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Our state has every terrain: the tallest peaks in the East, bustling and vibrant cities in the central region, and 300 miles of barrier-island beaches. Find your adventure – we have a lot of it.
1 Climb Sheer Cliffs at Hanging Rock State Park
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1 Climb Sheer Cliffs at Hanging Rock State Park
DanburySee on map
Ditch the rise-and-grind routine for a rise-and-climb instead. A short drive from Winston-Salem, the Sauratown Mountains’ gnarled gray peaks tower over the Piedmont flatlands, beckoning you to make like Spider-Man on the quartzite. The 300-foot cliff at Moore’s Wall is world-class rock with sheer vertical lines, bucketlike handholds and big route variety. If you’re a climbing newbie, call the experts at Blue Ridge Mountain Guides to take you up.
2 Surf a Sure Thing at Wrightsville Beach
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2 Surf a Sure Thing at Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville BeachSee on mapWrightsville Beach’s sleepy vibe got a wake-up call when Coastal Living named it among the "10 Best Little Surf Towns in America." Protected by sandy barrier islands and salt marshes, this gentle-wave mecca boasts a consistent shore break that’s ideal for surfers of all levels. A dozen surf shops rent longboards and offer camps and lessons. With practice, you’ll ride the nose like a pro – or at least master the pop-up.
3 Hike Quiet Paths Along Wood Run Trails
3 Hike Quiet Paths Along Wood Run Trails
Mount GileadSee on mapExplore wilderness just an hour from Charlotte. The family-friendly trail system offers moderate grades, prolific wildflowers and trickling creeks. Hike or bike the 5-mile Supertree Trail past loblolly pines. Add the Keyauwee Trail for a 13-mile day of rollercoaster hills and creek crossings.
4 Paddle Past Gators on an Alligator River Kayak Tour
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4 Paddle Past Gators on an Alligator River Kayak Tour
Nags HeadSee on mapSome people run with the bulls; others paddle with alligators. Join the latter at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, where toothy reptiles float in shady blackwater canals. See the shy gators – plus egrets, herons, river otters and black bears – on a paddle trip from Buffalo City with Outer Banks Kayak Adventures. Your guide will also share stories about this region’s whiskey-soaked Prohibition past.
5 Fish the Deep with Deep-Sea Fishing
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5 Fish the Deep with Deep-Sea Fishing
Bald Head IslandSee on mapA 20-minute ferry ride from Southport brings you to Bald Head Island, a car-free sanctuary where loggerhead turtles lay eggs on the beach. Cruise out to sea with Captain Paul of Impulsive Charters and drop a line in the water. In a half-day, you might land a mackerel, bluefish, tuna or mahi-mahi. Join a day trip for a bigger-catch opportunity, such as sailfish and marlin.
6 Free Fall the Coast with Skydive Coastal Carolinas
6 Free Fall the Coast with Skydive Coastal Carolinas
SouthportSee on mapRelease your endorphins by free falling at 120 mph. In this tandem skydive, you’re strapped to a certified instructor as you jump out of a perfectly good airplane at 11,000 to 14,000 feet. Your only tasks are to manage your fear and keep your eyes open for the view – an eagle’s perspective on the Atlantic’s bays and lighthouses. First-timers, take heart: The scariest part is before you jump.
7 Rappel a Waterfall with Green River Adventures
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7 Rappel a Waterfall with Green River Adventures
SaludaSee on mapLeave your comfort zone in the car. This outfitter offers plenty of chances to stretch yourself on the likes of zip line canopy tours, hiking adventures and whitewater trips. But the gig none of your friends will match is the waterfall rappel. Take a guided hike to Little or Big Bradley falls, slip on a harness, learn some rope handling from the pros, back out over the plunging water, and go. At the bottom, celebrate with a swim in the waterfall’s pool.
Please use caution and obey all rules and warnings. The rocks around waterfalls are often slippery, and the currents can be strong.
8 Cast Epic Streams Along the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail
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8 Cast Epic Streams Along the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail
Jackson CountySee on mapDesignated by the legislature as the NC Trout Capital (and the first and only fly-fishing trail of its kind), this trout mecca offers anglers 15 mountain streams and whitewater rivers loaded with brown, rainbow, brook and even Donaldson species. You might catch your trophy here – some reach 20 to 30 inches long. For a trip with an Orvis-endorsed guide, head to the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, where you can reel in brook, golden, brown, or rainbow trout on float or wading trips.
9 Play in Nirvana at Nantahala Outdoor Center
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9 Play in Nirvana at Nantahala Outdoor Center
Bryson CitySee on mapThe Nantahala River and Appalachian Trail both wind through here, so you’ll find Olympic-grade kayakers surfing the whitewater course and AT thru-hikers resting in Adirondack chairs. The NOC has serious outdoor cred – guides operate on six rivers in four states – but it’s not just for hard-cores. First-timers can tackle the Nantahala in a raft, kayak or ducky (inflatable kayak); go high on the zip line canopy tour or high-ropes course; or stand-up paddle on Fontana Lake.
10 Hike the Peak of Grandfather Mountain
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10 Hike the Peak of Grandfather Mountain
LinvilleSee on mapExpect 360-degree views on Grandfather Mountain, one of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ loftiest peaks (5,946 feet). Choose your challenge: Hike a steep 4 miles in Grandfather Mountain State Park with the help of ladders and cables, or drive to the Mile High Swinging Bridge – America’s highest suspension footbridge – and walk across an 80-foot chasm between two of Grandfather’s pinnacles.
11 Motor Off-Road in Uwharrie National Forest
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11 Motor Off-Road in Uwharrie National Forest
TroySee on mapFans of 4x4s, four-wheelers, dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles find bone-jarring bliss on 16 miles of rugged trails in the Uwharrie National Forest. Expect steep climbs, deep ruts, mud and rocky terrain. Start your rough ride at the Dutch John Trailhead, Falls Dam Trailhead or Art Lilley Campground. Avoid the daunting Daniel Trail – it’s for pros. Overland Experts offers driving classes.
12 Take a Rollercoaster Bike Ride Along Kerr Scott Trails
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12 Take a Rollercoaster Bike Ride Along Kerr Scott Trails
WilkesboroSee on mapFind good climbs, fast descents and numerous bermed turns on the ribbons of singletrack looping through the hardwood forest. Designated as an IMBA Epic trail by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the 30-plus miles of trails are revered for their banked turns.
13 Plunge Into Rapids at the US National Whitewater Center
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13 Plunge Into Rapids at the US National Whitewater Center
CharlotteSee on mapRaft the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, or kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the vast Catawba River. Prefer to stay dry? Find zip lines, rock climbing, ropes courses and mountain biking across 1,300 acres, plus yoga classes and live tunes.
14 Spot Black Bears with Dare to Hyde Adventures
14 Spot Black Bears with Dare to Hyde Adventures
FairfieldSee on mapOn a driving tour with a local wildlife expert, you’ll see bears as large as 350 pounds fattening up in the wheat and corn fields. “Bears outnumber people three to one in Hyde County,” guide Chase Luker says. “I’ve seen as many as 60 in one field.”
Find more adventure in The Official 2025 North Carolina Travel Guide. And visit Outdoor NC for additional tips on how to connect with nature and help preserve the natural beauty of our state.
