Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Manteo
The refuge has over 150,000 acres of wetland habitats and a wide variety of wildlife, ranging from wood ducks and alligators to black bears and red wolves. Plant species including the Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress, wildflowers and shrubs are abundant. Hiking and wildlife trails plus fishing areas. Trails for kayaking and canoeing; guided canoe tours are available for a fee. On Hwy 64/264 west from Manteo. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach
The Carolina Beach State Park Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall, located by the entrance to the park, offers environmental education programs and exhibits. The interactive maps and exhibits highlight the park's flora and fauna, but focus specifically on the carnivorous plants that are unique to their area. Spot the rare Venus flytrap and other species of plants. Wind your way through habitats along intriguing trails or enjoy fishing and boating. Covers 712 acres with five miles of hiking trails, and boat ramps, slips and fuel dock. Campsites, picnic areas, group camping. Free. Fee for camping, ramps and slips. Carolina Beach State Park
Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve
Carova Beach
Corolla from the North Beach access 4-wheel drive ramp. Two miles of wildlife preserve for hiking and beach activities. Inhabited by a variety of native wildlife showcasing a prime example of maritime forest. Foot and four wheel drive access only. Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve
Croatan National Forest
Havelock
This coastal national forest contains 159,000 acres of estuary, hardwood forest, longleaf pine and pocosin. Recreation areas for camping, picnicking, swimming, canoeing, hiking and wildlife observation. Fishing and hunting. Free. Fee for developed campgrounds. recreation.gov unca.edu unca.edu (2) ncnatural.com
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
Seven Springs, south of Kinston
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Visitors Center
Kure Beach
The Fort Fisher State Recreation Area's Visitor Center Collection includes loggerhead and other turtle shells, seashells, taxidermy mounts of native ducks and other birds, and a variety of other natural history and science specimens. This growing collection is housed and exhibited in the visitor center classroom. Four miles and 288 acres of undeveloped beach. Swimming area and concession stand Memorial Day-Labor Day. Nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles and nesting waterbirds. Hiking trails. Licensed four-wheel-drive vehicles may travel on the beach in designated areas for access to excellent surf fishing. A regional public beach access with restrooms, showers, and refreshment stand. Offers educational nature programs. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Goose Creek State Park
Bath
Nature beckons you to experience the mysterious wonders of marsh and swamp along the borders of the Pamlico River and Goose Creek. Canoe the unhurried creeks, fish on the shores of the Pamlico River or learn more about wetlands. Birders and hikers are welcome. ## Goose Creek State Park seeks to preserve and to educate the public about the plantlife, wildlife, and ecosystems of the Goose Creek, Mallard Creek, Flatty Creek, and Pamlico River area through educational programs, permanent and traveling exhibits in the Environmental Education Center, and ongoing conservation projects in partnership with regional and local organizations. Permanent collections include mounted specimens of many of the animal species found in and around Goose Creek State Park. A five minute film is available to introduce visitors to sights in the park. The park's newletter, The Waterline, can accessed on the NC State Parks website, www.ncparks.net. Goose Creek State Park
Hammocks Beach State Park
Swansboro
Venture to Bear Island and be rewarded with vivid memories of one of the most unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic. Accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat. An 892-acre barren island with 3.5 miles of pristine beach. Backpack and primitive camping, swimming, wildlife viewing and shelling. Surf fishing is a favorite pastime year round but is best in the fall. Passenger ferry service is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and children 6-12. Fee for camping is $9. Hammocks Beach State Park
Jones Lake State Park
Elizabethtown
Jones Lake is one of the few remaining Carolina bay lakes, the origin of which has been a subject of speculation and debate. Family tent camping. Each site has a picnic table and communal water system. Bathhouse in center of campground with hot showers and electrical outlets. Swimming allowed. Boats, canoes and paddleboats for rent. Fishing with North Carolina license. Large picnic area beside the lake. Hiking trails. Free, Fee for camping. Jones Lake State Park
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Nags Head
Rising 110 feet, Jockey's Ridge is the tallest active sand dune on the east coast. Hiking, hang gliding, kite flying and sunset watching over Roanoke Sound. Facilities include picnic area, museum and auditorium. ## Jockey's Ridge is the tallest natural sand dune system in the eastern United States. It is an example of a medano-a huge hill of shifting sand that lacks vegetation. Long before the first European settlers, the Algonquian Indians inhabited the Outer Banks. Following its sighting by Spanish and French explorers, the ridge became an important landmark for mariners. Jockey's Ridge, which was in danger of being compromised by commercial development, was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1974 and became a State Park in 1975. Visitors to this park can enjoy nature trails, educational programs, a museum that interprets the natural and cultural history of the site, and recreational activities including hang gliding. Jockey's Ridge State Park jockeysridgestatepark.com nature.org
