With the Smoky Mountains in the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern border, North and South Carolina enjoy a rich variety of natural environments. For travelers, that means an abundance of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Scenic spots and natural attractions in both states are often the highlights of visitors’ experiences. From waterfalls to water sports, here are five outdoor experiences to enjoy while touring the Carolinas.
North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Though many people remember the Myrtle Beach area for its stage shows and busy beach, nearby North Myrtle Beach is a fisher’s paradise.
“Fishing is really big here,” said Jennifer Prince, communications specialist for the North Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’ve got inshore, offshore and pier fishing. We have artificial-reef fishing, or you can fish in the surf on the beach.
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| Fishing from a North Myrtle Beach, S.C., pier Courtesy North Myrtle Beach Chamber |
“We have charter boats that can take you out into the ocean to catch the big fish, or you can just fish off the pier for king mackerels and other things.”
For those who would rather look at fish than catch them, outfitters in the area offer scuba diving excursions to Civil War wrecks, World War II wrecks, and natural and artificial reefs. Visitors can also see marine life on dolphin-watching excursions and other cruises off the coast.
www.northmyrtlebeachchamber.com
Capers Island State Heritage Preserve, S.C.
Visitors to Charleston and other coastal destinations in South Carolina can see some unspoiled natural beauty at Capers Island State Heritage Preserve.
“It’s an undeveloped barrier island,” said Shane Ziegler, owner of Barrier Island Eco-Tours, which operates cruise tours to the island park. “It’s got a really interesting beachfront, with an old forest right on the beach.”
Ziegler and his company’s naturalists take groups on cruises out to the island, where participants often see dolphins, alligators and other wildlife. During the summer, the excursion includes a visit to the island’s marshes, where guides teach people how to catch crabs with a piece of chicken on the end of a string.
Barrier Island Eco-Tours also offers kayaking trips, cookouts and crab boils on Capers Island.
Oconee County, S.C.
In the northwestern part of South Carolina, a number of lakes and other natural attractions make Oconee County a favorite destination for outdoors lovers. One of the chief points of interest is 7,500-acre Lake Jocassee.
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| White-water rafting on the Chattooga RiverCourtesy Oconee Mountain Lakes CVB |
“It’s a mountain lake that’s very deep — 385 feet in the deepest part,” said Ken Sloan, director of the Oconee Mountain Lakes Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s very clear, like the Caribbean. It has a bunch of waterfalls, so it’s primarily known for its scenery and fishing.”
Groups often charter boat cruises on the lake or navigate themselves on pontoon boats rented by the day. A cruise will highlight some of the area’s 300 waterfalls, the largest of which is some 300 feet tall.
More adventurous travelers can go white-water rafting on the Chattooga River, which features Class IV and V rapids and a 12-foot drop in one section.
Wilmington, N.C.
It’s all about water in Wilmington and surrounding areas on the North Carolina coast.
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| Kayaking in the salt marshes near Wilmington’s Cape Fear River.
Courtesy Barrier Island Eco-Tours |
“We’re uniquely situated on the Cape Fear River, and we also have our barrier island beaches,” said Connie Nelson, public relations director for the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau. “So we’re bordered on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the other side by the river.”
At Carolina Beach State Park, groups can take guided natural walks with park rangers and see the
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| Venus-fly traps in Wilmington, N.C. Courtesy Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast CVB |
exotic Venus’s-flytrap plants that are native to the area. A number of companies offer nature cruises on the ocean, pointing out birds and wildlife along the way.
Farther inland, visitors can take a guided kayaking trip through salt marshes and along the Cape Fear River.
Blue Ridge Parkway
There’s no better way to enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina than by taking a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 469-mile parkway connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
This fall marks the beginning of a yearlong series of events that will culminate in the celebration of the parkway’s 75th anniversary in 2010. Construction of the parkway began during the Great Depression in 1935 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has more diversity of habitat and supports more plant species than any other park in the U.S. National Park System, according to parkway administrators. Many travelers enjoy hiking, fishing or camping along the parkway in established recreation areas.
