We have visited all of the parks that North Carolina has to offer and hiked most of their trails. We wanted to put together a list of some of our favorite trails (in no particular order) that you definitely need to check out. There is no method to this list, just some great North Carolina state park hikes to seek out and explore. Check it out and let us know how many you have hiked.

Elliott Coues Nature Trail

You can find the Elliott Coues trail in Fort Macon State Park outside of Atlantic Beach. When you think of the beach, you don’t normally think of hiking. However, this trail will make you change your mind. This trail starts at the main parking area and takes you on a 3.2 mile loop through the park.

Elliott Coues travels through the dunes along the ocean. You don’t get to hike through dunes too often, so take advantage of this. Along the way there are a bunch of little spur trails that take you up higher on the dunes. Definitely do that. From the top you have spectacular views across the sound to Morehead City on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.

Throughout the trail you are walking in a maritime forest. These trees are beautiful and make you feel like you are walking through a cave. The sound side offers great wildlife viewing, especially birds. Though people typically go to the beach in the summer, we think this is a great park to visit in the winter months. That sun would be pretty hot walking through those dunes in summer.

Stone Mountain Loop Trail

The Stone Mountain Loop Trail is located in, you guessed it, Stone Mountain State Park. Stone Mountain is in Roaring Gap, NC about a half hour drive northwest from Elkin. Stone Mountain is a magnificent granite dome with a 600-foot rock face, like nothing else in North Carolina.

The reason why we love this trail so much is because of all that it offers. This is a 4.5 mile loop with multiple parking areas. This makes it easy for you to park and hike to a particular point of interest, but we recommend doing the whole thing. There are three main attractions on this trail.

The Hutchinson Homestead is located on this trail. This is a well preserved homestead from the 1800’s. There are plenty of volunteers here to answer any questions and they often have people in costumes teaching about life on the homestead. There are some great views of the mountain from here.

Another great aspect of this trail is the waterfall. Stone Mountain Falls is a 200-ft. waterfall that is pretty unique. It is almost like a slide, just too steep to slide down. You can take a little spur trail and get to the middle falls and lower falls if you have the time and energy.

The highlight of the trail though is Stone Mountain itself. This trail takes you all the way to the top. It is steep in some areas, but it is worth it. The views are amazing from the top. It is a great place to sit, rest, and contemplate the big things in life.

We like to hike this trail from the Upper Trailhead Parking Lot and going towards the summit first. That way, we do the tough part of the trail early and can cruise at the end.

Buckquarter Creek and Holden Mill Trails

Eno River State Park is a hiker’s park. There are close to 28 miles of trails at this park and most of them are super fun. One of our favorite trail combinations at this park is the Buckquarter Creek and Holden Mill Trails. Together, these two trails are 4.1 miles. You can get on the Buckquarter Creek Trail from the main visitor’s center, but it is probably best to pick it up at the Piper-Cox museum.

On the Buckquarter you will get the best views of the rapids that flow through along the Eno. There are some really great viewpoints at the top of the staircases. These are not too far from the parking lot, so if you just want to see those, it is about a quarter-mile. We recommend going to the 1.5-mile mark so you can pick up the Holden Mill Trail.

Holden Mill takes you past the remnants of one of the many mills that used to be in this area. It really isn’t too much to look at. But, there are some great places to get out on the rocks in the water. Be careful, it moves quick in some spots. Use common sense. The trail near the water is one of our favorite trails we have been on in North Carolina. There are giant boulders, rock walls and outcrops, and some pretty tough terrain that you get to scramble over. We were not expecting that, so it made it extra fun.

Sugarloaf Trail

Sugarloaf is another great trail on the coast. This one is in Carolina Beach State Park. This park is located in Carolina Beach, just not on the ocean. It is on the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway. There are plenty of beaches here and sand dunes though.

The Sugarloaf Trail is a 3 mile loop that takes off from the marina. Once you get on the trail, there are numerous spur trails that you can get on, but the loop itself is plenty good. This trail actually has a little elevation change because you are going up and down sand dunes (not a ton, but it definitely is not flat).

What makes this trail so cool is it takes you by the beach along the water. It is different than the ocean, no waves, but you can sit out here and relax and watch the boats go by. Sugarloaf Dune is what you hike to on this trail. Make sure you climb the top and then back on the other side by the water. A fantastic spot. On the other side of Sugarloaf Dune there are tons of smaller dunes that you can run all around.

Profile Trail

The Profile Trail is one of the more intense trails on this list, but you can do it if you are prepared for it. This trail is located in Grandfather Mountain State Park. The trailhead is at the Profile Trail parking area at 4198 NC Highway 105 N. We drove by it like four times the first time we hiked here, so keep your eyes peeled. This is not part of the Grandfather Mountain attraction, but you can hike to there from here.

This trail is so beautiful. There are so many mountain laurels, water features, bridges, wildflowers, and views along this 3.6 mile hike (one way). Most hikers can do the first two miles pretty easily, from there it gets more strenuous. The most strenuous part of it all is the last half mile. If you can do this though you will be able to join the Grandfather Trail and hike all the way up to some super fun ladder trails. It is probably better to start from the top by the mile-high swinging bridge if you are only interested in this part.

Princess Ann Trail

Ok, we are just as surprised as you are seeing a trail from Lumber River State Park on this list. However, the Princess Ann Trail really snuck up on us and we enjoyed our time hiking this trail. The trail is 1.5 miles, but to get to it you hike another half-mile and if you add the couple of loops around it you can get up to 2.5 miles total.

There are three things that stood out to us with this trail. The first is it goes by the Lumber River and gives you some excellent views of the water. The second is the boardwalks that you walk on and access (bring a fishing pole if you have one). The third is the incredible mossy trails that you walk on during the loop part of the trail. It is like you are walking through a magical carpeted forest. Walking on the moss just makes everything so quiet, and we have yet to see anyone else on this trail.

We are not recommending making a trip to Lumber River State Park just for this trail. However, if you are in the area or are trying to fill up your passport book, make sure this is on your itinerary for the day. Though this is not one of our favorite parks, it is a pretty cool and unique trail. Goes to show you that every park has a redeeming quality. That is what makes them so amazing!

Balsam Nature Trail

This is the shortest trail on the list but it is the highest elevation of them all. The reason for that is because this trail is located at the top of Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River. The trail takes you from the peak of the mountain on a mini-loop back to the parking lot at the summit. In total the trail is only .75 miles. Most people miss it though because they think the best part of going to the top is the observation platform, we would disagree. This trail is where it is at.

When you are on this trail it feels like you have been transported to the Pacific Northwest. You are actually in a temperate rain forest on this trail because of the amount of rain that falls here. Crazy, but true. The trail is covered in more shades of green than you will ever see anywhere. The moss is electric. There are also plenty of fir trees that are super cool to walk through. This is fairytale woods stuff.

Make sure you dress warmly, no matter the time of year you go. We have been when it was under 40 degrees in the middle of summer.

Goose Creek Trail

The Goose Creek Trail is in Goose Creek State Park in Washington, NC. This is one of our favorite Inner Banks towns and the State Park is a big reason for that. The Goose Creek Trail runs right through the middle of the park, connecting the Pamlico River to Goose Creek. Make sure you check out the short .3 mile Live Oak Trail on the Pamlico side. There you will find some of the most beautiful live oaks decorated with Spanish moss that you will ever see.

The trail itself is a two-mile one way trail that takes you through some really pretty landscape. There are a couple of spectacular boardwalks in swampy areas along with some great forest sections. This is a flat trail, easy for anyone to hike, but be careful if has been raining a lot. You will get muddy! Just adds to the experience.

Rainbow Falls Trail

This trail might be the best trail in all of North Carolina and definitely one of the great North Carolina state park hikes. It offers so much. This will challenge a lot of people, but it is one that can be done. This trail is considered strenuous by the Park System and some have said they don’t agree with that. We think the reason for that is because people have not hiked a ton of trails in the Park System. Compared to many others in the system, this one is more difficult, hence the strenuous designation. It is tough, not the toughest ever.

