The Best State Parks In North Carolina For Every Adventure

From the mountains to the sea, North Carolina state parks bless nature lovers with everything from mountain cliffs to sand dunes. Here, scenic variety satisfies even the most seasoned travelers. Whether you've got your sights set on mountaintop hikes or you're hoping to cool off by the water, there's an ideal place for everyone among the state's 41 total parks. Grab your hiking shoes, load up on sunscreen, and get ready for an adventure. Here are the best state parks in the Tar Heel State.

Chimney Rock State Park

Southeast of Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 315-foot spire of Chimney Rock is the main draw in Chimney Rock State Park. Climb the nearly 500 steps to the very top to hit the goals on your fitness tracker, or take an elevator, which provides an accessible option to reach a bridge with amazing views just yards from this ancient rock formation. Admire the 75-mile vistas of Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge; then set off on one of the many trails, including Hickory Nut Falls (where a scene from The Last of the Mohicans was filmed), to catch a glimpse of the area's peregrine falcons. After spending a day in nature, enjoy a brew along the Rocky Broad River at Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery in Chimney Rock Village.

Grandfather Mountain State Park

Grandfather Mountain State Park's rugged terrain and ecological diversity is unique to this high-elevation stretch of the southern Appalachians. Adventure seekers can conquer some of the South's most challenging hikes along 13 miles of trails and sleep under the starts. Those looking for a more leisurely experience can also buy tickets to the main attractions, like the Mile-High Swinging Bridge.

Pilot Mountain State Park

People first learned about the fictional town of Mount Pilot from The Andy Griffith Show. Its inspiration, Pilot Mountain State Park, sits within the rugged mountains northwest of Winston-Salem. Here you can enjoy everything from hiking to horseback riding to rock climbing to camping. Part of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, the view from the iconic geologic knob known as Big Pinnacle, a 1,400-foot wall of bare rock, is outstanding.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Towering sand dunes are the draw of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. The dunes here are always changing as storms push sand inland. Named from lore about the wild ponies and their riders a century ago, the park offers activities on both land and sea. The Tracks in the Sand nature trail leads visitors over the sand dunes to the Roanoke Sound and back. After hang gliding lessons with Kitty Hawk Kites, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial where the dream of taking flight was simply a matter of wind, sand, and perseverance.

Hammock Beach State Park

Hammock Beach State Park's Bear Island is one of the state’s most breathtaking locations. Accessible only by ferry, boat, or kayak, this leave-no-trace island has a storied history. The park's visitor's center takes you through the area's past while tour boats will zig-zag you through the marshlands. Enjoy an afternoon of solitude along the four-mile beach at Shell Rock Landing Pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and search for shells.

Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park is a boater and angler’s paradise. Just south of Wilmington, the park is known for naturally-growing Venus flytraps. These prickly creatures fill the landscape in May and June, especially along the Flytrap Trail, an easy half-mile loop through the wetlands. The park also has nine miles of hiking trails as well as camper cabins, tent sites, and a marina for access to the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Mount Mitchell State Park

The first of North Carolina's state parks, Mount Mitchell State Park opened the Appalachian majesty to everyone in 1915. Not only does it sit at the highest elevation (6,684-feet) east of the Mississippi River but it also provides hiking trails for leisure hikes or challenging treks through the wilderness areas, including the Pisgah National Forest where overnight camping is available.

Gorges State Park

North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia merge in Transylvania County. Decorated with more than 26 waterfalls and framed with rugged gorges, Gorges State Park opens the backcountry for primitive camping, backpacking, and horseback riding. Pull your RV into the ideal spot for a weekend of exploration or pitch a tent along the banks of Lake Jocassee.

Fort Macon State Park

Built in the early 1800s, the pre-Civil War fort transports visitors to the nineteenth-century. Seized by Confederate troops at the outbreak of the Civil War, the immaculately restored fort is the centerpiece of Fort Macon State Park. The park is situated along a skinny barrier island with trails through dunes, forests, and marshes. Take in the history then take a dip along the lovely Crystal Coast beach.

Crowders Mountain State Park In Kings Mountain

Crowders Mountain State Park elevates the senses with miles of hiking trails and ridges of rugged beauty. Bring your four-legged buddy (on a leash, of course) and follow the trail to the summit, or take it easy on the Sparrow Springs trail that travels along the lake and creek; stop for a picnic or cast your fishing line. You can be in two places at once along the Ridgeline Trail; it connects Kings Mountain State Park to Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. With over 5,000 acres in total, there’s a peak or valley suited just for you.

Dismal Swamp State Park

On the border of Virginia, Dismal Swamp State Park is the largest remaining swamp in the eastern United States. You can’t camp here, but you can hike, bike, or paddle among the plants and wildlife. A huge paddle destination, put your oar in the water during the spring Annual Paddle for the Border, which steers a maximum of 375 paddlers through the Dismal Swamp Canal and the 7.5 mile North Carolina/Virginia border crossing.

Lake Norman State Park

North of Charlotte, Lake Norman State Park is mountain biker’s heaven. The Itusi Trail offers 31-miles of single-track trails, featuring fast, backcountry loops that cater to the novice as well as the expert. Have fun in the woods or lounge by the largest manmade lake in the state. With more than 17 miles of shoreline, Lake Norman’s waters beckon for swimming, fishing, paddling, and boating.

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