The New River is 40 miles long; both its headwaters and its mouth are in Onslow County. The county also has more than 30 miles of beaches, barrier islands, and exhibits about nature and history. When choosing a hotel, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: the coast and activities, or culture and historic sites.
Coast, Islands and Nature
Hammocks Beach State Park includes a mainland area and three offshore islands. Bear Island is four miles long; above the high-water line, loggerhead sea turtles nest there. A passenger ferry takes visitors to the park’s beach. It operates seasonally, so check the schedule before your trip if you plan to time your beach visit around the ferry.
North Topsail Beach has more than twelve miles of sandy shoreline. Visitors can fish, paddle, cycle, and go bird-watching there. At three access points, Onslow County Parks & Recreation offers free parking, restrooms, and showers. Parking regulations can change, so check them before your visit.
Along with beaches, Onslow County’s landscape includes rivers and the sea, a diverse range of marine life, and abundant wildlife in its forests. Nature is therefore not just a focus at the beach: the river landscape and forest wildlife are also part of the region’s character.
Cycling Routes of Different Lengths
The Jacksonville-Camp LeJeune Rail-to-Trails Path follows abandoned rail corridors for 5.2 miles, running northwest from the Camp LeJeune area near Midway Park to Marine Boulevard in Jacksonville. The Richlands Loop Bicycle Route is marked with green-and-white bicycle route signs. This 50-mile loop passes through rural southeastern North Carolina and along the headwaters of the New River. The routes differ clearly in scale: choose between a shorter route with named endpoints and a significantly longer loop.
Exhibits About Nature and History
The Onslow County Museum offers a permanent exhibit and changing exhibitions to the public. The “Discover Onslow” exhibit at the Environmental Education Center explores the ecology and geography of Onslow County, as well as its flora and fauna. Those interested in the county’s natural environment will find topics ranging from landscapes and habitats to plant and animal life.
The “The Water & the Wood” exhibit covers the geological history of Onslow County and the landscape shaped by natural forces. It includes a 38-foot-long dugout canoe made by Indigenous people at least 700 years ago. In this way, the exhibit connects a specific object with the long history of the landscape.
At the Onslow County Museum’s seasonal Heritage Day, visitors can see hands-on demonstrations of farming, domestic skills, textile making, coastal life, and the production of naval stores from pine products. Dates may vary. Check event dates in advance if you plan to include Heritage Day in your itinerary.
Buildings and Places of Remembrance
Built around 1850, the Pelletier House is Jacksonville’s oldest and only surviving house from the antebellum period. Group tours are available by prior request. The Old Brick Store is another notable historic building: built around 1839, it is considered the oldest building in Onslow County.
The Freedom Fountain honors all those who have served or are serving the United States, especially those who passed through Onslow County in service to their country. Lejeune Memorial Gardens honors American service members for their sacrifices in defense of the country and its freedoms. The two sites commemorate different aspects of service and sacrifice.
The African American Heritage Trail was announced in February 2010. Plans called for historic markers and sites throughout Onslow County to highlight African American heritage and significant individual contributions to the community.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Swansboro, Sneads Ferry, Pumpkin Center, North Topsail Beach, Madison County, Franklin County, Carteret County, Durham.
For the overview of the wider region: North Carolina.
