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.
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6 Ways to Enjoy the Water in Halifax County
This summer, swim, fish, wake-surf, paddle, and explore the creeks, lakes, rivers, and rapids of Halifax County. Plus, a few favorite spots to grab a bite after your outdoor adventure.
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.
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.
7 Ways to Get Outdoors in New Bern
Kayak on the Neuse, go birding in the state’s only coastal national forest, and dine al fresco by the water on a trip to this historic riverfront city.
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 Mayo River State Park
On secret spots, swimming holes, and the Mayo River.
Lady of the River
How one Durham woman helped save the Eno River.
A Timeline of North Carolina’s State Parks
Find out how the purchase of a single plot of land on Mount Mitchell in 1915 turned into a thriving state park system that provides North Carolinians with the opportunity to explore the outdoors in all its natural beauty.