Camping Gems - Places to Go in North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Straddling the border between western North Carolina and Tennessee, these ancient mountains appear to be covered in a forest that never ends. Visit the park to watch for black bears, deer, elk, foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, and over thirty different bird species. Enjoy fishing for trout in the 2,000-plus miles of streams, hiking the 800 miles of trails, or mountain biking and horseback riding through these misty, magical mountains.

New Hanover Beaches
You'll find incredible beaches that aren't overly crowded in the Cape Fear area surrounding Wilmington and Jacksonville. The beaches near Wilmington are popular with fishermen because of the many different piers, flourishing fishing spots, and great waters for recreational activities.  You can tour Topsail Island with its 26 miles of white sands or visit Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach on the New Hanover coast.

Linville Caverns
Try your hand at spelunking in this cavern that includes curious formations like "tobacco leaves" and "The Gilkey Room," named for John Q. Gilkey, the man who first opened the cave to tours in 1939.  Mineral deposits have helped color the stone, creating beautiful patters on the columns and flowstones.

Southern Pines
With opportunities for golf, tennis, hiking, horseback riding, and other sports, you'll find plenty to keep your blood pumping in Southern Pines.  For a calmer outing, try browsing through the quaint downtown, shopping for pottery and antiques.  You'll find more than 40 first-rate golf courses in the area, as well as mini golf, walking trails, fishing, and canoeing.

Charlotte
From a ride aboard the Historic Charlotte Trolley to a stroll through Center City, the Queen City offers a wide variety. You can take the kids to see Discovery Place and ImaginOn, watch a PGA event, or take in the Billy Graham Library. Charlotte is home to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, the Carowinds Theme Park, and fabulous sports teams. Sports fans will find ice hockey, AAA baseball, NASCAR Nextel cup racing, the NBA Bobcats, and the NFL Carolina Panthers.

Blue Ridge Parkway
Stretching through the southern Appalachian Mountains, this road has earned its nickname as "America's Favorite Drive." The Parkway extends 469 miles between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park, curving through some of the most stunning terrain you'll see anywhere. Stop to look for wildlife in this protected zone, take some photographs of the hills ablaze with fall color, or watch for birds like rose-breasted grosbeaks and northern saw-whet owls.

Asheville
With its setting near three national forests, charming Asheville is perfect for outdoor adventures. When you're exploring the town, use the Urban Trail Map as your walking tour guide.  You'll see more early 20th-century North Carolina architecture here than in any other city. Don't miss the North Carolina Arboretum or the elegant Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt in 1895.

Pisgah National Forest
Lush forests and greenery fill this 400-acre forest, a haven for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and ATV riding.  This area is known as the Land of Waterfalls, and for good reason.  In addition to falls, the forest offers terrific swimming, fishing, hunting, canoeing, rock climbing, rafting, tubing, nature studies, bird watching, and butterfly hunting.

Carl Sandburgh Home National Historic Site
Poetry fans will want to make the drive to Connemara to see poet Carl Sandburgh's home. As you take one of the scheduled guided tours of the 264-acre farm, you'll learn more about this famous poet and biographer's last days. You'll also get to know his wife, who raised prize wining goats. (1928 Little River Rd, 3 miles south of Hendersonville at Flat Rock, 828-693-4178)

North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill
Strolling through this 600-acre botanical garden, the largest in the southeast, gives you a chance to enjoy nature trails, a carnivorous plant collection, aquatics, and herb gardens. You'll also learn more about North Carolina and Southeastern plants as you study them in their natural settings. (15501 Old Mason Farm Road, 919-962-0522)