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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Where is Natural Bridge State Park?

Natural Bridge State Park is in Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, just off 81. The town it is located in is actually called – Natural Bridge! The land was once owned by Thomas Jefferson and is a National Historic landmark. There is all sorts of history and lore about George Washington visiting here (more on that below). We were driving in from NC and it was a great final stop for our epic Southwest Virginia Day Trip! One thing we loved about this visit is how accessible this beautiful historic and natural wonder is to our East Coast people. You might not have the time or money right now to visit some of the well known parks out west…but Natural Bridge is a great place to experience something similar (and right in your backyard!)

What Details Do I Need to Know Before Going?

There are a few details to know before you go! There is a fee per person to enter the State Park, $6 for ages 6-12 and $8 for 13 and up. The park is open from 8am – 9pm! The late open time really makes it a great final stop along our Southwest Virginia Day Trip plan. You have plenty of time to get there and do everything the park offers. Also, there is a nightly light show you can view at 9:30pm called The Drama of Creation. Check on dates and times as this show seems to come and go throughout the seasons! There are several places to stay nearby if you are planning on doing an overnight trip and also campground sites available. It is also a very quick drive to Lexington which is a great place to visit as well with tons of shops and places to eat!

What to do at Natural Bridge State Park

Upon arriving you are greeted by a huge welcome center with plenty of people onsite to help with any questions you might have! There is a cafe, huge store and little museum to check out. Make sure you pay the entrance fee in the visitors center as they will check your receipt down the trail! The trail to the Natural Bridge is a pleasant and beautiful downhill walk along Cedar Creek. We were surprised by how quickly we arrived at the Natural Bridge viewing area! Take time to sit, walk around and gaze at this breathtaking site.

After spending time at the Natural Bridge site the trail continues on to a living history Monacan Indian Village exhibit. This exhibit closes at 5pm daily. There is a lot to do here so make sure that you take the time to check it out. You can walk in and out of the different types of Native American shelters and gain an understanding of how people lived in the valley 300 years ago. You can learn about hide tanning, basket weaving, hunting, farming, tool-making and food prep. We absolutely loved speaking with the pottery makers here so make sure you take some time to actually talk with the friendly and knowledgable people on site.

Finally the trail will lead you to a small cavern to check out (which is amazingly cool on a hot day) and then to Lace Falls – a 30 food cascade. You aren’t able to get close to the falls, its more of a viewing area but still nice! The trail is not terribly difficult, but it does have a slight incline heading to the waterfall. It was a hot and humid day when we went which made it a little more tough. As with all hikes, bring some water!

A good point to note is that this trail is not a loop so you will have to walk there and back. There are stairs leading down to the Natural Bridge so on your back you will have to climb them! If you are out of gas, they offer a free shuttle to get you back to the gift shop!

Legend Has it…

One of the interesting aspects of Natural Bridge are the legends about George Washington that surround it. As history/legend goes George Washington came to this site when he was 18 years old and threw a rock from the bottom of the creek to the top of the bridge – 215 feet up. Most impressive if you ask me! I love a good George Washington legend. It was also known that George Washington was a surveyor and in 1927 a stone was uncovered that was carved with the initials G.W. and an official surveyors cross. Did George Washington scale these magnificent stone walls and carve his initials there for all of us to view today? Who knows? But it is sure fun to imagine! Make sure you take some time hunting down the iconic GW initials and imagining him throwing a rock over this impressive bridge!

Around Town

Besides visiting the park there are many other little stops around and along the way. We spent some time checking out the nearby downtown of Lexington, VA. There are more historical sites here and a lot of beautiful homes to see. There is also a zoo nearby which we heard was a lot of fun! Natural Bridge has a lot to offer! You could easily spend all day here and even make this a weekend trip! Or, do what we did and make a day trip out of it! Options are good.

This is one of those places that after considering our time here we would definitely come back one day! Its worth a trip to see it, especially if you are within a days driving distance! Have you ever been to Natural Bridge? What are some of your favorite and unexpected natural landmarks you have visited?