The Rainbow Falls Trail is located in Gorges State Park in Sapphire. This is one of the most gorgeous parks we have been to in the United States. So much beauty here. This is a 1.5 mile hike one way to the magnificent Rainbow Falls. Along the way there are plenty of elevation gains, tons of steps that are pretty steep, and incredible views everywhere you look. The trail takes you by Horse Pasture River with its many cascades and rock outcroppings. Plenty of places to stop and relax.

The highlight of this trail are the two waterfall. Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls. Rainbow Falls is where the trail officially ends, and it is 1.5 miles from the trailhead. If you climb up the steps to the top of Rainbow Falls, you can continue another quarter mile and get to Turtleback Falls. These are two of the best waterfalls in the state, for different reasons. Make sure you pack some shoes that can get wet.

This trail is one of the most difficult to get to because Gorges is so far west, but it is one that every N.C. State Park fan must do once.

Campbell Creek Loop Trail

This trail is located in Raven Rock State Park outside of Lillington. When going to Raven Rock, everyone heads off to the Raven Rock Trail. You should definitely do that at least once in your life (really, multiple times), but our favorite trail at this park is the Campbell Creek Loop Trail.

This is a really scenic 4.5 mile hike that seemingly transports you from the Piedmont to the mountains of North Carolina. For the majority of the trip, you hike along Campbell Creek. We recommend going after a lot of rain because the creek gets pretty high and moves quick in some spots. Along the way, you will be able to climb all over rocks, see a couple of water (trickles) falls, and sweet bridges. It really is like you are in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This is the only way that you can get to the Lanier Falls Trail as well. This is a little quarter mile spur trail that takes you to the Falls. These are actually cascades in the river, but they are pretty cool, especially for this area of North Carolina. This is a great spot to take a break and enjoy some lunch. There is some elevation change on this trail, so be prepared for this.

That’s it! Our list of 10 Great North Carolina State Park Hikes for you to get lost in the woods (or dunes). We had to cut a ton of trails off of this list, so we will be putting together another list or two soon. How many of them have you been on? Which ones would you add to the list? Maybe they will make the next post?

If you are traveling to any of our wonderful State Parks, check out our guides for them on the blog. Maybe start with Gorges, Raven Rock, or Carolina Beach? Hope to see you on the trails going the adventure way!

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This edition focuses on State Parks. There are 41 State Parks in North Carolina and we recommend visiting all of them, you will learn a lot! There is not a State Park you could not visit in one day from Raleigh, but you might be in the car for hours upon hours! For instance, we have taken a day trip for Jockey’s Ridge but we were in the car for about 7 hours that day.

This list focuses on the 10 best State Parks to visit if you are taking a day trip from Raleigh. The farthest you should have to drive is a little over two hours if you use this list – so, very doable. Hope you have a blast going the adventure way on your day trips from Raleigh!

Medoc Mountain State Park

Medoc Mountain is an hour and fifteen minute drive northeast or Raleigh in Hollister. This is one of our favorite parks in all of the Piedmont area of North Carolina. Medoc Mountain is a great place for hikers of all skill levels – some of the trails are even paved so they are accessible to everyone. Pretty much every trail is great here, but we like to do the Summit Loop Trail which takes you to the old ridge line of Medoc Mountain. To get there, you will need to take the Stream Loop to Discovery Loop to Summit Loop. In all it is about 4.5 miles.

Near the visitor’s center you can check out the Air Awareness Trail. This is an awesome kids track trail with a ton of hands on activities. The adult have just as much fun when challenging the kids. When you are in the visitor’s center, stop in and check out the corn snake. If you are in there at the right time, you might even be able to hold it yourself. Medoc Mountain is near the historic town of Halifax, so check it out when you are there.

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock is one of the most popular parks in the whole state. This park is about two hours and fifteen minutes from Raleigh – so it is one of the longer drives on our list. There is a ton to do in this park so if you want to experience it all you will need to leave early and stay late. Of course, the Hanging Rock Trail is an absolute must do. This is a 2.6 mile trail up to the rock and back. This is a great place to eat lunch and enjoy the views. There are some steep spots and you need to be careful around the cliffs, but there is a ton of room up at the top.

If you took the Hanging Rock out of the State Park there would still be a park here because there are so many other things to do. Hanging Rock has a great set of waterfalls. These are not the biggest falls in the state, but they are some of the closest to Raleigh. Hidden Falls, Window Falls, and Upper Cascade Falls are our favorites. And don’t sleep on Wolf Rock and Cook’s Wall – those are great places to visit. If you are feeling super adventurous, see if you can do the five peak challenge – it is on our list to do soon.

Pilot Mountain State Park

Pilot Mountain is an awesome park to visit if you have a day to explore. Pilot Mountain is about a two hour drive from Raleigh to the west. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the state. Pilot Mountain is a great place to hike especially if you want some mountain landscapes but don’t have the time to go all the way there. The Jomeokee Trail is our favorite trail at the park. It is less than a mile, but it takes you to the base of Pilot Mountain and gives you some killer views. If you have more time and are a little more seasoned, start at the old visitor’s center and head up the Grindstone Trail.

This park has a brand new visitor’s center. We haven’t been yet but are excited to check it out soon. There are two main sections to this park. Most people only go to the mountain section, but there is a river section as well. Plenty of things to do on the water and they have an operating historical farm, a great place for kids and adults. If you are going to Pilot Mountain, check out nearby Mt. Airy.

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

We love Cliffs of the Neuse. This park is about an hour and fifteen minutes southeast of Raleigh just outside of Goldsboro. This is one of the best parks to hike in the eastern part of the state. Our favorite trails are the Spanish Moss Trail and the Galax Trail. This park also has a really awesome lake to swim in. The water is really clear here. There is a small charge for day use. When you are there, obviously don’t miss the cliffs overlooking the Neuse River. There is not a ton of space here, but there are some pretty cool views.

Carvers Creek State Park

Carvers Creek State Park is a fun little park with some historical significance. This park is about an hour south of Raleigh in Fayetteville. There are two access points to this park – the Sandhills Access and the Long Valley Farm Access. Long Valley is the main access is home to the Rockefeller House, the one time vacation home of James Stillman Rockefeller. The home is being restored and one day will be open to the public. You can walk the grounds and the nearby pond. This is a good spot for an east 1-2 mile hike.

The Sandhills has about 10 miles of hiking in total. This is a great place to explore the Sandhills area of North Carolina. This is one of the few places you can find the federally endangered red cockaded woodpecker. It is so cool to see these birds flying around, they are beautiful!

Morrow Mountain State Park

Morrow Mountain is just under two hours to the east or Raleigh in Albermarle. This park literally has something for everyone. That is why it ranked so high in our State Park rankings. You can rent kayaks and hit the Yadkin River Trail. They have bald eagles towards the dam on the river. Very cool to go searching for them.

This park also has a museum that explains the unique geology and history of this area. There once were American Indian tribes living in this area and you might even be able to find some artifacts while you are there. There are a ton of trails here as well. Fall Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain Trails are really great. If you don’t have a ton of time, check out the Three Rivers Trail which gives you some good water views. Whether you hike or drive, make sure you get up to Morrow Mountain Overlook. The views from up there are super rad. Definitely check that out, especially now that there is a new deck up there.

Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve

Weymouth Woods is another park about an hour south of Raleigh in Southern Pines. It has many trails for you to check out the long leaf pine forest that cover this part of the state. One thing we enjoyed about this park were the amount of birds we could check out. It is an ideal place for this, especially woodpeckers. If you are a beginning hiker this place is perfect because it offers plenty of flat, easy trails for you to build up your strength on. We recommend heading here in the fall because of all of the colorful ground cover.

