Topics Related to Picnicking

Location: New Hanover County, 18 miles south of Wilmington

You can find: loggerhead sea turtles, salt marsh, and an observation deck with views of Zeke's Island

Highlights: four-wheel-drive beach; surf fishing; 24-hour pedestrian beach access; nearby boat ramp

Location: Wake County, 20 miles north of downtown RaleighAt the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fallHighlights at this access: seasonal access; accessible swim beach; several picnic areas and shelters; hiking trails

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: Wake County, 19 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: boat ramp; picnic area; dam that divides Beaverdam Lake and Falls Lake

Location: Wake County, 20 miles north of downtown RaleighAt the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fallHighlights at this access: mountain bike trails; accessible fishing and swim beach; non-gas boating on Beaverdam Lake; easy hiking trails

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: Durham County, 8 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: Bobbitt Hole; Pea Creek; backpack camping; picnic areas; paddling access

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

Location: Camden County, at North Carolina's northeast border with Virginia

You can find: the Great Dismal Swamp and Canal, Atlantic white cedar trees, Hessel's hairstreak

Highlights: flat, easy trails for hiking and biking; bike rentals; unique swamp environment

Location: Cleveland County, 38 miles west of Charlotte

At the park, you can find: a wide variety of bird species from small songbirds to red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures

Highlights at this access: long hikes; bouldering; connects to Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park