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Where Is South Mountains State Park?

South Mountains is located in Connelly Springs, about 20 miles south of Morganton in Burke County. Most people get there off of I-40, and you are traveling about 20-25 minutes off of the interstate. If there weren’t any brown signs telling you where to go, you would swear that your GPS was lying to you. It is in a very isolated place of North Carolina, which is part of the beauty of it.

South Mountains has three different areas. The main section is the Jacob’s Fork Section. The Clear Creek Watershed and the Henry River area are both within a 20 minute drive from Jacob’s Fork. These areas are not frequently patrolled by the State Park Rangers. Online there is a warning of vandalism if you leave your car unattended at either of these areas. We only went to Jacob’s Fork. There were plenty of park rangers everywhere we went and we never felt nervous for us or our property. We had a blast!

What To Do At South Mountains

South Mountains State Park has a ton to do. On our trip we hiked a couple of trails, visited the welcome center, and had a picnic.

Hiking Trails

During our visit we hiked the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail. This trail is one of our favorite trails in the state and leads to one of the best waterfalls you can see in North Carolina. It was especially great for us because we went on a rainy day. The reason that this trail is so great is because it has a ton of shade, is next to the river, and there are a ton of cascades that you walk by. It is beautiful, definitely one to check out. The second half of the trail leading up to the waterfall is fairly strenuous, but it is definitely worth it. It includes a lot of stairs – but don’t stop! Once you get to the waterfall you can double back and shave a little over half a mile from your hike.

We also hiked the River Trail and the Hemlock Nature Trail. Both of these trails are easy and have great views. There are stations along the Nature Trail where kids (and adults) can learn about the plant and animal life around the park. The River Trail is a Kid’s Track Trail with brochures for self-guided tours.

Picnic

There are plenty of picnic areas throughout the park and many of them have pretty scenic views. If you are going it might be good to pack a lunch. You are pretty far from other restaurants and you need a little bit of time to enjoy this park. We ate lunch at the picnic shelter at the Jacob’s Fork parking area because we were there on a rainy day. It had a couple of grills and even a fireplace. It sits right on the river and made our lunch even that much more enjoyable.

Visit the Welcome Center

The welcome center was really great and had plenty of interactive learning areas for kids. There is a pretty good gift shop as well. The staff was friendly and willing to help and answer any questions we had. Don’t forget to pick up a Junior Ranger Book and get your stamp for your passport!

Camping, Biking, Horseback & Rainbow Trout!

There are plenty of camping sites and they can handle anyone whether you have an RV or are camping out of a backpack. If you are into mountain biking or horseback riding, South Mountains has miles and miles of trails for you to explore. In total there are 47 miles of trails to conquer at this park! This is also a great place to fish, they actually have trout in the river there.

What Else Is Around South Mountains State Park

There isn’t a ton in the immediate vicinity of South Mountains but it does serve as a great gateway to the North Carolina mountains. You are roughly in between Winston-Salem and Asheville. We used this as a lunch and hiking stop on our way to start a five day vacation in the mountains. Unless you are camping overnight, this definitely is a drive in and drive out to your next destination type of park.

Takeaways From Our Trip To South Mountains State Park

It is crazy how quick we are to try and get things done. We do that in everything, even trying to get to a particular destination. Our family has driven by the South Mountain State Park sign on 40 over 50 times not once thinking to stop there. We miss out on so much because we don’t want to slow down and live in the moment. Far too often we are busy moving on to the next thing.

We are so happy that we stopped and went the adventure way. Because we did that, we were able to experience something that not too many people have. We were utterly blown away by this park.

On the practical side, you have no cell service. Know how to get there before you go. Go on a day when it is a little rainy – the crowds were low and the waterfall was huge! This park has everything for every fitness level, but if you are going to the falls you need to be prepared to sweat. Just check this place out!

Where are some places that are out of the way but well worth it? What places have exceeded your expectations when you travel?

Do you love visiting North Carolina state parks as much as we do? Check out our other guide to Mayo River State Park!

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