Raven Rock State Park

Raven Rock is an awesome park 40 minutes southwest of Raleigh near Lillington. There are a lot of really great places to visit at the park. If you go you have to hike down to Raven Rock. This is a 2.6 mile trail that takes you down to the banks of the Cape Fear River under the Raven Rock. This is an awesome rock formation that is great to climb all over. Once you get back on the trail, you can head to an observation area that gives you a great view of the river below. It is almost like you are in the mountains (almost).

Speaking about the mountains, the best hikes don’t involve the Raven Rock. Campbell Creek Loop Trail and Lanier Falls Trail are both incredible. Some of the best hikes near Raleigh. They have incredible vegetation and wonderful water features along the river and creeks.

There is a great visitors center here with a bunch of hummingbird feeders outside. On our last trip we saw about 20 of them flying around. It was so cool! This park gets super crowded. It is always a good idea to show up to this one early.

Mayo River State Park

Mayo River was one of the parks that made us fall in love the the North Carolina State Park system. This park is an hour and 45 minutes northwest of Raleigh. We visited this park on our way for a VERY LONG day trip to southwest Virginia. We were just going to stop in real quick, check it out, and burn up the road. When we visited the visitor’s center we found out that there was a separate section of the park with a waterfall. We had to check it out and were so glad we did!

This waterfall is called Fall Creek Falls and it is one of the coolest waterfalls we have been to. Not a tall one, but a fun wide one you can climb all over. We went on a day that nobody else was there so it was awesome! This is a great place to enjoy a picnic and play in the river.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

Occoneechee is a State Park site that took time to grow on us. This park is only 45 minutes to the west of Raleigh. The first time we went there all we did was take the short trail to the overlook and we were gone. The overlook was great but we didn’t check the rest of the park out. The next time we went we did the whole Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail and it was wonderful. There is a great quarry that you can explore, a winding river, and plenty of elevation change. This feels like mountain hiking real close to Raleigh. If you are this way, make sure you check out the nearby Occoneechee Speedway, an old dirt race track from another era.

There you go! 10 great State Park day trips from Raleigh! We hope that this has been helpful. How many of these have you been to? Have you done any of these in a day? Let us know how your trip went in the comments!

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Raven Rock State Park is one of the best parks in the Piedmont area of North Carolina and it ranked high in our overall rankings of the North Carolina State Parks. Raven Rock is located about 10 miles down 421 from downtown Lillington. It is situated right on the shore on the Cape Fear River and has a ton to offer. Because of its accessibility and variety of options, this place gets pretty crowded. You need to plan on getting here early morning or late afternoon if you want to avoid the people. However, because there is so much to do, once you find a parking spot and get out in the woods you won’t see too many people (unless you are on Raven Rock).

Raven Rock Trail

The main reason you go to Raven Rock State Park is to visit the Raven Rock. Raven Rock is a large rock outcropping that rises 150-feet above the banks of the Cape Fear River. It is a lot more immense than you would think it is. There are so many great places to explore along this rock formation, plenty of beautiful trees, rock alcoves, and areas to climb on.

The Raven Rock Trail is an easy 2.6 mile loop trail. There are about 100 steps down to the Raven Rock that you will need to climb after you visit that area. Besides that, it is mainly flat terrain. If you go to Raven Rock State Park, you have to put this #1 on your list.

Raven Rock Visitor’s Center

The Raven Rock visitor’s center is a great place to learn. They have a fun interactive 3-D map in the main lobby that gives you a great feel for the park. In addition to the map, they have a really cool museum packed with educational and fun exhibits. You can learn all about the history and geology of the park, it’s pretty sweet. They have a nice shaded picnic area here and the facilities are fantastic.

Camping In Raven Rock

Raven Rock is a great place to camp for a night or a longer period of time. They have campsites for all different types of camping. Whether you are tent camping, or want to kayak or canoe into your site they have a place for you. There are not a ton of spots here, so make sure you get reservations in early. They are currently building a family campsite which will include 30 RV hookups when completed.

The Canoe Trail

The Cape Fear Canoe Trail is a 56 mile trek along the Cape Fear River. This trail goes right through Raven Rock State Park. The access point is nearby at the US 1 bridge over Deep River. You are able to take that to Lanier Falls and the Fish Traps in the park. You can also paddle in to one of the campsites. An awesome adventure.

Campbell Creek Loop Trail

I think our favorite trail at Raven Rock State Park is the Campbell Loop Trail. This trail is 4.5 miles and can be pretty strenuous in some places. The reason is because of the unique geological features on this trail. It is almost like you have been transported to the mountains of North Carolina when you are on it. It is on this trail where you will find mountain laurels and rhododendrons. This trai is unlike any other in the Piedmont. It is pretty crazy.

Another really cool thing about the trail is that it follows along the actual Campbell Creek. This creek is stunning. For about a mile or so you are walking right along the creek. We recommend going a couple of days after a good rain because the creek fills up beautifully. If you are lucky, you will be able to see otters and beavers while you are here. This trail also has some other cool water features like mini waterfalls and cascades, a beautiful bridge, and the entrance to Lanier Falls Trail.

The Hummingbirds

Every time we have been to Raven Rock State Park we have seen a ton of wildlife. Hands down the coolest wildlife we have seen are the hummingbirds that they have swarming around the visitor’s center. We have never seen so many hummingbirds in one place. The park has a bunch of feeders right when you are walking in, and if you go there during the Spring, Summer, or early Fall you will most likely see them.

Visit Lanier Falls

So, this is kind of a misnomer. This is not a waterfall that you would picture in your minds. Instead it is a beautiful rapid area on the Cape Fear River. The trail to the falls is off of the Campbell Creek Trail, so it takes a trek to get there – you could end up doing close to 5.5 miles total – but it is worth it. Once you get down to Lanier Falls there is an awesome area to sit and enjoy a picnic by the falls. It makes for a very relaxing afternoon.

Beautiful Views

For being in the Piedmont of North Carolina this park actually has some pretty cool elevation changes. It is because the park sits on the Fall Zone, where the hard rocks of the foothills meet the soft rocks of the coastal plain. Now, you aren’t going to jump up thousands of feet, but you do have a couple of places where you can climb up and have some great views of the surrounding landscape. Both the Raven Rock Trail and Campbell Creek Loop Trail have some good climbs, and the Raven Rock Trail has an awesome overlook of the Cape Fear River. This is a great place to stop for a break, enjoy a snack, and check out the canoes going down the river.

Bike and Bridle Trails

Another really cool thing about Raven Rock is the amount of trails for mountain biking and horseback riding. Over the last couple of years we have seen a ton more people on the mountain bike trails, and the parks are doing what they can to keep up with demand. The bridle trails are on the other side of the Cape Fear from the main area at the park at the Avents Creek Access Area.

Takeaways

Raven Rock makes a really great day trip for anyone located in the Raleigh/Durham area! Its a quick drive that makes you feel like you have traveled a lot longer to get away from it all. The Rocks are stunning and should be at the top of your list when first visiting. Don’t overlook some of the other hikes like Campbell Creek Loop Trail! We enjoy visiting this park all times of the year, it can often be really crowded during the warmer months so keep that in mind. Pack a picnic and go the adventure way at Raven Rock this year!

PS! If you enjoy visiting state parks you can check out our rankings of every state park in NC! We have lots of guides to other parks like South Mountains, Lakes James or Hanging Rock.

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Lake James State Park is located in Nebo, North Carolina. Nebo is about 15 miles north off Highway 40 just east of Marion. There are so many sweet towns all around it, like Black Mountain. It is where the Appalachian Mountains begin and the elevation starts to gain. Because of that, there are mini mountain peaks all around Lake James and it makes you feel like you are higher than you actually are. It is awesome how it is like a visual trick that your mind plays on you.

There are two main access points to Lake James State Park. The Paddy’s Creek Area is the main area with the visitor’s center and swimming. The Catawba River Area is a beautiful access point with hiking and camping.

