Bald Head Woods Coastal Reserve
Bald Head Island
ncnerr.org nature.org
Brunswick County Botanical Gardens
Bolivia
www.ces.ncsu.edu/brunswick
Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach
The Carolina Beach State Park Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall, located by the entrance to the park, offers environmental education programs and exhibits. The interactive maps and exhibits highlight the park's flora and fauna, but focus specifically on the carnivorous plants that are unique to their area. Spot the rare Venus flytrap and other species of plants. Wind your way through habitats along intriguing trails or enjoy fishing and boating. Covers 712 acres with five miles of hiking trails, and boat ramps, slips and fuel dock. Campsites, picnic areas, group camping. Free. Fee for camping, ramps and slips. Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Coastal Adventures & Kayak Carolina
Carolina Beach
Fishing, kayaking, sightseeing, Isalnd Trader Gift Shop. Rentals - bikes, kayaks, canoes, surfboards, fishing gear and more. Guided nature tours and instruction. The program begins with a brief introductory clinic covering basic strokes, safety, and getting comfortable in the kayak. Then you will venture out into the coastal marshlands to view birds and other creatures. No experience necessary. carolinacoastaladventures.com
Cabin Lake Recreational Park
Beulaville
A 167 acre county park located in the eastern part of Duplin County near the town of Beulaville. A 69 acre lake provides canoeing, fishing and swimming. RV hookups, camp sites, nature trail, picnic shelter and a bathhouse. duplinonline.com
Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve
Southport
175 acre coastal forest nature preserve located in a rural setting of Brunswick County. Boardered by Town Creek, Ev-Henwood posesses outstanding natural and cultural resources native plants and animals can be observed and enjoyed while walking seven miles of maintained trails. uncwil.edu/arboretum/evhen.html
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Visitors Center
Kure Beach
The Fort Fisher State Recreation Area's Visitor Center Collection includes loggerhead and other turtle shells, seashells, taxidermy mounts of native ducks and other birds, and a variety of other natural history and science specimens. This growing collection is housed and exhibited in the visitor center classroom. Four miles and 288 acres of undeveloped beach. Swimming area and concession stand Memorial Day-Labor Day. Nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles and nesting waterbirds. Hiking trails. Licensed four-wheel-drive vehicles may travel on the beach in designated areas for access to excellent surf fishing. A regional public beach access with restrooms, showers, and refreshment stand. Offers educational nature programs. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Freeman Park Recreation Area
Carolina Beach
North end of Carolina Beach. Permits are required, $40 annual or $10 day. Must have four wheel drive vehicle to navigate through the sand. carolinabeach.org/pages/parks_rec.html
Green Swamp Preserve
Brunswick County
http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/northcarolina/preserves/art5606.html
Greenfield Park and Gardens
Wilmington
A 158 acre city park, lake, many cypress trees, playgrounds, paddleboat, canoes, picnicking areas off South 3rd Street. Famous for the Azalea displays during the Azalea Festival. Considered one of the finest municipal gardens in the South. wilmington.nc.us
Halyburton Memorial Park
Wilmington
Halyburton Memorial Park contains a 58-acre nature preserve, a 1.5 mile walking and biking trail, picnic shelters and playground equipment, and a unique environmental education and events center. halyburtonpond.com
Herbert Bluethenthal Memorial Wildflower Preserve
Wilmington
Located on the campus of UNC Wilmington, the Herbert Bluethenthal Memorial Wildflower Preserve consists of approximately 10 areas of land. The site chosen for the Preserve includes a wide variety of plant communities which are representative of much of the greater southeastern North Carolina Region. The Preserve is open to the public during day;light hours every day of the week including weekends, and visitors are welcome. Parking id available, and a short wooded trail leads to the Preserve entrance. Once inside the Preserve, visitors will find marked trails and benches at convenient locations. Pamphlets, available at the Preserve entrance, describe many of the plants and plant communities. . The Preserve is dedicated to the preservation of the rich and varied flora of southeastern North Carolina and has been designed to provide a place of contentment and pleasure for those who enjoy and appreciate our native plants. uncw.edu/arboretum/bluethen.html
Jones Lake State Park
Elizabethtown
