The Best Outdoor Places to Enjoy in Onslow County

June 17, 2026

Hit the Beach

North Topsail Beach

If your family loves a day by the ocean, North Topsail Beach is one of the best places in Onslow County to play and unwind. With multiple public access points, you will have plenty of room to sunbathe, build sandcastles, splash in the waves, or simply relax to the sound of the surf.

Good to know: Beach access is free, but parking is paid. Check the current rates and the full list of access points on the Town of North Topsail Beach website before you go, as fees can change season to season.

Hammocks Beach State Park

With beautiful hiking and paddle trails and an educational visitor center featuring an interactive children’s exhibit, Hammocks Beach is a favorite for families. The crown jewel is Bear Island, a four-mile-long undeveloped barrier island reachable by the park’s seasonal passenger ferry or, for the adventurous, by canoe or kayak.

Back for 2026: After being closed for construction, the Bear Island ferry returned for the season and is running into the fall. Through the peak summer stretch the ferry typically operates several days a week, but schedules can shift with weather, so always confirm before you head out. Ferry tickets are first come, first served (reservations are not accepted), and all passengers, including children ages 0–2, need a ticket. The Bear Island bathhouse, with restrooms, showers, and potable water, is open as well.

Visit: 1572 Hammocks Beach Road, Swansboro, NC 28584. Summer hours (June–August) are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Check the current ferry schedule and facility status: ncparks.gov/hammocks-beach-state-park, or call the park at 910-326-4881.

Onslow Beach (Camp Lejeune)

Located on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Onslow Beach is open to authorized DoD ID cardholders with proper base access. For our military families, it offers rental lodging, an RV campground, pavilions, volleyball courts, and swimming areas, along with family-friendly events throughout the summer. Check the MCCS Onslow Beach page for the current event lineup, and call 910-440-7502 for more information.

Cool Off at a Splash Pad

When the coastal heat peaks, a splash pad is a parent’s best friend. Northeast Creek Park in Jacksonville is a go-to for hot summer days, with a splash pad, playground, and boating access all in one spot. It is a simple, free way to let the kids burn off energy and cool down at the same time. (Watch for our upcoming post all about splash pads, pools, and water play across the county.)

Explore the Bike Trails

If your children are old enough for a family bike ride, Onslow County has miles of trails, from downtown Jacksonville all the way to the coast.

Big Branch Bike Park: Located in Jacksonville, this park features a 1.6-mile flow trail and a 4.6-mile mountain bike trail. The mountain bike trail is best for intermediate riders, while the loop trails suit all levels.
Rails to Trails Greenway: Perfect for beginners, with more than 23 miles of trails and greenways within Jacksonville city limits connecting parks, memorials, and the waterfront.
Richlands Loop Trail: For bold, experienced riders, this route offers a 50-mile and a 20-mile road loop through the rural coastal plains.
City-to-Sea Trail: A 21-mile ride from Jacksonville all the way to Hammocks Beach State Park, showcasing the best of the county.

Miles of trails and greenways make biking a family-friendly summer activity in Onslow County.

Meet the Animals

For the animal lovers in your family, Lynwood Park Zoo in Jacksonville is a charming local stop where children can get up close with a variety of animals. Nearby, Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary offers another chance to see rescued and rehabilitated wildlife. Both make for a memorable half-day outing that pairs fun with a little learning about how we care for the creatures around us.

Parks, Parks, and More Parks!

From playgrounds and picnics to basketball courts, splash pads, and nature trails, the Onslow County Parks and Recreation Department maintains dozens of family-friendly parks across the county. Here are some of our favorites, organized by town.

Swansboro

Bicentennial Park: On the shore of the White Oak River, with a fishing dock, picnic area, boardwalk, and green space to play.
Pirate’s Den Park: A fun, nautical-themed playground at the junction of Broad Street and Shore Drive.
Riverview Park: Elevated shoreline walks along the White Oak River with panoramic views and plenty of marshland flora and fauna.
Swansboro Municipal Park: Nearly 20 acres with a rec center, sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, and a playground.
Ward’s Shore Park: A great picnic spot with scenic marsh views, picnic tables, and a rain garden area.

Maysville

Deppe Park: A fun playground, pavilion, restrooms, and a volleyball court.

Richlands

Steed Park: A playground and nearly 40 acres of recreational space, plus disc golf, perfect for active play outdoors.

Sneads Ferry

Stump Sound Park: Over 50 acres with a nature trail, playground, ball fields, tennis courts, and a disc golf course.

Hubert

Hubert By-Pass Park: Home to one of our favorite Story Walks, where children read an illustrated story along a pathway, plus picnic areas, grills, and courts for basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

Jacksonville

Branchwood Park: A charming neighborhood park with a great playground and a short nature trail.
Discovery Gardens: One of the most serene spots in the county: a 4-acre area with a nature trail, greenhouse, garden pavilion, and children’s garden.
Georgetown Park: Basketball courts, a playground, a walking trail, a grill, and a multipurpose field.
Hines Farm Park and Stables: For horse-loving kids, with riding lessons, summer camps, and 4-H programs.
Jacksonville Commons: A large recreational hub with a skate park, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a nature trail.
New River Waterfront Park: A quiet, serene park with two piers overlooking the river.
Northeast Creek Park: A summer favorite with a splash pad, playground, boating access, and disc golf.
Phillips Park: An expansive open field and playground along the New River.
Riverwalk Crossing Park: Paved downtown paths lined with flowers and benches to enjoy the sunshine.
Oakhurst Nature Park: A more adventurous outing with a kayak launch, a wooded walking trail, and wilderness to explore.
Onslow Pines Park: One of the largest parks in the county, with ball fields, courts, and a playground.
Sturgeon City Park: A quiet, relaxing spot for a walk or playground time.
Wilson Bay Park: A riverfront park with a playground, boardwalk, and green space.

Why Time Outdoors Matters

Beyond the fun, unstructured time in nature does real good for growing children. It encourages movement and healthy habits, sparks imagination and curiosity, and offers a calm, screen-free way to unwind. Shared adventures, whether a beach day or a walk to the neighborhood playground, also strengthen the family bonds that help children feel secure and supported. Those connections are part of what helps kids grow up resilient.