List of National Park Service areas in North Carolina facts for kids

There are 13 National Parks in North Carolina. These special places are managed by the National Park Service. They help protect important parts of nature and history. While only the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a traditional park, others include cool spots like historic sites, national seashores, and even famous trails. Some of these parks even stretch into other states!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also a World Heritage Site. This means it's recognized by the world as being super important for everyone to protect.

Amazing Places to Explore

North Carolina is home to many different types of national sites. Each one offers a unique adventure, whether you love history, nature, or just exploring!

Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a super long hiking path that goes through many states, including North Carolina. It's famous for its beautiful mountain views and challenging hikes. Many people dream of hiking the whole trail! It was established in the 1920s.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway offers stunning views, like this one near Grassy Ridge Bald.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic road that winds through the mountains. It's known for its amazing views, especially in the fall when the leaves change color. It connects the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This beautiful road was established on September 11, 1935.

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area celebrates the unique culture and history of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can learn about traditional music, crafts, and the way of life in this region. It became a national heritage area on November 20, 2003.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The iconic lighthouse at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a long stretch of beautiful beaches and islands along the Outer Banks. It's a great place for swimming, fishing, and seeing historic lighthouses. Many ships have wrecked off this coast, giving it the nickname "Graveyard of the Atlantic." It was established on August 17, 1937.

Cape Lookout National Seashore

The distinctive Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

Similar to Cape Hatteras, the Cape Lookout National Seashore offers undeveloped barrier islands. It's a bit more remote and known for its wild horses and beautiful, quiet beaches. You can only get there by ferry! This seashore was established on March 10, 1966.

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

The historic home of poet Carl Sandburg.

The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is the former home of Carl Sandburg, a famous American poet and writer. You can tour his house and even see the descendants of his wife's dairy goats! It became a national historic site on October 17, 1968.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is where the first English attempts to settle in North America took place in the late 1500s. It's famous for the mystery of the "Lost Colony," where a group of settlers disappeared without a trace. This historic site was established on April 5, 1941.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. It's known for its stunning mountains, diverse wildlife, and beautiful forests. It's a fantastic place for hiking, camping, and spotting animals like black bears. This park was established on June 15, 1934.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park protects the site of a major battle during the American Revolutionary War. It's a place to learn about the brave soldiers who fought for America's independence. It became a national military park on March 2, 1917.

Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor stretches along the coast and celebrates the unique culture of the Gullah/Geechee people. Their ancestors were enslaved Africans who kept many of their traditions alive. This corridor was established on October 12, 2006.

Moores Creek National Battlefield

Moores Creek National Battlefield is another important site from the American Revolutionary War. A key battle took place here that helped the American patriots in North Carolina. It became a national battlefield on October 15, 1966.

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail follows the path of American patriots during the Revolutionary War. They marched to victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain. This historic trail was established in September 1980.

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail marks the sad route where many Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, were forced to leave their homes and move west. It's a reminder of a difficult time in American history. This trail was established in 1987.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

The towering monument at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. This is where Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful powered flight in 1903. You can see a monument and learn all about their amazing invention. It became a national memorial on March 2, 1927.

See also List of National Natural Landmarks in North Carolina