North Carolina has some really interesting park units. Some are full of the beauty of nature, others tell the story of some pretty significant events in history. All of them are worth a visit and should be added to your North Carolina bucket list. Some will take you an hour or two, while others will have you coming back again and again for weeklong trips.

Below is a list of all of the North Carolina National Parks. When we started going to all of them, we learned of some new ones. We have lived in North Carolina for most of our lives and we had no idea that Carl Sandburg Home was anything! For this list we left off the three National Trails – Appalachian, Trail of Tears, and Overmountain Victory. These all are significant trails, but they are not talked about extensively in this post.

How many of these parks have you been to? Which one is next on your travel list? Are there some you had never heard about?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Smokies are the only unit with the National Park designation in North Carolina. This stunning park sits on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The main visitor’s center and where most people enter through is Tennessee. This has caused many people to say this is a Tennessee National Park. In reality though, slightly more than half of the acreage of the park is in North Carolina. To get into the park from the North Carolina side, you will need to go through Cherokee and through the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. There are numerous other entrances to check out like Catalooche.

This park is the most visited park in all of the United States, and it isn’t even close. Millions more people come into this park than the second-highest on the list. It is beautiful, there is tons of wildlife, and there are so many options for people of all activity levels. This is a great park to drive through (Little River Gorge Road is amazing) or hike. They have a ton of really great visitor’s centers, plenty of camping options, and a ton of historical buildings. This park really has it all. It is also great because there are some really great towns on both sides of the border.

When you are there, check out Clingman’s Dome. This is the second tallest mountain on the East Coast and has a great observation tower. Drive through Cade’s Cove – this is where some really great bear spotting is. You can also get out and visit the historic buildings and go for a hike to Abrams Falls. If you want to see elk, Catalooche and Oconaluftee both have great fields nearby where most days you will see herds hanging out in the morning or right before sunset. This park is best done with three or four days, but you can also hit most of the highlights in a day. Of course, that will only make you want to come back.

We have a full post on visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that will help you plan for your next adventure!

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

North Carolina has some incredible beaches and you would be hard pressed to find any better than Cape Hatteras. This seashore runs from Nags Head to Ocracoke Island. Highway 12, the road that connects it all, is just a spectacular drive along the water’s edge. The road has great views of dunes, the sound, the ocean, and of course you get to ride on the ferry to Ocracoke. There are three visitor centers within the park – Bodie Island, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island.

There is a ton to do along this National Seashore. It is an ideal place to take a week-long vacation, but even if you have only a day to cruise through, take advantage of it. There are three lighthouses you can explore – Hatteras, Bodie, and Ocracoke. You can climb to the top of Hatteras and Bodie for a small fee. Ocracoke is off limits.

There are miles and miles of open beach areas. If you ever want to go to a beach with nobody around, this is the place for it. You can camp, take your foul-wheel drive vehicle out, or search for seashells for hours here. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to park and hangout at the beach.

Cape Hatteras also has a ton of really great towns to visit. Hatteras is really great, and Ocracoke is spectacular. This is where Blackbeard the pirate hung out, and just about everywhere you go on this island you will see nods to him.

Check out our 10 Things to do in the Outer Banks if you are headed to this beautiful North Carolina destination!

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park is located right in the middle of Greensboro off of Highway 220. This is an urban park that flows in and out of the town pretty seamlessly. The park is focused on the Battle of Guildford Courthouse during the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. This was a battle between Cornwallis and the British and Nathanael Greene’s Continental forces. The British won the battle, but it actually set them on course to lose the war. It is pretty interesting how the Park Service explains everything.

The visitor center is really awesome. They have some incredible artifacts and displays with a wealth of information. There are some interactive features and a pretty good movie to watch. We used to not watch the movies at the parks, but we have learned that they are worth the extra 15 minutes to get a good overview.

The park has trails and roads to take you from point to point through the battle. You can listen to their audio tour on the app or stop at each marker and read the different plaques. If you are driving, it will take you about an hour to two hours. Walking will take you much longer. Along the way there are close to 30 monuments that you can look at. Some of them are just small little markers in the woods and some are massive. Definitely check out the Greene and Forbus Monuments.

Greensboro is a great city to spend a day in! We have a day trip guide for visiting Greensboro that includes more details about the National Battlefield.

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Out of all of the beaches we have been to, Cape Lookout National Seashore might be our favorite. This place is just awesome. Cape Lookout is located on the Southern Outer Banks spanning from just south of Ocracoke to Beaufort. Cape Lookout is an undeveloped stretch of land three miles off the mainland. To get to Cape Lookout, you need to take the ferry or have your own boat. The ferry takes off from either Beaufort or Harkers Island. They have visitors centers at both locations. The Beaufort Ferry takes way longer and you will not have as much time in the water, so we recommend leaving from Harkers Island. There are a couple of vehicle ferries farther north for off-road access, but most will take the passenger ferries.

Cape Lookout has so much to do, but you need to be prepared. There is a small store on the main island of Cape Lookout, but besides that you are on your own. Make sure you pack plenty of food and drinks. On Cape Lookout, you can spend time at the beach or tour the lighthouse and surrounding areas. You can also take the shuttle to the north end for a slight fee to get the best shells (though we have found plenty at the main beach). On the sound side you can enjoy calm and peaceful water. The water on the sound side is pretty shallow and crystal clear. It is like you are in the Caribbean, just beautiful. This is where most people hang out, so if you want more quiet go to the ocean side. We have gone there and been alone all day long before.

You can also get off the ferry at Shackleford Banks. This is just right across the sound from Cape Lookout. Here, you can get on the beach and walk around the sand bars. It is really fun. But what makes this place the best is the wild horses that are on the island. They are everywhere, just don’t get too close. Even if you don’t get off here, you can typically see them from the ferry.

For a full overview on how to spend a day here, check out our guide to Cape Lookout!

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

Carl Sandburg National Historic Site is one of the reasons we love National Parks. We never would have gone to a place like this if it weren’t for the Parks System. This site is located in the mountain town of Flat Rock just outside of Hendersonville. We went there during this trip to the N.C. mountains. The Carl Sandburg Home was the estate of the American poet and biographer, Carl Sandburg.

The grounds are open late into the day, but make sure you go during normal operating hours so you can take a tour of the house. This is a 30-minute tour that you have to do with the a guide. The cost is $10. If you have the National Park Pass you do get a discount.

The coolest thing to do at this place though is to tour the farm. The Sandburg Home is still a working farm, with animals and crops. You can check out the goat shed, horse barn, goat barn, cow shed, milk house, and so much more. We had a lot of fun petting the animals. Once again, don’t come late or you will miss out on this.

