Page 185 - CCO17 Flip Book

8 AREA PARKS
2018
Enjoy a variety of Recreation Activities
Hammocks Beach State Park
1572 Hammocks Beach Rd, Swansboro
252-326-4881
Hammocks Beach State Park has one of the most unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic coast in Bear Island. Accessible by either ferry or private boat, canoe or kayak, Bear Island is a three-mile-long barrier island filled with activities to keep one entertained for hours. Hammocks Beach also has a visitor center, where watercrafts can be rented , and a launch site for ferry service, as well as kayaks and canoes.
Outdoor recreation opportunities include camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding and picnicking.
Rachel Carson Reserve
101 Pavers Island Rd, Pivers Island
252-220-0779 • 252-838-0883
Rachel Carson Reserve encompasses a total of 2,315-acres of scenic islands, salt marshes and flats. Part of the North Carolina National Estuarine Reserve system, Rachel Carson’s Reserve is a collection of coastal regions that preserves
and protects the wide variety of wildlife in the region. The reserve is only assessible by water, so be prepared to paddle or ferry your away to the shore, but regardless the Rachel Carson Reserve is a scenic destination for visitors who want to sample the natural life of Crystal Coast.
Outdoor recreation opportunities include birdwatching, educational programs, hiking, kayaking and wild horses.
Theodore Roosevelt
Natural Area
1 Roosevelt Dr, Pine Knoll Shores
252-247-4003
Donated to the state by the family of the 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area is one of the few remaining maritime forests on the coast. Two trails wind through the 265-acre nature preserve and can be adapted to fit the time and distance decided on by the hiker. Benches are located along the trail to offer rest or quiet areas to view the natural wildlife habitats of the park. Outdoor recreation opportunities include birdwatching and hiking.
at the many beautiful
Crystal Coast Area Parks.
Outdoor Recreation
Cape Lookout National
Seashore
131 Charles St, Harkers Island
252-728-2250
Cape Lookout National Seashore has many activities to fit all lifestyles. If you are short on time there are plenty of places to swim and sunbath or you can visit Harkers Island Visitor Center. Visitors with lots of time on their hands can search for horses on Shackleford Banks, go kayaking, canoeing or fishing or walk down to Cape Lookout in search of nesting birds and wildlife.
Outdoor recreation opportunities include beach driving, birding, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, horse watching, hunting, kayaking/canoeing, swimming and windsurfing.
Cedar Island National
Wildlife Refuge
879 Lola Rd, Cedar Island
252-225-2511
Established in 1964, Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge contains 14,494 acres of coastal marsh and forested wetlands. The refuge currently protects endangered species like the American alligator and brown pelican, while also protecting migrating waterfowl and birds.
The refuge offers wild-life recreation opportunities and environmental education for the public.
Croatan National Forest
141 E Fisher Ave, New Bern
252-638-5628 • Reservations: 877-444-6777
The Croatan National Forest is one of four National Forests in North Carolina and the only true coastal forest on the East Coast. The Croatan National Forest’s 161,000-acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps called pocosins. Bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water. All this water provides a variety of recreation and diversity of wildlife—from deer, black bears, and turkeys to wading birds, ospreys, and alligators. Canoeing and fishing are popular on blackwater creeks and saltwater marshes. The Croatan is also home to the carnivorous Venus flytrap, sunder, and pitcherplant.
Outdoor recreation opportunities include camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, and fishing. The Croatan Forest has been nationally recognized for its trails and recreation opportunities.
Fort Macon State Park
Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach
252-726-7778
Fort Macon State Park has a little bit of everything set
in a background of natural beauty. Some visitors will be attracted to the Civil War-era fort, others will want to fish, swim and beachcomb the unspoiled shoreline, while others may want to stroll through a coastal education center. The park is home to 302 different species of birds, which can be seen while hiking over 1.5 miles of ocean beach.
Outdoor recreation opportunities include birdwatching, hiking, beachcombing, swimming and surf fishing.
Photo by Gary Hollar
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES