Nature

Nature
National & State Parks

Visit the Hidden Gem Small Town Right Next Door to Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Tucked away on Roanoke Island, Manteo has so much of what makes the Outer Banks so special: stunning views, extraordinary history, and lots to do.

by Beth Copenhaver
on Jun 16
Harbor view of Manteo, NC, showing the sound, a dock, and a big blue sky overhead.
Nature

This Secret Swimming Hole in North Carolina is Perfect for an Unforgettable Adventure

by Jackie Sutherlin
on Jun 13
A waterfall swimming hole in North Carolina.
Nature

The Small-Town State Park in North Carolina Locals Want To Keep to Themselves

by Beth Copenhaver
on May 21
View from the top of Mount Morrow at the namesake state park, with rolling hills under a blue sky.
Nature

The Paddling Trail in North Carolina That’s Better Than Most Hikes

by Jackie Sutherlin
on May 11
The kayak launch site at the Robertson Millpond Preserve in North Carolina.
Nature

The Dune Hike in North Carolina That Everyone Should Take at Least Once

by Jackie Sutherlin
on May 7
The sun sets on a dune hike in North Carolina that looks out toward the ocean.

Latest Nature

Nature
Hiking

5 Picture-Perfect Nature Trails in North Carolina for a Spring Hike

From easy riverside walks to breathtaking summit views, these spring hikes in North Carolina offer something for every kind of adventurer.

by Megan Todaro
on Apr 16
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Nature

Seeing This North Carolina State Park After Dark Is Better Than Daytime

Seeing Haw River State Park after dark offers a magical experience with fewer crowds, stunning night skies, and a completely different perspective.

by Jackie Sutherlin
on Apr 7
A shooting star streaks across the sky underneath a person at Haw River State Park, North Carolina.
Nature
Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

3 Places in North Carolina That Are Like a Caribbean Paradise in the Summer

Add these Caribbean-like places in North Carolina to your summer bucket list immediately.

by Jackie Sutherlin
on Apr 3
Crystal-clear waters at a beach in North Carolina
Nature
Hiking

You Can Hike in Two States in One Day on This North Carolina Trail

This five-mile hiking trail lets you hike two states at once in North Carolina and Tennessee and leads you to some magnificent waterfalls along the way.

by Jackie Sutherlin
on Feb 25
A waterfall along one of the cross-state hiking trails between North Carolina and Tennessee.
Nature

Don’t Try This One Hike in North Carolina If You’re Afraid of Heights

With over 20 switchbacks and nearly 1,700 feet of elevation gain, the Looking Glass Rock Trail might be one of the most extreme hikes in North Carolina. It even has a helipad near the summit for rescue missions.

by Jackie Sutherlin
on Jan 18
A man sits at the viewpoint of the Looking Glass Rock Trail in North Carolina.