There are also miles and miles of really great trails you can hike on here. These trails take you deep into the forests that Sandburg used to roam. They are a great little get away right in the middle of town. If you are there for an overnight stay, try and get a ticket to the theater across the street from the home.

We have an entire 5 day plan for visiting Hendersonville in the mountains of North Carolina that includes a stop to this National Historic site! It’s one of our favorite mountain towns to visit!

Blue Ridge Parkway

The United States is full of some really beautiful drives. It would be tough though to find one more scenic than the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway stretches from the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina all the way to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. For our money though, the best sections are found in North Carolina. Keep your eyes open, you may very well see black bears, wild turkeys, foxes, wolves, deer, and so much more while driving.

This road is 469 miles in total and has too many hikes, scenic overlooks, and special mountain towns to name. However, here are some of our favorite spots to stop for a visit:

• Devil’s Courthouse, a nice little trail at MM 422
• French Broad River Bridge and surrounding trails at MM 393
• Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center at MM 384
• Craggy Gardens Trail and Overlook at MM 364
• Glassmine Falls at MM 361
• Mt. Mitchell at MM 356
• Little Switzerland at MM 334
• Linville Falls at MM 316
• Linn Cove Viaduct at MM 304
• Moses Cone at MM 294

During the winter they often have road closures because of the snow. Our favorite times to go are the fall and spring. You know, when everyone else wants to be in the mountains.

We have a full overview on visiting Mt Mitchell off of the Parkway!

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Fort Raleigh is the site of England’s first New World settlement that lasted from 1584 to 1590. This is the group of colonists who became lost and eventually became known as the Lost Colony. This area is run by the National Park Service along with the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama Company. 

The site is at the northern tip of Roanoke Island right where Highway 64 begins. It is a beautiful property with some great trails, a really nice museum, and of course the outdoor theater. There is not much original left of the colony, so the Park Service has plenty of placards around saying what was probably in different spots.

The best thing to do here is to see the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama. This show is put on throughout the summer from Memorial Day until late August. It tells the story of Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World. Shows are right along the sound with the water in the background making for a beautiful backdrop. These shows start every night at 8:30. Tickets for adults start at $20, so not terrible. They do get higher the better the seat. Definitely worth checking out.

Plan ahead with our post all about visiting the National Parks of the Outer Banks!

Moores Creek National Battlefield

Did you know that the first major victory of the Patriot forces during the American Revolution happened in North Carolina? We didn’t either until we went to Moore’s Creek National Battlefield. Moores Creek tells the story of the battle that surrounded the Moores Creek Bridge. Here, close to 1,000 North Carolina Patriots fended off the forces of King George.

Moores Creek NB is in Currie, NC. It is a short drive off of exit 408 along I-40. This is a great stop when you are headed to the beach. This park has a pretty big parking lot with a couple of nice picnic tables and benches surrounding it. The visitor’s center is more than adequate. The museum does a great job explaining the what happened and the people working there are super friendly and willing to answer any and all questions. They also have a nice little book store.

Of course, the main thing to do is to take a tour of the battlefield. The Park Service has done a really great job with this. There are a couple of different trails that you can take that give you a good overview. The main trail is the History Trail. This trail tells the story of the Battle of Moore’s Creek. Along the way, you can see numerous monuments to different people and events of the battle. The highlight is the bridge site that the Patriots defended. Make sure you get your Junior Ranger book before you start your hike.

Moore’s Creek can be conquered in about an hour and half. You don’t need the whole day, but it is worth the stop.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Wright Brothers National Memorial is another Outer Banks National Park Unit situated in the town of Kitty Hawk. The memorial commemorates the first manned airplane flight in 1903. This park does have an entrance fee of $10 for everyone over 16. They do take the America the Beautiful Annual Pass.

There are a couple of main things that you can do at the park. The first is check out the visitor center. This is one of the best visitor centers we have ever been to. There are so many great exhibits that are hands on and fun. The Junior Ranger book is really great here, make sure you do it. The highlight of the visitor center is the replica of the Wright Brothers flyer. The original is in the Smithsonian, but this one is pretty cool.

Another great thing to do is to check out the grounds. A really fun activity is to go to the exact spot where the flight took place and see if you can run the distance faster than the original plane flew. We bet you can do it. This is all a part of the overall grounds of the unit. The main attraction is the Wright Brothers monument on the top of the hill. It is a great place to climb to and check out the views of the ocean and sound. It is awesome!

FAQ’s About North Carolina’s National Parks

What are the best North Carolina National Parks?

This is a tough question because each of these are so different. However, for us, our favorite is Cape Lookout National Seashore. This one has it all. Low crowds, beautiful water and beaches, wild horses, a ferry ride, and plenty of history.

Of course, if you are a mountain person it is tough to beat Great Smoky Mountains. There is a reason this is the most visited park in the United States. There is so much to do here, so many hidden gems, and you can spend a month here and not do the same thing twice. It is great.

How many North Carolina National Parks are there?

There are 12 official National Park units in North Carolina according to the National Parks Service. However, there are two National Cultural Heritage Areas (Blue Ridge and Gullah Geechee) so many people say there are 14. You can get National Park stamps of both of these, so in our book it is 14!

Can you camp in North Carolina National Parks?

Yes! At certain ones at least. You won’t be able to camp at most of the historical sites, but there are plenty more you can. The Smokies are full of campgrounds, but you need to make sure you get your reservation in if you want an actual spot.

A super cool thing to do is camp out at either Cape Hatteras or Cape Lookout. Nothing like beach camping! Just make sure you have plenty of supplies for these.

Of course, you can camp just about anywhere along the Appalachian Trail. We have done some backpacking on this trail a couple of times and loved it – except for the time a freak snowstorm came in and dumped two-feet of snow on us in one night.

Does it cost money to visit the North Carolina National Parks?

Depends on the park. Most of the parks are free to enter, including Great Smoky Mountains. However, there are some that do have an entrance fee. Wright Brothers charges per adult, Carl Sandburg charges for house tours (though the grounds are free), Cape Lookout has a fee for the ferry. All of the parks that you camp at have a fee if you use an actual campground site.

When are North Carolina National Parks open?

Good news! These parks are typically open year round. Of course, the visitor centers and other amenities will be closed on major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Some of the smaller parks are open year round but the visitor center is closed on certain days of the week. For instance, Moores Creek is open but the visitor center is closed on Sunday and Monday each week. It is always best to check the park website before you visit any park for the most up to date information.

Takeaways

We love our home state of North Carolina and feel blessed with so many diverse places to see and discover. Over the last couple of years we have realized that many people don’t even know we have so many great National Park units. We have enjoyed visiting each one and would encourage any locals to start exploring our awesome parks! As a family, one of the best things to do at each park is to participate in the junior ranger program – every National Park Unit has one! Grab a park passport book and make sure to start collecting your stamps! It’s a fun way to start going the adventure way together!

