Summer Fun on the Coast

Nothing quite says it's summer like sand between your toes and the smell of salt in the air. Check out these great coastal TRACK Trails this summer!

Hammocks Beach State Park 

The Hammocks Beach State Park TRACK Trail follows a 0.56 mile loop trail through newly-acquired forest on the mainland, full of longleaf pines that were once used for logging. There is also an additional 0.17 mile trail down to the Intracoastal Waterway.

Jockey's Ridge State Park 

The Jockey's Ridge State Park TRACK Trail, Tracks in the Sand, begins near the visitor center and is a pathway to discover the different views found within the park. Much of the trail traverses across lots of sand that is actively moving in the wind, known as a Live Dune Barren. West of these dunes, the trail traces the shoreline of the Roanoke Sound before reaching the Maritime Shrub.

Carolina Beach State Park 

With a marina providing access to some of North Carolina's best fishing spots, a secluded camping area beneath towering trees, and miles of hiking trails that traverse a variety of distinct habitats - not to mention the presence of the Venus flytrap, one of the world's most unique carnivorous plants - it's no wonder Carolina Beach State Park is a popular coastal attraction.

Vereen Memorial Gardens

Vereen Memorial Gardens are located in Little River, near the NC state-line in Horry County, SC. The Gardens are home to a variety of wildlife and local history. Along the trails, you can find a variety of tree species, view wetlands and the inter-coastal waterway. You can also find a variety of birds that call the woodlands and wetlands home.

San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve 

Not only is this 1,000 acre Reserve one of the few remaining coastal wetlands, it is also home to an exceptional number of plants and animals, many of which are listed as sensitive or endangered.  Additionally, the lagoon serves as an important resting spot for the many migratory birds that travel thousands of miles along the Pacific Flyway.