Those who enjoy being immersed in unspoiled outdoor environments are often attracted to North Carolina’s rugged, nature-filled landscapes. The state’s combination of coastal scenery, mountainous terrain, and lush forests makes it one of the most beautiful places in the U.S.
If you are one of the many hoping to explore North Carolina’s unmatched outdoor settings, you’ll have many incredible sites to choose from. Below, we break down some of the most scenic and exciting natural destinations that North Carolina has to offer.
Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park is an expansive park near Asheville, encompassing more than 8,000 acres of dense forest and unique geology. The park offers picturesque hiking trails on mountains overlooking the area, leading to postcard-worthy views. Chimney Rock, the geologic formation the park is named for, is a gorgeous site, and a steep 3.9-mile trail leads to its peak, making for a challenging but worthwhile trek.
Hammocks Beach State Park
Hammocks Beach State Park embodies the appeal of North Carolina’s coastal settings. Based in the Southern Outer Banks, this vast Bear Island park is a unique setting with sandy beaches and nearby forests. Hammocks Beach State Park can only be accessed by public ferry or private boat and is a popular hotspot for fishing, sunbathing, boating, and other water activities. It also has areas for camping.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a world-famous natural destination and the country’s most-visited national park. This park is along the border with Tennessee, but a substantial portion of its acreage resides in North Carolina. This picturesque setting is a bucket list destination for any outdoor enthusiast, with hiking trails winding up mountainous slopes, rushing waterfalls, unique native wildlife, and much more.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is a hotspot for history and nature lovers. Fort Fisher was a major naval battle site during the Civil War. Today, it is part of a 287-acre park along the water. Its scenic beaches housing plenty of rare birds are popular locations for birdwatching and relaxing by the water.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park is North Carolina’s first state park. This giant 4,789-acre space features thick forests and mountainous terrain. Its highlight is the observation deck atop Mount Mitchell, standing 6,684 feet off the ground. A winding trail leads to this observation area, where visitors can see for miles and enjoy breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Lake Mattamuskeet
Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest natural freshwater lake in North Carolina. This stunning lake has shallow waters throughout and is in a scenic area with marshes, swamp forests, and incredible native wildlife, including alligators. Lake Mattamuskeet is a common destination for fishing, which has bass, catfish, and bream inhabiting the waters. It is also a destination for crabbing and has excellent hiking trails surrounding the water.
Linville Gorge
Linville Gorge can be found in the Pisgah National Forest, an area bursting with natural beauty near Asheville. The Linville River carved out land in this deep valley, creating what is now a thick gorge dubbed the “Grand Canyon of North Carolina.” The gorge has incredible hiking trails and features the majestic Linville Falls. Linville Falls drops 90 feet and is one of the most-visited waterfalls in the state.
