Category: NC Parks & Preserves

If you are someone who believes that insect-eating plants are interesting (and not creepy), then you should definitely put Green Swamp on your list. Home to over 21 species of native orchids, 14 kinds of insectivorous plants species and more than a dozen rare animals, the Green Swamp Preserve features a large longleaf forest that is maintained by controlled burning.

There is scope for activity too – from the 1.5 mile out-and-back flat trail that will take visitors through various savannas, to board walking through thick shrubs. Visitors are welcome in the Green Swamp every day, all year round.

Contact Information:

Address: The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Coastal Plain Office, 2807 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28403

Phone: (910) 395-5000

Website: https://www.nature.org/

Yes, it is a reserve, focused on preserving something. In this case: preserving the longleaf pine forest along with the animals and plants which thrive on it. But it also offers a chance for visitors to unwind either by doing an activity or by enjoying the sheer beauty of nature.

Spread over an area of 900 acres, Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve offers a unique combination of offering activities while working for a specific cause. The preserve has a guided tour system in place, and offers a network of short and easy trails that make for enjoyable and invigorating hikes. It also has a visitor center that offers museum-like exhibits which showcase, among many different things related to nature, the longleaf forest and its history, as well as the flora and fauna that forms a part of its ecosystem.

The forest itself is a spectacle with trees old and new, large expanses of wiregrass, and rare-to-find plant and animal species, and makes for a great place to go bird-watching or observing wildlife. If you want to spend a quiet, enjoyable, challenge-free time, this is the place to be.

Contact Information:

Address: 1024 Ft. Bragg Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Phone: 910-692-2167

Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/weymouth-woods-sandhills-nature-preserve

There are plenty of outdoor activities to pursue here, from camping, swimming, paddling and fishing, to hiking, horseback riding, mountain climbing and biking, and many others. The place has over 15 miles of trails for hiking, the Lake Tillery, which is used for all water-related activities, as well as the Pee Dee River. Boat, canoe and rowboat rentals are available, and so are RVs which are equipped with bathhouses. The campground has over a hundred sites for RVs, trailers and tents. The park even features a museum and offer summer-long interpretive programs.

Contact Information:

Address: 49104 Morrow Mountain Road, Albemarle, NC 28001

Phone: 704-982-4402

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

Besides featuring Lake Norman, the state’s largest man-made lake, Lake Norman State Park has a lot to offer to its visitors. From 30.5 miles of single-track trails that make one of the region’s popular mountain biking areas, hiking trails, and campgrounds for individuals as well as groups, to free interpretive programs offered by park rangers and educational exhibits in the visitor center, Lake Norman State Park surely has no dearth of activities to go for.

And then of course there is Lake Norman, a 34-mile main channel that covers an area of 32,510 acres. The Lake itself offers more activities than one can count, from boating and fishing (which are the major activities), to a 125-yard-wide swimming beach that lies at the lake’s south end. The place is complete with a bathhouse complex and a boat ramp from where boats can be rented.

Contact Information:

Address: 759 State Park Road, Troutman, NC 28166

Phone: 704-528-6350

Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/lake-norman-state-park

A fantastic place for climbing or hiking, or simply sitting back and enjoying being in the midst of nature, Crowders Mountain State Park is located 32 miles west of Charlotte. It takes an average of 40 minutes to get there. Containing a wide variety of terrains – from flat valleys to towering cliffs, Crowders Mountain State Park has a lot to offer to its visitors, no matter what their age, experience or fitness level.

Crowders Mountain State Park has companion peaks, i.e. The Pinnacle and Crowders Mountains, which together offer towering 150-foot cliffs, 25-mile-wide magnificent views, and a rugged terrain that offers challenging hikes and climbs. In fact, the rock-climbing activities bring in people from several different counties and even from other states. The State Park offers 11 different trails, which range from pastoral to very strenuous, and run for miles altogether, as well as a Backcountry camping feature complete with individual sites and rent-able cabins. Boats and canoes are available for rent too, and one can take them on the 9-acre lake either to fish or to canoe.

There are other opportunities too: One can visit the visitor center, which hosts museum-style exhibits and ongoing interactive programs. And if you visit in the summer, you’ll be greeted by the welcome station and get the opportunity to be a part of the rangers’ interpretive programs.