Jones Lake is one of the few remaining Carolina bay lakes, the origin of which has been a subject of speculation and debate. Family tent camping. Each site has a picnic table and communal water system. Bathhouse in center of campground with hot showers and electrical outlets. Swimming allowed. Boats, canoes and paddleboats for rent. Fishing with North Carolina license. Large picnic area beside the lake. Hiking trails. Free, Fee for camping. Jones Lake State Park
Lake Waccamaw State Park
Lake Waccamaw
One of the most unique bodies of water in the world. Animals found nowhere else on earth, rare plants and endangered animals. Boating (no ramp in park, two nearby), fishing and picnicking. Free. Fee for camping. Lake Waccamaw State Park
Museum of Coastal Carolina
Ocean Isle Beach
The Museum of Coastal Carolina is a natural history museum. Newest exhibit is a touch tank with live sea animals. Permanent exhibits include extensive collections of seashells, saltwater fish, birds, wetland animals, sea animals, live snakes, animal skins, Native American artifacts, and Civil War relics. Natural habitat settings include the Swamp, The Reef, and Waterfowl. Traveling exhibits include Tale of Loggerhead Turtle and The Great Bears. Party and Event Rooms. Gift Shop. ## The Museum of Coastal Carolina is dedicated to presenting the natural history and cultural heritage of the coastal Carolinas, an area rich in wildlife and history. Exhibits depict the precious diversity of wildlife and habitat, providing an exciting and educational experience. Museum Of Coastal Carolina
Myrtle Head Savannah Preserve
Brunswick County
nature.org
Masonboro Island Coastal Estuarine Reserve
Wrightsville Beach
Evidence strongly suggests that the first stretch of the continental American Coastline ever spotted and described by European explorers was the 8-mile long beach now called Masonboro Island. Masonboro is the largest undisturbed barrier island along the southern part of North Carolina's coast. noaa.gov ncnerr.org
North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve
Wilmington
recreation.gov noaa.gov
Old Dock Savanna Preserve
Columbus County
nature.org
Orton Plantation Gardens
Winnabow
Orton Plantation Gardens offer a self-guided, walking tour through an impressive set of formal and informal gardens covering 20 acres. Wildlife and bird life are plentiful on the former rice plantation. ortongardens.com
Oak Island Scenic Parks & Recreation Walkway & Nature Center
Oak Island
The walkway spans the Davis Creek and is a perfect opportunity to view an estuary system. Also connects to an extensive bike and walking path. Newly constructed 52nd Street Nature Center is an educational center where children and adults can learn about the environment. Touch pool, Animals and a Talking Tree Trail. Other facilities include the Oak Island Ocean Education Center at 49th SE Street & Beach Drive; Oak Island Skate Park at 49th Street, SE & Beach Drive; Oak Island Recreation Center at 3003 E. Oak Island Drive. Town Of Oak Island
Pleasure Island Safari
Kure Beach
Pleasure Island Safari provides pleasure and environmental education tours of Pleasure Island. We can take groups of up to 10 people in our zebra-striped 1974 Land Rover and drive out onto the beach, let you wander around shell hunting or teach you all about the critters to be found there. Locations include Carolina Beach State Park, the North End of Carolina Beach (dogs welcome here!), the South End at Ft. Fisher Recreation Area, Battery Buchannan (where Hwy 421 ends), and many others. Specific tour options include sunset and sunrise tours, weddings, school groups, Girl Scout and Boy Scouts, bird watching, picnics, etc. If you have a request, please ask - we can probably do it! If you don't have a 4x4 vehicle but have wanted to drive out onto the beach, this is your chance to have a really cool, fun experience you'll NEVER forget! Tours last from 1-4 hours. Reservations are needed. pleasureislandsafari.com
Singletary Lake State Park
Elizabethtown
Singletary Lake State Park
Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest
Elizabethtown
Covers 890 acres of managed forest. Authentic turpentine still, naval store, saps and tar used to waterproof ships. Talking tree trail, picnic shelter, restroom. Education programs by request. NCDFR
Zeke's Island Estuarine Reserve
Kure Beach
With a sum total of 1,160 acres, the Zeke's Island component of the North Carolina NERR is comprised of three islands, the Reserve site encompassing 42 acres of high ground on Zeke's Island, 138 acres of upland on North Island and 3 acres on No Name Island. A small parking lot and boat ramp are maintained by the state Wildlife Resources Commission on the shore of the basin area. There are no trails on Zeke's Island. Zeke's Island is open year round, but is accessible only by small boats, canoes, and kayaks. ncnerr.org noaa.gov