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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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We have lived in North Carolina our whole lives but until the last four years we had never been there either. It is hard to imagine us leaving this perfect place off of our list of favorite North Carolina beaches from now on. We have been multiple times now and will continue to go back as long as we are in the area. With 112 miles of uninhabited shoreline, crystal clear water, wild horses, and a beautiful lighthouse – once you go you will see why it is one of our faves.

Because so many people haven’t been to Cape Lookout, we wanted to put together a little information to help you plan your first (next) trip. Here is all you need to know for Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Where Is Cape Lookout

Cape Lookout National Seashore is located along the coast of North Carolina between Fort Macon and Ocracoke. The seashore makes up the southern part of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Cape Lookout National Seashore is made up of three main islands that separate the Atlantic Ocean from the various sounds along the North Carolina coast. Shackleford Banks is on the southwest area of the seashore, South Core Banks is located in the middle of the seashore (and is where Cape Lookout is), and North Core Banks in the northeast area of the seashore.

How To Get To Cape Lookout

Maybe one of the reasons why not too many people list Cape Lookout as one of their favorite beaches is because it is tough to get to. If you don’t own your own boat, you will need to take a ferry to get to Cape Lookout. The National Park Systems has contracted with local ferry operators to get people back and forth from the seashore. There is a charge for each ferry service.

It is important to note that there are different locations you will need to take off from to get to the different parts of Cape Lookout. With most of the ferries, you are allowed a couple of personal items per person. You will need them – much more on that later in the post.

From Harkers Island

The main visitor’s center and point of departure is located on Harkers Island. Harkers Island is a beautiful little fishing community about 25 minutes east of Beaufort. It is out of the way, but it is such a fun drive that takes you through the beginning of the Outer Banks Scenic Byway.

From Harkers Island you can go to the west end of Shackleford Banks or Cape Lookout Lighthouse area on the Island Express Ferry. The ferry stops at Shackleford Banks first and then goes to the lighthouse. If you want to do both in a day, you can purchase the two islands in one day ticket (about $10 more), spend some time on Shackleford Banks, then head to the lighthouse on a later ferry (you will have to make sure there is room). It is about a 15-20 minute ferry ride from Harkers Island to Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

The cost to ride the ferry is $18 for adults 12 and over and $11 for kids 3-11. During peak season the ferry runs every 30 minutes from this location. You can make reservations in advance, but walk-ons are welcome.

From Beaufort

Beaufort is one of our favorite towns on the Inner Banks. It is full of history and fun – a great place to spend the weekend. There are numerous ferry services that operate out of Beaufort, but once again Island Express is the official ferry service from this location. There are two options from Beaufort.

The first option is the ferry to Cape Lookout Lighthouse. This ferry fills up fast so you will need to reserve your spot plenty of time in advance. This is a four-hour narrated roundtrip ferry ride. It is a 45-minute one way and you have between 2-2 and a half hours at the lighthouse area. Along the way you will see the wild horses of Shackleford Banks and maybe even some dolphins. The cost is $35 for adults 12 and up and $25 for kids 3-11.

The second option from Beaufort is the 15-20 minute ride to the west end of Shackleford Banks. This ferry drops you off and will pick you up at your desired pick up time. The cost is $18 for adults and $11 for kids.

From Ocracoke

From Ocracoke you can take Rudy Austin’s Portsmouth Island Boat Tour. You can either be dropped off at historic Portsmouth Village on the northern end of Cape Lookout or simply take the 90-minute boat tour of the surrounding area. Capt. Austin is an Ocracoke native and it is an experience not to be missed. You will need to call for availability and prices.

Vehicle Ferry Locations

You can take your four-wheel drive vehicle out on the beach at Cape Lookout. You will need to get a permit and take one of the vehicle ferries. The vehicle ferries take off from Atlantic and Davis, both small villages on the inner banks. The cost to get your vehicle to the island runs from $35 to $400 depending on the size.

Things To Do At Cape Lookout

There is plenty to do at Cape Lookout National Seashore. It is the perfect place to spend a week or come back over and over again for day trips.

Visit The Lighthouse

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is one of the seven coastal lighthouses in North Carolina. At 169 feet, this lighthouse is the second tallest in North Carolina and the fifth-tallest in the United States. Visitors to the lighthouse can explore the whole light station area. This includes the lighthouse as well as the surrounding living quarters and storage areas.

To climb the lighthouse, you will need to purchase a ticket at the Light Station Visitor Center. This is the visitor’s center located where the ferry drops you off at on Cape Lookout. Tickets are $10 per person and $5 for kids 12 and under. Your ticket is time stamped and you will need to show up at least 10 minutes before your climb time. The reason for this is only 10 people can be at the upper level of the lighthouse at a time. They do not give refunds to late arrivals.

This is a pretty strenuous journey to the top. There are 207 steps and you will feel them. However, the view from the top is well worth it. Kids must be 44-inches or taller to climb because of the wind at the top, so keep that in mind. If you can’t make it to the top, there is a pretty cool panoramic picture in the nearby Keeper Quarters Museum.

Spend A Day At The Beach

Cape Lookout has something for everyone when it comes to hanging out on the beach. The best way to break it down is sound side or ocean side.

In a lot of ways the sound side reminds us of a Caribbean beach. The water is crystal clear and there are not too many waves. This is where you want to go if you have kids that like to get in the water or if you like to be around people while you are at the beach. There are a ton of boats that come in and out which is pretty cool to watch. It is a perfect spot to spend a beach day.

The ocean side is for people who want the whole beach to themselves. Every time we have gone we have had times where we look both ways and don’t see anyone else for miles. It is crazy. The waves can get really big here, so you will see surfers from time to time. From the sound to the ocean it is about a five minute walk. It is crazy how different it can be.

Hunt For Some Shells

One of our favorite pastimes at the beach is going shelling. We love walking down the beach hunting for sea shells. The best place we have found so far for this is Cape Lookout. Because it juts so far out into the ocean and few people make it out there, you can find shells pretty easily. If you head out there as the tide is going out you will be able to see so many just sitting there.

Shackleford Banks

Shackleford Banks is one of the islands that make up the seashore. This island is ideal for fishing and swimming. The eastern side is protected from the ocean by Cape Lookout. Because of this, the water around it is pretty shallow and you can walk out to the many sand bars surrounding it. This island has the largest maritime forest in the world.

