Carolina Beach State Park (near Fayetteville, NC)

Carolina Beach State Park is really an island. In 1929, Snow’s Cut (the land connecting the thin strip of land between the sound and the Cape Fear River to the Atlantic Ocean) was dug out to provide a waterway to the ocean. Basically, this means that you get both the coastal inland experience on the backside with a boat ride out to the big ocean. Land protected is quite different from the ocean front stretches, so this is a neat spot to visit for the contrast. You’ll get a much more laid back and less touristy beach trip than at places like Myrtle.

Venus Fly Traps Growing in the Wild

The big draw at Carolina State Park are the natural growing Venus Fly Traps. If you don’t know about the Fly Traps, then those are plants that close in around “animals” (most likely small flying critters like flies) and then use the fuel from those critters for growth. You may have seen these neat plants at school or even at Lowe’s Home Store. You stick your finger in the little open space, and the plant closes up like a bear trap. With big human fingers, this is not dangerous, but flies and other flying insects do need to beware. Monsters based on these meat eating plants can be seen in TV shows like the Adam’s Family and movies like Little Shops of Horrors

The Fly Trap walking trail is set off with walkways and visitors can’t wander into the Fly Trap land and step on plants and stick fingers in the triangle trap heads though it can be very tempting. Since the Carolina Beach area is one of the few places on earth where the carnivorous plants grow in the wild, they are protected from curious people so that everyone can get a look. If you want to touch Venus Fly Traps, then get a plant from the store. If you want to see them in the wild, then take a trip to Carolina Beach State Park.

Hiking

There are several hiking trails. They are all easy trails and don’t take all day—generally just an hour or so with stops to enjoy the view. These are good kid hikes, since the land is not rolling like other parts of NC. Hikers can ramble along and look at the water, sea vegetation and birds. It is a very calm kind of place to visit.

Picnics

A nice picnic area is at Snow’s Cut, which is between the marina for boat launching and the campground for overnighters. This is a pretty shady area with tables and grills. Day-trippers can bring a picnic or food to cook on the grill. Grilling is the most fun, but it does take more work. I like to pack up a cooler with cook out fixings, but it is also fun to stop by Kentucky Fried Chicken and get a fast take out and totally kick back.

Educational Family Fun

Since this space is slightly inland and also government protected (since 1969), Carolina Beach State Park is more of a family and educational kind of area. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun, but if you are looking for beer on the beach while hot babes play volleyball, then you will be disappointed. This is not the party spot of the east coast. It is simply a neat spot with camping and fishing and quiet to get away for a weekend or a few days.

The Park is close to Fayetteville, so many military families do visit. If you are stationed in the area, be sure to check out the Park. They also offer programs focusing on education, so small groups of Scouts and such visit too. You can call ahead if you want a tour included in a visit to highlight the history and the ecological features of the park. These are well put together tours and interesting as well as educational. They cover the Native American background as well as the interesting Venus Fly Trap history. If you are a teacher, then you can even get free resource materials to share with your classes.

Boating

If you want a day trip and have a boat, then you can launch and go into the Atlantic from Carolina Beach State Park. They have 2 slips and 40 dock spots. This area has a small shop with snacks and restrooms. This is bare bones and not gourmet, so if you want filet mignon, then pack it.

Fishing

Fishing is good in the area with spot, flounder, sheepshead and striped bass being the most common catches. You can boat out and fish in the inland areas or in the ocean though waters can be pretty choppy. If you don’t have a boat, then you can fish from the banks. They also have a handicap assessable pier for catching.

Camping

If you have more time, then you can camp at the Park. There are 83 spaces with two of those being wheelchair accessible. All sites have a picnic table and grill, but drinking water and restrooms with hot showers are at the bathhouses. This is not a full hook up spot, so if you want plush camping, then this is not the spot. You can dump out for a fee at the camp, but I don’t have a fancy camper, and I don’t really want to go all out on camping. Still, that is available.

Two group areas are available, but you have to reserve ahead. One can hold 20 people and the other 35 people. You get pit toilets in these spaces but no water and showers. This is the rough-it option for groups like Boy Scouts. I may end up having to go since Eli is in Scouts, but I really do not like primitive camping one bit.

The really nice thing about the camp areas (individual and group) is that they are shaded with trees. If you have been camping at the beach, then you know that many sites are in the full sun. Your tent or camper gets hot as blazes. Here, you get some relief with natural shade, which is most welcome. If you ever did bake in a sunny tent (which I did when younger) then you will appreciate the tree shade at Carolina Beach State Park.

