to get my stuff out i called 2 days prior they said it wasn’t a charge to camp but 30$ for all day beach driving i would stay again for the absolutely beautiful scenery but dealing with the staff will make me ponder

Been a family spot since 95’