Drive Time: 2016 spring and summer road trips

Both the federal and North Carolina state park systems will celebrate their centennials this year. The intent was the same for both: to protect remarkable lands for the enjoyable use of citizens.

It’s a great year to celebrate public lands, for a quick weekend visit (Lake Norman State Park is in metro Charlotte) or a vacation expedition (the 6-million-acre Denali National Park and Preserve is in the Alaskan wilds).

This issue of Road Trips will show you around some of the best you’ll find in the Carolinas.

[7 wonders of the Carolinas]

The National Park Service officially hits 100 on Aug. 25. North Carolina’s actually turned 101 on March 3. South Carolina State Parks came into being in 1934.

The age of the various public expanses isn’t as important as their timeless and distinctive beauty.

Plan ahead. Hit the road. Enjoy.

N.C. Mountains

▪  Great Smoky Mountains National Park

▪  Grandfather Mountain

▪  Blue Ridge Parkway

▪  Mount Mitchell State Park

▪  Gorges State Park

▪  Chimney Rock State Park

N.C. Piedmont

▪  Crowders Mountain State Park

▪  Lake Norman State Park

▪  Eno River State Park

▪  William B. Umstead State Park

N.C. Coast

▪  Jockey’s Ridge State Park

▪ Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

S.C. Coast

▪  Myrtle Beach State Park

▪  Huntington Beach State Park

▪  Cape Romain NWR

▪  Edisto Beach State Park

S.C. Inland

▪  Dreher Island State Park

▪  Carolina Sandhills NWR

▪  Landsford Canal State Park

▪  Table Rock State Park

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Drive Time: 2016 spring and summer road trips."