As great as all of that stuff is, the reason why people go to Shackleford Banks is the herd of wild horses that live here. The are over 100 horses in the herd. Nobody knows where these horses came from, but there are some great theories out there. Some say they were shipwrecked and swam to shore, others say they were thrown overboard to lighten the load. No matter where these horses came from, they have been here for centuries and have found a way to survive in some rough conditions. We can’t get over how they get by with all of the hurricanes that come through this area.

If you get a chance to stop by Shackleford Banks, remember to give the horses some room. They are not domesticated, so be careful!

Camping

You can camp on the beach at Cape Lookout National Seashore. You don’t even need a permit to do it. Now, there are no designated camp sites. All of the camping is anywhere you can find along the beach. Also, all of the camping is primitive. No water, no facilities, just you and your loved ones in nature. This might not be the place for people who are new to camping, but if you are seasoned what better way to enjoy camping than out on an island with no light anywhere near you?

Visit A Village

Cape Lookout National Seashore has multiple uninhabited villages that take you back in time. These are fishing, shipping, and lifesaving villages that were once important places in the life of coastal North Carolina. As other towns and ports sprung up, these places lost their status, but they still stand today reminding visitors of a time long gone.

The most famous of these villages is Portsmouth Village. This area is only accessible by the Ocracoke Ferry (or private boat). Once in the village you can visit the general store, post office, some historical homes, and the local church. The village is open seasonally, so check the times and dates on the National Park page.

Make Sure You Know These Things

Come Prepared

You are allowed a couple of personal items each on the ferry to the barrier islands. If you are going to be out there for any amount of time make sure you take advantage of this. We always bring all of our beach equipment like our chairs, coolers, toys, and games. We never know what we will end up doing so it is good to come prepared.

No matter what though make sure you bring plenty of food and water. Once you get to the barrier islands you are pretty much on your own. We typically bring a couple of gallons of water and more than enough snacks. You will not be upset if you do this.

Facilities

There are not a ton of facilities once you get to the barrier islands. Most of the major points of interests have bathroom facilities and water fountains. Besides that, you are on your own. Make sure you come prepared.

At the Cape Lookout Lighthouse area there is a small shop where you can purchase beach equipment, water, souvenirs, and snacks. We would not recommend counting on that being open, it can be hit or miss.

Hiking

There are no hiking trails on the barrier islands (there are two trails through the forest by the Harkers Island Visitor’s Center). However, you can hike for hours and hours along the beach. There are some really cool places that you can get to as well – whether that is an old fishing village or lifesaving station. Make sure you have plenty of water and good hiking shoes.

Shuttle Service

The islands of Cape Lookout are pretty large. There are no roads, so if you are trying to get to one end or another you will have a long walk ahead of you (unless you have your own off-road vehicle).

There is one shuttle service that we know of on the island. The shuttle is at the Cape Lookout Lighthouse area and takes you to the northern end of the island where the shelling is especially good. There is a fee for this service, so bring some cash.

Places To Stay

In addition to the primitive camping at Cape Lookout there are a couple of places that you can stay on the islands. Great Island Cabin Camp is located on the South Core Banks and has a little over 20 cabins. These cabins are wired for generators – need to bring your own, and have bathrooms inside. These can house between 4 and 12 people and prices range from $80-$180 per night. Not bad for your own place right on the ocean.

Long Point Cabin Camp is located on North Core Banks and has 10 units. These are duplexes that can hold 6 per half or 12 for the whole building. Much like Great Island Camp, Long Point Cabin Camp is pretty primitive but provides some good place for families to fish or hit the beach.

There it is – all you need to know for your next trip to Cape Lookout National Seashore. Have you ever been? What are your favorite places to go when you are there?

Planning a trip to other North Carolina beaches? Check out our posts on the Outer Banks National Parks, 8 Inner Banks Towns You Must Visit, Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach,

Want to hit up another National Seashore? Check out our Getaway to Canaveral National Seashore.

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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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The Inner Banks are surrounded by sounds, rivers, waterways, and swamps. All of these areas sit on the water and are great places for boating, kayaking, fishing, and any other water activity. All of these towns are full of history and have incredible waterfront areas. Here are our favorite 8 Inner Banks towns to spend a weekend in.

Edenton

Edenton is one of the prettiest towns in North Carolina. Because it is hard to get to, many people miss out on its charm. It is about 30 miles southeast of Elizabeth City on Highway 17. Edenton is a 300 year old town on the Albermarle Sound. The town has done an incredible job preserving its history.

The best way to see this town is to hitch a ride on the trolley. The trolley takes you through the town and shares all of the points of interest. Bonus, it is air-conditioned! It is a little pricey, but we found it was worth it. You can see an Underground Railroad hub, St. Paul’s Church, and the what is believed to be the oldest house in North Carolina dating back to 1718.

Edenton is where we discovered our first River Lighthouse. North Carolina has a handful of them. We have tried to visit all of them but our favorite so far remains the Roanoke River Lighthouse in Edenton. You can tour it for a few dollars which is well worth it.

There are plenty of places to eat on Broad Street in the historic district. We loved the Soda Shoppe and Coffee House there. There are a bunch of higher end restaurants that opened later in the day. We will be back to check those out.

Our Favorite Thing: Trolley Tour! This was a great family activity!

New Bern

New Bern is the second oldest city in North Carolina but is full of North Carolina firsts. The town boast the first state capitol, movie theater, post office, bookstore, bank, Roman Catholic Church, and printing press in the whole state. New Bern is an incredibly historical city on the Neuse River right before it hits the Pamlico Sound.

This town has plenty of shopping, restaurants, night life, museums, and parks to keep you busy for a full weekend. The historic downtown area is pretty large with plenty of places to explore. New Bern is the birthplace of Pepsi, so don’t miss this fun little shop on Middle Street where you can purchase all things Pepsi. We had to get a couple of throwback glass bottles – it is like taking a step back in time, really great experience.

Of course no trip to New Bern is complete without taking a tour of Tryon Palace. This is the first state capitol and the grounds are beautiful. Tickets are available online or at the nearby North Carolina History Center. The best bet is to purchase the $20 day pass ($10 for youth grades 1-12) and be able to tour everything. The gardens are especially beautiful if you go at the right time of the year.

New Bern is known as Bear Town (there are a surprising number of bears along the NC coast). We love walking around finding all of the different bear statues the town has spread out. All of them are decorated differently and tell a different story. It is a really cool touch and fun for kids!

New Bern also has incredible waterfront parks. From the marinas to the river it is stunning. Plenty of room to get out and walk or enjoy a picnic. This town should be on the top of your list.

Our Favorite Thing: Birthplace of Pepsi..grab a bottle Pepsi or a get a Pepsi float!

