Wrightsville Beach, NC is best known for its scenic ocean views, quirky boutiques and restaurants, and stretches of sandy shores and cool Atlantic waters. This makes it a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. As such, parking can be a challenge, especially during the summer months. We are here to help you find suitable parking lots and learn about Wrightsville Beach parking rules, costs, and the best hacks to avoid beach traffic jams.
Wrightsville Beach Parking Options
More than 1,000 parking spaces are available for beachgoers. Choosing the right one depends on the area of beach you plan to frequent and what other activities you have planned. Wondering if there are lots near the beach? There are eight car parking areas that can be used for beach parking, and some of them are also placed nearby other attractions. Here’s the list of the convenient Wrightsville Beach parking lots:
- South Lumina
- East & West Salisbury Street (nearby Johnny Mercer’s Pier)
- North Lumina
- North Wrightsville Beach (ideal for planned excursions to Shell Island)
- Jack Parker Boulevard
- Wynn Plaza (corner of Waynick Blvd and Causeway Dr.)
- Ocean View
- Moore’s Inlet
Public parking is $5 per hour or $25 per day. Refunds are not provided for weather or early departure. There is also no way to store up credit for unused parking hours, so if you plan to park for the day, make it count.
Accessible Parking
There’s plenty of parking for any vehicle with a disabled parking permit. Parking in these spots is fee-based, just as it is for traditional spots. Each vehicle parked in a handicapped parking space must have a placard in the front window or on the license plate.
Useful Parking Hacks
Knowing where to park when heading to Wrightsville Beach for a day of fun in the sun is essential. Here are some helpful tips for making finding a spot a bit easier, especially during the busy summer season:
- Arrive early: Any popular beach is bound to be crowded with tourists and locals alike, and Wrightsville Beach is no exception. If you want a great spot, arrive early. By noon, most of the lots are full in the warmer months and parking lots become vehicle battlegrounds.
- Arrive late: The other option to enjoy some beach time without worrying about the parking issue is to arrive later in the day. Around 4 PM, the lots start to empty as those who have spent the day on the sand are preparing to return to their hotels or home.
- Be wary of side street parking: While it may be tempting to park your along one of the side streets to get on the beach quicker, this is more likely to get you towed.
- Pay for the day: If you plan to stay for a few hours, don’t pay by the hour because you may be more likely to stay longer. Then, you’ll be dealing with parking tickets for overstaying your meter.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a spot: Instead of circling the area, the best thing to do is just ask if someone is leaving when searching for a spot. This saves you the headache of waiting for someone to pull out, only to discover they simply came to get something from their vehicle.
- Prepare to walk: Consider parking in one of the lots further from the beach and just walking to your spot. This saves you time and the headache of trying to find a spot in one of the more crowded lots closer to the action.
- Don’t try to drive/park on the beach: This is a Wrightsville Beach law and is certainly not a way to circumvent the parking issue. It will earn you a fine and plenty of dirty looks.
Parking Enforcement
Most of the parking spaces are metered and enforcement is conducted by Pivot Parking, a private company. Paid parking is enforced between March and October from 9 AM to 7 PM. In a few of the lots, enforcement runs until 8 PM. Portions of official beach parking can be paid for via phone for added convenience, while 26 areas have fee stations. Downloading the app will save time and make it more convenient to pay as soon as you park.
Paid parking will be enforced from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM in the following parking structures:
- South Lumina Parking Lot
- North Lumina Parking Lot
- North Wrightsville Beach Parking Lot
- East & West Salisbury Street Parking Lots
On March 1 of 2020, the Town of Wrightsville Beach announced they would open four public parking lots. These new lots are at Beach Access #2 at 2698 North Lumina Avenue, Beach Access #3 at 2498 North Lumina Avenue, Beach Access #29 at Stone Street, and Beach Access #36 at 650 South Lumina Avenue.
Paid Parking
You can find single parking meters in the following parking lots:
- Ocean View Parking Lot
- Moore’s Inlet Parking Lot
- N.Lumina Parking Lot
- N. Wrightsville Beach Parking Lot
- Jack Parker Boulevard Parking Lot
- South Lumina Parking Lot
- Wynn Plaza Parking Lot
- East & West Salisbury Street Parking Lots
Pay-by-phone is available on the following streets:
- Sandpiper Street
- West Oxford Street
- Nathan Street
- Seagull Street
- East Atlanta Street
- Shearwater Street
- East & West Columbia Street
- Lagoon Street
- East & West Henderson Street
- West Asheville Street
- West Atlanta Street
- East & West Greensboro Street
- East & West Fayetteville Street
- Old Causeway
- Keel Street
- Circle Drive
- Heron Street
Bottom Line
Wrightsville Beach offers spacious beaches and myriad activities for families during the warmer seasons, which is part of why it is such a popular area attraction. While parking can be tricky, using this guide and planning ahead can make it a much less stressful endeavor. And once you’re on the beach, frolicking in the sand and surf, your effort will feel well worth it.