#1Nags Head
Dare County · 3,117 peopleOutdoors grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall B− · #89 of 286 in NC
Nags Head, #1 on this list · Photo: James Willamor · CC BY-SA 3.0North Carolina rankings · Outdoors
Best towns for the outdoors in North Carolina
Nags Head ranks first on outdoors among North Carolina’s 290 towns of 2,500+; 33 of the 290 grade A− or better on outdoors nationally.
The Outdoors grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the share of land conserved and the trail miles per square mile. How grades work
#1A+
Neuse Forest
unincorporated, Craven County · 2,671 peopleOutdoors grade, better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #74 of 286 in NC
#3Mayodan
Rockingham County · 2,503 peopleOutdoors grade, better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #212 of 286 in NC
All 290 towns
Outdoors grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 5 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
290 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
2Neuse Forestunincorporated, Craven County · 2,671 peopleA+better than 98% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #74 of 286
11North WilkesboroWilkes County · 4,369 peopleAbetter than 88% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #187 of 286
17Carolina BeachNew Hanover County · 6,870 peopleAbetter than 86% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #151 of 286
20Whispering PinesMoore County · 5,505 peopleA−better than 84% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #15 of 286
25Spring LakeCumberland County · 11,252 peopleA−better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #224 of 286
26Southern PinesMoore County · 17,357 peopleA−better than 81% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #128 of 286
29Murraysvilleunincorporated, New Hanover County · 16,339 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #77 of 286
30Boiling Spring LakesBrunswick County · 6,875 peopleA−better than 77% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #167 of 286
32CorneliusMecklenburg County · 35,094 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #32 of 286
38Skippers Cornerunincorporated, New Hanover County · 3,792 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #173 of 286
39High PointGuilford County · 120,571 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #206 of 286
40FayettevilleCumberland County · 209,120 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #245 of 286
49HuntersvilleMecklenburg County · 68,535 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #45 of 286
51Emerald IsleCarteret County · 3,970 peopleB+better than 70% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #102 of 286
52Morehead CityCarteret County · 10,434 peopleB+better than 69% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #194 of 286
57PinevilleMecklenburg County · 11,851 peopleB+better than 65% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #199 of 286
71CharlotteMecklenburg County · 964,784 peopleBbetter than 60% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #165 of 286
78Winston-SalemForsyth County · 257,271 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #243 of 286
79Briar Chapelunincorporated, Chatham County · 6,049 peopleBbetter than 57% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #35 of 286
83Northchaseunincorporated, New Hanover County · 5,896 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #208 of 286
86Cullowhee College campusunincorporated, Jackson County · 7,973 peopleBbetter than 55% of U.S. towns·Overall C+
100Anderson Creekunincorporated, Harnett County · 13,927 peopleB−better than 51% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #220 of 286
104James Cityunincorporated, Craven County · 4,789 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #139 of 286
105Forest CityRutherford County · 7,410 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #259 of 286
107WilmingtonNew Hanover County · 126,809 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #192 of 286
108SmithfieldJohnston County · 13,114 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #186 of 286
109Roanoke RapidsHalifax County · 14,386 peopleB−better than 49% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #276 of 286
116HendersonvilleHenderson County · 15,867 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #182 of 286
120BrevardTransylvania County · 8,098 peopleC+better than 45% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #137 of 286
122RutherfordtonRutherford County · 3,723 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #263 of 286
123Elizabeth CityPasquotank County · 19,622 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #258 of 286
125Piney Greenunincorporated, Onslow County · 14,078 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #181 of 286
130Danaunincorporated, Henderson County · 4,147 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #138 of 286
132Black MountainBuncombe County · 8,491 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #51 of 286
140ThomasvilleDavidson County · 27,733 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #131 of 286
142MooresvilleIredell County · 55,842 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #101 of 286
143Mint HillMecklenburg County · 29,476 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #58 of 286
144LaurinburgScotland County · 14,582 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #282 of 286
145Brices Creekunincorporated, Craven County · 3,415 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #136 of 286
148Kings MountainCleveland County · 12,117 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #253 of 286
150Swannanoaunincorporated, Buncombe County · 6,901 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #36 of 286
151KernersvilleForsyth County · 29,128 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #207 of 286
152ReidsvilleRockingham County · 14,692 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #219 of 286
161Hope MillsCumberland County · 18,324 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #227 of 286
165Silver Lakeunincorporated, New Hanover County · 6,563 peopleCbetter than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #129 of 286
167Seven Lakesunincorporated, Moore County · 4,535 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #7 of 286
