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Listicles
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The cooler months are a great time to visit coastal state parks for sandboarding, bird watching, fishing, Civil War re-enactments and aquariums.
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Jockey's Ridge State Park
Located on the Outer Banks, Jockey’s Ridge State Park boasts the tallest active sand dune on the East Coast. Visitors come to the park looking to explore or take hang gliding lessons, but there’s one activity that's perfect for a place like Jockey's Ridge: sandboarding. With this sport, you get the thrill of snowboarding without the snow by whizzing down the side of a sand dune. Kitty Hawk Kites offers sandboard rentals all year long during park visitation hours. For those looking for a more traditional way to take in the coastal scenery, there’s also canoeing, kayaking, kite-flying and hiking on the nearby beaches.
Goose Creek State Park
Get a glimpse of the lumber industry’s heyday when you spot remnants of boat piers, a trackless railroad bed and burnt remains of tar kilns on a walk through this state park. It’s easy to get to know all 8-plus miles of boardwalks meandering through the woods and swamps when you make it a multiday excursion; several mini cabins with electricity and outside water are available to rent.
Fort Macon State Park
Travel back in time with a visit to Fort Macon State Park, where a reconstructed fort stands guard over Beaufort Harbor as it did during the Civil War. History and educational programs are the focus of this Crystal Coast park in the winter. See re-enactments on the parade ground and take a guided tour of the fort to learn more about its history. Nearby, the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area and the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores also make for great winter destinations. The turtle maze is a kid favorite, showing what it feels like for a just-hatched turtle to make it to the sea.
Hammocks Beach State Park
Hammocks Beach State Park in the Topsail area is mostly located on Bear Island. During winter, the only way to get there is by water taxi or private boat, making the journey part of the adventure. Intrepid souls paddle here, following the markers on the kayak and canoe trail. You’re likely to see a bottle-nosed dolphin on a trip to the island. Loggerhead turtles, the park’s most famous residents, are gone long before the onset of cold weather, but fox, raccoons and ghost crabs remain throughout winter. Hammocks Beach State Park offers an unspoiled retreat for those who seek solace. Set up camp at the dune-side campsites and after nightfall, admire the clear sky and brilliant stars.
Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach, a Wilmington-area state park, is ideal for fishing, bird watching and nature hikes. Nearly 9 miles of hiking trails give you an up-close look at the area’s plants and wildlife, including the indigenous Venus flytrap, one of the world’s most unique carnivorous plants. Stop by the visitors center to learn more about the park’s biodiversity and see interactive exhibits.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Just south of Wilmington, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area has more to offer than just pristine beaches. If you have an off-road vehicle, you can explore the beach here at your own leisure. You might even recognize this location from a number of movies, including "Safe Haven." Fort Fisher, the park’s namesake, is a historical landmark dating back to the Civil War. And the nearby North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher gives you a closer look at the state’s diverse aquatic life including sea turtles, alligators and sharks.