Best North Carolina Coastal Parks to Visit in Winter
North Carolina’s Coastal State Parks are the best kept secret for winter getaways. The temperature is usually warmer than even the piedmont, there are almost no crowds, the bugs are low, and the views are incredible.
While you’re there, you can kick back and relax, enjoy an evening under the stars, go kayaking, enjoy coffee as you watch the sun rise over a lake, take your bike out on a trail, or hike. Heck, you can even do a little fishing.
Pro tips before you head out: NC State Parks change their opening and closing times each month, and the parks are not all aligned on the times. Check the website for the park you are visiting and be sure about when the gates open and close.
Another tip is to reserve your campsite before you head out. While they are less crowded, there are sometimes events at the park or nearby and the spots can fill up fast. Most of these parks are in the middle of nowhere so finding last minute accommodations when you’re already there can be difficult.
Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach State Park is amazing. Each trail has a different feel and ecosystem. In the fall you can hike down trails with trees blooming red and orange leaves, or walk to the beach, travel down a savannah, and even go through mangroves. And, this is one of the few places in the world where you can find Venus flytraps growing in the wild.
The campground is large, yet you have plenty of room. I like the way the sites are drive up but still keep it a little wild. Make your reservation before you come. Even in the winter Carolina Beach State Park books up fast and there may not be sites available if you just show up.
The Visitor Center is large, but the little store at the marina is where you want to stop. This is where you check in for camping and get supplies. The store doesn’t have it lot, but it seems to have what you need.
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It’s hard to say where the best sunrise and sunset views are found. I enjoy sunset over the marina and sunrise at the beach, but there are endless opportunities.
Only about 10 miles from Wilmington, you can have great dinner and some beer nearby, then head back for a relaxing night under the stars. (Just be sure to check the park’s hours. The open and closing times vary by month).
Lake Waccamaw State Park
When it comes to efficiency, Lake Waccamaw State Park has it down. This is by far, the fastest, smoothest campsite check in I’ve encountered. They have everything set up by outside in a little box.
You’ll find an envelope with your name and inside is everything you need. I’m not sure if they’re still allowing this, but the last time I was there, you were able to drive up a dirt road (which is a trail, but park vehicles use it) to your campsite.
The other campers were a little loud, but everything settled down by 10 pm. And the rangers are responsive if you have any issues.
Pro tip: bring wood for a campfire. The park does not sell wood on site and there is no quick or convenient place to pick it up after you arrive.
The lake itself is beautiful with plenty of vistas. Be careful on any wooden bridges, they can be slick with moss. There are several trails and they don’t tend to become overcrowded, especially in the winter.
Despite what the website says, there is no trail that goes around the entire lake. A large portion of lake front outside the park is privately owned. You’ll have to walk on roads or you’d be in someone’s backyard.
If you really want the mileage, I would walk the length of the lake from the overlook to the pier, hike back to my car, then drive to the other side to see the dam. There’s a bridge by the dam that connects to the park. The trail on the park side is often washed out, especially after rain.
Lumber River State Park
There are two sections to Lumber River State Park, and each has its own vibe. Princess Anne Access has cute hiking trails, and pretty campsites. You have to hike a short way to the sites, but it’s not bad. Site 1 is the closest to the parking lot.
At Princess Anne Access, you can enjoy a quiet evening on the wooden swings by the river before grilling a quick meal and enjoying your evening. Or you can hike down to Griffin’s Whirl which is a spot in the Lumber river where the water flows in reverse. It’s pretty cool once you realize what it is.
Chalks Bank Access is more rural. You need to be comfortable being alone to come out here. You’ll drive almost 2 miles down a dirt and gravel road to reach the campgrounds. They’re beautiful sites, at least to me. You can enjoy solitude and quiet camping along the river.
There’s kayaking at both locations, as well as short hiking trails. Regardless of which option you aim for, you’ll have a unique experience.
Lumber River State Park offers a unique experience I haven’t had at any other state park. It’s peaceful in the winter.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
Cliffs of the Neuse is a small park tucked into a little corner of land between Mt. Olive and Kinston, not far from Goldsboro. It’s popular with locals for trail running and enjoying the Neuse River.
