North Carolina · Outdoors
The North Carolina Outdoors
State parks, waterfalls and lakes, with the guides to plan them.
Where should you go outdoors in North Carolina?
Start with Mount Mitchell State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park and Jockey's Ridge State Park, then use the guides on this page to choose by what you want to do. Trails, hours and fees change, so check each park's official page before you go.
Making a drive of it? See North Carolina road trips, or browse places by region.
Parks and sights worth the trip
- Mount Mitchell State Park: At 6,684 feet, the highest point east of the Mississippi River, with an observation deck at the summit.
- Grandfather Mountain State Park: Hikers scramble along cliffs, grip cables and climb ladders on a mountain known for severe weather.
- Jockey's Ridge State Park: The tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast, and a hallmark spot for hang gliding.
- Chimney Rock State Park: A 315-foot freestanding rock spire overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.
- Stone Mountain State Park: A granite dome about 600 feet tall and a National Natural Landmark, with a restored mid-19th-century farm at its base.
- Hanging Rock State Park: A Civilian Conservation Corps project with mountain views, waterfalls, a swim lake and even a mountain cave.
- Upper Whitewater Falls: A 411-foot plunge that the US Forest Service calls the highest waterfall east of the Rockies.
- Dry Falls: A 75-foot waterfall in the Cullasaja Gorge, reached by an accessible walkway from the parking area.
- Cape Hatteras Light Station: The tallest brick lighthouse in the United States, at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
- Cape Lookout National Seashore: Barrier islands three miles offshore by boat, with a working lighthouse, horses and International Dark Sky Park status.
- Wright Brothers National Memorial: Wilbur and Orville Wright piloted four successful powered flights on this spot on December 17, 1903.