Crowders Mountain State Park is a 5,217-acre (21.11 km²) state park in Gaston County, North Carolina. Located near Kings Mountain, North Carolina and just outside Gastonia, North Carolina, the park includes the peaks of Crowder's Mountain and The Pinnacle. The cliffs are a popular destination for rock climbers.
Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the eastern United States. Located near Burnsville in Yancey County, North Carolina in the Black Mountain range of the Southern Appalachians, it is part of an intricate mountain system featuring some of the oldest and most complex geological formations on earth.
Located in Durham and Orange counties 10 miles northwest of downtown Durham, Eno River State Parks spans across five access areas along its namesake river. The swift, but often shallow stream of the river can make for difficult paddling but provides beautiful landmarks like the Cascades.
Jordan Lake is a 13,900-acre reservoir in New Hope Valley, west of Cary and south of Durham in Chatham County, North Carolina; the northernmost end of the lake extends into southwestern Durham County. Jordan Lake offers boating, camping, fishing, swimming and a full-service commercial marina. It is one of the largest summertime homes of the bald eagle in the eastern United States.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a United States national seashore which preserves the portion of the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island.
The Western North Carolina Nature Center is a 42-acre (17 ha) zoological park in Western North Carolina operated by the City of Asheville. It was originally opened in 1925 and known as Recreation Park Zoo, Craig Park Zoo, and Asheville City Zoo and housed a wide variety of native and non-native wildlife.
Halyburton Park in Wilmington, NC, is a 60-acre park with a nature preserve that is 70% undeveloped. The park features gently rolling sandhills, a habitat that is rare in the coastal Carolinas. Halyburton Park has a 1.3-mile paved, handicap-accessible trail that circles the park's perimeter and connects to the Gary Shell Cross City Trail. There are also offshoot trails to explore.
In addition to the centerpiece freshwater lake, Smith Creek Park off Gordon and Harris Roads, near I-40 includes a playground, picnic shelter with restrooms, and 1.3 mile paved multi-purpose trail. A floating dock on the lake allows you to launch a kayak or other non-motorized boat.
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier is the first concrete fishing pier in the state of North Carolina, located in the heart of Wrightsville Beach, extends more than 1200 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. Johnnie Mercers Pier is a must see for anyone visiting the Wrightsville Beach/ Wilmington area.
At 8.4 miles in length Masonboro Island Reserve is the longest undisturbed barrier island ecosystem in southern North Carolina. The Reserve protects coastal habitats for long-term research, education, and stewardship. The Masonboro Island site can only be reached by boat, kayak or canoe.
The North Carolina Arboretum (434 acres or 176 ha) is an arboretum and botanical garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest.
Historic Bethabara Park, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a preserved site that showcases the early settlement of the Moravians, a religious group from Eastern Europe. Established in 1753, Bethabara was the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina and played a crucial role in the development of the region.
This 17-acre site features 14 plant collections, special display gardens and distinct structural features. The extensive variety of plants offers rich educational opportunities for children and adults, landscape designers, and homeowners.
Looking Glass Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. It is perhaps the best known waterfall in the area. It's about 60' high and swimming is allowed in the pool at the base. The water is always cold.
Located in Washington, Hyde and Tyrrell counties, the refuge includes portions of the banks along the Scuppernong and Alligator Rivers. Visitors may observe a variety of wildlife, birds, natural vegetation and beauty. Facilities include restrooms, the Walter B. Jones, Sr. Center for the Sounds visitor center, free parking and picnic area.
Stone Mountain State Park is a picturesque natural area located near Roaring Gap in northwestern North Carolina, in the United States. It is known for its stunning landscapes, including the massive Stone Mountain, a granite dome that rises prominently from the surrounding terrain.
Pilot Mountain State Park is a popular outdoor recreation area located near Pinnacle, North Carolina. It is known for its distinctive landmark, Pilot Mountain, which stands as a prominent peak in the North Carolina Piedmont region. Pilot Mountain State Park covers 3735 acre and includes the distinctive 2,241 foot (683 m) peak of Pilot Mountain.
