North Carolina is such a big state... you could probably live here your whole life and still never hear about all of the fun places to go, things to see, and adventures that await. With 100 counties and a drive of approximately nine hours from the east to west borders, the Tar Heel State offers a diverse list of ways to get outside and play. If you've never discovered Lake Phelps over near the coast, then you're in for a delightful surprise as you explore this lake in North Carolina.

Lake Phelps is the second largest natural lake in North Carolina. And it's massive. It's 16,000 acres strong and about five miles long.

It's widely regarded in the scientific community as being among the many Carolina Bays that dot the coast in the Carolinas. And while some believe the bays were formed when a comet hit the earth millions of years ago, more recently, scientists are beginning to look at another origin for the bays. The term thermokarst refers to landscape that's been hollowed out by the thawing of permafrost. It's now thought that this enormous Carolina Bay was formed when permafrost melted during the ice ages.

As a result, we have a gorgeous lake that is an average of only 4.5 feet deep.

It's perfect for swimming on a hot summer day — and for gazing (and fishing) on all other days.

Before we start to talk about the best access point for Lake Phelps, it's worth a mention that archaeologists have uncovered ancient dugout canoes left behind in Lake Phelps by America's first settlers, the Native Americans.

Some thirty canoes have been uncovered within the lake on the northern and western shores.

Coincidentally, the best lake access is also located along the northern and western shores at two entrances to Pettigrew State Park: the main entrance and the Cypress Point Access to the west.

Just up the street from the park office and the campground at Pettigrew State Park is another fascinating and historic relic of Lake Phelps: Somerset Place (pictured), built in 1787. When you visit, be sure to carve out enough time to explore the beautiful grounds of this historic spot.

Pettigrew State Park is one North Carolina's most underrated spots that only the locals truly appreciate and this makes it all the more worthwhile for a road trip.

While you're here, you can explore 4.1 miles of trails.

Two trails along the shoreline dole out very different experiences. The Moccasin Trail is 2.8 miles long and leads from the park office to a 350-foot boardwalk stretching out over Lake Phelps for a look at Big Point from the Moccasin Overlook.

The other trail, Bee Tree Trail, leads in the opposite direction from the park office and travels past the campground over to Somserset Place (and an old cemetery) to the Bee Tree Overlook of, you guessed it: the lake.

Want to spend the night? A small and very cozy campground of 13 sites is located along the shore of Lake Phelps and is nestled between the park office and Somerset Place.

If you're looking for a wonderful new place to explore with the family this year, then Lake Phelps is perfectly poised to provide hours and days of outdoor recreation by the lake in North Carolina. Plan your trip here, with overnight reservations at the campground, or just pop in for a day of outdoor fun. The park is open year-round, except for Christmas day.

Have you checked out Pettigrew State Park and Lake Phelps in eastern North Carolina yet? Let us know in the comments!