State parks Coverage

Historic partnership could bring Eno River State Park to downtown Hillsborough

Over 200 acres of land near downtown Hillsborough could soon become part of Eno River State Park.

State parks system reports record number of visitors

The North Carolina parks system saw nearly 23 million visitors at its 41 parks, recreation areas and natural areas.

By Bryan Anderson, WRAL statehouse reporter

Getting to know Goose Creek State Park

About 20 minutes east of Washington, North Carolina, and a million miles from ordinary, you'll find Goose Creek State Park.

Alice Manning Touchette for Visit Washington, NC

Tar Heel Traveler: Man's passion for job comes from love of nature

North Carolina native Dwayne Patterson oversees all state parks. His world today is one of color, beauty and nature. North Carolina has plenty of that.

NC Parks and Recreation start off busy summer season understaffed, underfunded

You may want to avoid some of the popular state parks this summer due to an increase in visitors.

Sloane Heffernan, WRAL reporter

TOM EARNHARDT: When swans fly over the Carolina moon

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021 -- Each year tundra swans do a round trip from the Arctic shores of Alaska and Canada all the way back to North Carolina. They perform this miracle of navigation and survival without the benefit of GPS. In the spring and fall similar navigation miracles are performed by millions of other birds and sea creatures. During the COVID pandemic we are reminded of our connections to people and nations around the world. We share air, water, and resources with others. Working together to protect these shared natural treasures is a necessity, not an option.

TOM EARNHARDT: Common ground for healing nation's wounds

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 -- If we are looking for common ground on which to gather and heal, I submit it can be found in the nature. It is in the natural world that the rural and urban divide disappears. In nature each of us is an essential worker.

TOM EARNHARDT: Celebrating 'imperfections' in nature

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 -- Show me a yard full of squishy persimmons, sweet gum balls, 'dangerous' walnuts, gooey pawpaws, sycamore projectiles and the cone-shaped seed pods of magnolia and I'll show you a yard filled with wildlife and curious people.

TOM EARNHARDT: Trees hold up the sky

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 -- During difficult times, trees -- nature's pillars -- keep the sky from falling. Not only do they hold up the sky, but more than any other living things, trees define our sense of place and provide much needed equilibrium. Their shapes, bark, leaves, smells, and colors tell us where we are in North Carolina.

TOM EARNHARDT: Morning road trip just for the sights, sounds, smells

Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 -- One day each week, instead of rolling and tossing, I drag my carcass out of bed and grab a face mask, camera, note pad, sandwich, and a thermos of coffee. I turn on NPR and depart Raleigh before sunrise. It makes no difference whether I head east or west; the most important thing in launching a predawn adventure is not to think too hard about it, or plan too much. ... The goal of these A.M. trips is immersion in the sights, sounds and smells of a wild place.

TOM EARNHARDT: Remembering N.C. nature stewards; the unspoiled legacy they left us

Sunday, May 10, 2020 -- The work of untold numbers of people over the past weeks has reminded me of the "stewards of the land" that I have most admired. Stewards come in every age, ethnicity and are found in every profession. There are professional stewards and volunteers. Farmers are generally good stewards of the land, but you do not have to be a farmer or landowner to be a good steward. I think of the countless park rangers, teachers, employees of natural science museums and individuals who work for conservation organizations.

TOM EARNHARDT: Nature doesn't disappoint. Its revelations lifts, surprises and delights us

Saturday, May 2, 2020 -- Regardless of the challenges and concerns we all confront, I remain optimistic about the future and am buoyed by the courage and kindness I witness each day. This is a time when small gestures, tiny gifts and pleasant surprises mean more than ever. In difficult times nature does not disappoint and has a way of lifting, surprising and delighting each of us with special revelations.

TOM EARNHARDT: Dispatches from the wild - Remembering the gifts of April

Saturday, April 25, 2020 -- Humans, when given the chance, are drawn to a deeper connection with nature. Nature is its own reward and offers an avenue of comfort and hope as we move forward in the coming weeks and months. As life begins to return to normal, take a couple of days alone, or with family and friends, and visit your favorite ocean beach, Piedmont stream or mountain forest. Like guests from far away lands with "fresh eyes," prepare to be dazzled, stunned and awed by the gifts of a Tar Heel spring.

TOM EARNHARDT: A walk on the wild side while hunkered down

Thursday, April 9, 2020 -- March and April are major transition months in natural North Carolina. It is the time when change is most visible. Gray/brown landscapes can turn chartreuse ... and then green ... in a couple of days. These transitions happen so fast that we see only a fraction of what is occurring just a few steps from our doors ... and in the streams, fields and forests of our Tar Heel universe. While we are hunkered down, the natural world is still a very busy place!

Mountains, trails and oceans: Bill Leslie's new adventure through state parks of NC

Bill Leslie is embarking on a journey to visit the diverse grandeur that is the State of North Carolina's state parks. Send him your favorite parks, your stories and your memories to help with his adventure.

Bill Leslie, WRAL contributor

41 NC parks in 365 days: Holly Springs family takes the challenge

A Holly Springs family is close to their goal of visiting all 41 of North Carolina's state parks within one year.

Holly Springs family wants to visit North Carolina's 41 state parks this year

A Holly Springs family is close to their goal of visiting all 41 of North Carolina's state parks within one year.

Ken Smith, anchor/reporter, and Rick Armstrong, producer

Take the Kids: Plan your family's summer camping trip with these tips

Some of my favorite childhood memories involved summer camping trips - with idyllic recollections lodged in my mind of sliding down natural river waterslides, toasting s'mores over a fire and getting to run adult-free in a campground while chasing fireflies.

Sarah Ovaska-Few, Go Ask Mom writer

Spring into action - 5 outdoor adventures for Triangle residents

Triangle residents are lucky to be within hours distance of the sea and the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, but you don't have to travel far to have a great outdoor adventure.

Live for free in retirement: The couple has it figured out

Bruce Nance and his wife live inside state parks in Texas wit absolutely no bills.

Agency finance chief named new NC parks director

After the sudden and unexplained ouster of the state parks director and a quiet search for his replacement, North Carolina officials Wednesday announced an in-house pick to manage the more than 234,000 acres of state-owned land from the mountains to the coast.

Tyler Dukes, WRAL public records reporter

Leaders of state parks, historic sites out at Natural and Cultural Resources

Two top leaders overseeing North Carolina parks and historic sites are out at the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Tyler Dukes, WRAL public records reporter