I like it for the quiet. The small campground is perfect if you need to get away. For some reason, it doesn’t attract partiers, just people looking to enjoy an evening with a hot drink and a fire.
The park is perfect for bicycles. You really don’t need a mountain bike for the trails where bikes are allowed, a sturdy all-purpose bike will do. And, if you’re new to mountain biking, it’s a good place to get a little practice.
The campground is at the top of the cliffs. There’s a separate parking lot for day visitors who want to enjoy the view. You can also park at the Visitor Center and hike up, it’s not that bad. Either way, it’s a fun experience to see rocky cliffs coming up out of nowhere above the Neuse River.
If you get a chance, visit nearby Kinston and learn how the CSS Neuse II was built and brought down the river. There’s a life-size replica of the ship downtown. Check the CSS Neuse II Facebook page to see if they’re open before you go.
Jones Lake State Park
Jones Lake State Park, NCJones Lake State Park is perfect when you don’t have the ability to take Friday off. It’s easy to swing by Saturday mid-morning, enjoy a hike around the lake, set up camp, have a great evening, sip your morning coffee on the wooden swing by the lake, then head home.
The trails can be easily hiked in half a day. There are also overlooks with benches where you can stop and enjoy. And the main area behind the visitor center by the boathouse has volleyball nets, and a giant grassy area. Plus, plenty of picnic tables. But, in the winter, it’s going to be quiet.
You can sit at a table, or pull up a blanket, and enjoy the peaceful water. If you hike counter clockwise, you’ll reach the first overlook quickly, near the start of the Cedar Loop Trail.
The campground is small and perfect.
Elizabethtown is nearby, and you’ll likely head through Fayetteville on your way home. It’s a little slice of heaven about 2.5 hours from Raleigh.
Merchants Millpond State Park
If I had to pick one word to describe Merchants Millpond State Park it would be “Fairytale”. Merchants Millpond and Lassiter Swamp come together to create a magical place with Cypress Trees covered in Spanish Moss grow proudly out of green water with Lily Pads.
Every time I visit, I keep looking for a witch or sprite or.. something.
Fun fact, there are alligators here. Merchants Millpond and Great Dismal State Parks are the northernmost areas where alligators can be seen. If you see one, the Visitor Center has a board where you can track your sighting.
Campers have two options, the family campground and the backcountry sites. To truly get away, you can reserve one of the five primitive sites and hike 2 to 3 miles where you’ll have a piece of land all to yourself.
You’ll be about 45 minutes from Great Dismal Swamp State Park. This is the largest remaining swamp in the eastern United States. It’s pretty cool to see it. For me, the perfect weekend is to visit both parks using Merchants Millpond as your base.
Medoc Mountain State Park
Follow me on this. There are over 11 miles of biking trails, 9.5 miles of bridle trails, and 9.3 miles of hiking only trails. Since hikers can go on all of the trails, that’s a total of 29.8 miles of hiking trail. And it’s all in one pretty compact park.
The mountain is just 325 feet high, but there’s plenty to do. There was once a large mountain range, over 300 million years ago, but it eroded over time and Medoc Mountain is part of what is left. You can take the summit trail around the top and enjoy the views.
This is the only park considered a “coastal state park” in North Carolina with equestrian campsites.
I can’t quite explain it, but it’s like being 4 hours away, deep in the woods, but you’re in a local state park. There’s just this sense of space and wilderness. Of course, there’s also the giant meadow which is pretty cool.
Right now, you’ll have to visit for the day and keep coming back, or find a campground nearby. The campsites in the park are closed for construction through at least the end of the year. However, the primitive equestrian campsites are open. This is great news because it means the sites will be refreshed.
Wrap Up: NC State Parks to Visit in the Winter
No matter which one you choose, you can’t go wrong visiting any of North Carolina’s coastal parks in the winter. Chilly nights are perfect for snuggling in a sleeping bag, and most of the parks are on lakes making for perfect morning views.
Even if you just want some alone time for a hike, several of the parks are within a 2 hour drive from Raleigh and can be a relaxing day trip.
Be sure to stop in some of the downtowns on your way out for a little treat. It makes the drive home even better.
