North Carolina is a paradise for outdoor adventure.
But don’t just take our word for it. Take a tour of the state with those that know it best — local legends in their respective sports.
BIKE
LAWRENCE
Whether you’re into riding adrenaline-pumping downhill singletrack or urban paved paths, North Carolina has a biking experience to match your vibe.
Take on flowy downhill rides, technical trails, and long-distance road biking routes.
Pisgah National Forest
Bikers of all levels can ride miles of public MTB trails. Challenge yourself on the 10.3-mile Black Mountain Trail, which includes 2,290 feet of elevation gain.
Ride Kanuga
Lap eight downhill routes of varying levels until your heart’s content, before relaxing at the on-site craft brewery.
Ride Rock Creek
Check out nearly 6 miles of shuttle-access, downhill-specific MTB trails, with a variety of terrain for all levels.
Beech Mountain Bike Park
Maximize your downhill riding with chairlift-access MTB terrain, with mellow trails for beginners and technical routes for seasoned riders.
Sugar Mountain Bike Park
Bomb down the 5,300-foot summit on challenging singletrack or the beginner-friendly skills course. Then, take the chairlift to the top for lap after lap.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Set out a scenic road route through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Ride a single section to hit the most famous sites — including Grandfather Mountain — or make it a multi-day trip.
Cub Creek Park
Crank out the miles of cross-country trails just outside of Wilkesboro. Beginner-friendly loops and more challenging technical sections cater to a range of bikers.
Ride diverse road and mountain biking trails through rolling hills and scenic landscapes.
Lake Norman State Park
Explore nearly 30 miles of fast, flowy singletrack just north of Charlotte. Bike the 9.9-mile Laurel Loop Trail, which snakes through the forest on moderately challenging terrain.
Greensboro Downtown Greenway
This 4-mile paved path acts as a hub, connecting cyclists in the city to miles of dirt bike trails without having to get in the car.
American Tobacco Trail
Enjoy a low-key gravel and paved ride on this historic 22-mile route that connects the American Tobacco Campus and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in the Triangle Area.
Roanoke Canal Museum & Trail
Take advantage of the free bike lending program at the museum to ride along the 7.5-mile trail that follows the former Roanoke Navigation and Power Canal in Halifax.
Medoc Mountain State Park
Pedal through shady forests on 9 miles of beginner-friendly cross-country trails with flow sections throughout.
Pedal relatively flat terrain to enjoy stunning ocean views and charming coastal towns.
Outer Banks Scenic Byway
Pedal 138 miles between Beaufort and Whalebone Junction. Along the way, stop to explore historic lighthouses and beaches or grab a bite in the village communities. Don’t miss the chance to ride the Cedar Island Ferry, which travels 25 miles across the sound to connect the southern portion of the route to Ocracoke and beyond.
Bald Head Island Bike Paths
Explore more than 36 miles of mixed-use paved paths through maritime forests and along pristine beaches while enjoying gorgeous coastal views and a quieter pace of life on this car-free island.
Brown’s Creek Bike Trail
Slightly inland, advanced riders can enjoy 13 miles of singletrack with technical switchbacks, creek crossings, jumps, and bermed descents typically only found in Western NC. A mellow 2-mile loop offers a more approachable ride for beginners.
Pamlico Scenic Byway
Stretching 127 miles from Washington to Manns Harbor, this riverfront route travels through historic and picturesque coastal towns along the Pamlico Sound.
River to Sea Bikeway
Follow this historic route from downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville beach on 11 miles of off-road multi-use paths and residential streets.
Emerald Isle Bike Path
Connect to key in-town locales on this 11-mile path, which winds through grassy ecosystems, wooded areas, and the downtown district between Indian Beach and The Point at Bogue Inlet.
PADDLE
LEIBFARTH
With more than 2,000 miles of rivers and the most whitewater rivers in the southeastern U.S., North Carolina is a paddler’s paradise.
From mellow riffles to more challenging runs, North Carolina has whitewater for all levels.
Cheoah River
Known for its steep and technical rapids, the Cheoah River offers tantalizing Class III to V rapids that give even the most experienced paddlers a thrill. During scheduled water releases, approximately 1,000 CFS of water flow through the Santeelah Dam. The result is 14 Class III+ to Class V rapids in a 9-mile stretch, with additional smaller rapids mixed in.
Nantahala River
Popular with beginner and seasoned paddlers, the Nantahala River delivers consistent Class II and III whitewater in a scenic gorge setting. Hone your skills on the fun 8-mile stretch from the powerhouse to Wesser, which ends at Nantahala Falls, a Class III+ rapid that challenges boaters with a punchy drop and technical moves.
French Broad River
One of the oldest rivers in the world, the French Broad winds through Western North Carolina. Intermediate and advanced paddlers can take on Section 9 — the crown jewel of the river for whitewater — which offers a remote feel and a mix of Class II to IV rapids over 9 miles.
Tuckasegee River
Known locally as the Tuck, this river is a favorite among intermediate paddlers and beginner-friendly guided trips. Head to the popular whitewater section that runs from Dillsboro to Barker’s Creek for easy access to reliable flows and continuous Class I to III rapids.
