No matter if you are in the costal plains, the piedmont region or the Appalachian Mountains, the Tar Heel state has a great park nearby.
http://www.ranker.com/list/best-north-carolina-state-parks/smellsrank,
Lumber River State Park
Lumber River is a linear park through 4 counties and 115 miles. This is the only black water river in North Carolina to be designated as a National Wild and Scenic River by the Department of the Interior.
The park has a huge variety of wildlife, plants, wildflowers, and trees.
Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock - Located in Rutherford County, 25 miles south of Asheville. There are hiking trails for all skill levels, spectacular views, the Devil's Head balancing rock and a 404 foot waterfall named Hickory Nut Falls. Its most notable feature is a 315 foot rock formation, a granite monolith, Chimney Rock, accessible by elevator and providing views of the park and surrounding countryside.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Asheville - The park has the highest peak (6,366 ft) east of the Mississippi River. A trail leading to the summit has been paved, and a new observation platform was opened in January 2009. The summit also features an exhibit hall with information about the mountain's natural, cultural and historical heritage.
In addition to Mount Mitchell, the park has several other peaks which top out at over 6000' in elevation.
Merchants Millpond State Park
Gatesville - The park covers 3,250 acres around a 200 year old, 700 acre millpond and Lassiter Swamp. The park also contains a large cypress swamp. Canoeing is one of the park's major attractions. Alligators live in Merchants Millpond State Park which is the northernmost extent of the American Alligator's habitat. Located in North Carolina's Coastal Plain.
Medoc Mountain State Park
Hollister - Medoc Mountain is not really a mountain at all; its highest point reaches an elevation of only 325 feet. Medoc Mountain is what remains after millions of years of erosion. The eroded peaks were formed by volcanic action about 350 million years ago.
Lake Waccamaw State Park
Columbus County - Located near the town of Lake Waccamaw, the park covers 1,732 acres along the southern edge of Lake Waccamaw, a Carolina bay in the costal plain. Elevation 45 feet, nice sunsets.
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Linville - At 5,946 feet , it is the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the major chains of the Appalachian Mountains.
On the road to the summit there are wildlife exhibits and picnic areas. Grandfather has seven environmental habitats for black bear,river otters, cougars, Bald Eagles and white-tailed deer.
The scene in the 1994 film Forrest Gump where he runs on a curvy mountain road was filmed here.
Morrow Mountain State Park
Albemarle - This state park covers 4,742 acres within the Uwharrie Mountains. The park contains several peaks, of which Morrow Mountain is a high point at 936 feet. The mountain rises some 400 feet above the surrounding lower terrain, and offers superb views of the surrounding countryside.
Camping, many trails to hike and a museum.
Mayo River State Park
Mayodan - Located in Rockingham County this park covers 2,244 acres along the Mayo River. There is a visitor contact station, two picnic shelters, a small picnic area, a half-mile loop hiking trail, a 2 mile loop hiking trail, rest rooms, a catch and release fishing pond.
Bay Tree State Park
Elizabethtown - A 609 acre undeveloped Carolina bay lake. The main access into the park is a dirt path that leads from Hwy 41 to the lake. Visitors can experience a dense bay forest with bald cypress draped with Spanish moss. Bay Tree Lake is shallow; the deepest point is just over 7 feet. The plants that flourish here are a haven for many bird species.