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Museums and Exhibits

Exhibits in the Visitor Center at Gorges State Park

Museums and Exhibits

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Most state parks have museums or exhibits in their visitor centers, and some have classrooms and discovery centers with hands-on exhibits.

Ranger-led events, self-guided events, and exhibits engage people in hands-on experiences that promote appreciation and understanding of our state's great cultural and natural resources. Check the Events Calendar to learn more.

Parks with museums or exhibit halls are listed below:

Carolina Beach State Park

Located in New Hanover County, 10 miles south of Wilmington, Carolina Beach State Park is home to the Venus flytrap, a rare carnivorous plant. The park is also home to Sugarloaf Dune, a navigational marker since 1663 that offers a great view of the Cape Fear River.

Camping:
Camper cabins; Tent; Trailer; RV with electric, water and sewer hookups; Dump station; Showers; Group sites
Activities:
Hiking (9 miles); Kids TRACK Trail; Biking (1 mile); Paddling; Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Boat ramp; Marina; Concession stand; Auditorium; Classroom; Visitor center; Two wheelchair-accessible trails

 

1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach, NC 28428 (Directions)
►  910-458-8206 · carolina.beach@ncparks.gov

Crowders Mountain State Park

Located in Gaston County, 25 miles west of Charlotte, Crowders Mountain State Park boasts not one but two mountain peaks that offer magnificent views of the surrounding piedmont. The park's Ridgeline Trail connects to adjacent Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. Towering cliffs, a nine-acre lake and plenty of birdwatching opportunities round out the outdoor experience in this rugged setting.

Camping:
Tent (backpacking); Group sites
Activities:
Hiking (20 miles); Kids TRACK Trails; Paddling; Fishing; Picnicking; Rock climbing
Amenities:
Concession stand; Amphitheater; Auditorium; Classroom; Picnic shelters; Visitor center

 

522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 (Directions)
►  704-853-5375 · crowders.mountain@ncparks.gov

Dismal Swamp State Park

Located in Camden County, abutting the state's northeast border with Virginia, Dismal Swamp State Park provides access to the Great Dismal Swamp, the largest remaining swamp in the eastern United States, through the 22-mile Dismal Swamp Canal. This area features unique and abundant plant life and wildlife, as well as a rich cultural history that intertwines with George Washington, the Underground Railroad and Prohibition.

Activities:
Hiking (21.5 miles); Kids TRACK Trail; Biking (21.5 miles); Paddling; Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Boat ramp; Boat rental; Bike rental; Auditorium; Classroom; Visitor center; One wheelchair-accessible trail

 

2294 U.S. 17 N., South Mills, NC 27976 (Directions)
►  252-771-6593 · dismal.swamp@ncparks.gov

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Located in New Hanover County, 20 miles south of Wilmington, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is the only park in the system that allows four-wheel-drive beach access, making it popular for surf fishing. Warm weather months bring loggerhead turtles to nest along the park's sandy shores, while the salt marsh along the Cape Fear River brims with wildlife year-round.

Activities:
Hiking (1 mile); Paddling; Swimming; Fishing; Picnicking; Four-wheel beach driving
Amenities:
Boat ramp (NC Wildlife); Concession stand; Classroom; Beach access; Foot rinse station

 

1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC 28449 (Directions)
►  910-458-5798 · fort.fisher@ncparks.gov

Fort Macon State Park

Located in Carteret County, 40 miles southeast of New Bern, Fort Macon State Park is centered on a perfectly restored pre-Civil War era fort that offers daily guided tours and cannon and musket demonstrations regularly. The beach is perfect for swimming, beachcombing or spotting one of the 302 different species of birds found in the park, while trails traverse salt marsh and dune fields.

Activities:
Hiking (3.5 miles); Swimming; Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Concession stand; Visitor center; Wheelchair access; Beach access; Bathhouse

 

2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 (Directions)
►  252-726-3775 · fort.macon@ncparks.gov

Goose Creek State Park

Located in Beaufort County, 30 miles southeast of Greenville, Goose Creek State Park offers a broad range of coastal experiences, from wetlands along the Pamlico Sound to a cypress swamp viewed from a long boardwalk. Remnants of boat piers, a trackless railroad bed and burnt remains of tar kilns provide a glimpse of the heyday of the lumber industry.

Camping:
Tent; Group sites
Activities:
Hiking (8.5 miles); Paddling; Swimming; Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Boat ramp; Auditorium; Outdoor classroom; Picnic shelters; Visitor center; One wheelchair-accessible trail

 

2190 Camp Leach Road, Washington, NC 27889 (Directions)
►  252-923-2191 · goose.creek@ncparks.gov

Gorges State Park

Located in Transylvania County, near the tripoint where North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia meet, Gorges State Park sports plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges and sheer rock precipices. Backcountry-style recreation is a hallmark of the park, spanning over 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest that host extraordinary biodiversity. The park features 26 waterfalls and a portion of the 70-mile Foothills Trail.

Camping:
Tent (backpacking)
Activities:
Hiking (56 miles); Biking (17 miles); Horseback riding (12 miles); Paddling (via Devil's Fork State Park in South Carolina); Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Auditorium; Classroom; Picnic shelters; Visitor center

 

976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire, NC 28774 (Directions)
►  828-966-9099 · gorges@ncparks.gov