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Explore Accessible Onslow County: Outdoor Adventures for Everyone!
Discover the natural beauty of Onslow County, NC, with confidence! Our stunning coastlines, lush parks, and serene waterways offer a wealth of accessible outdoor experiences for visitors of all abilities. We're committed to upholding the Outdoor NC Principles, ensuring that everyone can connect with nature responsibly and enjoyably.
Accessible Beaches & Water Access: Roll onto the sand with ease at designated accessible beach accesses like Beach Access 2 in North Topsail Beach, featuring wheelchair access to the sound side and beach. Hammocks Beach State Park also offers a wheelchair-accessible ferry to Bear Island, an unspoiled barrier island with pristine beaches, allowing access to its natural wonders.
Hammocks Beach State Park
Hammocks Beach State Park offers several accessible features to ensure a welcoming experience for all visitors.
On the mainland, you'll find marked accessible parking spaces, and the park office/visitor center has a ramp for easy entry. There are also accessible restrooms and an ADA-friendly picnic area near the office, with staff able to assist with close vehicle access upon request.
To reach the pristine Bear Island, the passenger ferry is wheelchair accessible, providing a convenient way to experience the unspoiled barrier island. Once on Bear Island, you'll find accessible bathhouse facilities and a long, winding boardwalk ramp leading to the beach, with resting areas along the way. For enhanced beach access, the park provides Landeez all-terrain wheelchairs for visitors to use.
A dedicated kayak accessible ramp is available on the mainland, providing a convenient and easier way for visitors to launch their canoes and kayaks. This feature complements the park's well-marked paddle trails, making it more feasible for paddlers of varying abilities to explore the intricate marshlands and serene waterways that characterize the area.
The mainland campground includes a common bathhouse with showers and toilets for both men and women, designed to be accessible. While specific details on the ADA features for each individual site type are best confirmed directly with the park, the inclusion of a dedicated accessible bathhouse is a significant improvement for visitors with mobility needs.
Beach Access Sites
Designated Accessible Accesses: North Topsail Beach
- Onslow County Beach Access #2 is noted for having a Hatteras ramp, which provides a relatively easy slope to the beach, beneficial for wheelchairs, strollers, and wagons. It also features an elevated wooden pavilion with a ramp to the beach, concession areas, restrooms, and showers.
- Onslow County Beach Access #4 offers wide sandy access, restrooms, an elevated wooden observation deck, and a concession area.
- Onslow County Parks & Rec - Onslow County Beach Access Site
Beach Wheelchairs: The Town of North Topsail Beach provides beach wheelchairs and a beach walker that can be borrowed by individuals. These wide-tired chairs are designed for better traction on sand. To reserve equipment, visitors can contact the North Topsail Beach Police Department. (910-328-0042). For more information and the application to borrow the equipment, click here: Handicapped Access.
Inclusive Outdoor Spaces: Many of Onslow County's parks are designed with accessibility in mind, offering features like accessible restrooms, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Explore the scenic beauty on accessible paths at locations like Lejeune Memorial Gardens with its paved, wheelchair-accessible trails, and Onslow Pines Park, which features a nature trail and jogging/fitness trail.
Paddling & Fishing Opportunities: Discover accessible launch points for kayaking and canoeing, allowing you to explore our diverse waterways. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is actively working to provide increased access for persons with disabilities to enjoy fishing opportunities. You can find accessible kayak launches at Jacksonville Landing and Riverwalk Marina.
Adhering to Outdoor NC Principles: We encourage all visitors to practice Leave No Trace ethics. This means planning ahead, staying on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. Our goal is to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and sustainable experience for all who visit Onslow County's natural treasures.
Start planning your accessible Onslow County adventure today! We're dedicated to making our outdoor spaces welcoming and inclusive for every traveler.
