At the top of the loftiest lighthouse, on sugar-sand beaches, beneath ancient live oaks twisting their knobby arms toward the sun, and from coastal cottages perched in the dunes, the North Carolina coast offers endless beauty on the edge of the earth.
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.
Just off the beaten path, you’ll find mountain scenery, shops, adventures, and restaurants worthy of being the main attraction.
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.
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.
Explore some of the state’s finest cultural superlatives — from founding the nation’s first state-supported symphony to building its first miniature golf course.
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.
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.
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.
