Take a hike on the wild side of the Carolinas with these epic outdoor adventures

An array of natural gems await in the Carolinas, where state parks, scenic rivers and lakes, stunning mountain views and bountiful wildlife offer an alluring itinerary for any visitor.

Whatever type of outdoor adventure you have in mind, your time in North and South Carolina won’t disappoint. Read on to discover how you can make the most of what these states have to offer.

Hiking for everyone

From sandy beaches to mile-high mountains, these trails beckon hikers of all experience levels to enjoy some of the best outdoor activities their states have to offer.

Take in the pure beauty of Western North Carolina at Grandfather Mountain State Park. While newbie hikers can pick less strenuous options like the Nuwati or Profile Connector trails, the Grandfather Mountain Trail will give experienced hikers a thrill. The adjacent and privately owned Grandfather Mountain Nature Park offers a nature center, a massive suspension bridge, and viewable wildlife habitats.

South Carolina’s Table Rock State Park has kid- and beginner-friendly trails and also offers a true beast of a hike, Table Rock Trail. The trail gains 2,000 feet of elevation as it winds up Table Rock Mountain.

Iconic Western North Carolina vistas greet you on Art Loeb Trail, just outside of Asheville. While the 30.1-mile trail isn’t for everyone, its popular Black Balsam Knob hike is a beginner-friendly out-and-back adventure.

Hikers looking for a change of pace will find it at Edisto Beach State Park. The South Carolina island park offers trails that show off the area’s Indigenous history and unique maritime flora and fauna (and visitors can also enjoy scenic and wildlife boat tours).

Camping options are plentiful

The Carolinas wilderness offers plenty of prime tent, cabin, and RV real estate.

Take waterfront camping to a whole new level at several unique North Carolina spots. Campers can sleep on mid-river platforms with Roanoke River Partners, stretch out under the stars on the beach at Cape Lookout National Seashore and paddle into their own campsite at Lake James State Park.

Wake up to incredible views with South Carolina tent camping at Devils Fork State Park, where you’ll enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Lake Jocassee; Hunting Island State Park, where campers are just steps from the beach; and Oconee State Park, which features a lake and swimming hole.

However, camping doesn’t have to involve roughing it. Outdoor adventure resorts like North Carolina’s Emberglow or South Carolina-based Sun Outdoors offer all the amenities of a typical resort — think pools, waterparks, onsite eateries, and outdoor sports — while letting visitors tent camp, park their RVs or stay in a comfortable cottage — the choice is yours.

Where there’s water, there’s fun

Whether by raft or kayak, aquatically-inclined adventurers can explore the Carolinas’ manufactured and natural waters in a variety of ways.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based U.S. National Whitewater Center offers four levels of rafting and kayaking on the world’s largest manufactured whitewater river, along with kayaking and paddleboarding on a calmer waterway.

Curious kayakers can get their kicks at Congaree National Park, where swamp waters wind through the region’s towering old-growth forest. Outfitters in nearby Columbia, South Carolina offer the necessary watercraft and guided tours.

Soak in the Chattooga River on South Carolina’s southern border on your rafting trip from Wildwater. Rafters can experience any level of rapid intensity in a stunning gorge setting.

Plenty of fishing tales to be told

Fresh and saltwater fishing is a can’t-miss activity in either of the Carolinas, with many incredible destinations to choose from.

Trout and fly fishing enthusiasts need not look further than the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail in Jackson County, which highlights 15 perfect spots for brook, brown, and rainbow trout. A guided tour will help you experience the best the trail has to offer.

Saltwater anglers can take advantage of incredible surf or intracoastal fishing in both states.

In South Carolina, visitors looking for a big catch can dock or surf fish at Myrtle Beach and Hunting Island state parks, while the intracoastal fishing scene extends to Edisto Beach and Huntington Beach state parks.

Meanwhile, North Carolina fishers can enjoy offshore fishing expeditions at Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island, Crystal Coast and Brunswick Islands, or check out the state’s stunning collection of ocean piers.

Keeping an eye on birds and wildlife

Sometimes, the best outdoor adventure is the one that lets you sit back and relax while nature puts on a show. Wildlife havens across the Carolinas will leave any visitor in awe of the states’ unique diversity.

Find some of the best birding on the East Coast at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, an Outer Banks, North Carolina waterfowl hotspot, which boasts more than 370 bird species and serves as a nesting ground for Loggerhead and Green Sea turtles.

Take advantage of Caesars Head State Park, a natural lookout in South Carolina’s Blue Ridge Escarpment to do some once-in-a-lifetime birding. Caesars Head is the perfect spot to watch the annual September migration of hundreds of raptors.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a coastal North Carolina refuge that serves as the breeding and nesting ground for everything from warblers to eagles. It’s also a great place to spot black bears and endangered red wolves. Visitors who want to get closer can canoe or kayak marked Paddling Trails.

You’ll also want to visit Bomb Island at Lake Murray. This South Carolina lake is the site of a summer phenomenon: the annual arrival of more than a million Purple Martins. Visit during a July morning or evening to see the birds leave for the day and come back in.

There’s something for all outdoor adventure lovers in the Carolinas!

JP Shaffer

Contributor

JP Shaffer is a writer with the Vuepoint Content Studio. He has extensive writing experience across health and wellness, travel and financial content. Vuepoint Content Studio produces content for news publishers worldwide, Fortune 500 brands and local businesses.