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

  • Brevard, North Carolina

    Hike to John Rock

    5.0
    5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    This 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...
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  • Wilmington, North Carolina

    Hike through Carolina Beach State Park

    4.0
    6 mi
    Carolina Beach State Park is a great day trip for anyone visiting the east coast of North Carolina or in town on vacation at the many beaches in the area. The park is located right next to Carolina Beach just across the bridge that spans Snows Cut (look for the big Carolina Beach State Park sign)...
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  • Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

    Drive the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway

    5.0
    76 mi / 1000 ft gain
    You can drive this highway getting different views during the different seasons. Along the drive, have your camera ready for beautiful vistas, Looking Glass Falls, and many adventures along the highway. The views are especially beautiful in the autumn with the leaves changing colors. This route d...
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Hike Ledbetter Creek

    5.0
    Leaving the Nantahala Outdoor Center, drive upriver for 6.5 miles until you see a pull off on the right. Walk past the picnic tables, cross the railroad tracks, then follow the trail to arrive at the creek. Once you're there, it's up to you on what to do next.One of the most popular activities he...
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  • Cullowhee, North Carolina

    Yellow Mountain Fire Tower via Cloud Catcher Lane

    5.0
    1.78 mi / 682 ft gain
    Yellow 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 ...
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  • Morganton, North Carolina

    Hike to Hawksbill Mountain

    5.0
    2.1 mi / 660 ft gain
    Starting at the Hawksbill Mountain Trailhead, which is clearly marked start hiking up! The trail starts out with some easy uphill switchbacks and leads you to the first lookout point. Enjoy sometime at the lookout point, but you'll want to keep going for a more incredible view. Keep hiking uphill...
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  • 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 ...
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  • Cashiers, North Carolina

    Hike to Chimney Top

    3.3
    1.7 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Upon entering High Hampton Inn, follow the entrance road past the registration building, cart shed and parking lot. Take a right down a gravel road that follows alongside Hampton Lake. This gravel road continues for half a mile, even winding through part of the golf course and crossing over the c...
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  • Hatteras, North Carolina

    Ocracoke Island, NC

    4.8
    Camping on Ocracoke is allowed at the National Park Service Ocracoke Campground. Ocracoke Island is accessible via the North Carolina Ferry System. The ferry from Cape Hatteras is free and runs all day. The campground has 136 campsites spread out over the grounds. They can accommodate RV's, camp...
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  • Kure Beach, North Carolina

    Fort Fisher's Basin Trail

    4.0
    2.19 mi / 40.24 ft gain
    If you're ever in Wilmington, you have got to make time to stop by Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach. You can either get there by driving and you can also take a ferry to it. I highly recommend this place because it offers the most beautiful views and also has a little trail for tho...
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  • Cullowhee, North Carolina

    Exploring two legendary Cherokee sites: Judaculla Rock and Devil's Courthouse, North Carolina

    5.0
    0.9 mi / 258 ft gain
    Judaculla was an ancient Cherokee spirit being and giant. He ruled in western North Carolina in the traditional Cherokee homeland. Once while chasing some hunters, when he jumped to the ground, his hand hit a rock. You can still see the print on Judaculla Rock. It is the most elaborate piece of r...
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  • Hendersonville, North Carolina

    Hike to the Top of Bearwallow Mountain

    5.0
    2 mi / 583 ft gain
    Once 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...
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  • Cullowhee, North Carolina

    Hike to High Falls

    3.5
    1.5 mi / 600 ft gain
    This 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...
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  • Apex, North Carolina

    Camp at Jordan Lake State Park

    4.0
    We passed by Jordan Lake on the way home from a soccer match, and the kids asked if we could camp there before summer's end. We lucked out and found a spot available online to reserve Labor Day weekend, so we packed up and headed out for a couple of relaxing days by the lake.The camping offerings...
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  • Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

    Fort Macon State Park

    5.0
    0.3 mi / 7 ft gain
    Visiting this restored fort and the museum makes for a great day and family visit. There are plenty of great photo opportunities with very nice displays and good views of the ocean especially if you head out along the nature trail loop.
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  • Newland, North Carolina

    Hike to Bradley Gap along the Appalachian Trail

    4.6 mi / 1339 ft gain
    Bradley 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...
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