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Stunning is just the start
North Carolina’s landscapes unfold with thundering waterfalls, towering dunes, ancient forests and misty peaks, creating a tapestry of natural wonders waiting to be explored.
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Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park
It's the most-visited national park for good reasons. Among them: 850 miles of hiking trails, brilliant fall color, impressive waterfalls and top-notch campsites.
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Discover Untamed Beauty at National Seashores
Four lighthouses, a herd of wild horses, and hundreds of miles of beaches and shoreline await on the national seashores of the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.
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Hike The Appalachian Trail
This national treasure winds 88 miles through North Carolina's mountains. Explore it for a day or as part of a thru-hike with these insider tips.
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National Forests to Explore
The Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie and Croatan national forests are full of wild places to hike, hunt, camp, raft and fish.
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Granite goals
Featured local’s tip
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Pick your path
Looking Glass Rock is the most prominent granite monolith in the East. Hike to the top for mountain vistas, go rock climbing with a guide, or skip the hike and get a great view from the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Looking Glass Rock Overlook.
Explore morePoints of Interest
Uwharrie National Forest
Find Stillness in the Pines
Uwharrie National Forest isn’t just for adventure — it’s a place to slow down, soak in the quiet, reconnect with nature, and let the towering trees and fresh mountain air do the heavy lifting.
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A helpful guide in your pocket
Get access to free travel guides, highway maps or guides to handicap-accessible attractions, wineries and Civil War trails.
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