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This tour will take
us through the mideastern portion of the state on a path of history,
natural beauty and enjoyment, leading us to secluded beaches, historic
cities and forts, rivers, cliffs, wetlands, and the renowned recreation
areas of the Crystal Coast.
The tour can be started at any point, but we'll begin east of I-95 and
south of Goldsboro along NC 111 at a hidden wonder, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
Visit the interpretive exhibits on geology and history to learn how the
area evolved from its geological beginnings, Tuscarora Indian
ceremonial grounds, an early 20th-century mineral water and whiskey
resort before becoming a state park. View the Neuse River from atop 90'
high cliffs, then hike down to the riverbank. Walk among Spanish
moss-covered cypress trees in search of historic remnants of gristmills
and whiskey stills along the river.
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Next up is a two-hour
drive through mideastern North Carolina's backroads and small towns.
Head south on NC 111 to Beulaville, turn southeast on NC 24 through
Jacksonville, and continue around Camp Lejeune to scenic Swansboro and
historic Hammocks Beach State Park.
Climb aboard the park's passenger ferry for a 15-minute ride past
herons and egrets in the wetlands to Bear Island. The northern half of
this barrier island has pristine beaches and is a favorite nesting spot
for loggerhead turtles. Hammocks Beach was once home to Tuscarora
tribal hunting grounds, pirates, a 20th-century hunting resort, and an
African-American recreation area. It has a long history of involvement
in conflict from the days of early European settlement, the Civil War,
and World War II, but you can relax and enjoy the beach while imagining
the Tuscarora tribes, early settlers, and Blackbeard the pirate walking
the island.
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Continue on NC 24 N to NC
58 and follow it northeast for an hour along Emerald Isle. You'll pass
the recreation areas of the Crystal Coast and the Theodore Roosevelt
Natural Area with its maritime forests and freshwater ponds. Stop to
visit the wonderful North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.
Continue past Atlantic Beach to Fort
Macon State Park. This five-sided fort from 1834 replaced a
series of earlier forts that defended the Beaufort harbor from English,
French, Spanish, and pirate ships, and was the site of a significant
Civil War battle. An early erosion control project here was initially
engineered by famed Civil War General Robert E. Lee. A new visitor
center awaits you with historical and environmental exhibits, and tours
of the fort. The park resides in an area of undisturbed natural beauty
and is the perfect place to explore salt marshes and estuaries vital to
the coastal ecosystem. Enjoy fishing, hiking along the beach, dolphin
watching, swimming, and learning about North Carolina.
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Next, begin a two-hour
and 20-minute journey inland, following US 70 north past scenic
Beaufort, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, and the Croatian
National Forest, the home of many carnivorous plants and the American
Alligator. Continue on US 70 to historic New Bern, where you can visit
Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens. Cross the Neuse River and
follow US 17 N to Washington, then head east on US 264 to Goose Creek State Park. Giant old
oaks draped in Spanish moss welcome you to the park where Goose Creek
joins the Pamlico River. Boat, fish, or swim in the rivers. Hike trails
that meander through the estuarine area's black gum cypress. Keep an
eye out for a heron, egret, osprey, or bald eagle. A short side trip
farther east on US 264 is Bath, North Carolina's oldest city.
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Crystal
Coast
The return to Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is a two-hour drive. Head
north on US 264 to Washington, turn south on US 17, then head west on
NC 102. In Stokestown, turn west on State Road 1753 until you reach NC
118. Follow it to NC 11 and go south to Kinston, then north on NC 55 to
the park.
Major towns near the tour offering food and lodging include: New Bern,
Beaufort, Morehead City, Washington, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, and the
Crystal Coast from Swansboro to Atlantic Beach. You can use one of
these as your home base and enjoy each of the parks during your stay.
Be sure to also check out the area for historic sites, museums, golf
courses, craft shops, and outdoor recreation. |
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Copyright ©
2010 by Friends of State Parks
Cliffs of the Neuse photo by
Ben Casey, Hammock Beach photos by Natalie Koeplinger, Goose Creek
photo by Kim Brown, others by Bob Sowa © 2010.
Your membership and the 501c Non Profit
status of Friends of State Parks support this program.
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