10 Best North Carolina State Parks

10. Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park is along the southern coast of NC located in Carolina Beach. Close to Wilmington and Kure Beach, Carolina Beach State Park is a great place to beach camp and go ocean fishing. With many diverse habitats and varieties of plant species, including the Venus flytrap which is extremely prominent; (LINK 1) you will be sure to find some of nature’s beautiful wonders right here.

Fishing is prohibited at the park because of the strong currents, but visitors can enjoy using the two boat launch points that will lead you out onto the Cape Fear River, Masonboro Sound, or the Atlantic Ocean where you can indulge in some of the best fishing waters in North Carolina. If you enjoy camping, you can reserve a site in the campground that provides shaded trees and a ring for a campfire, or reserve a cabin if you need a few more amenities. Hot showers and bathrooms are provided, so you won’t have to worry about keeping clean in this sandy environment.          

9. Hammocks Beach State Park

While Hammocks Beach State Park is in the middle of nowhere – also known as Swansboro, NC, this park lands you right at the ocean front’s door on a 3-mile long private barrier island called Bear Island. It is accessible only through the park’s ferry, or paddling a canoe or kayak (LINK 2). With opportunities to camp overnight right on the beach, this park is a beauty and provides a place for solitude and relaxation.  

You can easily find something to do – as renting a canoe, kayak, or paddle board through Hidden Coast Adventures (LINK 3) gives you access to explore the inlet and provides sights of untouched forest, marshes, and marine life such as dolphins, crabs, and sea urchins. Reserve your campsite in advance for a fee between $28-$35/night and enjoy time with the stars above and the delightful sounds of the sea crashing down in the distance.

8. Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Jockey’s Ridge State park is located in one of the most natural and peaceful areas of North Carolina. Right at the edge of the state, Nags Head, NC also known as the place of first flight, you will be right in the heart of The Outer Banks and Kill Devil Hills. With sand dunes and nothing but water surrounding you, Jockey’s Ridge State Park is sure to offer some beautiful sights that are absolutely breathtaking.

Activities include hang gliding, kite flying, sand and kite-boarding, swimming, picnicking, trails on a 360 foot boardwalk, and more. The possibilities are endless and the breeze is a constant. This breeze is what shapes and forms the dunes into varying heights of 80-100 feet. A lady named Carolista Baum saved the dunes in the summer of 1973 when she stood in the path of a bulldozer about to destroy the them in preparation to build a residential development (LINK 4). Now a National Natural Landmark, these dunes are the largest on the East Coast and provide a great playground for Jockey’s Ridge State Park.    

7. Crowders Mountain State Park

Located less than an hour from Charlotte, NC, Crowders Mountain State park packs some intense hikes along with rewarding views of the surrounding Piedmont of North Carolina. Activities ranging from rock climbing, fishing, canoeing, and eleven different trail options ranging from moderate all the way to strenuous in difficulty; this park is a place for you to get away from the city, and enjoy a good workout (LINK 5).

For camping options, you can enjoy the amenities of having drinking water and a vault style toilet and sit by a campfire, grill out and eat at the provided picnic tables. Firewood is available for $5/locker, so never fear running out of warmth. With something for everyone, this is another State Park that is well worth the visit and right in the middle of the city so you aren’t completely stuck out in the middle of nowhere.

6. Morrow Mountain State park

With Morrow Mountain State Park also being close to Charlotte, it has one of the highest peaks in the Piedmont and is located in Albemarle, NC. The hike is worth the work in this case as you can see the surrounding area for miles once to the top of the popular Sugar Loaf Mountain Trail that spans a total of 2.8 miles round-trip. With many other activities that will definitively keep you busy, including access to the Pee Dee River and Lake Tillery, this park offers boat, canoe, and kayak rentals to the adventurous water visitors.

To enjoy other activities you do not have to go very far as there are many other trails to check out that range from easy to strenuous, short to long, and wooded, or with a view! You can camp in primitive spots or use the family campground that is equipped with drinking water, restrooms, and showers (LINK 6). Cool off in the parks swimming pool, or learn something new at the museum that are both open daily. If you live in or around the area of Albemarle, Morrow Mountain State Park is the place to be to enjoy family or individual fun.

5. South Mountains State Park

In Connelly Springs, NC lays an 80-foot high waterfall at South Mountains State Park. With refreshing mountain streams running along most of the trails, this place is sure to cool you off on a hot summer’s day. Most of the trails are rated between moderate and strenuous, making sure to give your body a run for its money. Definitely worth the sore legs later in the week as once you realize the drop in temperature compared to the flatter regions of NC, you’ll want to keep coming back.

