2025 Nature Spots Guide

Nature lovers who want to take an in-depth and self-guided exploration of Southport's wild terrain can take an easy stroll down the "Marsh Walk." This long boardwalk that begins along Brunswick Avenue on the edges of the busy downtown ends...

Long Leaf Park is a centrally located public park that features a wealth of natural beauty and scenery, as well as plenty of activities to keep park-goers of all ages engaged. Located just south of the UNCW campus, and easy to reach for visitors...

The New Hanover County Arboretum, located on the outskirts of Downtown Wilmington on Oleander Drive, is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers everywhere. With seven acres of greenery, and gorgeous foliage that changes with the season, every visit...

Visitors who want to take a break from Carolina Beaches' busy surfside scene, and instead enjoy its acres of wild, undeveloped territory, can pay a visit to the sprawling Carolina Beach State Park.

Enjoy miles of pristine beaches, salt marshes, and scenic views in every direction with a visit to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Located just south of Kure Beach, and renowned for its 6 miles of undeveloped shoreline, this sunny beach...

Ferry Landing Park, nestled at the end of Shallotte Boulevard in Ocean Isle Beach, is a peaceful waterfront destination that offers visitors a glimpse of the area’s natural beauty and laid-back coastal charm. Located along the Intracoastal...

Arlie Gardens is home to a stunning collection of natural gardens and eye-catching artworks which continually impresses visitors to the Wilmington area. Established in 1901, and originally used as a private garden for the wealthy Pembroke family...

Sunset Beach Park is a peaceful public space that captures the essence of coastal relaxation and small-town charm. Tucked along the Intracoastal Waterway just before the bridge to Sunset island, this scenic park provides visitors with a tranquil...

Halyburton Memorial Park is a perfect respite for visitors who want to take a break from the busy Downtown Wilmington shopping, dining and attractions, and just relax amidst the natural ponds and unique rolling sand hills, and watch the wildlife...

The northernmost coastal region of Carolina Beach is home to the Freeman Park Recreation Area, a stretch of shoreline that is well known to adventurous, beach-loving 4WD truck owners. Unlike other stretches of the barrier islands off the coast of...

Greenfield Lake Park is known as one of Wilmington’s coolest and most scenic destinations, and is a vast public park that’s located just south of the historic downtown area. Located on the western edge of Greenfield Lake, and just a...

Renowned as a small but substantial piece of Southport’s history that was almost lost in the wake of 2016’s Hurricane Matthew, the Southport City Dock reopened to grand acclaim in the 2021, and has regained its reputation as a popular...

Arrowhead Park is a fun destination for Wilmington locals and visitors alike to take a break from the waves, and dive into a little outdoor entertainment outside the waterfront realm. Located just south of the heart of the Wilmington, and easy to...

There's a reason why the wild terrain of Bald Head Island and its surrounding islands remains distinctively wild, and the primary responsibility of retaining this native nature is in the hands of the local Bald Head Island Conservancy. Overseeing a...

The Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens is the oldest and largest historic site in downtown Wilmington.  They’re eight colonial structures left in Wilmington, four on are the property. Three ballast stone buildings, circa 1744, once the city...

Captain Charles Robbins' Cape Fear River Adventures is a top-rated touring company that takes explorers to the backwaters of the local Cape Fear rivers and streams where the local wildlife thrives. From basic on-the-water skills like boating...

Enjoy a freshwater environment just a block or so away from the beach with a visit to Carolina Beach Lake Park. This public park is centered on the 11-acre freshwater lake, which was noted in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the closest...

On Oak Island, even getting to the beach can be a scenic and relaxed adventure, thanks to the collection of Environmental Overlook Trails that lead visitors from the Intracoastal Waterway-bordering sections of town to the beachfront neighborhoods...

Take a walk on the Cape Fear’s wild side with a visit to the Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve – a scenic 174-acre natural area that’s a prized component of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Located just outside the busy...

Halyburton Park, (also known by its formal name of Halyburton Memorial Park), is a 58-acre nature preserve that features a lengthy biking and hiking trail, a number of public facilities, and a scenic glimpse into the local foliage and wildlife that...

It's easy to miss the Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve. Located on the outskirts of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington's campus, this preserve was all but wiped away by the 1970s due to encroaching development. Thanks to the perseverance...

Situated in a quiet and primarily residential corner of the city of Wilmington, the James E.L. Wade Park is a surprising and engaging destination for locals and visitors alike who want to experience the Great Outdoors of the Cape Fear region.

The Kent Mitchell Nature Trail gives Bald Head Island visitors a chance to experience a natural slice of barrier island life that cuts through the perfectly preserved 800 acre maritime forest. Located on the southern edge of the island, and jetting...

Situated on the edge of the Cape Fear Coastline in between the bustling towns of Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, the Masonboro Island Coastal Reserve is a unique slice of undeveloped and natural barrier island shoreline that’s an...

Visitors can enjoy a peek into Revolutionary War history while embarking on a natural expedition through the picturesque inland regions of the Cape Fear area with a visit to Moores Creek National Battlefield. Famed as the site of the February 27...

Outdoor lovers and active visitors of all tastes will have a fine time at the engaging Ogden Park. Located just northeast of the Downtown area, and convenient to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach visitors alike, this vast public park has veritably...

Wilmington visitors can enjoy a visit to one of the oldest peanut plantations in the country with an easy drive to the Poplar Grove Plantation. Located just north of the center of Wilmington along US Highway 17, this semi-remote site is a...

Tucked away on the edge of the Cape Fear River just a few miles south of Downtown Wilmington, the River Road Park is a popular launching point for a myriad of adventures that can range from kayaking and boating expeditions, to just enjoying the...

Shallotte River Swamp Park is an all-encompassing destination for outdoor lovers to whet their appetite for adventure via a number of wild adventures. Featuring a Zipline Tour course, an Aerial Adventure Park, and Swamp Boat Eco-Tours, this park...

Situated on the edge of the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway, and located just a quick cruise away from the Atlantic Ocean, Snow’s Cut Park is a popular destination for anglers, birdwatchers, and anyone who appreciates a stunning...

Garden fans and everyday explorers alike will love discovering the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Garden – a hidden gem that’s found in the busy heart of central Wilmington. Located along Independence Blvd., and close to both Downtown...

Water lovers who want to explore the picturesque waters of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), or who want an easy trek to the nearby Masonboro Island, will want to head to the small but scenic Trails End Park.

Zeke's Island Coastal Reserve is found just south of the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, and is one of the three original 1985 National Estuarine Research Reserve components dedicated by NOAA and the Division of Coastal Management. Encompassing a...