Explore the complex history of Governor Charles B. Aycock at his birthplace. Traditionally celebrated for expanding public education, the site also interprets his history as a staunch segregationist and the driving force behind disenfranchisement of Black North Carolinians.
A major pre-Revolutionary port on North Carolina's Cape Fear River, Brunswick was razed by British troops in 1776 and never rebuilt. During the Civil War, Fort Anderson was constructed atop the old village site and served as part of the Cape Fear River defenses below Wilmington before the fall of the Confederacy.
Where towering cliffs overlook the scenic Neuse River, students can explore hiking trails, learn about animal tracks, or enjoy hands-on lesson in orienteering. The park’s unique landscape offers an unforgettable outdoor classroom experience. Students can learn to distinguish animal tracks and how to read a compass.
Crowders Mountain State Park holds the key to many of nature's best-kept secrets. Unlock the door to nature's classroom and watch the mysteries begin to unfold.
Two of our nation's most pivotal wars can be found within Kinston at two different historical sites. The CSS Neuse Museum is home to one of the nation’s largest Civil War ironclad remnants. In the museum, students can explore hands-on displays and exhibits featuring artifacts on naval engineering, wartime life, and the Neuse’s role in North Carolina history.
Explore Dismal Swamp State Park, a unique natural treasure on North Carolina’s northeastern border. Students can discover diverse wildlife, paddle scenic waterways, and learn about the swamp’s role in history, including its significance as a refuge for freedom seekers. Hiking and biking trails offer hands-on lessons in ecology and conservation.
Step back in time at Duke Homestead State Historic Site, where Washington Duke began his tobacco empire following the Civil War. Students can explore the Duke family home, historic tobacco barns, and exhibits that trace the rise of the American tobacco industry. This site offers a unique look at entrepreneurship, agriculture, and North Carolina history.
Join a park ranger as you explore the unique geological features of Elk Knob. Students will discover rock and mineral types occurring on the knob and the processes that form and break them down. Also, students will learn about the geological and ecological connections that shaped Elk Knob.
Get your hands and feet wet in the Eno River with hands-on education programs studying river ecology and water bugs. Located in Durham and Orange counties 10 miles northwest of downtown Durham, Eno River State Parks spans across seven access areas along its namesake river.
Please note the park has partially closed trails.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area offers a CATCH Fishing program for K-12th grades as well as guided hikes to learn about the flora and fauna of the area. During the spring and fall, migrating monarch butterflies add to the picturesque beauty of the lake.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is located near the North Carolina Aquarium and State Historic Site, offering a third interactive field trip option for schools. Learn about sea turtles and their nesting habits, explore a maritime forest and marsh, and identify fauna along the boardwalk trail.
Fort Macon State Park is centered on an impeccably restored pre-Civil War fort that offers daily guided tours and frequent cannon and musket demonstrations. Extensive exhibits educate visitors on fort history and the natural surroundings. Learn and participate in programs about sea turtles, their lifespan, nesting habits, and data collection for managing healthy populations.
Goose Creek State Park offers a broad range of coastal experiences, from wetlands along the Pamlico River to a cypress swamp viewed from a long boardwalk. Rangers offer programs about amphibians, water cycle, and the difference between saltwater and freshwater ecosystems.
Gorges State Park sports plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, and sheer rock precipices. Backcountry-style recreation is a hallmark of the park, from backpacking to horseback riding. This park located in the Blue Ridge Escarpment spans over 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest and hosts extraordinary biodiversity.
Located in Avery, Caldwell, and Watauga counties 13 miles southwest of Boone, Grandfather Mountain State Park showcases a stunning mountain known for severe weather and challenging terrain that has hikers scrambling along cliffs, gripping cables, and climbing up ladders.