Are you ready for, or already enjoying, spring in North Carolina? Well, I want to help make this spring the best one ever for you all with a visit to some of the following spots that are a shoo-in for natural beauty. See below what makes each one of them worthy of a visit – and then start planning!

1. Gorges State Park - Sapphire

Gorges State Park, 976 Grassy Ridge Rd, Sapphire, NC 28774, USA
Google Maps/David Burgos
Drop down into one of the most beautiful gorges on the East Coast to explore waterfall after waterfall. Gorges State Park is pretty new in the system and offers primitive camping, backpacking, hiking, and tons of waterfall chasing. Admission is free.

2. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - Bryson City

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, 45 Mitchell St, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
Facebook/Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Take a ride on the Tarzan Train through the smokies to enjoy the glorious period during springtime when the foliage brightens up with new green leaves. You can also take a special adventure on the train where you'll travel deep into the Nantahala Gorge, get off the train, and then go ziplining through the lush green canopies.

3. Mingo Falls - Cherokee

Google Maps/Sean White
Hike into the stunning Mingo Falls, located just outside of Cherokee. The hike is short, but it's a steady uphill climb on more stairs than you'll care to count. But totally worth the effort!

4. Merchants Millpond State Park - Gatesville

Merchants Millpond State Park, 176 Mill Pond Rd, Gatesville, NC 27938, USA
Google Maps/Henry Francisco
Canoe, kayak, camp, and wander in wonder at Merchants Millpond State Park, an entirely underrated state park with stunning vistas everywhere you look.

5. Shackleford Banks

Shackleford Banks, North Carolina, USA
Frank Staub / Photodisc Collection via Getty Images
Gaze out over the bluest water on the North Carolina coast from Shackleford Banks. And prepare to share the beach with the famous wild horses that live here.

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6. Moore Cove Falls - Brevard

Moore Cove Falls Trail, US-276, Brevard, NC 28712, USA
TripAdvisor/Lisa S
Make the 1.2-mile hike into one of the most beautiful, natural fountains you'll ever encounter at Moore Cove Falls. Play until your heart's content under the ledge and behind the waterfall's steady stream as it pours over the tall cliff and barrels toward the spillway that carries it further down the mountain.

7. Morrow Mountain State Park - Albemarle

Morrow Mountain State Park, 49104 Morrow Mountain Rd, Albemarle, NC 28001, USA
Flickr/Brian Hathcock
Discover some ancient discoveries at the beautiful North Carolina state park that is Morrow Mountain State Park - Albemarle. The quarry sites alone were used thousands of years ago for making chipped-stone tools. See six more places to explore ancient ruins in the Tar Heel State

8. Prodigal Farm - Rougemont

Rougemont, NC 27572, USA
Facebook/Prodigal Farm
There is no better time to visit Prodigal Farm than during spring. Get down on the ground and play with the baby goats at this 94-acre farm in the rolling hills of North Carolina's Piedmont.

9. McGaillard Falls Park - Valdese

McGalliard Falls Park, Church St NW, Valdese, NC 28690, USA
Google Maps/Jason Kyes
Just to the east of Morganton in the town of Valdese is a city park with a waterfall as the main attraction. McGaillard Falls is perfect for enjoying a day in the water, if you happen to visit on a warm enough day in the spring. Bring your bathing suit!

10. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
Flickr/Greg Holtfreter
April to June in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the optimal time to view wildflowers all along the highways and the trails. It's also a fantastic time to visit the park, period!

How many of these spring day trips in North Carolina have you already discovered – and how many of those are worthy of a return trip this spring? Can you suggest some other things to do in North Carolina in spring? Or, what are your favorite North Carolina day trips? Let us know in the comments!

And for another list to check out: 11 Low-Key Destinations In North Carolina That Will Fuel Your Wanderlust!

10 Low-Key Day Trip Destinations In North Carolina That Will Fuel Your Wanderlust

If you’re still in the mood for more Tar Heel State adventures, take a look at this video about Clingmans Dome:

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More to Explore

More North Carolina Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | February 23, 2024

Where can we find lighthouses in North Carolina?

  • The Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla is the only natural-brick lighthouse on the coast.
  • The Roanoke Lighthouse in Edenton dates back to 1866.
  • The Bodie Island Lighthouse in Nags Head was originally built in 1872.

Read on to learn more about some of the many amazing lighthouses in North Carolina.

Where can we find small towns in North Carolina?

  • Edenton sits right along the Albermarle Sound and offers spectacular views of the Sound as well as this part of the town.
  • Tyron is nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains and features loads of outdoor recreational and equestrian activities.
  • Brevard is a charming little town chock full of shops and restaurants and where “The Hunger Games" was filmed, for film buffs.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other quaint small towns in North Carolina.

Where can we find the best tourist attractions in North Carolina?

  • The Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center in Asheville gives visitors an appreciation for the many arts and artists that have influenced art in the state.
  • The Halifax State Historic Site in Halifax was an important stop along the Underground Railroad.
  • The Highlands Biological Station in Highlands features a nature center, laboratory, and botanical garden.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fun tourist attractions in North Carolina.

Where are some of the best places to go fishing in North Carolina?

  • Carolina Beach accesses the Cape Fear River and is the place to catch flounder.
  • Cape Hatteras is known for the lefty Striped Bass that migrate to the area during the winter months.
  • The Albermarle Headwater Rivers is where four rivers connect at the head of the Sound drawing fish from all directions.

Read on to learn more about some of the many great places to go fishing in North Carolina.

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