Oriental

Oriental is a sleepy little fishing community on the banks of the Neuse River. It is known as the sailing capitol of North Carolina. If you are coming in from the west it is about 20 miles down 55 from New Bern. We like to come in from the coast because then we get to take the Cherry Branch – Minnesott Beach Ferry (which is free!). This town has plenty of historical homes, welcoming restaurants, and docks full of trawling boats.

The waterfront here is incredible and there is plenty of room for you to stretch your legs with a walk or bike ride. There are a couple of docks where you can go fishing and watch the sunset. Oriental has a ton of events throughout the year – highlighted by the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival. If you have a chance to check this out, do it. They have a ton of local musicians and you spend the whole day walking around the town listening to them perform from the porches of historic homes. A really cool weekend!

Oriental offers plenty of bed and breakfast locations, a couple of inns, and some rental houses, but because it is so small it can be hard to get a reservation. We loved our time at the River Neuse Suites. They have some great rooms right on the water and within walking distance to everything you will want to visit.

For food, check out M & M’s Cafe, the Toucan Grill, Oriental Deli and Subs, or the Silos – which is a little outside of the town center. For coffee, malts, or ice cream – check out the Bean which is right on the water and a great place to watch the boats come in. Oh, and keep an eye out for the town Dragon!

Our Favorite Thing: Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival, one of our favorite festivals in NC!

Washington

Little Washington is located on the northern bank of the Pamlico River. This town has been under a revitalization over the last decade and it is doing awesome. Little Washington is the perfect place for a weekend getaway along the water. This town might actually have the best waterfront of all of the towns on this post (or at least tied for first with Beaufort and New Bern).

The downtown area has a ton of places to eat and shop in historic buildings. We enjoyed walking around there and the waterfront shopping, eating, and looking at the boats. We especially love the Meeting Place for a quick lunch, Rachel K’s bakery for all things yummy, The Bank for dinner, and Main Street Scoops for ice cream (the Dairy Palace is legit too). Next time we are in town we are going to go to King Chicken for some down home soul food, haven’t been, but have heard great things.

For nature lovers you can check out the North Carolina Estuarium, the country’s first. It is an aquarium for the sound. We had a blast there as a family and especially loved the water cycle sculpture in the main lobby – super cool. The estuarium gives FREE boat tours along the river, but you need to make a reservation in advance.

Right down the road is Goose Creek State Park. This park is beautiful and has a ton to offer in terms of camping, fishing, and boating. Make sure you check this out while you are there.

Our Favorite Thing: The Estuarium (we had never been to one before)!

Beaufort

Beaufort is probably the most accessible of the Inner Banks towns on this list. It is located right by Morehead City near the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. Beaufort might be our favorite town on this list (really five of these could be). Beaufort has an amazing waterfront where you can watch the boats go by, take a ferry to one of the many islands around the town, explore houses that are 250 years old all over the place, visit a National Park office, and plenty of options for food and drink.

When you go to Beaufort you need to go to Cape Lookout National Seashore. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in North Carolina and is also one of the most secluded. We have gone a couple of times and both of these times we counted no more than 30 people on the beach.

Most people stay on the sound side of the island. The sound side is a little different – but in a good way. The water is crystal clear and it feels like you are on a tropical beach thousands of miles of way. There is a great lighthouse and you can find all sorts of shells there. Check the National Park website for ferry times – sometimes (depending on the weather) they only leave from nearby Harker’s Island (about 30-minutes away).

On the way you can get off the ferry at nearby Shackleford Banks. Here you can spend the day swimming, walking on sand bars, or watching the wild horses running around. It is a true North Carolina experience.

Last time we were in Beaufort we stayed at the Beaufort Hotel. It was a really great resort that made you feel like you were away from it all. We highly recommend staying there.

Our Favorite Thing: The ferry rides…Cape Lookout being our very favorite!

Bath

Bath is the smallest of the Inner Banks towns on this list and maybe one of the smallest in all of North Carolina. As of the writing of this post the town has a population of 242. Bath is located on the mouth of the Pamlico River and has some stunning water views from the community park.

Bath is the oldest town in North Carolina (and has the oldest church). It was incorporated in 1705 – that is crazy old for the United States. You can go into the Van Der Meer House, built in 1790, to learn all about the history. There are not a ton of options for lodging in Bath, so you will have to make a reservation far in advance. However, it is close to Washington and if you can’t make a weekend out of it, you can at least make an afternoon.

Besides being North Carolina’s first town, Bath’s other claim to fame is one of it’s earliest residents. Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard the pirate. Teach is rumored to have had a house in Bath. He stayed here during a short retirement from piracy before he was drawn back into the pirate life and ultimately captured and beheaded. The things you learn visiting these small towns.

This town is also close to Goose Creek State Park and has some excellent boating options.

Our Favorite Thing: The Blackbeard history!

Elizabeth City

Elizabeth City is the “Harbor of Hospitality” and it was easy for us to see why. Everyone we talked to on our visit here was extremely kind, helpful, and proud of their town. Elizabeth City is on the Pasquotank River right before it flows into the Albermarle Sound in northeast North Carolina. This town has a huge harbor that is fun to walk along and a pretty large downtown with plenty of shops and dining.

The town is right near both Dismal Swamp and Merchants Millpond State Parks. These parks are pretty unique in our state and are enchantingly beautiful. Both are great places to go kayaking or hiking. Just watch out for the bears and alligators!

There is a lot of history in Elizabeth City and the town offers a variety of tours. You can learn about the Underground Railroad, Civil War, Albermarle Sound history and so much more. The city also has a growing number of wineries and breweries (including the oldest in the state) if that is your thing.

Another cool thing you can do is to charter a boat or rent your own on Pelican Marina. The marina is located just across the drawbridge across from downtown Elizabeth City. This would make for a fun adventure!

Elizabeth City is the perfect gateway town to the Outer Banks.

Our Favorite Thing: Walking the waterfront, it was so quiet and calming on a Sunday evening.

Swansboro

Swansboro is one of the cutest Inner Banks towns on the southern end of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. This town is quiet and peaceful, a perfect place to go and relax. The historic waterfront along the White Oak River and the Intracoastal Waterway has a bunch of really cute antique stores, a good variety of restaurants, and plenty of public areas to sit and watch the water.

Like most of these towns on this list, this is a great place to play on the water. Kayaking is really cool here because you can paddle out to the sandbars in the river and then head straight to town to eat or relax. Swansboro has multiple chain hotels as well as some great Airbnbs and bed and breakfast locations and you can usually find a place to stay.

Hammock’s Beach State Park is in Swansboro and it is one of our favorite State Parks. This park is unique because the majority of it is accessible by boat only. You can take a ferry from the visitor’s center (for a small fee) to nearby Bear Island. This island has an amazing beach and is pretty secluded. If you take the ferry you will have to walk for a bit to get to the beach, but it is worth it. If you have your own boat or kayak you can just head there on your own.

