Top Things to do in North Carolina Coast
Top Hotels in North Carolina Coast
- 1. Clarion Pointe New Bern
- 2. Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks / Corolla
- 3. Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront
- 4. Bridgepointe Hotel and Marina
- 5. Sea Ranch Resort
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Carolina Beach Oceanfront
- 7. Best Western Ocean Reef Suites
- 8. Holiday Inn Express Nags Head Oceanfront, an IHG Hotel
- 9. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rocky Mount, NC
- 10. Sanderling Resort
The 10 Best Hiking Trails in North Carolina Coast, North Carolina Coast
North Carolina's coast and 300 miles of barrier island beaches are filled with lovely state parks, top restaurants and world-class golf courses. Cape Fear's beaches attract surfers. Wilmington's downtown contains fine antebellum homes and exciting shopping and dining. The wind-swept Outer Banks offer historic lighthouses, mysterious Roanoke Island and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers hiking, biking and fishing. Ferry trips link islands with the mainland.
Restaurants in North Carolina Coast
1. Tideland National Recreation Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By jmpncsu - Raleigh, United States
Tideland National Recreation Trail consists of two loop trails at Cedar Point Recreation Area in Croatan National Forest. The short loop is about 0.6 miles and accessible. The longer loop is about 1.3 miles. Both are either gravel surface or boardwalks. My wife and I took our dog for a hike here while visiting the area. The views of the salt marsh at the mouth of White Oak River are just beautiful. And the trail itself is beautiful too - the boardwalks have arches to allow kayaks and canoe to paddle underneath. Lots of wildlife, we saw a couple egrets and a lot of fiddler crabs. We visited in the winter, but I imagine the bugs could get bad in the summer. It's definitely worth a stop if visiting the area.
2. Tar River Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By MRobinson1010 - Myrtle Beach, United States
Being from Myrtle Beach, we wanted a place to avoid crowds. [See my review of Wilson Lake]. Ibam also a bridge photographer, so I love to find different styles all over the USA. This trail started at the Tar River Bridge. We were able to get pictures above and below it. Along the trail there were places to climb down, see the river and other spots to rest and be out of the sun. It was 80° when we went and it was just a beautiful 3 mile hike for myself, my husband, 14 year old daughter and 6 year old shepherd lab mix dog, Justice. As we walked further along the trail, we ended up in Battle Park which was also beautiful. The waterfall dam, the view from the gazebo and the multiple bridges along the way. We found one area that had graffiti, but that's not uncommon for people to deface beauty. Other than that, we can't wait to come Back!
3. Hammock Hills Nature Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
A nature trail that takes hikers through some interesting terrain.
Reviewed By ipbchlvr - Whitehall, United States
very nice walk through the marsh & maritime forest. very peaceful and quiet. we did not see any wading birds in the marshes, however we were thrilled to see an eagle take flight! it was magnificent. take the time to check out this trail.
4. Tracks in the Sand
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
A self-guided 1.5-mile trail along the dunes.
Reviewed By KatPham - Lorton, United States
A must do when in Nags Head. A great stop. There’s no entrance fees. Go either early in the morning or early evening- right before the sunset.
5. Pine Cliffs Recreation Area - Neusiok Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By gypCsoul - Coastal South Carolina, United States
Pine Cliff Rec Area is closed. As of September 7th 2020 Pine Cliff Recreation Area is STILL CLOSED. I really love this area but I wish the powers that be would get it in gear to reopen this community asset!
6. Currituck Banks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
A small parking lot is provided for users of the maritime forest hiking trail. The trailhead is located by the informational sign west of the parking lot. Please close the gate behind you. It is there to keep wild horses from entering into Corolla. There is a 1/3 mile accessible boardwalk as well as a 1.5 mile (roundtrip) primitive hiking trail. Horses and other wildlife can be observed while hiking the boardwalk and trail. There is a 2 hour time limit for the parking lot. Anyone wishing to leave a vehicle temporarily so they can tour the 4 wheel drive area or walk to the beach must use the county beach access parking lots less than 1 mile south on Highway 12. Free public parking is located at the Heritage Park area and County parking lot near the lighthouse.
Reviewed By dbae27 - Staunton, United States
This is my second time visiting this area. There is a nice flat boardwalk out to the sound, about .3 miles. Accessible for those in wheelchairs, those pushing strollers, etc. We saw a snake in the water, a few lizards and spiders. We didn’t do the walk off the boardwalk this time, but it is .75 miles down to the sound and takes around an hour round trip. This is where we saw the wild horses last time. Nice parking are but it is small.
7. Patsy Pond Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
The Patsy Pond Nature Trail is part of the Croatan National Forest and is managed by the North Carolina Coastal Federation. The trail winds through an area referred to as Longleaf Pine Flat Woods, which is an open woodland of longleaf pines with low growing herbs and shrubs. There are several small ponds which can also be viewed from the trails.
Reviewed By Kellywild1 - Ionia, United States
People are wrong when they complain about the prescribed burned in this area.Longleaf pine is a fire dependent tree as are many of the plants in this forest like the Venus flytrap. If you don’t believe the science you can see for yourself. Observe a part of the forest that has not seen a burn in a long time. You will not see young Longleaf pines at all. Then look at areas that see regular burns and they are amass with young Longleaf pines in every stage. I wish people would research more before making assumptions about our beautiful nature areas
8. Buxton Woods Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By R_Traveler3 - Oak Ridge, United States
We were searching for an eastern cottonmouth and it didn’t take us long to find this beauty. Lots of snakes and wildlife here so be careful and keep your eyes open. Nice canopy and not overly busy (we saw one other couple). Great spot to check out after the lighthouse
9. Dare County Civil War Heritage Trail
10. Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 47 reviews
This easy, 1-mile round trip trail winds through the Hoop Pole Creek's maritime forest and into an estuarine ecosystem. The property is listed as a natural heritage area because of its important ecological values and functions. It serves as a refuge for fish, wildlife and plants while also enhancing water quality. While visiting, you may see a variety of songbirds, wading birds and birds of prey, as well as deer, raccoons, butterflies, dragonflies, turtles, lizards and snakes.
Reviewed By maas_johnf - Raleigh, United States
The trail starts across from Bojangles in a shopping strip anchored by Food Lion. The first part is on a boardwalk through a forested area. It becomes an asphalt trail and then dirt and sand. The last part has wonderful views of the water and salt marsh. In fact, you can walk into the reeds on an excellent path and feel all alone. It's a great place to look for aquatic birds.
