Fort Macon State Park
| Fort Macon State Park | |||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina State Park | |||||||||||||||||
 Fort Macon as viewed from one of the shoreward sides.
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| Named for: Fort Macon | |||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | ||||||||||||||||
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| State | North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||
| County | Carteret | ||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 34°41′44″N 76°41′20″W / 34.69556°N 76.68889°WCoordinates: 34°41′44″N 76°41′20″W / 34.69556°N 76.68889°W | ||||||||||||||||
| Area | 423 acres (171.2 ha) | ||||||||||||||||
| Founded | 1936 | ||||||||||||||||
| Management | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation | ||||||||||||||||
| IUCN category | III - Natural Monument | ||||||||||||||||
  Location of Fort Macon State Park in North Carolina
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Website: Fort Macon State Park
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Fort Macon
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| Nearest city | Atlantic Beach, North Carolina |
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| Area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Built | 1826 |
| NRHP Reference # | 70000445 |
| Added to NRHP | February 26, 1970 |
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 one of the smallest state parks in North Carolina with 423 acres (1.71 km2).Fort Macon was built as part of the Third System of US fortifications, and was preceded by Fort Hampton of the Second System.
The Battle of Fort Macon was fought there during March and April 1862.
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 Station 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.
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.
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