On The Water

Like most of the other lake parks in the State Parks System, Lake James is all about the water. When we were driving in, we were mesmerized by the sparkling clear water. The sun hits off of it beautifully at the higher elevation and the mountains all around it give the light plenty of shade and shadows to jump in and out of. It is just beautiful.

When it comes to the water, there is plenty of swimming, boating, and fishing. You can only swim in one area of the whole lake, the Paddy’s Creek Area. In order to swim here, you will need to pay for admission. The cost is $5 for adults and $4 for kids 3-12. This area is not big, but it is a nice little spot with a beach, concession stand, and bathroom/locker areas. The sand is pretty coarse here too. Not the most comfortable to walk around on, but the lake bottom is really nice. There are also a couple of spots for grilling and picnics around the beach area. The swimming area is only open from May 1 to September 30.

If you don’t own a boat, you can rent canoes and kayaks at the Paddy’s Creek Area at the concession stand. The cost for either of these is $7 per hour. We love renting canoes or kayaks at our State Parks. It is a really good deal and a great way to exercise. If you own a boat, there are a couple of boat ramps that you can use – Hidden Cove and Canal Bridge. The Canal Bridge ramp is open 24-hours a day. Hidden Cove follows the park hours. Both of these ramps are along Highway 126.

For fishing, largemouth bass and catfish are what you can catch here. We had someone tell us that the catfish here are the best tasting ones they had ever had.

Hiking At Lake James

Our favorite thing to do at any State Park is to get on a trail and get lost in the woods. Lake James State Park has a ton of really great trails. All together, they have close to 20 miles of hiking trails, with 15 of them accessible to biking trails.

These are at both Paddy’s Creek and Catawba River access points. We have done trails at both of these access points. We really enjoyed the Fox Den Loop Trail at the Catawba River Area and the Mills Creek Trail at Paddy’s Creek. Most of the trails have some really great views of the water.

One thing that was really awesome was the Holly Discovery Trail. This is a Kid’s Track Trail and is one of the best in the whole State Park system. If you have kids, we highly recommend going on this trail. This trail is three-quarters of a mile and has about 15 interactive stops along the way where kids can learn about nature. It really is a great place to go and learn and be introduced to hiking. Definitely check it out!

Camping At Lake James State Park

Another really big part of Lake James State Park is the camping. There are a ton of camping areas here at this park with some really unique options. There are a little over 50 tent camping sites. About 30 of them are hike in campsites, meaning you will have to carry your gear anywhere from 100 to 300 yards into the woods. If you have a lot of gear (like most families) you have the option to grab one of the drive up sites.

What Lake James has that is different than most parks is the boat-in camping. You can only access these campsites by boat. There is no running water (they have primitive bathroom facilities) and some fire pits. You are on your own out there. It isn’t too far from the mainland, but you are disconnected. It is unique for sure.

We have been to Lake James State Park a couple of times and have loved it every time. It is great for a day or a weekend camping trip. It is a special place with a unique landscape. This park is worth a visit so go and check it out!

Want to check out some of our other North Carolina State Park guides? Check out our posts in and around Fort Fisher, Weymouth Woods and Carvers Creek, Pettigrew State Park, Eno River, or Mount Mitchell.

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One day we will come out with our rankings of the different beach towns, but today we will just focus on one of our favorites. Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach have a ton to offer. It is a lot more than a beach area. It has that, but also a couple of state parks, and awesome aquarium, a state historic site and so much more. What are the things to do? Check them out below.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Fort Fisher is one of our favorite sites run by the North Carolina State Parks. This is a wonderful place to spend the day at the beach. The park is located near the end of Hwy. 421. This is not the same as the historic site. This is an actual beach park.

There is a pretty large parking lot but it will fill up quickly during peak times. You can park at some of the other lots that are in the area. There is a nice boardwalk by the parking lot that has a nice little visitor center (get your State Park stamp there), some great picnic areas with grills, and a really nice changing area and bathrooms. If you are going to the beach for a day this is a great place to do it because you have all of the amenities that you need.

Obviously the highlight of this place is the beach. It is a really nice beach that doesn’t have any houses around it. They have lifeguards on duty during the summer. We love places like this. This is also a really great place to go fishing. There are always a bunch of people fishing here. This park has four miles of 4 x 4 access on the beach as well. It is $20 for weekdays and $30 on the weekend. Finally, if you want to go on a short hike they have a nice trail that takes you through the marsh and to the sound.

Ride The Ferry

One of the coolest things about the North Carolina coast is the amount of ferries that they have that take you from place to place. At the end of Hwy. 421 you can take the Southport – Fort Fisher ferry. This ferry takes you to the awesome little town of Southport. We love visiting Southport, but sometimes we just get on the ferry to get on the ferry. It is a relaxing 25-minute boat ride over to the other side. It is a great place to watch for dolphins and birds. You can stay in your car, walk around the ferry, or sit in the top viewing room. The ferry runs throughout the day and cost $7 per car.

Eat Some Donuts

We don’t know why, but there are some seriously good donut places in this area. I guess everyone craves a donut when they are at the beach. Now they have a couple of chains (Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’) but when you are here you need to try the local places. There are two main options – Britts Donuts and Wake N’ Bake.

Britts is located on the Boardwalk in Carolina Beach. This place has been around since 1939, and for good reason. They sell classic glazed donuts and they are phenomenal. People come from all over the taste these beauties that melt in your mouth. This place is only open in season from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so plan accordingly. The line gets long here too, so make sure you get there early.

Wake N’ Bake is a lot newer and a lot different. This place is located right off of Hwy. 421. These donuts are more cakey and thick. This donut shop also has a ton more options – peanut butter, bacon, candy bars and just about everything else. This place is loud and fun. For the record, Justin likes Wake N Bake while Megan prefers Britts. You will have to try them both to judge for yourself.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site

Fort Fisher State Historic Site is located towards the end of Hwy. 421 near the aquarium and the State Park. This site is an old Civil War fort. This fort was the last fort standing that allowed for supplies to reach Robert E. Lee. Once this fort fell, the supply chain crumbled and the war came to an end. It actually played a pretty significant role in the Civil War.

Today, you can walk around what is remaining of the fort on a really nice nature trail. There are a bunch of bunkers you can enter and hills you can climb. There are also plenty of great seating areas throughout the site that give you great views of the fort and the sound. You can always find some cool wildlife out here. There is a pretty large parking area and a really great museum and visitor center.

Fort Fisher Aquarium

A lot of states have one large aquarium that people go to. North Carolina is slightly different. We have a bunch of smaller ones spread out along the coast. Though these aquariums are smaller, they all have their own identities and are awesome. One of these is found in Fort Fisher right beside the State Park.

The Fort Fisher aquarium is great inside and out. On the inside you can check out loggerhead turtles, sharks, and all sorts of fish. They have a great touch tank for kids and adults as well. This aquarium also has a great freshwater display that talks about the different habitats through the Cape Fear River. You can see alligators, turtles, frogs, and even a bald eagle. On the outside there is a great playground for the kids, plenty of seating area to rest and enjoy a meal, and a nice little boardwalk to walk on.

The aquarium is open everyday except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $9.95 for adults 13-61, $8.95 for seniors, and $7.95 for kids.

Stroll The Boardwalk

Carolina Beach has an awesome boardwalk. You don’t see boardwalks like this too often in North Carolina. It reminds us of one of the boardwalks in the north with plenty of places to eat and play. This boardwalk is consistently ranked as one of the best boardwalks on the east coast. There always seems to be something going on. They have a ton of festivals down there and it is always a good time. There is an awesome beach to visit, plenty of room to walk, tons of great food, and plenty of shopping. It is an ideal place to spend a day at the beach because you have all that you need right there.

Carolina Beach State Park

Another great State Park in the area is Carolina Beach State Park. The first time we went here we thought that it was located where Fort Fisher was. It is not. This park is right after you cross over the bridge coming into Carolina Beach. This park is located on the sound side of the island. This is a nice park to spend an afternoon or take a break from the beach.

