- Take US 70 East to Kinston
- In Kinston, watch for the NC 58 exit (past the 258 exit).
There is a sign that says Lenoir Community College at the turn, and a McDonalds with a
tall sign on the left and a gas station on the right. Turn right onto NC 58 and travel S
and E to Trenton where NC 41 joins from the left. You will turn right at the Jones County
Courthouse.
- Continue to where NC 58 joins NC 17 south of Pollocksville.
Turn right at the junction.
- Continuing south you will enter Maysville. Beware of the
left turn NC 58 makes here where it leaves NC 17. This turn occurs at a stoplight
just past a Hardees and a small supermarket on the left side of the road, and is easy to
miss.
- Continue south on NC 58 through Peletier and on to the
intersection with NC 24, within sight of the Emerald Isle bridge. Turn right on NC 24
towards Swansboro (3 miles).
- You will cross two bridges entering Swansboro. The road curves
up and to the left after the bridges, and then straightens out. Watch for a Hardees of the
left at a traffic light, and with a gas station across the street, also on the left. There
are two alternatives from here:
- Turn left at the Hardees. Continue a mile or two until you
reach an intersection. You should see a sign for Camp Mitchell (4-H camp) across the
intersection. Turn left.
- Stay on 24 for about 1/2 mile past the Hardees, and watch for
a sign directing you to turn left for Hammock’s Beach State Park. (This is the road
that the left turn at the Hardees brings you to.) Turn Left.
- Proceed 1/4 mile until you see a sign directing you to the
right into the parking lot for Hammocks Beach State Park. Park office is directly ahead
and up a path to the right.
Hammocks Beach State Park: 910 326-4481
Park Gate closes at 6:00 pm or 7:00 pm, depending on the time
of year. Call for info.
Passenger ferry is available to the island for a fee. In
summer it can be crowded at times, especially if trying to return in the late afternoon.
Mainland side has restrooms, water and soft drink machines.
Island has a bath house and water (verify that water is available before going!) and an
emergency telephone at the bathhouse.
Check with the Rangers on the current status of the raccoon
population. You may need to use extreme care to keep a clean camp, no food in
packs or tents, and store you food in the metal trash cans for the night!