2026 Brunswick County Beach Parking Guide: Rates, Free Parking & Best Beach Accesses

Parking at the Brunswick County beaches is not one-size-fits-all. Oak Island, Caswell Beach, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach all use different rules, and October is where the differences really show up.

For October 2026, Oak Island's regular paid-parking season is already over and Caswell Beach remains free year-round. Holden Beach still charges during the day because its program runs year-round, while Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach continue paid parking through October 31.

The better question is not just what parking costs. It is where to park for what you actually want to do once you get there.

2026 Brunswick County Beach Parking at a Glance

Beach	October 2026 parking	Current visitor pricing
Oak Island	Free in regular public spaces after Sept. 30	$5/hr, $20/day, $80/week during Apr. 1–Sept. 30; $225 season
Caswell Beach	Free year-round	Free
Holden Beach	Paid 9 AM–5 PM year-round	$5/hr up to 4 hrs, $20/day, $80/week, $175 annual
Ocean Isle Beach	Paid through Oct. 31, 9 AM–5 PM	$5/hr, $20/day, $80/week, $175 season
Sunset Beach	Paid through Oct. 31, 9 AM–5 PM	$5/hr, $20/day, $80/week, $175 season

Oak Island

Oak Island has the most public beach parking of the five locations, with nearly 1,500 spaces spread across 65 beach access locations. Paid parking runs April 1 through September 30 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

That means regular public paid-parking spaces are free again in October. Resident-only spaces are different and remain restricted, so keep reading the signs even after the paid season ends.

During the paid season, visitor rates are $5 per hour, $20 per day and $80 per week. The 2026 seasonal permit is $225.

The Point: Parking for Sunset, Walking and Paddling

If I were choosing one Oak Island parking area for visitors to know, it would be The Point at the west end. Oak Island added more than 120 public spaces ahead of the 2026 season, including enough new parking at The Point to roughly double the previous capacity.

This is one of my favorite areas on the island because the ocean, inlet and marsh all meet in one place. It works for a beach walk, sunset, kayaking or paddleboarding.

If you are planning to paddle, our guide to kayaking and paddleboarding at The Point explains why we use this area. For sunset, see our Oak Island sunrise and sunset guide.

Oak Island Pier: Good for a Short Stop

The Oak Island Pier lot is free, but parking there is limited to two hours. For a longer stay during the paid season, use the adjacent public lot at 604 Ocean Drive and pay under the regular Oak Island program.

That makes the pier a good choice for a shorter beach visit, fishing or a walk without committing to an all-day setup.

For more ways to plan a day here, use our Oak Island vacation guide.

Caswell Beach

Caswell Beach is the easiest parking answer in Brunswick County: public parking is free year-round.

For a normal beach day, use the public parking lot on Caswell Beach Road. Parking is not allowed along the Caswell Beach Road right-of-way, so do not treat the shoulder as overflow parking.

Oak Island Lighthouse: Free, but Limited to One Hour

The Oak Island Lighthouse parking area is also free, but it is intended for short visits. Parking is limited to one hour and is available from dawn to dusk.

This is a good stop if you want to see the lighthouse and walk down toward the beach, but I would use the main public lot for a longer beach day.

Caswell Beach also works well as part of a longer bike or e-bike ride across the island. Our Brunswick Beaches bike guide covers more ways to explore on two wheels.

If getting across loose sand is the challenge, see our beach wheelchair guide before the trip.

Holden Beach

Holden Beach is the biggest October surprise for visitors who assume beach parking becomes free after summer. Paid parking is enforced from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with free parking before and after those hours.

Current visitor rates are $5 per hour for up to four hours, $20 per day for longer stays, $80 per week and $175 for an annual permit.

Use designated Pay-to-Park spaces only. Holden Beach does not allow parking on streets or rights-of-way unless the space is specifically designated.

East End for Sunrise

If you are heading out early, the east end makes a good sunrise destination. An early start also lets you enjoy the beach before the 9:00 AM paid-parking window begins.

We cover the east-end sunrise and west-side sunset options in our Holden Beach sunrise and sunset guide.

Use Bikes Instead of Moving the Car

Holden Beach is especially easy to explore by bike or e-bike. For a weeklong stay, I would rather leave the car at the rental house and ride to different parts of the island than pay and hunt for a new parking space every time.