170East Rockinghamunincorporated, Richmond County · 2,779 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #278 of 286
172Mar-Macunincorporated, Wayne County · 2,877 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #201 of 286
184Etowahunincorporated, Henderson County · 7,968 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #110 of 286
191Royal Pinesunincorporated, Buncombe County · 4,325 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #29 of 286
192Fairfield Harbourunincorporated, Craven County · 2,948 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #190 of 286
197Pleasant GardenGuilford County · 5,165 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #99 of 286
199Moyockunincorporated, Currituck County · 5,684 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #75 of 286
203Granite FallsCaldwell County · 4,964 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #174 of 286
210WaynesvilleHaywood County · 11,006 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #183 of 286
224Carolina ShoresBrunswick County · 5,540 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #146 of 286
225Elroyunincorporated, Wayne County · 3,251 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #229 of 286
226Lowesvilleunincorporated, Lincoln County · 3,874 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #4 of 286
227Lake Norman of Catawbaunincorporated, Catawba County · 9,906 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #90 of 286
228East Flat Rockunincorporated, Henderson County · 6,323 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #55 of 286
231KannapolisCabarrus County · 61,708 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #125 of 286
234Buies Creek College campusunincorporated, Harnett County · 3,746 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall C
235Kings Grantunincorporated, New Hanover County · 9,003 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #133 of 286
242Rockfishunincorporated, Hoke County · 3,574 peopleC−better than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #202 of 286
245Porters Neckunincorporated, New Hanover County · 7,654 peopleDbetter than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #118 of 286
247Edneyvilleunincorporated, Henderson County · 2,716 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #120 of 286
250Half Moonunincorporated, Onslow County · 7,378 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #73 of 286
252Myrtle Groveunincorporated, New Hanover County · 12,637 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #44 of 286
253Mountain Viewunincorporated, Catawba County · 3,982 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #83 of 286
256Spout Springsunincorporated, Harnett County · 11,242 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #149 of 286
257Lake Junaluskaunincorporated, Haywood County · 3,175 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #84 of 286
258Lake Norman of Iredellunincorporated, Iredell County · 12,494 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #33 of 286
259Hampsteadunincorporated, Pender County · 9,292 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #113 of 286
260Lake Royaleunincorporated, Franklin County · 3,168 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #98 of 286
261Wrightsborounincorporated, New Hanover County · 6,287 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #68 of 286
263Sneads Ferryunincorporated, Onslow County · 2,728 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #177 of 286
265Ogdenunincorporated, New Hanover County · 8,249 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #64 of 286
267Bethlehemunincorporated, Alexander County · 4,101 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #65 of 286
270Bayshoreunincorporated, New Hanover County · 2,949 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #62 of 286
272Boiling SpringsCleveland County · 4,799 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #86 of 286
275Welcomeunincorporated, Davidson County · 3,521 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #88 of 286
276Wilson's MillsJohnston County · 2,987 peopleDbetter than 7% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #108 of 286
278Avery Creekunincorporated, Buncombe County · 2,887 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #3 of 286
279St. Stephensunincorporated, Catawba County · 9,457 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #106 of 286
280Westportunincorporated, Lincoln County · 5,915 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #52 of 286
281Glen Ravenunincorporated, Alamance County · 3,506 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #168 of 286
282Forest Oaksunincorporated, Guilford County · 4,293 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #41 of 286
283Valley Hillunincorporated, Henderson County · 2,675 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #61 of 286
284River Roadunincorporated, Beaufort County · 3,366 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #256 of 286
285Emmaunincorporated, Buncombe County · 2,657 peopleD−better than 2% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #16 of 286
T286Brogdenunincorporated, Wayne County · 2,733 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall D− · #268 of 286
T286Cajah's MountainCaldwell County · 2,702 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C · #155 of 286
T286Enochvilleunincorporated, Rowan County · 3,321 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #143 of 286
T286Mountain Homeunincorporated, Henderson County · 3,437 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B · #76 of 286
T286Tyrounincorporated, Davidson County · 3,833 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B · #70 of 286
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which North Carolina town is best for the outdoors?
Nags Head (Dare County) ranks first on outdoors among 290 towns, with an A+; Neuse Forest and Mayodan follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The Outdoors grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the share of land conserved and the trail miles per square mile. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a outdoors grade (290 in North Carolina). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the North Carolina page.
Go deeper
All North Carolina rankings →More North Carolina lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
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