Location: Chatham County, 26 miles west of downtown Raleigh
At the park, you can find: 14,000-acre Jordan Lake reservoir and the bald eagle
Highlights at this access: tent, trailer, and RV camping, some with water and electric hookups; walk-up only loops; group camping; swim beach; picnic shelters
Location: Bladen County, 35 miles southeast of Fayetteville
You can find: two Carolina bay lakes: Jones Lake and Salters Lake; red-cockaded woodpeckers that live in the bay forest
Highlights: full hook-up RV camping; tea-colored waters of the lake; long hikes on easy trails; swim beach; picnic shelter; boat rentals
Location: Stokes County, 32 miles north of Winston-Salem
At this park, you can find: rock outcroppings with scenic vistas, Schweinitz's sunflower, and Wehrle's salamander
Highlights at this access: hiking to Hanging Rock, Wolf Rock, Moore's Knob and three waterfalls; CCC structures; park lake; camping; cabins; visitor center
Location: Avery County, 13 miles southwest of Boone
You can find: over 70 species of rare, threatened and endangered plants and animals
Highlights: Grandfather Profile; backcountry camping; free hiking access to more than 13 miles of trail
Location: Beaufort County, 34 miles southeast of Greenville
You can find: a large live oak tree with branches hanging over the Pamlico River, great blue herons, and green tree frogs
Highlights: Pamlico River and Goose Creek; full hook-up RV camping; camper cabins; swamp boardwalk; butterfly garden
Location: Wake County, 17 miles north of downtown Raleigh
At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall
Highlights at this access: backpack camping with access to Falls Lake Trail (Mountains-to-Sea State Trail); drive-in group camping
Location: Wake County, 22 miles north of downtown Raleigh
At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall
Highlights at this access: hike-in group camping; campers-only hiking trails and boat ramp
Location: Durham County, 12 miles east of downtown Durham
At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall
Highlights at this access: tent, trailer, and RV camping; community building; accessible swim beach and fishing pier; nearby privately owned Rolling View Marina
Location: Orange County, 11 miles northwest of downtown Durham
At the park, you can find: a shallow, rocky river corridor combined with upland forests; the endangered Carolina madtom
Highlights at this access: the Cascades; swinging bridge; Piper-Cox House; backpack and group camping; park office
Location: Watauga County, 11 miles north of Boone
You can find: Gray's lily, trailing wolfsbane, large purple-fringed orchid, and flame azalea
Highlights: the summit, offering views from one of the highest peaks in the high country; cross country skiing and snowshoeing on ungroomed trail; backpack and zone camping