Fort Macon State Park
Explore the outdoors on your Crystal Coast Adventure with a hike at Fort Macon State Park. Located on Bogue Banks near Atlantic Beach, Fort Macon is surrounded by three sides of water – the Atlantic Ocean, Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Sound. At the restored fort, you’ll see bunks, cannons, a restored rations storage room, artifacts and more. The fort contains 26 vaulted rooms which are enclosed by 4 ½ -feet thick walls. Fort Macon is one of the finest surviving examples of 19th century military architecture and fortification.
You can choose from three hiking trails at Fort Macon State Park:
Beach Trail
The beach is always available for hikes. As you walk along the beach you may see one of the 302 different species of birds found in the park or experience the thrill of watching dolphins playing in the ocean.
Location: On the Beach
Surface: sand
Length: 1.5 miles one way
Difficulty: easy hike
Elliott Coues Nature Trail
The Elliott Coues Nature Trail is a new hiking trail that connects the Fort area with the Swim Beach area. It stretches approximately 3.2 miles round trip and travels along the marsh, through the maritime forest, and through the sand dunes. The trail can be accessed both at the Fort parking lot or the Beach Access parking lot. Park visitors are reminded that these two parking lots have separate closing times and these times change throughout the year based on the month, so please be mindful of your time if you start your hike later in the afternoon.
Location: North end of the Fort area parking lot & Northeast corner of the Beach Access parking lot
Surface: natural surface, sand, gravel, boardwalk/bridge
Length: 3.2 miles loop
Difficulty: moderate hike
Yarrow’s Loop
Yarrow’s Loop is a short quarter mile nature trail that starts and ends at the north end of the fort parking lot. Information signs along the trail tell about some of the common plants and animals that can be found in the park.
Location: Fort Parking Lot
Surface: natural surface
Length: 0.25 miles loop
Difficulty: easy hike
Fort Macon State Park is open; however, the fort is closed due to COVID-19.
Open to the Public
- Visit the Fort Macon State Park website for information and hours.
Fort Macon State Park is open; however, the fort is closed due to COVID-19.
Images provided by Fort Macon State Park.
- Drive Time
- 22 min.
- Distance from Hotel
- 11.6 miles

Experience Beaufort North Carolina’s Attractions
Discover 300 years of Beaufort’s history and step back in time and experience some amazing local attractions during your stay.