Lake Waccamaw State Park
Lake Waccamaw
One of the most unique bodies of water in the world. Animals found nowhere else on earth, rare plants and endangered animals. Boating (no ramp in park, two nearby), fishing and picnicking. Free. Fee for camping. Lake Waccamaw State Park
Merchants Millpond State Park
Gates County
Discover one of North Carolina's rarest ecological communities. Massive cypress & gum trees covered with Spanish moss form a canopy for the dark waters of the 750-acre cypress millpond ~ a wilderness sanctuary for wetland wildlife. Paddle quietly through the pond and creek and encounter beavers, otters, owls, etc. Over 10 miles of hiking trails. Fee for camping and canoes. Or bring your own kayak or canoe. Merchants Millpond
Medoc Mountain State Park
Halifax County
Medoc Mountain State Park
Outer Banks Center for Wildllife Education
Corolla
Life by Water's Rhythms , is the theme of this educational facility dedicated to exploring coastal North Carolina s wildlife, natural history and cultural heritage. Located in Corolla,at Currituck Heritage Park between the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Whalehead Club. The center offers both indoor and outdoor classes and attractions. Admission and all classes are free. Registration is required. Outer Banks Center for Wildllife Education (also see NCWildlife main site)
Pettigrew State Park
Creswell
An angler's paradise, this park is the home of Lake Phelps, a 16,600-acre natural lake; a virgin forest; and recreational facilities including a family campground, group camping, trails, picnic areas, boat ramp, exhibits, fishing pier and play fields. Ideal for shallow draft sailboats, canoeing and windsurfing. View displays of prehistoric Indian culture in the exhibit hall or visit nearby Somerset Place, a state historic site. Free. Fee for camping. ## Pettigrew State Park borders Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge including Phelps Lake. The site of James Johnston Pettigrew's family home, the Pettigrew family cemetery, and Somerset Place State Historic Site are all located inside the perimeters of the park. The park's public collections include two Algonquian dugout canoes excavated from Phelps Lake. Pettigrew State Park
Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge
Windsor
Established in 1989, the refuge is home to animals such as deer, otter, beaver, muskrat, and black bear, as well as more than 191 species of migrating birds. Informal trail systems are open to the public for hiking and birdwatching, including the new Charles Kuralt Trail which opened in spring 2000; some of the trails and refuge are only accessible by boat. Hunting by special permit only. Refuge is closed to public during permitted hunts for safety reasons. Special wildlife observation areas along Hwy.13/17 are available seasonably. Special fishing regulations apply in selected tributaries within the refuge boundaries. Fishing is permitted in the Roanoke River proper. Owned and operated by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge recreation.gov
Singletary Lake State Park
Elizabethtown
Singletary Lake State Park
Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge and Gull Rock
Hyde County
Swan Quarter Refuge is 16,411 acres of salt marsh island and forested wetlands interspersed with potholes, creeks, and drains. Marsh vegetation is dominated by black needlerush and sawgrass. The mainland is forested by loblolly pine, pond pine, and bald cypress. Approximately 8,800 acres are part of the National Wilderness preservation System and as such is protected from all construction, drainage, and managed timber practices which guarantees the integrity of these invaluable wildlands for years to come. The refuge provides wintering habitat for hundreds of black ducks, mergansers, bufflehead, ruddy ducks and thousands of canvasbacks, redheads, surf scoters, and scaup. Additionally, it provides nesting habitat for osprey, black ducks, and colonial waterbirds and supports one of the northernmost populations of the American alligator. Bald eagles use the area in the winter and may find nesting habitat on the refuge. Mammals such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, swamp rabbits, river otter, and occasionally black bear use the refuge too. Visitors can enjoy such recreational opportunities as wildlife observation, fishing, and waterfowl hunting. Visitors are welcome to hike or bike through the two undeveloped trails on the refuge during daylight hours. A 1,000-foot fishing pier is available along with fishing by boat around the marsh edges. A 6,120 acre area of marsh is open to duck and coot hunting in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations. Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge nature.org recreation.gov
Tarkil Branch Farm's Homestead Museum
Beulaville
This restored homestead is a fine example of early farm life typical of most families in rural North Carolina in the 19th and early 20th century. The 1830s ''dogtrot'' architecture style house and the period outbuildings give you a genuine sense of a disappearing lifestyle. Outbuildings include a 1925 country store, smokehouse, tobacco barn, chicken house, along with old farm implements. Learn how tobacco was grown and how to hitch up a mule to a plow. Wagon tours and a hiking trail are available for adults and children. Prior arrangements are necessary. Groups welcome. NCAGR
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