Our Holden Beach vacation guide has more ideas for building out the rest of the day.

Explore E-Bikes

Ocean Isle Beach

Ocean Isle Beach keeps paid parking in effect longer into the fall. The 2026 paid season runs April 1 through October 31 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Town's current parking information lists $5 hourly parking, $20 per day, $80 per week and $175 for a seasonal permit. Designated parking is free from 5:00 PM to midnight and again from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Parking is not allowed from midnight to 6:00 AM.

Choose an Access With Parking

Ocean Isle has some beach accesses with paid parking and others that are access-only. If you are driving, choose the access first instead of assuming the nearest walkway will also have a legal parking space.

For a regular beach day, that is the simplest approach. For sunrise, I like the east side of the island. For sunset from the beach, head west.

Our Ocean Isle sunrise and sunset guide breaks down those options.

Ferry Landing Park: Free for Park Use

Ferry Landing Park is an important exception. Parking there is free with no time limit for people actually using the park. It is not intended as overflow beach parking.

I like Ferry Landing around sunset because you get the Intracoastal Waterway, marsh and sky instead of another straight ocean view.

For the rest of the island, our Ocean Isle Beach vacation guide has more local planning ideas.

Explore E-Bikes

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach also keeps paid parking in effect through October 31. Parking is enforced from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with free parking before and after those hours.

For 2026, visitor rates are $5 per hour, $20 per day, $80 per week and $175 for the season.

There is one important 2026 change that older parking maps may miss: parking was removed from the side streets from 7th through 11th Streets in July. Those areas are now posted No Parking.

West End for Bird Island and Sunset

If you are heading toward Bird Island or the Kindred Spirit Mailbox, use a legal west-end public parking area and walk west from there. Do not expect the mailbox to be a quick stop. The walk is long enough that you should plan the time and check the tide before you go.

Our Sunset Beach sunrise and sunset guide covers the west-end view and a few easier alternatives. If a long beach walk is part of the plan, check our Brunswick Islands tide guide first.

This is another island where bikes or e-bikes can save you from moving the car. Ride toward the west end, lock up near an appropriate public access and walk from there.

For more ideas, see our Sunset Beach vacation guide.

Brunswick County Beach Parking FAQ

Is Oak Island parking free in October?

Yes. Oak Island's regular paid-parking season runs April 1 through September 30, so regular public paid spaces are free beginning October 1. Resident-only restrictions still apply where posted.

Is parking free at Caswell Beach?

Yes. Caswell Beach public parking is free year-round. Use designated public lots rather than parking along the Caswell Beach Road right-of-way.

Does Holden Beach charge for parking in October?

Yes. Holden Beach enforces paid parking from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with free parking before and after those hours.

When does paid parking end at Ocean Isle Beach?

Ocean Isle Beach's 2026 paid-parking season runs through October 31. Paid parking is enforced from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

When does paid parking end at Sunset Beach?

Sunset Beach's paid-parking season also runs through October 31, with enforcement from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Where is the easiest free beach parking in October?

Caswell Beach is free year-round, and Oak Island's regular public parking is free after September 30. At Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach, check the current enforcement hours before you go.

Check the Signs Before You Park

Parking programs can change, and the sign at the space always matters. I would use this guide to decide where you are going, then confirm the current rules when you arrive rather than assuming every island works the same way.

Official parking information: Oak Island · Caswell Beach · Holden Beach · Ocean Isle Beach · Sunset Beach

A Local Guide to October at the Brunswick County Beaches

October is one of my favorite times of year at the Brunswick County beaches.

The summer crowds have thinned out, the afternoons can still feel like beach weather, and it is usually much more comfortable for walking, biking and exploring the islands. The biggest difference is that you have to pay a little more attention to the weather than you would in July.

The first two weeks of October are probably my favorite time of year to be here. The beaches are mostly empty, almost everything is still open, and daytime highs often still reach the 80s. You can spend the afternoon on the beach, ride bikes, kayak or go for a long walk without dealing with the summer crowds or heat.

If you're visiting Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach or Sunset Beach this month, here are a few things I would keep in mind.

Plan for Two Different Temperatures

An October beach day can start cool, warm up quickly in the afternoon and feel cool again as soon as the sun goes down.

