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This winter instead of making a yearly state to-do list, I decided to just make a bigger state bucket list.  Then I decided to turn this into a little series. 

I wanted to do specific states that I spend a lot of time in, want to spend a lot of time in, or am close to a lot and North Carolina is one of those. At least the west side of it so far.

I also wanted to do more general regional bucket lists for all the other things I want to do, which is a lot.  They are all pretty outdoor focused North Carolina bucket list with a few non-outdoorsy things, too.

You’ll find some of the best hikes in North Carolina here along with some of the best waterfalls in North Carolina, too. 

As I do things and write posts for them, I’ll update this to link back to those.  If I do something and don’t have a post, I’ll just cross it out. 

I would like to do one a month with 12 total.  These bucket lists are partially to help me keep track of things, but also to inspire you to get out there, too. 

Bucket list posts

• Looking Glass Rock
• Looking Glass Falls
• Deep Gap Trail at Mount Mitchell State Park
• Sam Knob Loop
• Linville Falls
• Paradise Falls
• Catawaba Falls
• Grassy Ridge Bald in Roan Highlands
• Hike to the summit of Shortoff Mountain
• Explore Asheville

• Rough Ridge
• Charlies Bunion
• Andrews Bald
• Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park
• Lower Cascade Falls
• Janes Bald
• Hemphill Bald
• Toms Creek Falls
• Hickory Nut Falls
• Stone Mountain Loop

• Flat Laurel Creek
• Ridgewalk Hike
• Summit and Rhododendron Trail Loop
• Table Rock
• Mount Pisgah
• Whiteside Mountain
• Chimney Rock Tour Hike
• Harper Creek Falls
• Old Mitchell Trail
• Pink Beds Loop

• Craggy Gardens
• Max Patch
• Bearwallow Mountain
• Black Balsam
• Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower
• Cowee Mountains Overlook
• Hot Air Balloon over Blue Ridge Mountains
• See more of the River Arts District
• Forage with No Taste Like Home
• WNC Farmers Market

• Crabtree Falls
• Grassy Creek Falls
• Graveyard Fields
• Hanging Rock State Park
• Morrow Mountain State Park
• Raven Rock State Park
• Log Hollow Falls
• Croatan National Forest
• Nags Head Woods
• Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

• Jockeys Ridge State Park
• Richland Balsam Overlook
• High Falls Trail
• Owls Roost Trail
• Pinnacle Park Trail
• Silver Run Falls
• Henry River Mill Village ghost town
• Ocracoke Island
• Shackleford Banks
• Lake Glenville

• Visit the bat cave in Bat Cave
• Climb Old Baldy on Bald Head Island
• Portsmouth Ghost Town
• Drive the scenic Flower Route
• Great Dismal Swamp
• Cape Hatteras
• The Land of Oz theme park
• Grandfather Mountain
• Hike part of the Appalachian Trail
• Graybeard Trail

• Rattlesnake Lodge Trail
• Upper Creek Falls Loop Trail
• Little Bradley Falls
• Visit Boone
• Visit Blowing Rock
• Elk River Falls
• Moore Cove Falls
• Sill Branch Falls
• Little Lost Cove Cliffs trail
• Chimney Tops Trail

• Compression Falls
• Cove Creek Falls
• Twin Falls
• Crab Orchard Falls
• Lovers Leap Loop Trail
• Roaring Fork Falls
• Elk Knob Summit Trail
• Grotto Falls Trail
• Mouse Creek Falls
• Ramsey Cascades Trail

• Wintergreen Falls Trail
• Mile High Swinging Bridge
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Hebron Falls
• Drive the whole Blue Ridge Parkway
• Soco Falls
• See Daniel Ridge Falls
• Dry Falls
• Bust Your Butt Falls
• Skinny Dip Falls
•  Mingo Falls

There you have it, my super long and always growing North Carolina bucket list!  It’s a state I hope to spend a lot more time in so I can drive and hike everything.  Check back for updates on things that I do so you can learn even more about the awesome things to do there.

Have you done any of these things?  Which ones?  What is your favorite hike in North Carolina?  Anything else I should consider adding?