Fort Macon State Park
"New Bern visitors come for a coastal day trip that combines history with beach time. The city also offers lodging, restaurants, and access to the Crystal Coast."
Fort Macon State Park combines one of North Carolina's best-preserved coastal fortifications with a scenic Atlantic beachfront. The park is popular for history, swimming, fishing, and wildlife viewing, especially during migration seasons.
Hammocks Beach State Park
"New Bern travelers visit for a coastal side trip that pairs well with a Crystal Coast beach day. The park offers a more natural shoreline experience than many developed beaches."
Hammocks Beach State Park is best known for Bear Island, a pristine barrier island reached by ferry or private boat. The park offers swimming, shelling, paddling, fishing, and excellent birdwatching in a scenic coastal setting.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
"New Bern travelers can enjoy a scenic drive inland for swimming, paddling, and forest trails. The park makes a good change of pace from coastal sightseeing."
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park features striking bluffs above the Neuse River, a lake for swimming, and a peaceful setting for fishing and paddling. The park’s wooded landscape and river views make it a favorite day-trip destination in Wayne County.
Goose Creek State Park
"New Bern visitors come for a quieter natural setting than the city’s historic core. The park offers a scenic side trip for paddlers and wildlife watchers exploring eastern North Carolina."
Goose Creek State Park is known for its mix of tidal marsh, swamp forest, and sound-side shoreline, making it one of eastern North Carolina’s best spots for wildlife watching and paddling. The park offers a calm, natural setting near Washington and the Pamlico River estuary.
Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area
"New Bern travelers visit for a day trip to the coast, combining historic downtown sightseeing with a quiet natural area experience. It is a popular escape for residents seeking salt-air scenery."
This natural area preserves a rare stretch of barrier island habitat on North Carolina’s coast, offering scenic views and opportunities to observe shorebirds and other wildlife. Its undeveloped setting makes it a peaceful complement to nearby beaches and historic sites.
Pungo River State Park
"New Bern travelers are often looking for scenic day trips and wildlife viewing. Pungo River State Park provides a peaceful contrast to the historic downtown and riverfront attractions."
Pungo River State Park features expansive marshes, blackwater tributaries, and scenic river views that make it a haven for birders, anglers, and paddlers. Its undeveloped setting offers a peaceful escape into the coastal plain’s natural habitats.
Pettigrew State Park
"New Bern residents can make a longer day trip for paddling and birdwatching. The park’s lake and swamp habitats offer a rewarding change of pace from the riverfront and sound."
Pettigrew State Park centers on Lake Phelps, one of North Carolina’s largest natural lakes, and the surrounding swamp and forest habitats. It is especially popular for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, birding, and exploring the park’s historic and natural resources.