Sing a different tune in the foothills of the Brushy Mountains, where you’ll find hiking and mountain biking, apple orchards, famous festivals, and artisan craft trails.
hiking
Two State Park Adventures in Columbus County
Want to make a dent in your state park bucket list? Visit two in one trip: kayak beneath Spanish moss and pitch your tent at a paddle-in campsite along a blackwater river, then watch sailboats glide across the water from the peaceful, sandy shoreline of a Carolina bay.
An Introduction to Camping in Brevard
On an unusually cold weekend in Pisgah National Forest, a writer introduces her fiancé to the wonders — and blunders — of camping.
Natural Wonder in North Carolina’s State Parks
From a 6,684-foot peak in the west to a shape-shifting sand dune in the east, our state parks hold the best of what North Carolina has to offer. Together, they tell the story of the place we call home.
The Safest Place: The Stewards of Jones Lake State Park
In Bladen County, before integration, a former military man and his family were stewards of the first North Carolina state park open to Black families. There, amid acres of longleaf pines and a sprawling lake, families and friends gathered to eat, play, and pray.
Ants Go Marching at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
In Wayne County, the effects of time and nature are visible at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, where, for millions of years, the river has carved a winding path to the sea. A closer look at some of the park’s tiniest residents provides insight and answers to questions great and small.
A Love Letter to William B. Umstead State Park
Within this 5,000-acre respite from urban life in Raleigh, when you get off the map, you might just find yourself.
A Love Letter to Gorges State Park
This rugged area of rivers, canyons, and waterfalls still holds mysteries.
Childhood Dreams
As he looks to the future of North Carolina’s protected natural areas, the director of the State Parks system draws inspiration from his youth growing up in Kinston, and from his wide-ranging experience listening to children.
