Halyburton Park in Wilmington, NC, is a 60-acre park with a nature preserve that is 70% undeveloped. The park features gently rolling sandhills, a habitat that is rare in the coastal Carolinas. Halyburton Park has a 1.3-mile paved, handicap-accessible trail that circles the park's perimeter and connects to the Gary Shell Cross City Trail. There are also offshoot trails to explore.
In addition to the centerpiece freshwater lake, Smith Creek Park off Gordon and Harris Roads, near I-40 includes a playground, picnic shelter with restrooms, and 1.3 mile paved multi-purpose trail. A floating dock on the lake allows you to launch a kayak or other non-motorized boat.
At 8.4 miles in length Masonboro Island Reserve is the longest undisturbed barrier island ecosystem in southern North Carolina. The Reserve protects coastal habitats for long-term research, education, and stewardship. The Masonboro Island site can only be reached by boat, kayak or canoe.