There are a surprising amount of trails here. These trails take you through ancient sand dunes, past rare Venus flytraps, and over boardwalks. This is also a good place for boating a kayaking. Finally, there are a ton of camp sites here with plenty of amenities.

We love all the fun things to do at Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach. It is the perfect place to go for a beach vacation week, a weekend getaway, or just a day at the beach. There is plenty to do here, rain or shine. We are blessed to live in a state with so many awesome beach communities. What is your go to North Carolina beach? What are some of your favorite beaches where you live?

Psst! Looking for more travel ideas for the North Carolina coast? Check out our Guide to the National Parks of the Outer Banks or Guides to visiting Dismal Swamp and Merchants Millpond!

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Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve

Weymouth Woods was one of the first State Parks that we went to so it has to be first on our Sandhills must dos. The first time we went we were kind of underwhelmed. We didn’t think there was much to it. However, every time we return there we have more and more fun. This is one of those parks that grows on you and you learn to appreciate the more time you spend there. This park has some really great hiking trails for beginners and a ton of wildlife. We would definitely recommend checking this place out in the fall because the ground cover turns some phenomenal shades of orange, yellow, and red. It is stunning to look at. Weymouth Woods is located right in the middle of Southern Pines, which is next on our list.

Town of Southern Pines

When you go to Southern Pines it is as if you are stepping back in time. The downtown area is really great with plenty of places to eat, shop, and relax. We love walking around and doing some window shopping after getting a cup of coffee from Swank. The stores here can get pretty pricey, but you can find some deals from time to time.

They have an awesome train station right in the middle of downtown with a really cool platform. And the renovated movie theater is super cool. For lunch, Nosh is a good place to grab a bite to eat. It is a nice little deli with plenty of options. They also serve breakfast all day and specialize in waffles. Silas is a fan. Southern Pines really is a great place to spend an afternoon.

Aloha Safari Zoo

The Aloha Safari Zoo had to be one of our Sandhills must dos! It is truly a jewel in North Carolina. Their mission is to create a loving home for unwanted, mistreated, and injured animals. Aloha Safari is located in Cameron, North Carolina and is truly unique. This 60-acre facility has been open to the public since 2010 and has done an awesome job of educating people and helping animals. There are over 450 animals on the property, including many you wouldn’t expect to see in North Carolina. They have gone out of their way to provide for these animals in building their habitats, it truly is a labor of love.

There is a fee to enter the zoo, but it is very much worth it. It is $12 per person to enter and kids under 2 are free. You can also buy bags of feed for $3 and special food for “Stretch” the giraffe for $1 (you have to do this, it is quite the experience). We took Silas and some of his friends here for his birthday and it was a huge hit!

Everywhere you look there are crazy animals. Some of them you can get really close to. The owner put a monkey on Justin while we were walking around, so that was pretty cool. They have tigers, wolves, tons of crazy reptiles, a grizzly bear, bison, peacocks galore, snakes, iguanas, porcupines, and so much more.

As mentioned above, get the feed so you have something to give to the animals, especially the giraffe. We would also recommend asking when the tigers are fed because you want to see that. Let’s just say it has to do with whole chickens (non-living) being tossed into the cage. They also have a really great tractor ride that takes you through a makeshift savannah. You will have a blast throwing tortillas. Sounds weird, but you will see. Aloha Safari Zoo is amazing – go to it if you have the chance.

Pinehurst Resort Clubhouse

Ok, so the Sandhills are definitely known for the crazy amount of golf courses in the area. You can’t drive too far without finding one. These are some of the best golf courses in the state and some are known worldwide. The most famous of them all is Pinehurst No. 2. This course has hosted some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world and is simply stunning. Of course, to play this track you need to have $305 in the winter and $485 in the spring and fall (not counting the $130 caddie fee). However, the Pinehurst Resort has 8 more courses all of which are awesome (and way cheaper) plus a little par-3 course. Justin has played every course on the property (except No. 2) and loves the place.

Even if you don’t golf, you should still try and visit the clubhouse. This is an iconic building in golf and a great place to buy a gift for anyone in your family who loves to play. There is a ton of great memorabilia in there and a couple of good places to eat. It really is a beautiful place. If you make it there, make sure you check out the Payne Stewart statue around back or sit on one of the many rocking chairs while watching people tee off.

Carvers Creek State Park

Carvers Creek State Park is located in Spring Lake just outside of Fayetteville. This park has two different access areas. The Long Valley Farm Access is the main area. This area has the visitor center where you can get your passport stamp and maps.

This is also where you can find the Rockefeller vacation home, gristmill, and other historic buildings. There is about three miles of trails here that are flat and easy. It is a great way to see the natural beauty of the area. Last time we were there we saw the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. It is beautiful. You don’t want to miss this park.

Dunrovin Country Store

So, last time we went to Weymouth Woods we saw a billboard for the Dunrovin Country Store. It really stood out so we did a quick Google search. What we saw online fascinated us. It seemed like an awesome place to visit and every review we read was fabulous. We weren’t able to visit that trip but we stopped by the next time we were in the area. Boy was it worth the wait.

Dunrovin is located in Vass right on Highway 1. This place is an eclectic general store, roadside attraction, rescue aviary, and fudge factory all rolled into one. The general store is full of unique items, locally made crafts and foods, Amish wares, weird sodas, any sweet you could think of, and just plain weird (in a good way) stuff. They have homemade fudge and ice cream too. One of the best things about the place is the decor. You could spend all day just looking at everything hanging from the rafters or checking out the yard art around the building. It is nuts.

The highlight though is the rescue aviary around back. This was one of the reasons we wanted to go there, to check out the exotic birds. We thought there might be a couple of birds there, but there were probably close to 50. They were everywhere. These birds would talk to you, screech at you, play peek-a-boo with you, and have you crying with laughter. They have macaws, parrots, peacocks, toucans, and so many other types. It is something to see and totally free! You have to make a stop at Dunrovin Country Store if you are in the area.

Village of Pinehurst

Pinehurst is such a sweet little village and it is perfect for an afternoon stroll. The village is picturesque and so much fun to explore. There are some great little shops and alleys to duck into and there always seems to be something going on. There are plenty of options for food in the area with a wide range of menus and pricing. We love the Villager Deli. It is really great food and the prices aren’t too high. It gets cramped in there, but they have some great seating outside. Right next door is the Roast Office coffee shop. They do have lunch food options there too, but the coffee and pastries are the thing to get there.

Have you been to any of these Sandhills must dos? Which one of these Sandhills must dos do you want to check out? What are some other Sandhills must dos we should visit in the Sandhills? We will be back soon and are always looking for new things to do to Go The Adventure Way!

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About Pettigrew State Park?

Pettigrew State Park is located in Eastern North Carolina in Creswell. Creswell is a really small town about an hour from Nags Head. The park is about 15 minutes off of Highway 64 on your way to the Outer Banks. Upon arriving there is a small but packed visitors center. The staff and rangers were so friendly and loved helping us plan our time here!

The park is named after General James Johnston Pettigrew who fought in Gettysburg and was one of the influential members of Pickett’s Charge. It was so cool seeing the history of this battle unfold on our trip to Gettysburg this fall and connecting both Pettigrew State Park to Gettysburg National Park. The history we are connecting and learning on this journey has been so fun for us! So how does Pettigrew connect to all of this State Park stuff? His families farm was located right next to Somerset Plantation and General Pettigrew is buried right by the park. They were a huge influence on Creswell and the surrounding areas. So if you are a history buff (specifically Civil War) make sure you stop over to check that out!

Lake Phelps

A major highlight of this park is Lake Phelps. It is a beautiful crystal clear body of water naturally filled by rain water. It is shallow but holds lots of unique fish – which makes it a fun day for a fisherman. Because of the sandy bottom and calm waters it makes for a great place to take a dip and cool off in the summer. Lots of people use canoes, kayaks and smaller boats here too! We loved dipping our feet in and cooling off after exploring and hiking around the park. And Bonus – no swimming fee here!