Our Favorite Thing: Hammocks Beach State Park, its a unique state park experience – don’t miss the Ferry to Bear Island!

That’s our list! In the comments below let us know how many of these Inner Banks towns you have been to and which one is your favorite. We think each of these towns deserves a visit! This part of NC is so special and different. Thanks for checking this out and have fun going the adventure way at these awesome Inner Banks towns!

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Where is Grandfather Mountain?

There is a little bit of confusion about Grandfather Mountain…at least it was to us! Grandfather Mountain is a mountain, attraction and a state park. The State Park, which is run by the NC State park system is in a completely different location. The state park portion of Grandfather Mountain is free to visit. It includes several long hiking trails and it’s where you need to go to get your passport stamp. If you want to check out what to do at Grandfather Mountain state park visit our Boone Hiking Guide for details! For this post, we are focusing on the Grandfather Mountain attraction that includes an entrance fee and is located at 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy in Linville, NC. We think most people think of this location when they hear Grandfather Mountain- since it includes the iconic mile high swinging bridge!

Know Before You Go

Cost

First thing to note is the cost for admission! It is not cheap to visit. To visit Grandfather Mountain it cost $22 per adult, (60+) $20 and $9 per child (4-12). There is also a bridge membership you can join that is $70 per adult, $30 per child or $215 for groups up to 5. Membership will give you free admission during a one year period. Grandfather Mountain is a non-profit organization and all ticket sales go towards protecting and preserving this beautiful landmark. They do a wonderful job in keeping it clean, maintained and protected! For us, it was worth a trip…not something we would visit over and over but worth it to visit at least once.

Reservations

Second thing to know is that you must purchase and reserve a spot online. You cannot show up and buy tickets at the gate! We purchased tickets the morning of and had no issues in the spring…during busier times that might be a little more difficult. So plan ahead! We would not suggest just showing up during a summer peak season day without already reserving a ticket spot.

Food

Next, let’s talk food. There is one cafe type restaurant located onsite and a little shop that sells snacks. The restaurant is small and tends to get crowded fast. You are allowed to bring picnics and there are tons of spots to stop and enjoy a meal on the Mountain. Definitely take advantage of that!

Weather

Finally, the weather is always important when visiting the NC Mountains. Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak on the eastern portion of the Blueridge Mountains. Because of this, the weather can be iffy. You have fog, wind, temps going up and down and rain that can surprise you. Just be sure to be prepared and check the weather before heading there! We went on a spring day and it was extremely windy on the swinging bridge, pretty chilly and scattered showers. It felt like we experienced several seasons in one day.

What to do at Grandfather Mountain

Mile High Swinging Bridge

This is probably the most iconic portion of the park! The bridge is a mile above sea level and America’s highest suspension footbridge. It gives you amazing views everywhere you turn. There is an elevator making it accessible for all and a gift shop at the top. It can get extremely crowded in normal times so make sure to plan for that. We went during a pandemic and practically had the place to ourselves. In our minds we thought the bridge would be a lot scarier to cross than it was. We felt really safe and had zero issues…and we even have a person who doesn’t enjoy heights. I witnessed a group who had people refuse to go up and that made me sad. At least make it to the bridge crossing before you decide!

Once you cross over the bridge you can spend some time walking and climbing along the rock edges. It’s a great place for a snack or to sit back and take a few long deep breaths. The views you get here are outstanding! Take some time to enjoy the scenery from the top.

Hiking Trails

There are some really amazing trails to check out when in Grandfather Mountain. You can access several from the parking lot of the swinging bridge and also the hiker’s parking area. The trails from the swinging bridge are marked as extremely strenuous. They include ladders and ropes and some steep climbing! Our 9 year old was able to manage them just fine, matter of fact he loved it. It’s definitely a challenge but not overwhelming. We hiked the Grandfather trail up to Macrae Peak and looped back to the Underwood trail on our way back down. Honestly, one of our favorite trails in all of NC. It’s so fun! If you enjoy hiking, don’t miss this!

Nature Museum and Wildlife Habitat

We loved this part of our trip! The wildlife habitat is a sweet little exhibit of a few NC animals. You can see black bears, otters, bald eagles and elk! The otters were our favorite. They were so playful the day we visited. We also enjoyed talking with the keepers of the animals. They really took time to answer all of Silas’ questions, which were a lot! There is also a little museum to check out here and this is where the cafe is located.

Fun Spots to Check Out

Split Rock – this is a fun rock formation to stop and check out! It’s pretty cool how it has formed.

Forrest Gump’s Famous Run – One day he just started running. Did you know that a part of the Forrest Gump running scene was filmed in Grandfather Mountain? We actually had no idea. You can check out this fun location in the park and it’s marked as Forrest Gump’s curve!

Wood’s Walk & Picnic Area – we spent some time here walking this easy trail and relaxing after a day spent exploring. There are several great picnic tables and shelters here too!

Takeaways

Grandfather Mountain is a great place to go the adventure way! We were kind of surprised by how much we enjoyed our visit. The hiking trail to Macrae Peak was probably our favorite part because it was so unexpected. We really thought the swinging bridge was the only thing you did here. Between the bridge, hiking and animals – we were sold. The park reminded us a lot of Chimney Rock because there is a portion ran by the state and also a portion that is a paid attraction. We have now visited both the Grandfather Mountain state park and attraction and both were a fun and enjoyable experience! If you haven’t made it to Grandfather Mountain yet and crossed the swinging bridge – put it on your NC Bucket list!

PS! Looking for other awesome NC locations to visit? Check out our guides to Mt. Mitchell, South Mountains or Mayo River!

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Have you visited Grandfather Mountain? What was your favorite part about your trip? Share with us in the comments!

The post Grandfather Mountain – Tips for a Great Visit! first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

There is a lot of diversity in the ten different Wake County Parks. If you like to hike, play on the water, play on a field, or anything else outdoors you can probably find it at one of the Wake County Parks. We wanted to put together a quick list of the County Parks so you can see what they have to offer and which ones might be a good spot for you to check out on your next local adventure! We’ve included our favorites parts and what to do with kids. Let’s dive in!

Historic Yates Mill County Park

Yates Mill is located off of Lake Wheeler Road in south Raleigh. It sits on the site of the last operating gristmill in Wake County. Yates Mill is a beautiful historic structure and they have done a great job with restoring it to its former glory. The mill is open for guided tours from March to November at a cost. You can walk around the grounds for free, but to go in for the tour you have to pay. Right around the mill there is a beautiful man-made waterfall with plenty of places to walk around and explore. There are also some beautiful boardwalks and overlooks of the pond.

