Wilderness Trails
According to the University of North Carolina Asheville, North Carolina's Mountains-To-Sea Trail Effort intends to create nearly 1,000 miles of trails connecting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the northwest to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the eastern coast. The Appalachian Trail, which connects Maine to Georgia, runs through North Carolina for 88 miles.
Wildlife Refuges
North Carolina is home to 10 National Wildlife Refuges. Majority of these are located along the eastern coast of the state. They feature miles of walking and paddling trails.
State Bird
northern cardinal image by Bruce MacQueen from
Fotolia.com
The state bird of North Carolina is the Cardinal. Cardinals can be found throughout the state during all four seasons. Males are bright red and a delight for casual observers and bird watchers alike.
State Parks
More than 140,000 acres of land throughout North Carolina has been designated to state parks. The 34 state parks contain over 2,100 miles of trails. They include seven lakes and four rivers, many of which can be used for kayaking and whitewater rafting.
National Forests
North Carolina features four national forests covering over 1.2 million acres and boasting over 1,600 miles of trails. Trails are open to hikers and bikers and campgrounds abound.
