Featured Trails with Trail Towns

The park’s mainland gateway offers a full-service visitor center and is the launch site for ferry service, canoes or kayaks. Rent or bring your own kayaks, canoes or paddleboards to explore paddling trails leading to marshes, Bear Island or Huggins Island, which is graced with unspoiled maritime forest. Enjoy four well-marked paddle trails, ranging from 200 yards to more than six miles.

Interpretive programs and extensive exhibits at Hammocks Beach State Park teach about park ecology and wildlife including endangered sea turtles and nesting shorebirds.  For more information, visit the North Carolina Parks website.

• 1571 Hammock Beach Road, Swansboro, NC 28584
• Hammocks Beach State Park Paddling Trail Map

Lace up your walking shoes and prepare to be enchanted by the natural beauty of Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro, NC. This unique park offers a captivating network of walking trails across both its mainland portion and the pristine barrier island of Bear Island, inviting visitors to explore diverse coastal ecosystems at their own pace.

On the mainland, wander through maritime forest, where towering pines and gnarled oaks provide a shaded canopy, alive with the sounds of songbirds. Keep an eye out for local wildlife – you might spot a deer gracefully moving through the undergrowth, a playful squirrel darting up a tree, or a vibrant butterfly flitting among wildflowers. The mainland trails are generally natural surface paths, ranging from easy, flat terrain to moderate sections with some uneven ground, roots, and small hills. Be prepared for varied conditions, especially after rain. For those staying overnight, several trails conveniently connect directly to the park's mainland campground, offering easy access to nature right from your tent or RV.

The mainland trails also wind through salt marsh environments, offering glimpses of teeming estuarine life. Observe fiddler crabs scuttling across the mudflats and various wading birds gracefully searching for their next meal. Interpretive signs along some paths provide fascinating insights into the delicate balance of these vital ecosystems.

The adventure continues on Bear Island, Hammocks Beach State Park's crown jewel, accessible by passenger ferry, private boat, or kayak. While primarily known for its undeveloped beaches, Bear Island also features a designated walking trail that stretches about 4 miles one way. This easy, flat trail traverses the island, allowing you to immerse yourself in the unique barrier island ecosystem. Keep in mind that trail conditions on Bear Island are primarily natural sand, which can be soft and challenging to walk on, especially during warmer months. There's little shade on the island, so pack accordingly.

• Trail Information
• 1571 Hammock Beach Road, Swansboro, NC 28584

Discover the natural beauty and wildlife of Jacksonville's blueways as you paddle along the New River. Jacksonville is a paradise for paddlers of all skill levels. With a variety of routes to choose from, our blueways offer something for everyone, whether you're looking for a relaxing afternoon paddle or a more challenging adventure.

Don't have a kayak? Look no further than one of our three kiosk rental locations for easy access to kayaks and the water!

Jacksonville is a paradise for paddlers of all skill levels. With a variety of routes to choose from, our blueways offer something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon paddle or a more challenging adventure. The city offers 7 different blueway trails: Downtown, New River Cityscape, City-to-Camp, Northeast Creek, Blue Creak, Phillips Park, and Goat Island.

• Starting point: Jacksonville Landing: 135 S Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28540
• Learn more about this trails at VisitJacksonvilleNC.com
• Onslow Paddling Trails

This trail system includes the Lejeune Greenway and Trail, and the Rail-to-Trails Greenway in Jacksonville, NC.

The Lejeune Greenway and Trail offers an excellent surface of asphalt and wooden boardwalk, perfect for running, biking, or walking. It conveniently starts and ends at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens, home to the Beirut, Vietnam, and 9/11 Memorials.

The trail also provides a connection to the Jacksonville-Camp Lejeune Rail-to-Trails path. This 5.2-mile path follows a former rail corridor, stretching from the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune (Midway Park area) to Marine Boulevard in Jacksonville. A pedestrian bridge near Bell Fork Road crosses over Lejeune Boulevard, seamlessly connecting the Rails to Trails within the city and at MCB Camp Lejeune.

• Starting point: Lejeune Memorial Gardens: 109 Montford Landing Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540
• More information on the trail
• Jacksonville Trail Map

Big Branch Bike Park provides a fantastic outdoor recreation opportunity for both cyclists and pedestrians. Its varied terrain and well-maintained trails offer a chance to engage with nature and enjoy physical activity in a dedicated park setting. Boardwalks over marshes are being added to enhance the scenic views.

The Inner Loop at Big Branch Bike Park is the primary "green" (beginner) trail. This 1.5 to 1.6-mile double flow track is designed for easy, smooth, and less technical riding, making it ideal for new riders, families, or a casual, flowing experience.

• Closed currently for renovations.
• Big Branch Bike Park Information
• Trail Map

Nestled within the coastal plain of Holly Ridge, North Carolina, the Stones Creek Game Land offers a unique and ecologically diverse trail system for outdoor enthusiasts. While not boasting miles of highly manicured, designated hiking trails in the traditional sense, this game land provides a network of unpaved roads and fire breaks that serve as excellent pathways for exploration.

The terrain at Stones Creek is a fascinating mix of longleaf pine savannas, bottomland forests, and open fields, showcasing the natural beauty of the Onslow Bight region. Visitors can expect to traverse landscapes that are actively undergoing restoration to their native longleaf pine habitats, offering a chance to witness a transforming ecosystem.

A highlight of the game land is its collection of seven small, picturesque lakes. Many of the informal trails and roads wind around these serene bodies of water, offering scenic views and opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation. Alligators are known to be present in the waterfowl impoundments, so hikers should remain aware of their surroundings.

Stones Creek Game Land is part of the larger Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST), with a segment passing through the property (Great Day Hike #32: NC 210 to US 17). This indicates the trail's value for longer distance hikers seeking a diverse coastal experience.

• Starting point: Stones Creek Game Lands: 774 State Hwy 210, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
• Trail Map & Information
• Stones Creek Game Land Map by NC Wildlife
• Mountains to Sea: Segment 15
• Stones Creek Page Listing

The African American Heritage Trail celebrates the accomplishments of local African American leaders, as well as African American history, arts and culture in Onslow County.

This driving trail begins at the Linda Richardson Memorial (J1.) Richardson dedicated 32 years of her life to public service. From there, the Trail spans more than 200 years of African American history in Onslow County. The sites include schools, religious institutions, cemeteries, recreation areas, etc.

The Trail takes you beachside to Ocean City (TS1) in North Topsail Beach. This site was the first in a segregated area to allow African Americans to purchase oceanfront property and gave them access to water recreation. Ocean City Beach was unique as it was first residential beach community with African American home ownership in the state of North Carolina. The first property was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Wade Chestnut in 1949.

The Trail was unveiled in February 2011 with thirteen sites and has now grown to more than 20 historical sites. As the influence of African American history and culture is uncovered, more sites will be added.

• Starting Point: Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce: 1099 Gum Branch Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540
• African American Heritage Trail Page
• African American Heritage Trail Brochure