Quick Tips

If you are not from NC or if you don’t rough it very often, then be sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray. The sun is hot and the mosquitoes can be vampirish. Wear cotton clothing that will breath and plan to change if you go out to town later. Make sure your shoes are comfortable—tennis shoes or sandals broken in are best.

Relax and enjoy. The slightly inland areas of NC tend to be slow paced. You won’t get 24-hour service, but you get good and friendly service when places are open. Bring a stash of necessities like food and toilet paper just in case. It is really bad to be hungry and paperless out in the boonies. If you can adjust a bit, then you will have a wonderful time and learn a lot to boot.

Pilot Mountain State Park, North Carolina - Almost Mayberry

Pilot Mountain Knob - Close Up of the Unique Hump on A North Carolina Landmark

Pilot Mountain is Easy to See From the Highway

Pilot Mountain State Park is one of many parks in North Carolina. It is just off highway 52 between Mount Airy and Winston Salem. Pilot Mtn State Park is about 14 miles from Mt. Airy and about 25 miles from Winston. It's not really in a town. It's off the road as you travel. That may only make sense in NC. But, it is off the beaten track I would say.

You’ve probably seen the Andy Griffith show and remember Andy and friends talking about going up to Mount Pilot. Although Mount Pilot was a fictional town, the name came from Pilot Mountain which can be seen from Andy’s real home town, Mt. Airy.

You’ll know you’re getting near Pilot Mountain State Park when you see the big bump on the mountain as you’re driving down the highway. Actually there are two bumps, but the one you can see and the one that gave the mountain the name Pilot Mountain is the big bump. The big bump looks like the pilot hump of one of those old time airplanes. So that’s why it’s called Pilot Mountain.

There are 2 sections to the state part. One part is the mountain park and the other is the Yadkin River section. Both are primitive areas with lots of wildlife to see.

In NC, we have loads of deer, squirrels, fox, and even brown bears.

In the mountain section, you have look-out areas with beautiful views. One especially good spot to look is near the small bump. Any time of the year is worth a look, but the fall is the best when the leaves are turning all colors.

The mountain section is good for a picnic. They have tables in several spots and one shelter which you can use if it has not been reserved by a group (max number = 35). Grills are available if you want to cook out. They have canned sodas in the park office, but you probably just want to bring a cooler to this park.

The mountain section is great for hiking. There are trails for all levels. You can take an easy one mile walk on up to a 5 miler or go rock climbing. The Yadkin River section adjoins the mountain section, but it is on flatter ground and on the water. This is also a nice area for walking, and you can also ride the horse trails.

If you like to fish, you can fish in the Yadkin River. Cat fish are good catching in the area. You need a NC fishing license over age 16. Many of the community stores sell those as well as some chains like Wal-Mart.

One of the most fun things to do is to canoe and then camp in the Yadkin section. You need to bring a canoe though, as the park does not rent those out. If you can get a canoe, then you can ride in the river and go over to the island and camp there. This is very back woods camping with no water or bathroom, but it is a fun thing to do if you’re into that sort of thing.

If you are not the rough-it sort of person, then you can camp in the tent-camper section near the river. In this section, you do have a nice bathhouse. Pilot Mountain Park is good for a quick stopover from the highway or for a day trip. They are open from about sun up to sun down. Check the times before you go as the gates are locked after hours. You don’t have to pay to get in and look around either.

If you decide to visit Pilot Mountain, then be sure to visit the Horne Creek Farm which is right there on the edge of the Yadkin River park section. You can learn about old time farming. They are opened most weekends and also for group tours during the week if you call and make arrangements.

You’ll also want to stop by in Mount Airy (20 minutes or so). Although Mt. Airy is larger than Mayberry, you still get that small southern town feeling. As I mentioned, this really is Andy’s home town.

Look for the Snappy Diner which was mentioned on the TV show. You can get a pork chop sandwich there and other southern foods.

When you’re driving around in the area, stop at one of the road stands. They are all over the place in the mountains. Those are fun to visit. If you’re hungry, then some of our local products are the apples in season, apple cider, jams, jellies, honey, peanuts roasted, and fried fat back (usually called pork rinds). You can also get garden grown vegetables in the spring and fall. One of my favorites - Cherokee purple tomatoes. Those are mellow and really yummy.