Contact Information:

Address: 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Phone: 704-853-5375

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

If you’re looking for a place that offers the outdoors and has a historical edge to it, then this is just the place for you. One of the most popular parks of North Carolina, Fort Macon State Park is named after Fort Macon – a five-sided fort was originally built in the 1826-1834 period for the purpose of guarding the Beaufort Harbor’s entrance.

The state park, in addition to showcasing some of the best military architecture of the 19th century, also offers sandy beaches, trails and scenic views.

History buffs will definitely not be disappointed here – Civil War reenactments are held during the summer, while guided tours are held throughout the year. There are also several extensive exhibits – both indoors and outdoors, as well as a museum-grade coastal education center.

Outdoor enthusiasts will not be disappointed either – the park offers several outdoor activities such as picnicking, biking, hiking, and fishing. Visitors – especially children – should definitely check out the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

Contact Information:

Address: 2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512

Phone: 252-726-3775

Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/fort-macon-state-park

If you like something that’s grand yet outdoorsy, you must definitely head to Stone Mountain State Park. Located in the northwestern part of North Carolina, the park lies in the bordering areas of the Wilkes and Alleghany counties. Declared a National Natural Landmark in 1975, Stone Mountain gets its name from a 600-foot magnificent gray-white colored granite dome, which is home to several activities such as picnicking, climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding, among others.

There are over 18 miles of trails, and over 20 miles of waters dominated by the trout. There is also a campsite with over 90 different sites, backpacking facilities and utility hookups. Another major attraction of the place is Hutchinson Homestead, a mountain farm from the mid-19th century that has been restored and made available for visiting.

Contact Information:

Address: 042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668

Phone: 336-957-8185, 1-877-722-6762 (for reservations)

Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/stone-mountain-state-park

One of the largest and most scenic lakes in the Southeast, Kerr Lake is spread over an area of 50,000 acres with over 850 miles of shoreline. The park, which offers a wide variety of activities, features a large variety of terrain, from picnic areas, to beautiful shores to picturesque coves, among much more. There are numerous campsites, beaches for swimming, the lake Kerr, and two private marinas.

There are activities for both land and water lovers, as well as for the history buffs. Water-lovers can go Fishing, water-skiing, boating, sailing, and swimming, while land-lovers can camp, hike, bike, bird-watch and picnic. Those in love with adventure sports can go wind surfing as well.

The state park offers a classic and antique car show every October. So if you’re a fan of cars, you definitely should not miss it!

Contact Information:

Address: 6254 Satterwhite Point Road, Henderson, NC 27537

Phone: 252-438-7791

Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/kerr-lake-state-recreation-area

Popularly called the ‘Central Park of Charlotte,’ Freedom Park is located in the Dilworth/Myers Park/ right in the midst of high-class residential architecture. Spread over 98 acres, Freedom Park is filled with a wide variety of plant life, which makes it ideal for a walk or rest in the sun on a hot summer day.

The park offers activities too, from several paved trails which originate from the 7 acre lake located in the center of the park, which is very popular with cyclists and joggers, to playgrounds, baseball grounds, tennis courts and even a bandshell for open-air concerts. The park, which connects to the Little Sugar Greenway is both dog and child (or family) friendly.

Contact Information:

Address: 1900 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC

Phone: (704) 432-4280

Website: https://www.mecknc.gov/parkandrec/parks/parksbyregion/centralregion/pages/freedom.aspx?redirect=charmeck

Known for offering some of the most scenic views of the mountains, Chimney Rock is located 95 miles from Charlotte. The park gets its name from a 300-feet high spire, which is present on the park’s southern side. There is a small stairway to the summit of the spire, which was built in 1885. There was an elevator to the summit, which is currently closed down for repairs.

In addition to scenic views, Chimney Rock several trails for hiking and mountain biking, and the Rocky Broad River, which is a major attraction for catching trout. Don’t forget your fishing license, though, since that’s a requirement here. One can access the fishing waters from the front gate of the park. The Rumbling Bald Mountain has a facility for rock climbing, though it is not available to beginners and cannot be availed without a permit and registration.

Unlike other parks, Chimney Rock has several other attractions besides its outdoor ones. There are two gift shops and a restaurant, as well as grills and picnic tables which are located at various spots. The gift shops, which are located on the bottom and top of the elevator, offer various souvenirs, books, clothing and decorative items, among others. The Old Rock Cafe, which is the resident restaurant offers several traditional and contemporary dishes to visitors, and even has a patio dining feature.

Contact Information:

Address: 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720

Phone: 800-277-9611

Website: http://www.chimneyrockpark.com