I like to bring a sweatshirt or light jacket even if the afternoon forecast looks warm. This is especially true if you are planning to watch the sunrise or stay on the beach through sunset.

The nice part is that you can usually spend a lot more time outside without dealing with the middle-of-the-summer heat.

Pay Attention to the Wind

In the fall, I pay almost as much attention to the wind as I do the temperature.

The direction matters too. A wind from the north feels cold, while a wind from the south feels warm coming off the water. That can make two days with the same forecast temperature feel completely different.

If you're planning to kayak or paddleboard, look at the conditions before heading out and choose the calmest part of the day rather than forcing a paddle because it was already on the schedule.

Check the Tides Before a Long Beach Walk

October is a great month for long walks because the beach is quieter and the temperature is usually more comfortable.

Low tide gives you considerably more firm sand to walk on and can make a big difference if you're planning to cover several miles.

Check our local tide chart before heading toward places like Bird Island on Sunset Beach or making a long walk toward either end of one of the islands.

The same applies if you're riding fat tire bikes out on the beach or kayaking the Intracoastal Waterway. A little planning can make the trip much easier.

Sunset Comes Earlier Than You Think

One of the biggest changes in October is how quickly the evening sneaks up on you.

During the summer, you can finish dinner and still have plenty of daylight. By October, you need to plan around sunset instead of treating it as an afterthought. October sunsets tend to magical! Check out the picture below from an October 2026 sunset cruise my family took from Calabash!

On Oak Island, I like The Point for sunset. On Holden Beach, head west if you want a more open sunset view. On Ocean Isle Beach, the west end is good from the beach, while Ferry Landing Park gives you a completely different view across the marsh and Intracoastal Waterway. On Sunset Beach, the west end gives you the open Bird Island view, while the beach east of the pier can give you the pier or bridge in the background.

If you don't feel like going anywhere, don't overthink it. Walk out of the beach access closest to your rental and stay for a few minutes after the sun goes down. Some of the best color comes afterward.

Dinner With a Sunset View in Southport

Another good October evening is dinner on the water in Southport. The restaurants along the waterfront give you a completely different sunset view across the Cape Fear River, and the cooler evenings make sitting outside especially nice this time of year.

If you are already planning some time in town, our Southport guide has more ideas for the area.

October Is One of the Best Times for an E-Bike

October is one of my favorite times to ride an e-bike around the islands. With basically no traffic compared with summer, you can cover the entire island without spending the day sitting in a car.

Ride from one end to the other, stop at different beach accesses, grab lunch or head back out for sunset. The cooler weather also makes a longer ride much more enjoyable than it can be in July or August.

Explore E-Bikes

Your Fall Beach Setup

A fall beach day is usually a little different from a July beach day. The days are a little shorter, and you may find your group has a large portion of beach just for yourselves.

You may not be setting up at 9:00 in the morning and staying until dinner. I still recommend an umbrella on sunny afternoons. The sun can be strong even when the air feels comfortable, and having some shade makes it much easier to stay out longer.

If you don't want to haul everything down for a fall trip, we deliver beach chairs, umbrellas and other rental equipment directly to vacation rentals throughout the Brunswick County beaches.

Don't Write Off a Cloudy Day

Some of my favorite fall beach days are the ones that don't look perfect in the forecast.

Clouds can make sunrise and sunset better, and cooler weather is ideal for walking, biking or spending some time around the marsh and waterways. The water is still warm, particularly the first two weeks of the month.

Instead of treating anything short of a perfect beach day as a lost day, change the plan.

Take a long beach walk. Ride bikes around the island. Go kayaking if the wind is calm. Explore a part of the beach you haven't visited before.

October gives you more options because you don't have to structure the entire day around escaping the heat.

One of the Best Months to Be Here

October doesn't feel like summer, and I wouldn't try to make it feel like summer vacation.

That's part of what makes it good. So believe me when I say October is my favorite month of the entire year!

The beaches are quieter, the evenings are cooler and it is easier to slow down and actually explore the islands instead of spending every day doing the family beach routine.

Whether you're staying on Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach or Sunset Beach, take advantage of the cooler weather. Walk farther. Ride bikes. Catch a sunrise. Grab dinner and watch the sunset.

It's a different version of the beach season, and if you are traveling to the area this October, I think you will find its one of the best ones.