This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You North Carolina Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

We’ve written many times about natural wonders in North Carolina. From waterfalls in North Carolina to national parks in North Carolina, we’ve got it all! And we’ll go a step further and say that North Carolina wonders are so amazing that we think that every resident – young and old – owes them a visit. With that in mind, we’ve created a North Carolina road trip that will take you to 10 of the most amazing North Carolina wonders that nature has to offer.

If you drove straight through, this road trip to natural wonders in North Carolina would take over 15 hours to complete. Of course, we don’t recommend that! We suggest taking several days (or more) to explore these beautiful North Carolina wonders. You’ll travel a total of roughly 720 miles – though you should definitely feel free to make side trips and detours along the way.

For specific driving directions or to alter this route, simply take a closer look at the map for our natural wonders in North Carolina road trip.

Google Maps

Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA

Sugargliding/flickr

The 200-mile-long Outer Banks offers stunning scenery and tons to do, so it's no surprise that it's consistently revered as one of the most beautiful places in North Carolina. Visit one of the islands, and if you’re scuba certified, check out one of many shipwreck diving sites.

Advertisement

Jockeys Ridge, Nags Head, NC 27959, USA

Matt Herring/flickr

One of the best state parks in North Carolina, this 426-acre park includes the tallest active sand dune in the entire eastern U.S. It gets hot here during the summer, so bring plenty of water - temperatures can reach 100 degrees, and the sand can be up to 30 degrees hotter.

Advertisement

Lake Mattamuskeet, North Carolina, USA

J. Stephen Conn/flickr

Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest natural lake in North Carolina, and it’s full of ducks, geese and swans, depending on the time of year. The lake is 18 miles long and 7 miles wide, but just 2-3 feet deep.

Pilot Mountain, NC 27041, USA

David Ellis/flickr

Without a doubt one of the most beautiful natural wonders in North Carolina, Pilot Mountain rises 2,241 feet and towers over Pilot Mountain State Park. You’ll find several hiking trails here, as well as a campground and visitor center.

Related Stories

You'd Never Know One Of The Most Incredible Natural Wonders In North Carolina Is Hiding In This Tiny Park

Few People Know About This North Carolina Trail Covered In Mountain Laurel

Few People Know About The Missing Pot Of Gold Hiding Somewhere In The Mountains of North Carolina

New River State Park Road, New River State Park Rd, North Carolina 28644, USA

bobistraveling/flickr

The New River may possibly be one of the oldest rivers in the entire world - geologists speculate that it could be as old as 360 million years. Visit the gorgeous New River State Park to canoe, fish, hike, camp and recreate.

Linville Gorge, North Carolina 28657, USA

Jim Liestman/flickr

Linville Gorge includes 11,786 acres and the view is simply stunning. In fact, it's revered as one of the most beautiful places in America. There’s some great hiking here, but some of it is quite strenuous - beginners should stick to the shorter trails. While you’re in the area, make sure to visit Linville Falls and Linville Caverns.

Mount Mitchell State Park, 2388 NC-128, Burnsville, NC 28714, USA

Daniel Lockridge/flickr

Mt. Mitchell State Park is the oldest in the state; it was founded in 1915. The park covers 1,996 acres and contains the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Park the car and make the short, steep climb to the observation platform, which gives you 360-degree views, making for one of the best day trips in North Carolina.

Advertisement

Chimney Rock, NC, USA

Selena N.B.H./flickr

Chimney Rock, one of the most recognizable natural wonders in North Carolina, is the centerpiece of Chimney Rock State Park, making it easy to see why the park is often touted as the best state park in North Carolina. Take the elevator to the top of the 315-foot-high Chimney Rock to get a bird’s-eye view of the Piedmont valley. The granite monolith has an elevation of 2,880 feet above sea level.

Looking Glass Rock, North Carolina 28712, USA

Valerie/flickr

The granite face of Looking Glass Rock reflects the morning sun, like a mirror, resulting in one of the most unique North Carolina wonders. Located in the Pisgah National Forest, it rises almost 4,000 feet and is a popular spot for rock climbers. While you’re there, stop by Looking Glass Falls and take the kids to Sliding Rock.

Upper Whitewater Falls, North Carolina 28717, USA

Brenda Wiley/flickr

Our trip culminates at Whitewater Falls. This gorgeous, tiered waterfall cascades 811 feet, making it the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies and the tallest waterfall in North Carolina. You'll find it in the Nantahala National Forest.

We’re only able to bring you ten North Carolina wonders in this road trip.  There are plenty more natural wonders in North Carolina – which ones did we miss? Have you ever been to any of the spots mentioned above? If so, we want to hear about your experience, so make sure to share your thoughts with us.

When it comes to natural wonders in North Carolina, waterfalls rank pretty high up there. Luckily, there are several beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina, and just to prove it, we’ve mapped out a route to some of the best. So, when you’ve completed the North Carolina wonders road trip, consider embarking on the route we’ve mapped out to some of the most striking waterfalls in North Carolina.