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: Wake County, 18 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: visitor center; fishing dock; Mountains-to-Sea State Trail
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: foundations of Durham's first water pumping station, Nancy Rhodes Creek, Fish Dam Island, and Gebel Rock
Location: Orange County, 9 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: paddling access, Stone's Creek, quarry, western portion of Mountains-to-Sea State Trail through the park
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: Orange 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: remnants of the old Cabe Mill, quarry, rocky area of the river
Location: Watauga County, 11 miles north of Boone
You can find: Gray's lily, trailing wolfsbane, large purple-fringed orchid, and flame azalea
Highlights: the summit, offering views from one of the highest peaks in the high country; cross country skiing and snowshoeing on ungroomed trail; backpack and zone camping
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: Cleveland County, 38 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: long hikes; bouldering; connects to Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park