The Cypress trees are well preserved and some of the oldest and biggest on the East Coast. It truly was breathtaking walking up to the edge of the waters. There is so much interesting history and ecology here – so make sure to ask the Park Ranger upon arriving about it! They loved telling us about the lake on our visit.

Hiking Trails

This is an Eastern North Carolina park so hiking is a bit different here. But – the trails are stunning and worth it on your visit. This park boasts one of the last remaining old growth forests and contains some very old and rare tree species. We loved walking through this forest and imagining what life would have been like here hundreds of years ago. There are so many ancient artifacts that have been discovered here, even dating back to 8,ooo BC – its truly remarkable.

You can wander through the old growth forest down to the lake boardwalk, take a detour towards the Somerset Plantation or choose a path down the river for even more scenery. You have two main trails to choose here – the Bee Tree Trail or the Moccasin Trail. The Lake Shore Trail is a great smaller trail that connects several parts of the park and one you should explore first! Hiking here really is a unique nature adventure!

Somerset Plantation

Not too far from the main Visitors Center sits Somerset Plantation. This is part of Pettigrew State Park and a must see on your visit here. Its so well preserved and is a beautiful walk through on a summer day. We loved just meandering through the old buildings and discovering different things. We were the only ones here that day so it was a nice relaxing walk!

In and Around Pettigrew

In typical Go the Adventure Way fashion we didn’t just do a day trip to the State Park but squeezed in every ounce of exploring that we could in this part of our state! We decided we weren’t too far to do a little drive over to visit one of our favorite spots – The Outer Banks. Here are a couple of ideas to include in your day trip to Pettigrew!

Outer Banks Road Trip

After exploring Pettigrew we found ourselves on one of our favorites beaches – Pea Ridge National Wildlife Refuge. We have written about this beach before when we visited the National Parks in NC. This beach is one of our favorites because its just a beach. No hotels, houses or buildings. Just ocean and sand and nature. Anytime we can get a chance to get here we do! It is truly a hidden gem along the NC coast.

Roanoke River Lighthouse

Another quick stop along the way home was the Roanoke River Lighthouse in Plymouth. River lighthouses are something we kind of recently discovered here in NC. There are 4 remaining river lighthouses on the Albemarle Lighthouse Trail in NC – so far we have visited 3! Check out our visits to the Edenton River Lighthouse and the one in Manteo!

Plymouth is a quaint and quiet town along the Roanoke River. Its beautiful to stop here and would be a great place for a bite to eat or picnic. We loved stretching our feet here and checking out a little slice of history.

Takeaways

• Getting out and exploring your state is so fun! You find places you didn’t know existed – we stumbled upon the Roanoke River Lighthouse, learn some history and might even discover and old growth forrest.

• Make sure to stop by the Visitors Center and talk to the great people who work here! Each park also has a free junior ranger program where your child can earn a park specific badge. The workbooks are fun and great for the whole family to do together – you learn a lot about the park doing this!

• Pack a lunch for a picnic! There isn’t a lot around for food and its a great place for being outside anyway.

• Make sure you take some time to dip your feet into the water here even if you aren’t planning on swimming all day! The lake is so clear and beautiful!

• Bring a bathing suite and fishing pole to really experience everything this park has to offer.

• The old growth forest is too unique to pass up – its as great walk through on a warm summer day since its so shady.

• There is also great camping here! Make sure to check out the NC State Parks website to find out all the details before going!

We loved our trip to Pettigrew and are planning on getting back again some day soon. Have you ever spent time at this unique park? What was your favorite part? Any other tips we missed? Share with us in the comments!

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It would be great if we could all just jump out and do a 12-mile hike, up-hill, both ways, but that just isn’t realistic. You might get through it but you will be miserable and won’t want to do it ever again. However, if you start out small and build up – your love for the outdoors and hiking will only grow. Your hike distance will grow with it!

Many of you have asked what are some good trails to get started on if you are a newbie to hiking or getting outside. We wanted to put together a list of 10 great hiking trails to get you started in the North Carolina State Parks. Now, you might not always call these hikes. Some are just strolls through nature – but the goal is to get out, start getting active, fall in love with being outside, and seeing some of the most beautiful places in North Carolina.

We tried to come up with trails in the three different regions of North Carolina so you could get a good feel for all the state has to offer. As a general rule, it would be good to start in the Piedmont or Coastal regions and work your way up to the mountains, but you just go at your own pace an enjoy! So here we go with 10 easy North Carolina State Park trails to start off 2020.

Upper Cascades Trail – Hanging Rock

Hanging Rock State Park has a ton of wonderful hiking trails. This truly is a great place to spend a weekend camping, hiking, and swimming. A really great starter trail is the Upper Cascades. This trail is a little under half a mile there and back. The path is smooth and wide with very little incline. When you get to the end of the trail you are greeted with a really nice waterfall viewing area. This is a great place to sit and relax as the water comes rushing over. You can take the steps all the way down to the base of the waterfall and enjoy the pool. We loved walking down the stream in between the rocks as well (it gets slippery). Most people go to the Hanging Rock Trail (and you should) but don’t miss this one!

Jomeokee Trail – Pilot Mountain

This trail might be the most fun one to say out loud. We love this trail for a bunch of different reasons. The main reason is when we went everyone was at the Pilot Mountain overlook and NOBODY was on this trail, we had it all to ourselves! This is a .8 mile loop trail that lets you walk around the base of the Pilot Mountain dome. From here you get some incredible views of the surrounding areas, it is truly spectacular. You are at eye level with the birds soaring around the area. This trail begins with about 30 stairs down (which you have to climb back up) but besides that the inclines are not too bad. They do have a nice bench area right before you get to the base of the dome. Definitely check this one out, it is a good mountain starter trail!

Rockefeller Loop Trail – Carvers Creek

The Rockefeller Loop Trail is one of the longest trails on this list at around two miles. However, because there are a ton of different places to stop along the way it doesn’t seem like that far. This is in the Sandhills so the ground is nice and flat and the trails are soft and wide. This was the summer home of James S. Rockefeller and you can walk around the grounds and learn about the man through the wonderful placards placed there.

Summit Trail – Mount Jefferson

Ok, this one isn’t an easy trail. It is actually listed as strenuous. It definitely has a steep incline. However, this is a very short trail at .3 miles and it takes you to the summit of Mount Jefferson (once owned by Thomas Jefferson himself). If you can make it up to the top you are met with a pretty great payoff with the view. And, it is downhill on the way back! Along the way there are some beautiful rhododendrons and other vegetation (including some crazy looking mushrooms). For another short summit trail, check out Mount Mitchell.

Pine Barren’s Trail – Weymouth Woods

We have been to Weymouth Woods a couple of times. The first time we were underwhelmed but the second time we really enjoyed ourselves. The Pine Barren’s Trail was the reason why. This trail is a mile long trail through the longleaf pines of the Sandhills. If you want to add a little more distance, you can catch the Gum Swamp Trail for an additional half-mile. Both of these trails are pretty easy and take you by some pretty landscape, and water. If you can, check it out in the fall. The colors there are ridiculous.

Cypress Point Trail – Merchants Millpond

This trail is one of the most beautiful and unique trails in all of North Carolina. It is also short at .33 miles. This one takes you through the swampy Merchants Millpond, and yes, there are gators here. Cypress Point takes you right along the shoreline on an awesome boardwalk. There are so many different shades of green here in the trees, on the ground, and in the water. The Cypress trees are massive and give you a very different look in North Carolina. If you want a little longer trail, the two-mile long Coleman Trail is right next to it. We would recommend checking them both out.

Habitat Adventure Trail – Medoc Mountain

This trail is different from other trails on this list because it is geared towards kids. This is a Kid’s Track Trail that has a ton of different stops along the way to teach kids about nature. All of the stops are super interactive and do a great job letting kids (and adults) have fun while learning. This is easily the nicest Kid’s Track Trail in the State Park System. At half a mile, it is not too long. The trail is flat and paved the whole way. Definitely check this out if you have kids.

