Goose Creek State Park, State park and National Natural Landmark in Beaufort County, North Carolina
Goose Creek State Park is a protected coastal area featuring saltwater marshes, cypress swamps, and pine forests along the Pamlico River. The site combines different habitats and provides trails, camping options, and water access for fishing and boating.
Native Secota and Pamlico tribes first inhabited the area before European settlers arrived in the 17th century and introduced diseases that devastated the indigenous people. The timber industry later shaped the region and remained the primary use of these lands for generations.
The park holds remnants from the lumber industry era, where old docks and loading facilities still stand among the trees. These structures show how people once worked the river for commerce and trade.
The park is easy to reach with marked trails of varying length and a boat ramp for river access and water activities. Visitors should expect changing terrain as wet areas and forests alternate throughout the grounds.
A long boardwalk winds through cypress swamps, offering prime viewing spots for barred owls, white-tailed deer, and seasonal tundra swans. This is one of the few places where visitors can watch these birds in their natural habitat.
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