About Hillcrest Beach Access
Hillcrest Beach Access offers beachfront parking, a gazebo, sand volleyball court, an accessible viewing platform, and both stairs and a ramp to the beach. There are two clean portapotties, plus showers and foot washes to get the sand off before you head home.
Scroll down for photos and more information, or use a link to jump to a section:
Walkway to the Beach | Gazebo and Accessible Viewing Platform | Volleyball | Facilities | Parking | Entrance
Walkway to the Beach
Bike racks make it easy to bike to the beach! The paved walkway is great for getting your beach cart or rolling cooler down to the beach.
A Little Free Library in case you forgot to bring your beach reading.
Here you can see the gazebo on the left. The screens have trash and recycling cans that are emptied weekly by our community volunteers.
If stairs are difficult, you can go straight through the dunes and take the ramp down to the beach.
Stairs to the beach, with the lifeguard stand up ahead.
Short cut or scenic route, your choice!
First leg of the ramp, or scenic route.
The rest of the ramp takes you down to the beach.
Here's a full view of the stairs and ramp. Keep in mind that beach conditions change as quickly as overnight on the Outer Banks. While we do our best to keep Hillcrest accessible for everyone, we are a group of volunteers and can only do so much at a time.
A wide beach and lifeguard stand, in season.
Lifeguards are employed by the Town of Southern Shores. When they are on duty, they write beach conditions and helpful tips on the chalkboard.
The main attraction, a wide Southern Shores beach.
Beach looking north from the lifeguard stand.
Looking back toward the stairs and ramp.
Back up the scenic ramp.
Walkway looking back toward the parking lot. The gazebo is on the right.
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Gazebo and Accessible Viewing Platform
Wide view of the gazebo and ramp leading up to the accessible viewing platform.
Ramp leading to the accessible viewing platform.
Accessible viewing platform with built-in benches
The view from the platform
The view from the platform
Looking back toward the gazebo from the viewing platform.
Spacious gazebo gets dappled shade when the sun is high.
The gazebo's slatted roof lets air through but provides shade.
Looking from the gazebo toward the stairs and ramp to the beach.
Heading back down the walkway, turn right at the Little Free Library to get to the volleyball court.
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Volleyball
Anyone for beach volleyball?
Volleyball court and gazebo
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Facilities
Showers and foot washes to get the sand off. Good for dogs too!
Back toward the parking lot
Three portapotties are serviced regularly.
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Parking
Current SSCA decal or guest pass is required to park at the Hillcrest Beach Access.
Parking may not be scenic, but it's what we all want to know about! This is from the beach side looking back toward Duck Road.
Two handicapped parking spaces are available.
The parking lot from the entrance looking toward the beach.
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Entrance
Many homes in Southern Shores are within easy walking distance of Hillcrest Beach Access. There's a traffic light with a marked crosswalk and dedicated walk signal that is very responsive.
The pedestrian trail leads through the live oaks...
...past two beautiful ponds.
A nice spot for birdwatching.
Matching pond on the north side of the trail.
One last view of the walkway, with a timber from an old shipwreck found on the beach.
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