Lake Shore Trail – Pettigrew

This is another nice trail that is attached to history. At only .25 miles it is also one of the shortest trails on the list. This trail takes you along part of the shore of Lake Phelps, the second-biggest natural lake in North Carolina. There is an awesome pier leading out to the lake on this trail with ladders into the water. This is a great place to jump in and enjoy the sandy bottom lake against your toes. This trail leads to Somerset Place, a plantation built in the 1780’s. The state has done a fantastic job in renovating the grounds. It is a beautiful place to learn about history, the people, and the architecture of the era. They also have some farm animals to look at.

Mayo Beach Access Trail – Mayo River

We are not sure that there is an actual name for this trail, but it is located at the Mayo Beach Access at Mayo River State Park. This trail takes you to one of the most beautiful spots in North Carolina, the Fall Creek Waterfall area. The first time we went here we had no idea we were going to be hiking to such an unexpected treasure. Maybe that is why we love it so much. It is maybe a five minute hike to the waterfall from the parking area and you can continue past the falls all the way to the North Carolina/Virginia state line. However, you don’t want to miss climbing all over this beautiful multi-rock layered waterfall or getting in the pool at the bottom. This is still a hidden gem, so many times you will have the place all to yourselves!

Graylyn Multi-Use Trail – Umstead

This is a pretty hard trail to find but if you can find it, you will get to see some really great stuff! In order to get there, you need to come in the Crabtree Creek Entrance off of Highway 70, take a left on Maintenance Rd., a right on Group Camp Rd., and a left on Sycamore Rd. At the end of Sycamore there is a parking area where you can get on a spur trail of the Graylyn M.U.T. When the spur trail dead ends take a left and you are there. This will take you by some old abandoned buildings and the coolest chainsaw tree art you will ever see. You can spend hours here admiring the artwork on this thing. They do ask that you don’t climb all over it, but besides that, it is wide open. This is a great place for some pictures and inspiration. It is like you are going on a treasure hunt through the woods.

Those are our 10 Easy North Carolina State Park Trails to start off 2020. We hope that if you are new to the parks system that these will be a great way for you to get motivated to go on even bigger trails. Have you ever been on any of these? Which one is your favorite? Are you planning on tackling any on the list this year?

Thanks for stopping by and we hope you have fun as you Go The Adventure Way on these incredible trails!

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It doesn’t matter how long you have to experience the parks. It is always good. Sometimes it is good to have a weekend away exploring. Other times all you need is a couple of hours on the trails to reenergize your bones. Still other times it is good to just pull in, find a picnic table, eat a piece of pie, and head out. We have had all of these experiences at these parks and we are grateful for each unique visit. Here is what we learned visiting Eno River State Park, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, and the surrounding towns.

Eno River State Park

Eno River State Park is a beautiful river park in Durham and Orange counties. This park is really special because it is a huge natural area in the middle of some major urban areas. It is a great place to find some solitude in the middle of the daily grind. The Eno River is about 40 miles long and begins in Orange County. It flows through Hillsborough, the State Park, and finally Durham before eventually joining the Neuse River. The Neuse flows into Falls Lake (another State Park!).

There are five different access points to the State Park. The main access point is Fews Ford. This access is one of two access points off of Cole Mill Rd. This access has the visitors center where you can get your stamp and learn about the history and nature you will find in the park. From here you can access the larger areas of the park, most of the hiking trails, camping areas, and canoeing. The other access areas are Cabe Lands, Cole Mill, Pleasant Green, and Pump Station. You will find hiking, fishing, canoeing, and camping at these locations as well. Of these, Cole Mill offers the most amenities.

Hiking At Eno River State Park

There is a ton to do at Eno River. We always love finding a good place to hike and this park has a ton of trails to offer. There are over 30 miles of trails to get on here. This is a great place to get some miles in for the nc100miles program. On our last trip we took the Cox Mountain Trail at the Fews Ford access.

The Cox Mountain Trail is a 4.1 mile hike that takes lets you get a pretty good overview of the whole park. This trail has a couple of miles where you are walking through the woods and fields but also allows you a lot of time walking by the Eno. There are some great rocky areas along the water which make for great picnic spots. There are no trash cans so take your trash with you, always good to pack a little bag just for trash.

Another great thing about this trail is the swinging bridge at the beginning of the hike. This bridge is beautiful and really fun. They did an excellent job with it. This area also provides a great place to get in the river or do a little fishing.

Eno River also has a completed section of the Mountains to Sea Trail. This is a trail that stretches from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. The trail right now is a mixture of roads and completed trails. Right now there are over 700 miles of completed trail. Every year new areas are blazed and eventually this will be close to 1200 miles of awesomeness.

In The Water At Eno River

The Eno is a perfect place to do some fly-fishing or casting. There are numerous areas along the river where you can drop a line in or you can just wade in. We do a little fishing, but we have friends who are really into it and they love going here. There are largemouth bass, bluegill, and the rare Roanoke bass. Make sure you have your fishing license when you are here. It is strictly enforced.

There are plenty of places to kayak and canoe throughout the river. After a good rain the rapids on the Eno can get to as high as class III in some places. It is best to go after a rain. If you go during a dry spell you will be getting out and walking your boat over the rocks. Done it before, no big deal, but always better to stay in the boat. The best place to get in is between Hillsborough and Durham. You will find the best rapids and the longes areas to enjoy.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

Occoneechee Mountain is a very small area in Hillsborough that is run by Eno River State Park. This state natural area is near where Highways 40 and 85 merge so it is easy to access no matter where you are traveling from. Though it is managed by Eno River, it is its own entity in the Parks System. It is important to note that if you are trying to complete your passport book, you will need to get the Occoneechee Mountain stamp at Eno River.

We have been to Occoneechee a couple of times to hike or to sit and enjoy some food. Occoneechee Mountain is a pretty large hill that shoots up high above the surrounding Piedmont area. Overall, there are three miles of trails here. Though there isn’t a ton of mileage here, the trails can be challenging because of the elevation change. The main trail is the Loop Trail. This trail takes you up the mountain and along the Eno River. For the best views near the top, you will need to take the Overlook Trail which is a short tenth of a mile spur trail at the top. There are pretty good views up here and a nice sitting area.

Outside of the trails there really isn’t much here. There are some nice picnic areas and a couple of ponds where you can fish. Besides that, this park isn’t one to make a special trip for. If you live in the area, it is a great place to exercise or get some hiking in. Besides that, if you are trying to hit up all of the parks make sure you do this with Eno River.

Mebane

We have driven by Mebane hundreds of times heading down 40/85. The only times that we have ever really stopped here though was to go to the outlet malls. We found out that there is more to this town that those shops. Mebane has a great downtown area that makes for a great place to grab a bite to eat or do some window shopping. Everyone we met was really friendly and welcoming. They also have a ton of great murals downtown which give you some pretty good picture spots.

Martinho’s

Our main goal for visiting Mebane was lunch. Surprisingly, there are a lot of options downtown. We read a ton of reviews and walked around to the different restaurants to make our decision. We finally settled on Martinho’s and we were not disappointed. This is a bakery and deli that was just awesome. Being a deli, you will find a bunch of great Italian options. We loved talking with the ladies taking our order. We told them we were first-timers and they were patient with us as the walked us through all they had to offer. They gave us some great suggestions and even pointed us to one of the best dessert coolers (?) we have ever seen.

We settled on the calzone and the chicken parm sandwich. Both of them were spectacular. The dough on the calzone was the best dough I have ever eaten in my life. I know that is a bold statement – but I stand by it! This thing was also massive. I ended up taking half of it home for dinner. Two meals for the price of one. Megan loved her sandwich as well. Everything was cooked perfectly and the sauce was bomb. Not only was the food good, we got everything for under $20. It was an awesome meal. Well, we got everything under $20 before we went back for dessert. We couldn’t resist. I got the cheesecake and Megan got the Neapolitan cake . Both were really great. Overall, it was a fantastic experience.