With activities ranging from fishing, back-country camping, mountain bike trails, horseback riding, or you can just enjoy a nice picnic. Whatever the heart desires, this park is sure to pack in some fun during a day trip (LINK 7). If camping, make sure to reserve your campsite at the park office, and enjoy a night in the forest with the stars in complete solitude as crickets and frogs sing in the background. The undeveloped area of forest trees, wildflowers, and wildlife at South Mountains State Park is what makes it so beautiful and well worth the visit.   

4. Eno River State Park

Headed back to the central part of NC in Durham brings you to the Eno River State Park. With a shallow stream running through most of the trails, this park is a nice area to take your shoes off and play in the river just like when you were a kid. With all trails being relatively easy and on flat terrain, it is great for children or people looking for an easy day.

Eno River State Park was used years ago by early settlers and to this day, the old mill and a few home sites can be found while foraging the trails here (LINK 8). With back-country camping also available, it can be nice to escape reality for a weekend and take yourself into the woods for a new adventure. Many people flock here in the summer months to cool off in the river, try their hand at fishing, and enjoy picnics by the water in the company of friends and family. 

3. Hanging Rock State Park

Head to the small town of Danbury, NC and you will find yourself at Hanging Rock State Park. Once to the top of the most popular trail – The Hanging Rock Trail, look for amazing views of the surrounding cities and towns after a moderate hike of 1.30 miles. With many other trails including waterfalls and streams, there is always something to explore here and you will not be disappointed.  

From camping, to swimming, fishing, and boating, Hanging Rock is the place to be. Rock climbing is available by permit on the Cook’s Wall and Moore’s Wall cliffs that span up to 400 feet high, and two miles long (LINK 9). Kayaks and canoes are available for rent, and swimming in the lake area costs $5/day and is equipped with a diving board area in the deeper parts. Tent, cabin, and trailer camping is available and be sure to utilize the many picnic areas to enjoy your lunch. With being a local to this park for well over 20 years, it is hard to go and not find something new to enjoy at Hanging Rock State Park.

2. Pilot Mountain State Park

The 2,000 foot high knob of Pilot Mountain State Park can be seen right off US-52 North and is a navigational landmark for many as they make their way through the town of Pinnacle, NC. This park is most widely known for rock climbing, as it offers steep cliffs with amazing views of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains once to the summit (LINK 10). A great place to catch the sunset, and you do not even have to go far as the park’s main parking lot offers a lookout with a view you are sure to go head over heels for in the dawn of the fall season of late October.  

With activities ranging from paddling the Yadkin River, bicycling trails, hiking trails, and fishing, Pilot Mountain is a central NC favorite among visitors who return time after time. When on the river, be sure to look for the Bean Shoals Canal Wall that was built in the years of 1820-1825, but sadly it was abandoned and never completed. A sight to see while you relax in the beautiful waters and make your way down the river. Plenty of trails for avid hikers as well, but if you want an easy hike, the Pinnacle Overlook Trail is the one and it offers an amazing view of the famous “knob”.    

1. Grandfather Mountain State Park

 “The Mother of all parks”, or better, the “Grandfather” of all parks in this case. Grandfather Mountain State Park is located in Banner Elk, NC and some say it is The Grand Canyon of the East. Once you hike the grueling Profile Trail that is 3.10 miles one way and takes you an hour a mile, you will be sure to agree. With steep rock scrambles, ropes, and ladders, making your way through the trails at this park is no joking matter and one should take careful caution as they prepare.

A major point to note about Grandfather Mountain State Park is that the state park side, is where you get all rough and dirty on the trails (LINK 11). But for a more family oriented and fun side, be sure to visit the mile high swinging bridge attraction right up the road (LINK 12). This attraction offers a beautiful bridge with a daunting breeze that makes you feel as though you might just fly right off. Also be sure to enjoy the wildlife habitats that includes black bears and cougars, a nature museum, the fudge shop, and of course a few hiking trails. Rated the best because it offers the best, Grandfather Mountain State Park should be a visit every resident of NC makes in their lifetime.     

Link 1: https://www.ncparks.gov/carolina-beach-state-park

Link 2: https://www.ncparks.gov/hammocks-beach-state-park

Link 3: http://paddlenc.com/rentals-hammocks-beach/

Link 4: https://www.ncparks.gov/jockeys-ridge-state-park

Link 5: https://www.ncparks.gov/crowders-mountain-state-park

Link 6: https://www.ncparks.gov/morrow-mountain-state-park

Link 7: https://www.ncparks.gov/south-mountains-state-park

Link 8: https://www.ncparks.gov/eno-river-state-park

Link 9: https://www.ncparks.gov/hanging-rock-state-park

Link 10: https://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park

Link 11: https://www.ncparks.gov/grandfather-mountain-state-park

Link 12: https://grandfather.com/