Yates Mill offers three miles of hiking trails in and around the pond. These are great for any level of hiker. They are short, shady, and scenic (for the area). There is fishing from the main bridge spanning the park.

Yates Mill has an incredible visitor’s center that is fun and interactive. You can learn all about how mills work in a hands on way. They have done a great job putting together the different exhibits and make it fun. There are beautiful educational gardens throughout with plenty of walkways and places to sit and enjoy the beauty.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hanging out around the rocks by the waterfall near the mill.

Green Hills County Park

This park was easily the most surprising for us out of all of them. It is located off of Durant Road in Raleigh. When we pulled into the park we thought that our GPS was messed up because we saw signs for a dump. We quickly realized that is what we were going to, a closed landfill. This park sits on an at capacity landfill and it is beautiful.

Green Hills is the highest elevation in all of Wake County – they might have cheated a little, but they have that distinction. It is cool to see the area repurposed into something useful for the whole community.

The best thing to do there is to take the short hike up to the top of the hill. It is a nice, wide trail and it doesn’t take you too long. You are rewarded with 360 degree views for miles and miles. It is a pretty great place to sit and relax on one of the many benches or tables. Quick note, there isn’t any shade on this trail or up top…so a hot day would be pretty tough at this part of the park.

In addition to the main hill, there are play areas, hiking trails (you can walk all the way around the hill), a mountain bike skills course (something that we hadn’t seen before), and other normal park amenities.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Enjoying the views from the top of the old landfill.

Robertson Millpond Preserve

Robertson Millpond is located in Wendell off of Robertson Park Road. This is a special park because it is the only Bald Cypress black water swamp in Central North Carolina. We have been to both Dismal Swamp and Merchants Millpond State Parks in Northeast North Carolina and this park makes you feel like you are transported there.

The main thing to do is to kayak or canoe at this park. They have an incredible 1.15 mile kayak trail through the swamp. There is a great little boat launch ramp at the main parking area, but it can get crowded on busy days.

In addition to being on the water, there is a short hiking trail that allows you to take in this unique landscape. Another great thing to do is fish at Robertson Millpond. They have an incredible fishing pier right by the boat launch area. A perfect place to relax in the shade.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Fishing off of the pier in the black water (though we just got kayaks so this will change we think).

Harris Lake County Park

Harris Lake might be the best all-around Wake County Park because of all it has to offer. There is boating, hiking, play areas, fishing, mountain bike trails, educational gardens, frisbee golf, and so much more. This park is located in New Hill in Southwest Wake County. It is right next to the Shearon Harris power plant, you can see it from some of the hiking trails. It is massive, over 680-acres.

This is one of our favorite places to go frisbee golfing. There are some really great holes and many are right by the water. We have made plenty of splashes through the years in that lake. This is also one of our favorite places to go hiking if we need to stay local but still want to get into the woods.

There are plenty of fishing locations here as well. You can fish on the lake or in one of the ponds in the park. Every time we go to this park we see plenty of wildlife. We even saw an all-white deer here one time, it was awesome!

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Frisbee Golf!

American Tobacco Trail

The American Tobacco Trail is an old railway line that was converted to a recreational trail in 2001. This trail is one of the most popular trails in the triangle area of North Carolina. The trail has sections in Wake (6.5 miles), Chatham (4.7 miles), and Durham (11.4 miles) counties. It goes from New Hill to downtown Durham, over 22 miles. You can hike, bike, or ride horses down this trail there are some exhibits and gardens along the way, but bathrooms and water are few and far between, so plan accordingly. There are also a ton of trails that connect to the ATT. A lot of local towns have access that you wouldn’t normally think.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hiking from New Hill to Bond Park on the ATT and the White Oak Creek Trail – about 10 miles, that’s a lot for us!

Historic Oak View County Park

Oak View is located in Raleigh off of Poole Road. This is just a fantastic park that is incredibly unique. The park is on a 19th century farmstead that tells the story of North Carolina agriculture. They have plenty of programs and events that are immersive and hands on along with a great visitors center. You can go into most of the historic buildings on property to tour them.

This park has a couple of very short walking trails but you really come here to take your time walking around the grounds. There are two ponds on site where you can go fishing. This is a mini-working farm, so they still grow some crops and have some animals. It is a beautiful place to relax on a nice day.

This is a great park for families with little kids because of the animals and room to run…but also a great place for a couple to go on a quiet picnic or walk together. It’s just really beautiful here and one we will continue coming back to.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hanging out with the goats, they were great!

Blue Jay Point County Park

Blue Jay Point is a park within a park. It is located on Falls Lake which is a State Park. Blue Jay Point is part of the shoreline that is run by the county. Blue Jay Point has a ton of trails (part of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail goes through this park), a lot of the regular park features like ballfields and playgrounds, and a great visitors center and surrounding gardens. They even have a zip-line course you can tackle. This is not run by the county and is an additional fee.

Our favorite part of our visit was hiking out to Blue Jay Point. You can get there directly by taking the Blue Jay Point Trail from one of the many parking lots. We decided though to take part of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail and connect to the Blue Jay Point Trail from it. Blue Jay Point is a pretty relaxing peninsula sticking out in Falls Lake. This place can get pretty crowded though, so you might need some patience on busy days finding a good spot.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hiking on the Mountains-To-Sea Trail.

Lake Crabtree County Park

Lake Crabtree is in Morrisville by RDU Airport. It is a nice little lake park with a lot of the typical lake park amenities. Crabtree has a fantastic fishing pier. It is pretty large and spacious. Boating is big here as well and you can usually spot a couple of sailboats.

There are plenty of trails at this park, both for mountain biking and foot traffic. The mountain bike trails get pretty packed on nice days. This park has a mountain bike skills course as well. The Lake Trail is one of the larger ones you will find at a Wake County Park at 6 miles. Crabtree has a good educational hiking trail with a bunch of really great info on the local plant life.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Walking the Old Beech Nature Trail.

Turnipseed Nature Preserve

Turnipseed is the newest Wake County Park. It is in Wendell right near the Johnston County line. The main feature of this park is the rock outcrops that are scattered around the trail. They are in the woods along the trails and are pretty cool. There is about 3 miles of hiking trails here.

The centerpiece of the trail though is the bridge on the Boulder Trail. It is a pretty cool structure. Take a couple of minutes and walk the little path that goes near the base of the trail near the Gin Branch Creek. You can see some great rock formations and a really peaceful stream.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Walking the path along Gin Branch Creek.