Reed’s Coffee and Art

After lunch we headed to Reed’s Coffee and Art a couple of doors down. This is a huge coffee shop that doubles as a place for artist to sell their goods. You see something you like, just grab it off the wall. It is really cool and really unique. There is a ton of seating here both indoors and out. There are plenty of drink options here, Megan loved that they had a London Fog on the actual menu. They have a pretty robust food menu as well. We decided to take our dessert and drinks to Occoneechee and relax at a picnic table.

Hillsborough

Hillsborough is a really sweet little town just west of Durham on 85. This town has a ton of history but for this trip we wanted to focus on the Eno. The Eno River flows right through the middle of Hillsborough and the town has done a phenomenal job of building a beautiful trail along the banks of the river. One thing we really loved was the parking deck in the downtown area. More towns need to do this. They did a great job hiding the parking deck so it blends in with the surrounding area. A lot of towns like this parking is impossible, not this one. Best part? It was free!

The trail through Hillsborough is actually another part of the Mountains To Sea Trail. It is a really great trail with a parks and open areas throughout. A really great feature of this trail is the bridge near the parking deck. We spent a lot of time just hanging out here, checking out the river, and watching the fish swim below. This is a really relaxing place.

Have you ever been to these places? Do you ever just stop by for a quick trip or do you always try and take your time?

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Looking for other NC State Park day trip plans? Check out our guides to Jordan Lake and Historic Apex or Medoc Mountain and Halifax!

The post In And Around Eno River State Park first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

Where Is Jordan Lake

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is located in Apex on the way to Pittsboro on Highway 64. Literally the road goes over the lake and the park office is right off the highway. If you don’t know, Apex is about a 15 minute drive southwest of Raleigh.

Jordan Lake is a man-made 14,000 acre reservoir. The lake is totally undeveloped with the exception of the various State Park facilities. In total there are 9 different access points scattered around with various activities (more on that below). As with other State Recreation Areas, Jordan Lake charges a fee for usage from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They also charge on the weekends in April, May, and September. You can purchase an annual pass for $75.

What To Do At Jordan Lake

The star of this park is definitely the lake and water activities, but there is a ton more to do there. As with all parks, head to the visitor’s center on State Park Road off of Highway 64. They have a pretty good area that explains the history of the park and how it came to be. They also do a great job highlighting one of the more unique features of the park – the Bald Eagle.

Jordan Lake has the highest concentration of Bald Eagles on the east coast. There are a ton of Bald Eagles at the park and it is always fun to see them flying. The best time to check these out is during the spring and early in the morning, but we have seen them at different times of the day and year. Even flying beside our car down the street!

There are plenty of boat ramps around the lake. We do not own a boat but we love going out on them. Because we don’t own a boat we don’t want to act like we know everything about the boating life at Jordan Lake. A lot of our friends have boats and jet skis and they love taking them out on the lake. Just know that if you have one this is the place to go. We love going kayaking or canoeing on the lake and have had a blast doing that through the years. This is also a great place to fish. There are a couple of access points that are open 24-hours and it is super fun to go fishing overnight.

Off the water Jordan Lake has some really great options to have a great day as well. Jordan Lake has some great sandy beaches where you can get some sun and get in the water. These areas have some awesome amenities like picnic shelters, bathrooms, basketball and volleyball courts, playgrounds, and grills. These are great areas to get large groups together for a party or family reunion. There is a cost to reserve some of the areas, but a lot of times you can just walk up and use them for free if they are empty.

Jordan Lake is also home to some really great hiking and camping. This park has over 1,000 campsites that will house anything from RVs to primitive camping. Along with the camping there are some really nice and relaxing trails. There is about 15 miles of trails here and they are pretty easy because it is pretty flat. This is a great way to get outdoors and get accustomed to hiking if you live near the area. It is easy to see why Jordan Lake was one of our highest ranked lake state parks.

What Else Is Around Jordan Lake

There are a bunch of great towns around Jordan Lake. One of the ones we like to visit the most is Apex. Apex used to a small town but has recently grown into a pretty busy and crowded area. It has kept a little of its small town charm and that is on display in the downtown area. What is there to do downtown?

Go Shopping

There are a ton of great antique and speciality stores that we love to visit. These are all small businesses and it is always great to show some support and love to the little man. Our favorite store downtown though is Apex Outfitter and Board Co. It is located in the historic Tobacco and Mule Exchange building. This is a beautiful store with the best staff around (Erin and Will especially have always been awesome to us). We love the outdoor gear that they have. Everything you need to go the adventure way. Every time we go in there we come out with a longer Christmas list. If you are in the area definitely check them out.

Grab A Bite

There are a ton of great spots to get something to eat or drink downtown. If you want Mexican – there is La Rancherita. If you want Italian – there is Anna’s. Craving some comfort food? There is Scratch. There are a bunch of other places and more opening soon. Our favorite place though is Salem Street Pub. For our money they have the best burgers in town (and Megan loves burgers more than any other food). The staff is always wonderful and the service is always quick. The vibe in there is just great. They have plenty to choose from and we have never had anything we didn’t like. This is the perfect spot to hit up after a day at Jordan Lake.

Of course, after eating at one of those fine establishments you have to get a dessert. One of the newest editions to downtown Apex is Fresh, an incredibly good ice cream shop. This stuff is so good. Maybe the best ice cream I have ever tried (I said it!). It is all homemade and all made from all of that healthy stuff that when it is combined isn’t necessarily good for you body but is good for your soul. Four words – Sea Salt Caramel Fudge. You’re welcome.

Go For A Walk

Downtown Apex has a bunch of really cool things set up that make for a super pleasant and relaxing time. We love stopping for a couple of minutes to play checkers on the barrels outside of the Rusty Bucket Antique Shop. There is a really fun rock garden where you can paint a rock from home and bring it to add to the collection. That is located right by the mini-library where people exchange books.

While you are strolling along you can do some window shopping in the historic buildings while sipping on a cup of coffee from Common Grounds (does every small town have a coffee shop named that?). There is a little 9/11 Memorial across from the fire station. The fire station is a historic building itself and most of the time you can stop in for a visit. They are always so nice and accommodating to kids. We have some great memories from when Silas was younger. You can even check out the train car parked by the old train depot.

There are some proposals to overhaul downtown Apex. There are definitely some things that need to happen to accommodate more people. We are hoping though that it doesn’t lose its identity through the process. Change is tough and good change is tougher. So, come and check it out before it changes.

Farmer’s Market and Festivals

Apex has a great little farmer’s market every Saturday morning when the weather is warm. This is a great place to go to get some awesome deals on locally grown and produced items. They have some great produce and amazingly beautiful flowers. There are also different craftspeople there from time to time. We think this is a hidden gem of Apex and would love to see this grow.

Apex also has some great festivals throughout the year where they shut down downtown and let the town come together to party. The biggest is PeakFest which celebrates all things Apex. This is the first Saturday in May and is just a really fun street fair. There is something for everyone here. Apex also does an awesome job with Christmas on Salem Street weekend with the parade and tree lighting. This is a really great event. Other festivals include the Latino Arts Festival, Peak City Pig Fest, Olde Fashioned Fourth of July, and Trick or Treat on Salem. There always seems to be something going on.

So, next time you are out adventuring around Jordan Lake, make sure you carve a little time out to visit Apex. It is really cool to know that you can go the adventure way in the great outdoors but also in an old small town. What are some of your favorite small towns to visit?

Looking for other State Park/Small Town trip ideas? Check out our posts on the Bay Lakes/Elizabethtown, Mount Mitchell/Little Switzerland, or Medoc Mountain/Halifax!

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The post Relaxing at Jordan Lake and Historic Apex, NC first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.