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: Wake County, 20 miles north of downtown Raleigh
At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall
Highlights at this access: seasonal access; accessible swim beach; several picnic areas and shelters; hiking trails
Location: Durham County, 12 miles east of downtown Durham
At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall
Highlights at this access: tent, trailer, and RV camping; community building; accessible swim beach and fishing pier; nearby privately owned Rolling View Marina
Location: Wake County, 20 miles north of downtown Raleigh
At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall
Highlights at this access: mountain bike trails; accessible fishing and swim beach; non-gas boating on Beaverdam Lake; easy hiking trails
Location: Orange County, 11 miles northwest of downtown Durham
At the park, you can find: a shallow, rocky river corridor combined with upland forests; the endangered Carolina madtom
Highlights at this access: the Cascades; swinging bridge; Piper-Cox House; backpack and group camping; park office
Location: Durham County, 8 miles northwest of downtown Durham
At the park, you can find: a shallow, rocky river corridor combined with upland forests; the endangered Carolina madtom
Highlights at this access: Bobbitt Hole; Pea Creek; backpack camping; picnic areas; paddling access
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; unique swamp environment
Location: Gaston County, 32 miles west of Charlotte
At the park, you can find: a wide variety of bird species from small songbirds to red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures
Highlights at this access: the Pinnacle overlook; easy to strenuous hikes; lake; visitor center; backpack camping
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
Location: Rutherford County, 25 miles southeast of Asheville
At the park, you can find: peregrine falcons, rock gnome lichen, green salamanders, lampshade spiders, and white irisette
Highlights at this access: the Chimney; elevator inside a mountain; Hickory Nut Falls; scenic views along strenuous trails; paid admission