North Carolina
Looking for the best chillin in North Carolina? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around North Carolina. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Chillin Spots in and near North Carolina
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Morrisville, North Carolina
Day Trip to Lake Crabtree
5.0Lake Crabtree is a 215 acre park that sits right next to a 520 acre flood control lake, known as Lake Crabtree. The park is open year round and offers a plethora of different activities. Hiking trails are accessible to hikers and runners while bikes are also permitted on multi-use trails. The par...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Hike to Alarka Falls
5.01 mi / 100 ft gainTo visit the falls, take US-74 west from Bryson City to exit 64 . Take a left at the exit and drive on Alarka Road for about 10 miles. Follow the road all the way to the end where you will find a turnaround. Don't make the mistake of following the forest service road (it is gated), as it is not ...Read more -
Lake Lure, North Carolina
Boulder at Rumbling Bald
4.51.5 miLocated off of Boys Camp Rd. in Lake Lure, North Carolina, Rumbling Bald is a huge boulder yard that has been in use since the 1970's and has begun to flourish. Conveniently at the trail head is a gravel parking lot with three Port A Johns to use. Make sure you get to the parking lot early thou...Read more -
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Hike to the Top of Bearwallow Mountain
5.02 mi / 583 ft gainOnce you have parked along the roadside near the trailhead, pass through the big gate on the right side of the road and take the trail off to the right. The trail winds up the mountain for a mile before it empties out onto the bald atop Bearwallow. Once on the bald, you can follow the gravel road...Read more -
Brevard, North Carolina
Hike to John Rock
5.05 mi / 1000 ft gainThis 5 mile loop begins at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and State Fish Hatchery near Brevard, NC. Ample parking is available adjacent to the trailhead with bathrooms and water accessible. Grab a map from inside as well. To start the hike, look at the education center, to the left is t...Read more -
Newland, North Carolina
Big Hump Mountain via the Appalachian Trail
4.57.83 mi / 2021 ft gainTowering over Little Hump Mountain, Big Hump Mountain offers one of the clearest views on the Appalachian Trail. Big Hump Mountain is located in the Roan Highlands North of Bradley Gap. This peak is not as traveled as other popular hikes in the area despite its massive size because of the intense...Read more -
Marion, North Carolina
Drive the Scenic Lake Tahoma
This scenic drive is along NC 80 between a small town called Pleasant Gardens and Micaville. It can also be taken in the opposite direction depending on where you are driving from, but the main attraction is Lake Tahoma. Lake Tahoma is a private lake in the Western North Carolina Mountains, but ...Read more -
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Hike to Yellow Mountain Fire Tower via Cloud Catcher Lane
5.01.5 mi / 700 ft gainYellow Mountain Fire Tower features some of the best views, looking out over both the Northern Georgia mountains as well as seeing the flat-lands of South Carolina past the mountain ranges. This hike is pretty well known for its 12-mile round trip trek, starting in Cashiers, NC, however, there's ...Read more -
Nags Head, North Carolina
Photograph Bodie Island Lighthouse
5.0Bodie Island Lighthouse is one of five lighthouses located on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Located just 10 miles south of Nags Head, NC. To reach the lighthouse follow Cape Hatteras National Park Rd (HWY 12) from the intersection of HWY 158 for 5.2 mile then turn right onto Bodie Island L...Read more -
Newland, North Carolina
Hike to Bradley Gap along the Appalachian Trail
4.6 mi / 1339 ft gainBradley Gap rests along the Appalachian Trail overlooking North Carolina and Tennessee mountains. Part of the Roan Highlands, Bradley Gap can be accessed via Yellow Mountain Gap Trailhead. Follow the Roaring Fork Trail from the trailhead until you intersect the Appalachian Trail (White Blaze) app...Read more -
Wilmington, North Carolina
Explore River Road Park
5.0At the end of River Road Park Rd. there is a small pier to fish off of or to just lounge on. On both the right and left side of the pier there are trails in the forest to wander through. The trails on the right walk you on the edge of the water and open up to a large field of wild grass. This ...Read more -
Highlands, North Carolina
Hike the Whiteside Mountain Loop
5.02 mi / 595 ft gainWhiteside Mountain is simply breathtaking, there is no way around it. Views of the mountain from the South expose its sheer granite face, which runs almost its entire length East-to-West. However, the views of the mountain are just the beginning, as this hike climbs to higher heights than just ...Read more -
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Hike to Hooker Falls
4.00.8 mi / 100 ft gainHooker Falls is located in Dupont State Forest in southern North Carolina. The hike is a great hike for kids to go on and to have a picnic. The waterfall is a beautiful waterfall that offers a great place to swim. Along the hike there are also other places you can see the river and you can swim a...Read more -
Highlands, North Carolina
Bouldering Granite City
5.00.3 mi / 96 ft gainAt the foot of Blackrock Mountain just outside of Highlands, North Carolina, lies one of the most unique and secluded natural playgrounds around. Granite City is composed of several massive granite boulders, ranging between 10-40 feet tall. This spot is most popular for bouldering (mostly V0-V2...Read more -
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Hike to High Falls
3.51.5 mi / 600 ft gainThis is an awesome hike if you're up for a challenge! The hike in isn't bad at all and the trail itself isn't super long but the climb back out will be a little more difficult due to the rock steps and lengthy uphill. This hike starts from a parking lot, just across the road from Lake Glenville a...Read more -
Burlington, North Carolina
Fish the Haw River in Great Bend Park
2.00.4 miAfter parking at Great Bend Park, follow the trail about 100 yards to a bridge which provides you access to a 5-acre island that overlooks the dam's waterfall. While the Haw River is easy to wade, the island offers a number of bank fishing spots for those who would prefer to keep their feet on so...Read more