Going to the East Coast!

[Natureangel]

Trying to plan for a trip on the east coast. So far I have reservations at First Landing, Carolina beach and Skidaway.
I’m coming in from near Chicago and am planning to stop overnight somewhere before I reach First Landing. On the return I plan on a stop at GSMNP for a few days.
The coast will be totally new for me and I would appreciate any tips, must see etc.
I will be bringing a bike and kayak with me. I find kayaking around crocodiles and alligators a bit daunting.
Any information will be greatly appreciated!

 

[jmkay1]

Bring a broom! Sand gets everywhere. Watch the wind if your close to the water. Stake the awning down but buy the good stakes hopefully Your sites have some solid ground. If your camping in the summer hopefully you have tree cover. Accross the tunnel near First Landing is a state park called Kiptopeke State Park and there are some old ships that have been sunk to create a barrier from storms there. A lot of people love to kayak over to those ships. The tunnel is expensive though. Honestly I’m more of a mountain person so really haven’t ventured around the actual coast. The GSMNP however is my favorite place to go. Just be sure to fill your gas tank before going on those mountains especially if your towing.

 

[Natureangel]

Bring a broom! Sand gets everywhere. Watch the wind if your close to the water. Stake the awning down but buy the good stakes hopefully Your sites have some solid ground. If your camping in the summer hopefully you have tree cover. Accross the tunnel near First Landing is a state park called Kiptopeke State Park and there are some old ships that have been sunk to create a barrier from storms there. A lot of people love to kayak over to those ships. The tunnel is expensive though. Honestly I’m more of a mountain person so really haven’t ventured around the actual coast. The GSMNP however is my favorite place to go. Just be sure to fill your gas tank before going on those mountains especially if your towing.

I’m a mountain girl myself! I’ve done the Smokies countless times. I’m a newbie to the coast.

 

[Lug_Nut]

If you come across crocodiles, you've paddled too far south.

"Alligators are native to the Southern United States (like the Florida Everglades!) and China. Crocodiles are found in Africa, Australia, India, Central America and in the Pacific."

 

[Doug Fisher]

Trying to plan for a trip on the east coast. So far I have reservations at First Landing, Carolina beach and Skidaway.
I’m coming in from near Chicago and am planning to stop overnight somewhere before I reach First Landing. On the return I plan on a stop at GSMNP for a few days.
The coast will be totally new for me and I would appreciate any tips, must see etc.
I will be bringing a bike and kayak with me. I find kayaking around crocodiles and alligators a bit daunting.
Any information will be greatly appreciated!

First Landing: Awesome campground and beach but be aware you are near an army base. Bugle in the morning and low flying helicopters.

 

[janb]

Trying to plan for a trip on the east coast. So far I have reservations at First Landing, Carolina beach and Skidaway.
I’m coming in from near Chicago and am planning to stop overnight somewhere before I reach First Landing. On the return I plan on a stop at GSMNP for a few days.
The coast will be totally new for me and I would appreciate any tips, must see etc.
I will be bringing a bike and kayak with me. I find kayaking around crocodiles and alligators a bit daunting.
Any information will be greatly appreciated!

Yes, North Carolina coast has it's share of alligators. I would contact the ranger's office at CB State Park and ask them about the alligators in the river there. On rare occasions they're spotted in the ocean. If you're staying at the state park, the gate is locked around 8pm every night. Take a good lock for your bike. They tend to walk off if not secured. Several good restaurants in the area. You must go to Britt's Doughnuts in CB. Some of the best on the east coast. Other things include Fort Fisher has a decent aquarium, a couple of fishing piers on the island, nice area for walking on a rock jetty at Fort Fisher, can take the ferry from Ft Fisher to Southport, Duplin Vineyard's is off of 40 (muscadine grapes), another vineyard is off of 17 heading towards North Myrtle Beach. There's 3-4 grocery stores on the island and almost double that for gas stations.

 

[no Fries]

I've been to Wrightsville beach, which is close to Carolina beach, it is one of the nicer beaches I've been to, GSMP is a great place also, I'd prefer off season for all of them. I'm not one for commercialism and sitting in traffic for an hour plus to go 10 miles.

 

[Hilldweller]

Best campground views in the southeast:

Mile High Campground

Primitive campground with hot showers and spectacular views. Voted a Top 20 Favorite Place In America by ABC's "Good Morning America."

milehighcampground.com

All sites are primitive, there is a shower house and flush potties. Nothing fancy here, elk wander through camp with extreme regularity, expect black bears in the area (all of the Smokies).

 

[Natureangel]

Yes, North Carolina coast has it's share of alligators. I would contact the ranger's office at CB State Park and ask them about the alligators in the river there. On rare occasions they're spotted in the ocean. If you're staying at the state park, the gate is locked around 8pm every night. Take a good lock for your bike. They tend to walk off if not secured. Several good restaurants in the area. You must go to Britt's Doughnuts in CB. Some of the best on the east coast. Other things include Fort Fisher has a decent aquarium, a couple of fishing piers on the island, nice area for walking on a rock jetty at Fort Fisher, can take the ferry from Ft Fisher to Southport, Duplin Vineyard's is off of 40 (muscadine grapes), another vineyard is off of 17 heading towards North Myrtle Beach. There's 3-4 grocery stores on the island and almost double that for gas stations.

Thanks for the info, it will definitely help!

 

[vagov]

When are you going trough the Carolina’s?

 

[Natureangel]

When are you going trough the Carolina’s?

Mid June!

 

[vagov]

I will be going trough. But not until. The fall

 

[TG2020]

I

Trying to plan for a trip on the east coast. So far I have reservations at First Landing, Carolina beach and Skidaway.
I’m coming in from near Chicago and am planning to stop overnight somewhere before I reach First Landing. On the return I plan on a stop at GSMNP for a few days.
The coast will be totally new for me and I would appreciate any tips, must see etc.
I will be bringing a bike and kayak with me. I find kayaking around crocodiles and alligators a bit daunting.
Any information will be greatly appreciated!

I'd recommend Hunting Island State park in SC and Edisto Beach state park in SC. Both fill up about a year in advance but you might be able to grab a cancellation. For good mountain camping I'd recommend Standing Indian campground, and Black Mountain campground. have fun!!

 

[yetavon]

Mid June!

Coast can be buggy that time of year.. a breeze is your friend.

 

[PointyCamper]

If you come to First Landing, take Rt. 13 North to Chincoteague. Neat place. And Assateague is a bit north of that, same land mass. Buggy in summer though. Then a bit more north there is the Lewes Ferry over to NJ. And to the Pine Barrens.
Got a month?

 

[Hilldweller]

If you come to First Landing, take Rt. 13 North to Chincoteague. Neat place. And Assateague is a bit north of that, same land mass. Buggy in summer though. Then a bit more north there is the Lewes Ferry over to NJ. And to the Pine Barrens.
Got a month?

NASA Wallops Flight Facility is right there too.
Check their website for rocket launches. Spectacular thing to see.

NASA Wallops Visitor Center

NASA.gov brings you the latest images, videos and news from America's space agency. Get the latest updates on NASA missions, watch NASA TV live, and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind.

www.nasa.gov