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.
Hammocks Beach State Park offers dynamic and hands-on opportunities for Earth Science and Life Science lessons through beachcombing, observing marine mammals, or traveling to Bear Island. Ferry passage is an additional part of a program.
Hanging Rock State Park trails lead to picturesque mountain views, rock outcrops, waterfalls, and even a mountain cave. Education programs cover geology, water ecology, animal adaptations, and Indigenous History of the Saura Indians. Guided canoeing on the 12-acre lake is available for high school students.
Bring our state's rich natural and cultural heritage alive; embark on a learning adventure at Haw River State Park and discover the wonders of the river wetlands. The Summit Environmental Education Center at Haw River State Park is an outdoor environmental education center that specializes in overnight field trips for school.
European settlement near the Pamlico River in the 1690s led to the founding of Bath, North Carolina's first town, in 1705. By 1708, Bath had 50 people and 12 houses and soon became North Carolina's first port. While its early years were marked by political rivalries, Indian wars, and piracy, by 1746 Bath was considered for the colony's capital.
Featuring 18th and 19th century history, North Carolina's second oldest town Edenton was one of the fledgling nation's chief political, cultural, and commercial centers. The state's first colonial capital, it was established in the late 17th century and incorporated in 1722.
The place where the "Halifax Resolves" was adopted, the first cry from an entire colony recommending independence from England. Our visitor center is currently undergoing a complete renovation! During this time, we are temporarily operating visitor services from the Tap Room tavern, one of our historic buildings. The Tap room is located at 101 N. King St.
In 1860, Stagville was part of a vast plantation where the Bennehan and Cameron families enslaved over nine hundred people. Once one of the largest plantations in North Carolina, Historic Stagville now inspires new understanding about the history of slavery through preservation, interpretation, research, genealogy, and descendant engagement.
A historic site showcasing middle class farm life in the northwestern Piedmont at the turn of the 20th century. The Farm features the 850-tree Southern Heritage Apple Orchard with more than 425 varieties of old southern apples.
Philip Alston, whose band of colonists seeking independence from Britain was attacked here in 1781 during the American Revolution by British loyalists led by David Fanning.
Please note: This site is temporarily closed until further notice while construction on a new visitor center is underway
Jockey's Ridge State Park is home to the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast and provides an ideal location for flying kites and watching sunsets. A second access area takes visitors through wetland habitats and allows for swimming, paddling, kiteboarding, and windsurfing on the Roanoke Sound.
Located in Dare County in the Outer Banks, Jockey's Ridge State Park is home to the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast. Schools can tour alone or request a Ranger program about coastal geology and human interactions and effects on the coastal environment.
Jones Lake and the adjacent Salters Lake are two of the mysterious geological formations known as Carolina bays, a series of elliptical depressions along the Atlantic coast, the origins of which are unknown. Historically, Jones Lake opened in the summer of 1939 as the first state park for African Americans and achieved immediate popularity.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offers guided field trip programs in rotation about the park's environment. Tree ID includes nature art, identification, habitat discussion. Animal program gives students an opportunity to study raptors, skulls, skins, and eagles. Or you can coordinate your own trip with beautiful trails and lake views!
Located in Vance and Warren counties at North Carolina's north-central border with Virginia, Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a collective of eight access areas around the shoreline of this 50,000-acre reservoir.