Topics Related to Coastal Plain

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: Dare County, in the Outer BanksAt the park, you can find: the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast, gray fox, American beach grass, and fulguritesHighlights at this access: wetlands, grassy dunes, maritime thickets; swim beach on Roanoke Sound; kiteboarding; windsurfing; paddling access

Location: Dare County, in the Outer BanksAt the park, you can find: the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast, gray fox, American beach grass, and fulguritesHighlights at this access: big dunes; hiking on sand; hang gliding; picnicking; visitor center; exhibits

Location: Onslow County, 19 miles east of Jacksonville

You can find: Bear Island, a 4-mile-long, undeveloped barrier island, and sea turtle nests, including loggerhead turtles, who nest above the high tide line at the island

Highlights: Beach camping (backpack via ferry or paddle-in); seasonal ferry; paddle trails

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: Carteret County, 39 miles southeast of New Bern

You can find: a restored 19th century-era fort, diverse barrier island habitat, and birds such as the painted bunting

Highlights: daily tours; cannon and musket demonstrations; exhibits; beach access

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: 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: Cumberland County, 10 miles north of Fayetteville

At the park, you can find: longleaf pine trees, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and Pine Barrens tree frogs

Highlights at this access: hiking, biking or horseback riding through longleaf pine forests; fishing at Carvers Creek and ponds

Location: Wayne County, 15 miles southeast of Goldsboro

You can find: the 90-foot bluffs rising above the Neuse River and eastern fox squirrels

Highlights: hiking through longleaf restoration areas and along creeks; swimming lake with boat rentals; full hook-up RV camping; paddling on the Neuse River