Come and explore many of North Carolina’s most beautiful and unique natural areas. For ease of navigation, these special sites have been organized within Mountain, Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions.

Select a link below to go to that region’s map, and then click on the name of the location that you would like to explore. You will find photos, maps, and detailed descriptions of the conservation highlights at each site. In most cases, you will even find a Trip Planner to help you arrive at your chosen destination.

Select a region below:

 

North Carolina has one of the most diverse natural environments in the nation, stretching from the mountains to the sea. Such diversity contributes to the integrity of ecosystems that support water and air quality, plant and wildlife populations and natural resources. Our challenge is to conserve habitat for our native species and protect the state’s key natural features.

While there are still many areas that need to be protected for future generations, some special natural areas have already been set aside for conservation purposes. Many of these sites are public lands which are managed as parks, game lands, forests, and refuges. Most of the featured locations encourage visitors to come and enjoy these unique open spaces.

Featured Conservation Areas: (sites selected from available webpages)