From the Appalachian Trail in western North Carolina to the beautiful Cape Lookout National Seashore on the coast, the Tar Heel State is home to a variety of National Park units that every North Carolinian should visit at least once. From the most-visited National Park in the country to the Blue Ridge Parkway and more, check out seven must-see National Parks below — and then start planning some visits this year! Which do you think is the best national park to visit in North Carolina?

1. Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA
Flickr/Joe Giordano
A total of 95 miles of the Appalachian Trail traverse North Carolina's interior, but an additional 224 miles follow the North Carolina/Tennessee border. The trail is managed, in part, by the National Park Service. Those wanting to visit a part of the trail on the Tennessee border should drive up Roan Mountain to Carver's Gap, where the A.T. crosses the highway as it passes along the ridge of this mountain chain. For another beautiful reason to visit Roan Mountain, keep reading here.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway, 3884 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28803, USA
Peter Unger / Stone Collection via Getty Images
Spanning 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most visited national park units in the country. With so much to see and cover, it would be easy to spend up to two weeks exploring this scenic route and the towns and attractions along the way. You can learn more about, and specifically about the famous tunnels of the parkway, right here.
3. Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Hatteras National Park Road, Nags Head, NC 27959, USA
Google Maps/Chris Ursiny
A crown jewel of the east coast, Cape Hatteras National Seashore brings families together exploring the sun, sand, surf, sound, and the lighthouses. For a wonderful adventure while here, visit the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Read more about it in this previous article.

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4. Cape Lookout National Seashore
Cape Lookout, Cape Lookout Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531, USA
Penny Britt / iStock /Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
North Carolina's second national seashore was established in 1966, some 13 years after Cape Hatteras National Seashore was opened. Among the many sights to see in this one: the famous horses found at Shackleford Banks and the historic ghost town of Portsmouth.
5. Carl Sandburg National Historic Site
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, 1800 Little River Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731, USA
TripAdvisor/management
This 246-acre site preserves the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer, Carl Sandburg, who moved here with his wife in 1945. Sandburg was quite prolific while living here in North Carolina, publishing about one-third of his works while living at this residence. Visitors can explore the residence, the goat farm, five miles of hiking trails, and various sheds.
6. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
Flickr/ Jill /Blue Moonbeam Studio
When pinpointing the best national park to visit in North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park seems like an obvious contender. The crown jewel of the national parks system, GSMNP is the most visited national park ever. In 2020, visitors to this park quadrupled those visiting the number two park in the system (Yellowstone), as people clamored to have a socially distant vacation in this park where driving safe and sound within the confines of one's own vehicle is such a big part of the experience. The park straddles the Tennessee/North Carolina border and that's precisely where you'll find Clingman's Dome (seen here).
7. Wright Brothers National Memorial
Wright Brothers National Memorial, 1000 N Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, USA
Nik Drankoski / EyeEm Collection via Getty Images
The Wright brothers migrated from Dayton, Ohio, to Kill Devil Hills in 1900 because the National Weather Service indicated there were steady winds at this location. Here, they conducted the first sustained flight in a heavier-than-air machine. The memorial includes a memorial tower (shown), a visitor center complete with a museum featuring models and actual tools used by the brothers, and a field with a hangar. The total complex is quite large, clocking in at 428 acres to explore.

If you grew up in the Tar Heel State, then you’ve undoubtedly already visited some of these. What do you consider to be the best national park to visit in North Carolina? Let us know in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! And now that we’ve explored some of the top national parks in the state, let’s focus on the best state parks to visit in North Carolina. Here are 10 amazing parks to add to your bucket list.

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Beth C. | January 11, 2022

What are some of the best state parks to visit in North Carolina?

Isn't North Carolina incredible? In the article above, you learned about some of the state's most treasured national park units. Equally as impressive, in our opinion, is the Tar Heel State's state park system. From the mountains to the coast, you'll find an endless variety of state park destinations to suit any preference. Whether you're looking for an excellent camping destination, stunning hiking trails, or perhaps a leisurely picnic with a million-dollar view, you're bound to find what you're looking for. At the top of our list would be Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head. It's the most-visited state park in North Carolina, and it's no mystery why. This lovely destination features the tallest sand dunes found anywhere on the east coast. These dunes are always shifting, but they average between 80 and 100 feet in height. Just imagine the lovely scenery! For a totally different landscape, head to Mount Mitchell State Park. Accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway, this was the first established state park in North Carolina. Since 1915, Mount Mitchell State Park has been attracted visitors from around the globe to experience the tallest peak of the Appalachian Mountains. At the top, there's an observation deck where visitors can soak in the 360-degree mountain views. Some other North Carolina state parks worth visiting include Carolina Beach State Park, Lake Waccamaw State Park, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Fort Macon State Park, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Hammocks Beach State Park, Goose Creek State Park, and Stone Mountain State Park. For more information about these places, check out our previous article: 10 Amazing State Parks To Add To Your North Carolina Bucket List.

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