Crowder County Park

Of all of the parks Crowder County Park is the most like a local town park. It is one of the smaller parks but it still has plenty to offer. The highlight of the park is the trail that goes throughout the park. There is an inner and outer loop of the trail, one around the pond and the other around the perimeter of the park. Both are fun and offer different views. If you take the longer route you will go through educational gardens and a bird feeder park. This park is about to triple in size of the next couple of years so we are excited to see what the expansion will bring.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hiked on the Cooper’s Hawk Trail and hanging out around the bridge.

As you can see, the Wake County Parks are pretty diverse and have something for everyone. We really enjoyed being able to adventure to them during our time when we couldn’t get too far away from home. Have you been to any of these parks? Which ones are your favorites? What are some places that you live near that you go to for a dose of adventure?

PS! If you are looking for more parks in explore in the Wake County/Raleigh area check out our guide to Jordan Lake State Recreation Area or our rankings of every NC State Park! We also have some fun ideas to “travel” when you can’t leave the house – a great way to keep the kids engaged when traveling isn’t happening!

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Dan Nicholas Park

Our absolute favorite thing to do around Salisbury is visit Dan Nicholas Park. This park is one of the most unique county parks in all of North Carolina. The reason? All that it has to offer!

Rowan County runs Dan Nicholas Park, and they do a great job with it. The park is located on Bringle Ferry Rd., about a 10 minute drive from downtown Salisbury. This park has your typical ballfields, playgrounds, and picnic areas that you would come to expect at any other park. However, Dan Nicholas has a couple of extra fun activities for you to enjoy. This park has a great lake for water activities, a sweet miniature train, an awesome indoor nature center and aquarium showcasing snakes and lizards from the area, a cool petting zoo (watch out for the donkey, he bites), gem mining, and an actual zoo showcasing animals from all around North Carolina. Not your typical county park offerings.

We have done all of these offerings because all of them are so cheap or free. You can do gem mining for as little as $8. A ticket to the zoo is $1 for adults and $.50 for kids. The petting zoo is $.50 for every age. It could be the best bang for your buck in the whole state.

Though all of these attractions are great, the zoo featuring the North Carolina animals stands out. This zoo has a couple of beautiful bald eagles, two awesome black bears, deer, owls, a bobcat, the endangered red wolf, and so many more. It is an awesome experience and for a dollar or less per person it is an awesome deal.

Eat Some BBQ

We are BBQ fans. We grew up and still live in North Carolina where the best BBQ in the world is located. Now we love Texas BBQ, St. Louis BBQ, and Memphis BBQ – really any kind of sweet, smoked, meat is good in our book. They are all different and all are tasty. What makes North Carolina different is the pulled (or chopped) pork. Other areas have brisket or ribs – they definitely rule in those areas. But North Carolina is the king of chopped or pulled pork.

North Carolina has a BBQ Trail. We are trying to hit up all of these epic eateries as we travel through the state. A day in Salisbury has to include some BBQ. The Salisbury area has 6 stops within a 30 minute drive, including maybe the most historic BBQ town of all, Lexington.

In Salisbury, there are two places that will battle for your BBQ loving attention – Wink’s and Richard’s. We have yet to go to Richard’s but we absolutely love Wink’s. The BBQ and sauce is sweet and delicious. The cue is smokey and always good. What makes Wink’s stand out compared to other BBQ places are the amount and quality of sides. Sides make or break a BBQ joint, and Wink’s excels at them. They have some of the best hushpuppies we have tried on the trail so far. The service was also amazing, so many sweet, smiling faces!

Visit Spanky’s

Not that Wink’s doesn’t have great desserts, but no trip to Salisbury is complete until you hit up Spanky’s for some homemade ice cream. We love this place so much! Spanky’s is on N. Main Street right in the heart of downtown Salisbury. This is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor that also serves deli sandwiches. Spanky’s has that really great retro feel with the black and white tile and fun sitting areas. They usually have a pretty good variety of ice cream. The perfect place to grab a cone and walk through downtown.

Boone’s Cave Park

Boone’s Cave Park is an incredible little park we found on our last trip to this area. It is a great place to stop when you are heading in for a day in Salisbury. It isn’t in Salisbury, about 15 minutes north on I-85. Legend has it that a 16-year old Daniel Boone lived here with his family for a year while they were moving out towards the mountain. The legend says that the Boone family lived in a home on one side of the park, where the footings of the house still remain, and would hide in the cave on the other side when Native Americans came to visit.

Boone’s Cave Park has 7.5 miles of trails. Most of them are pretty short but put together they make for a good day out in the woods. The trails take you by the cave, cabin, a boardwalk over the wetlands, and along the Yadkin River. The river is actually pretty wide at this park and if has been raining it offers a great view. There are picnic shelters throughout, bathroom facilities, campgrounds, vending machines, and a nice little monument to Daniel Boone explaining the history.

A really cool place to visit is the cave. This cave is not huge, but it is big enough to get in and crawl around a little in. To get there, you have to drive all the way to the end of the parking area and take the stairs to the right. There are a bunch of stairs, so be prepared for the walk back up. The cave is right at the end of the stairs to the left. There are some great benches on the stairs with some really sweet views of the river.

This park does have a gate that closes every night. If you are going, you might need to show up about 45 minutes before closing time. Sometimes they will start to close down early – don’t get stuck!

Walk Historic Downtown

If you are looking for a downtown with that old-time charm Salisbury is the place for you. This is an actual historic downtown that covers multiple city blocks. Each block has its own unique architecture. Downtown Salisbury is an excellent place to take an afternoon walk. As with most downtown areas in North Carolina towns, most places close at 5 pm.

When you are walking around, there are a bunch of antique shops and other places to shop. Salisbury also has plenty of restaurant offerings. You can step into the Rowan County Museum or check out one of the awesome murals they have around town. This really is a walk back in time. Another really cool feature to check out while walking downtown are the various tile entrances to most of the buildings. Don’t forget to look down while you are walking in. You must do this when you spend a day in Salisbury.

Take A Trolley Ride

If you aren’t feeling up for a walk downtown, you can always catch the Trolley! Tours are only offered on Saturday starting at 11 am from April – October. (Also, always check openings and times for everything we suggest…you never know when a pandemic will change it all). The Historic Trolley tour takes you through prominent locations throughout the town like the original Cheerwine building and filming locations of movies/tv shows. The cost is $8 for adults and children 3-12 are $5 and under 3 is free.

Salisbury is the quintessential North Carolina town to spend a day in. It is a great place to spend time shopping, eating, or enjoying nature. Definitely make a stop on your next time through, or plan a day just to go there!

PS! If you want some other ideas for visiting North Carolina towns, check out our posts on Little Washington, Edenton, Mt. Airy, Apex, Carolina Beach, Pinehurst, or Historic Halifax.

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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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