Enjoy a lowkey day on the water with these beginner-friendly river routes.
New River Paddle Trail
With calm water and a few riffles to Class I rapids, this beginner-friendly river winds through scenic farmland and mountain valleys. Choose from five sections ranging from about 2.5 to 8 river miles.
Cape Fear River
This wide, slow-moving river flows from the Piedmont to the coast, offering easy paddling, rich wildlife, and scenic views with minimal rapids. Paddle the 10.4-mile section for a moderately challenging, yet rewarding day on the water.
Roanoke River State Trail
Winding through cypress swamps and remote forests, the Roanoke offers peaceful flatwater paddling. This nearly 140-mile paddle trail from Weldon to the Albemarle Sound links over 20 campsites with riverside tent platforms for overnight adventures.
Upper Catawba River Trail
With gentle flows and occasional riffles, the Upper Catawba is a beginner-friendly paddle through foothill farmland and small mountain towns. Hop on the river at one of 24 access points to enjoy sections of this 82-mile paddle trail.
Let the local pros show you the ropes or help you level up.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Home to the world’s largest manmade whitewater river, the center is well-equipped to help novice paddlers explore the sport and allow more experienced paddlers to take their skills to the next level — all in a controlled environment.
Nantahala Outdoor Center
A cornerstone of paddling in the Southeast, Nantahala Outdoor Center runs guided trips on the Ocoee, Chattooga, Cheoah, and its namesake Nantahala rivers. Offerings range from beginner-friendly Class II runs to expert-level Class V rapids.
French Broad Rafting
Operating in the Asheville area, this outfitter offers guided trips on the French Broad River. Choose from a lineup of family- and beginner-friendly trips with options from calm Class I to II floats to splashy Class III rapids.
Endless River Adventures
Based in the Nantahala Gorge, Endless River Adventures guides on the Nantahala and Cheoah Rivers, offering everything from beginner-friendly rafting to adrenaline-packed Class IV-V kayak runs.
Cape Fear River Adventures
Cape Fear River Adventures runs guided paddling trips on the scenic Cape Fear River. The guide company offers mellow flatwater floats and trips that incorporate beginner-friendly Class I rapids, making it an ideal outfitter for families and first-timers.
Catawba River Outdoors
Located in the foothills of western North Carolina, Catawba River Outdoors offers relaxed tubing and kayaking trips on the gentle Catawba River — perfect for a laid-back day of floating with minimal whitewater.
SURF
BARNES
From wild wave breaks in the Outer Banks to the lively surf culture of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina has thrilling waves for all levels of surfers.
Seasoned surfers can find world-class surf breaks on the North Carolina Coast.
Hatteras Inlet
Experienced surfers flock to this barrier island hotspot to take on powerful barrel waves from the Gulf Stream.
Frisco Beach
When conditions are just right, Frisco Beach delivers thrilling big-wave sessions.
Jennette’s Pier
Test your skills on the challenging waves around Jenette’s Pier in Nags Head. At this longstanding local favorite, varied conditions bring in everything from hollow barrels to fast and steep breaks.
Kill Devil Hills
For expert-level surfing with less competition for waves, head to Kill Devil Hills, where you’ll likely share the break with a dedicated few.
For approachable waves and typically mellow conditions, you can’t beat these lowkey breaks.
North Topsail Beach
Beginners can build their confidence on gentle surf along North Topsail Beach.
Surf City Ocean Pier
When you’re ready to take it up a notch, ride relatively gentle waves and get a feel for the local surf culture around Surf City Ocean Pier.
Jolly Roger Pier
The surf around Jolly Roger Pier is inconsistent, but when the waves are good, this area is lauded as one of the best breaks in the Topsail area.
Johnnie Mercers Pier
In Wrightsville Beach, Johnnie Mercers Pier is known as a great break for beginners. Smaller rolling waves provide a forgiving practice ground for surfers who are getting a feel for their boards and dialing their balance.
Carolina Beach Pier
A bit further south in the Wilmington area, the Carolina Beach Pier offers similar small, soft breaks for beginners to cut their teeth.
New to the sport? A local surf instructor can get you standing in no time.
WB Surf Camp
In the Wrightsville Beach area, WB Surf Camp combines expert instruction with a strong emphasis on ocean safety and environmental stewardship. The school offers a range of surf lessons, camps, and international programs for all ages.
Tony Silvagni Surf School
Founded by pro surfer Tony Silvagni, this Carolina Beach school offers hands-on surf and paddleboard lessons for all skill levels, plus gear rentals and beach yoga sessions.
Surf City Surf School
For personalized instruction with a laid-back, local vibe, try Surf City Surf School. The Topsail-based company offers lessons ideal for beginners and those looking to sharpen their technique.
Outer Banks Surf School
With instructors throughout the Outer Banks from Corolla to Hatteras, this surf school hosts camps and offers private lessons for adults and children of all skill levels.
Ocean Cure
More than just a surf school, Ocean Cure is a nonprofit dedicated to making the ocean accessible to everyone. The Carolina Beach-based organization offers adaptive surf programs for people with disabilities or facing other life challenges.
