Oakhurst Nature Park

Description

Oakhurst Nature Park is a roughly 250-acre county preserve along the New River and its Blue Creek tributary, established through a partnership between Onslow County and the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust and opened in 2004. The park keeps things simple and outdoors-focused: two short nature trails wind through the woods, and an ADA-accessible canoe and kayak launch gives families access to the water. The trails are easy, hard-packed walking paths well suited to younger children and beginners, and dogs on leash are welcome. Because it's a natural preserve rather than a developed recreation complex, the draw is quiet walking, paddling, and wildlife and bird watching rather than playgrounds or ballfields. Parking is limited at the trailheads, so arriving earlier in the day is the safer bet on busy weekends. The park is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Families planning to paddle should bring their own canoe or kayak, since rentals are not available on site.