- The 273-acre Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area (no website; P.O. Box 127; Atlantic Beach; 252-726-3775) is a nature preserve in Pine Knoll Shores. One of 16 state natural areas, it has two self-guided nature trails where you can go hiking. The Roosevelt trail is 1.2 miles long and takes about an hour to hike and the Hoffman trail is half a mile long and takes about 30 minutes to hike. You're family also will enjoy seeing plants and animals in their natural habitats such as holly, cedar and pine trees and different kinds of reptiles, birds and amphibians.
- Fort Macon State Park (ncparks.gov) is about 20 minutes from Pine Knoll Shores. The park, surrounded on three sides by water, offers a host of outdoor family activities. Regularly scheduled education and interpretive programs include viewing the firing process of a Civil War cannon or enjoying a free concert. You can go fishing any time of the year or hike along 1.5 miles of ocean beach with a chance of seeing dolphins and hundreds of species of birds. Outdoor grills, picnic tables and shelters allow you to enjoy a picnic. You can also swim in the beach's protected swimming area.
- Fishing piers are located less than 15 minutes from Pine Knoll Shores. Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier (bogueinletpier.com) is a place where you can take the family for day or night fishing. The 1,000-foot-long pier has cleaning stations and a tackle shop with bait, drinks and food and beach gear. Oceanana Fishing Pier (oceanana.com) is an oceanfront family resort and a pier that has a tackle shop with rod and reel rentals, a game room and a restaurant. If you stay in the resort, you can also enjoy swimming in the pool, free fishing from the pier and playing in the private beach.
- Pine Knoll Shores has access to several beaches that are open year-round where you can spend the day with your family. Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, building sand castles, beachcombing or simply relaxing in one of Pine Knoll Shore's beaches. Beaches open to the public include Iron Steamer Regional Beach, Memorial Park Beach, Oakleaf Drive Beach, Knollwood Drive Beach, Sheraton Beach, McGinnis Point Park Beach and Ramada Inn/Beacon's Reach Beach.
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