FORT MACON, NORTH CAROLINA - TRAVEL GUIDE

Fort Macon, North Carolina

Fort Macon State Park is a North Carolina state park in Carteret County, North Carolina, in the United States. Located on Bogue Banks near Atlantic Beach, the park opened in 1936. Fort Macon State Park is the second most visited state park in North Carolina, with an annual visitation of 1.3 million, despite being the third smallest park in North Carolina with 389 acres (1.57 km²). The Battle of Fort Macon was fought there during March and April 1862.

The ramparts

In addition to the fully restored fort, the park offers visitors both soundside and surf fishing, nature trails, ranger guided tours, a protected swim area, a refreshment stand, and a bathhouse. With the exception of the bathhouse, there are no fees to enjoy the park.
The park is open year round and does not charge an admission or parking fee. During the non-summer months the protected swimming area, refreshment stand, and bathhouse are not available. However, you can swim at your own risk and public restrooms are open year round.
Fort Macon State Park also completely surrounds United States Coast Guard Base Fort Macon. The main gate is located directly across from the park office and barracks, and visitors can catch a glimpse of one of the Coast Guard Cutters that are moored there.


Safety Tip:  The Fort is built for war, not safety.  Be cautious where you step as there are unprotected ledges.

HISTORY:

Five-sided Fort Macon is constructed of brick and stone. Twenty-six vaulted rooms (also called casements) are enclosed by outer walls that are 4.5 feet (1.4 m) thick.
In modern times the danger of naval attack along the North Carolina coast seems remote, but during the 18th and 19th centuries the region around Beaufort was highly vulnerable to attack.
Blackbeard and other infamous pirates were known to have passed through Beaufort Inlet at will, while successive wars with Spain, France and Great Britain during the Colonial Period provided a constant threat of coastal raids by enemy warships. Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge "QAR" is thought to have been discovered in shallow water right off the park in the Atlantic Ocean and is being recovered. Beaufort was captured and plundered by the Spanish in 1747 and again by the British in 1782.

TRAVEL REVIEW:

The fort is very close to Atlantic Beach a popular destination.  We drove over from our hotel, The Sheraton Atlantic Beach.  Fort Macon was a nice break from the beach.  The view from the top of the fort is great, the boats going back and forth from the inlet were nice to see.

Labor Day was still very warm and the air conditioned exhibits were a nice retreat from the heat.

About to live fire a musket

This will be loud

The gift shop had thoughtful workers.  On our way out they reminded us that there was going to be a live firing of a musket gun.

The musket was fired by a Civil War re-enactor.  It was very fun and informative.

I had been to Atlantic Beach several times but never visited the fort.  It is a worthwhile side trip.