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Get Outdoors2017-12-21T12:21:12+00:00

Popular Outdoor Activities and Resources

Airlie Gardens

300 Airlie Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
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Notes: We highly recommend a trip to Airlie Gardens. Take a beautiful walk around the grounds and breathe in the salt air. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful attractions in our community.

Carolina Beach State Park

1010 B Rd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-8206

Notes: Hike, bike, camp, kayak, fish and more in this awesome State Park along the shores of the Cape Fear River and Snows Cut.

Greenfield Lake Park & Gardens

1510 South 3rd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
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Notes: Lots to do for the whole family. If you brought your bikes or running shoes, take a four mile loop around the lake. There are also canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, playgrounds, tennis courts and a skateboard park.

Empie Park

3405-A Park Avenue
Wilmington, NC   28403
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Notes: Located in Mid Town. Empie offers tons of recreational options including a dog park, tennis and basketball courts, bocce, shuffleboard, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, a walking/biking path, picnic areas and more.

Halyburton Park

4099 S 17th St
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 341-0075
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Notes: What’s there to do at Halyburton Park? Bike, run, or walk around the park’s trail system. Hit the playgrounds, have a picnic, or do a headstand in yoga class.

Hugh McRae Park

1799 S College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403
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Notes: Located about half way between downtown Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. Hugh McRae has trails around the outside of the park, one of the best playgrounds in Wilmington, sand volleyball courts, multiple baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, picnic areas, and a dog park.

Ogden Park

Ogden Park Dr (off of Market Street)
Wilmington, NC 28411
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Notes: Ogden Park is a popular destination for locals living on the northern end of Wilmington. There are walking trails, sports facilities, a dog park, and more.

EvHenwood

6150 Rock Creek Rd NE
Leland, NC

Notes: Great place to take a hike across the Cape Fear River in Leland. It’s a 175 acre park loaded with walking trails. No dogs are allowed on the property (boo).

River Road Park

6300 River Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 798-7198

Notes: Nice little park along River Road which has a small boat launch and handicapped accessible fishing pier.

Veterans Park

835 Halyburton Memorial Parkway
Wilmington, NC

Notes: Primarily used as a large sports complex filled with soccer, baseball, and football field.

Poplar Grove Plantation

10200 US Highway 17 North
Wilmington, NC 28429
(910) 686-9518

Notes: Offers daily tours of the home and grounds. Plus there are acres of beautiful wooded trails.

Brunswick Nature Park

2601 River Road
Winnabow, NC 28479

Notes: Located across the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County. Explore close to 900 acres on land, via kayak, or hit the biking trails.

All year round you’ll find people surfing in Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. Here are some resources to help you get out on the water.

Surf Reports

Check out WBLiveSurf.com for a current conditions in Wrightsville.

You can find live surf CAMS of Carolina Beach, Wrightsville, and Kure Beach at SurfChex.

Surf Board Rentals in Wrightsville

WBSurf Camp
222 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach (at Surfberry)

Aussie Island Surf Shop
1 North Lumina Avenue
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
(910) 256-6789

Surf Board Rentals in Carolina Beach

Wheel Fun Rentals
107 Carolina Beach Ave. N.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-4545

Pleasure Island Rentals
2 North Lake Park Blvd.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Phone: (910) 458-4747

As you may imagine, there are plenty of places to launch a boat, kayak, canoe, PWC, or paddle board around Wilmington and the area beaches. Here are some of the most popular spots:

Wrightsville Beach (on Intracoastal Waterway)

109 Causeway Drive
Wrigtsville Beach, NC 28480

Notes: Get there very early on the weekend as parking is very limited. As you’re coming over the Wrightsville drawbridge, be sure to be in the right lane and you have to make your first right over the bridge and then wrap around back under the bridge to the launch area.

Castle Street Boat Launch (on Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington)

602 Surry St
Wilmington, NC 28401

Notes: Recently rebuilt. Popular outlet for fisherman and those looking to explore the Wilmington waterfront, the State Port, and the backwaters for the NE Cape Fear River and Brunswick River.

Trails End (Intracoastal Waterway)

621 Trails End Road
Wilmington, NC 28409

Notes: This is a popular launch spot for locals who live in the area. It’s off of Masonboro Loop Road and is about mid way between Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.

Snows Cut
(Intracoastal Waterway)

220 Annie Drive
Carolina Beach, NC 28428

Notes: Nice launch at the confluence of the Intracoastal Waterway, Snows Cut (leading to the Cape Fear River), and the Carolina Beach canal. There is a marina directly across the launch to refuel.

Carolina Beach State Park (Cape Fear River) – PAID LAUNCH

1010 B Rd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-8206

Notes: We’ve found the Carolina Beach launch to be less hectic than some of the other popular launch areas. While being located on the Cape Fear River, you can be in the Intracoastal Waterway in minutes.

Ft. Fisher/Federal Point

2515 S Fort Fisher Blvd
Kure Beach, NC 28449

Notes: Popular area for fishermen, and paddlers. You typically only see smaller boats being launched.

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