North Carolina
North Carolina is a great destination for outdoor activities and attractions. From the scenic trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks, there is something for everyone. For those looking for an outdoor adventure, the best trails and outdoor activities in and near the area include hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping. The Appalachian Trail, Linville Gorge, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore are all must-visit locations. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, the area also offers plenty of opportunities for bird watching, fishing, and picnicking. No matter what type of outdoor activities you’re looking for, North Carolina has something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near North Carolina
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Snow Camp, North Carolina
Cane Creek Mountains Northern Approach Loop
2.32 mi / 351 ft gainThe Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area is a nature park in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina. Pine Hill Trailhead is the first phase of the park and includes 3.5 miles of trails. All the trails are color-coded and marked with matching blazes every tenth of a mile. The 2.5-mile Northern Approac...Read more -
Graham, North Carolina
Saxapahaw Island Park
1.3 mi / 30 ft gainSaxapahaw Island Park is an urban park along the Haw River. The Saxapahaw Island Loop Trail is a well-maintained 1.3-mile loop. The trail parallels a section of the Haw River Trail/Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Many park visitors run laps around the loop while others fish along the river's edge, chil...Read more -
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Old Field Bluff Trail
3.08 mi / 223 ft gainOld Field Bluff Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Chapel Hill, North Carolina.Read more -
Bakersville, North Carolina
Appalachian Trail: Carvers Gap to Yellow Mountain Barn
12.28 mi / 2720 ft gainAppalachian Trail: Carvers Gap to Yellow Mountain Barn is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Bakersville, North Carolina.Read more -
Cary, North Carolina
Loblolly and Reedy Creek Trail Loop
5.04.03 mi / 456 ft gainThe Loblolly and Reedy Creek Trail Loop is a great loop trail for hiking, running and biking in Umstead State Park near Raleigh, North Carolina. TRAILI started my run on the Loblolly Trail from the parking area and then continued on the Reedy Creek Trail. Combining these two trails forms a loop...Read more -
Buxton, North Carolina
Open Ponds Trail
5.08.87 mi / 207 ft gainOpen Ponds Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Buxton, North Carolina.Read more -
Durham, North Carolina
Rhododendron Bluff Circuit
2.93 mi / 331 ft gainRhododendron Bluff Circuit is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Chapel Hill, North Carolina.Read more -
Cary, North Carolina
Reedy Creek and Loblolly Trail
4.02 mi / 456 ft gainReedy Creek and Loblolly Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Raleigh, North Carolina.Read more -
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Price Lake Loop Trail
5.02.23 mi / 387 ft gainPrice Lake Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Blowing Rock, North Carolina.Read more -
Asheville, North Carolina
Run through Carrier Park
If you're in Asheville, NC and want a fun place to be outside, buzzing with activity-- you'll need to check out Carrier Park. Here, you can run along the trails, bike in the Velodrome (former race track), launch your kayak or inner tube from one of the free launches, hammock from a tree, do yoga ...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop
14.14 mi / 3671 ft gainCharlies Bunion via Kephart Loop is a loop trail located near Cherokee, North Carolina. This is a longer version of the Charlies Bunion hike starting from the Newfound Gap parking lot. The added benefit of this longer loop is the opportunity to see more of the Great Smokey Mountains! You'll pass ...Read more -
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
Wright Brothers Walkway
4.02.72 mi / 115 ft gainWright Brothers Walkway is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.Read more -
Greenville, North Carolina
South Tar River Greenway
7.59 mi / 125 ft gainRoughly an hour east of Raleigh, N.C., sits the college town of Greenville. Downtown Greenville is on the Tar River, which flows into the Pamlico Sound. To my knowledge, one of the oldest European records of the Pamlico Sound was in 1524, when Italian Explorer Giovanni de Verrazzano mistook the s...Read more -
Burlington, North Carolina
Rock Creek Trail
1.75 mi / 167 ft gainCedarock Park is a 500-acre park named for the abundance of cedar trees and rock outcroppings. The park features a network of hiking and equestrian trails, disc golf and footgolf courses, primitive camping, a fishing pond, canoe and kayak rentals, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic shelters...Read more -
Nags Head, North Carolina
Jockey's Ridge Soundside Nature Trail
5.00.83 mi / 33 ft gainJockey's Ridge Soundside Nature Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Nags Head, North Carolina.Read more -
Corolla, North Carolina
Wild Horses in Currituck National Wildlife Refuge
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge is located near Corolla Beach, NC. At this refuge, you can can visit wild horses on the beach! Please remember to be respectful of wild animals in their habitat and keep a respectful distance. There are two main ways to get a glimpse of these horses: You can p...Read more