Before the American Revolution, Brunswick was an important port on the Cape Fear River. British troops destroyed the town in 1776; it was never rebuilt. Brunswick County brings together the history of the destroyed port with beaches, wetlands and other historic traces.
Coast, Wetlands and Waterways
Brunswick County has six beaches. Brunswick Nature Park offers a different kind of landscape: it encompasses 911 acres of undeveloped nature, with wetlands and waterways. Beaches and wetlands thus represent different aspects of nature to consider as you explore Brunswick.
There are also ways to experience the coastal landscape on the water. Blackwater and brackish creeks and rivers, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the salt marshes of the Brunswick Islands offer opportunities for paddling. These waterways and marshes complement the beaches and nature trails with another perspective on the landscape.
Historic Traces in Brunswick
The walking trail at Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson passes colonial foundations and crosses the earthworks of the Confederate fort. Along one trail, you can encounter structural traces from different historical periods. This makes the site interesting not only for its history as a port, but also for what the trail reveals on site.
Coastal and Inland Landscapes at the Museum
The Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach features a touch tank with live animals, saltwater aquariums, interactive exhibits, lectures and family programs. Seven gallery rooms explore coastal and inland landscapes.
Two Lighthouses, Different Climbs
Old Baldy Lighthouse on Bald Head Island is the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina. Visitors can climb 108 steps and five landings to the top. The island is accessible only by boat; a ferry runs daily to and from the island from Southport. Check the schedule before your trip.
Oak Island Lighthouse offers a different experience: the 153-foot reinforced concrete tower was built in 1958. Currently, free tours climb 131 steps to an outdoor balcony. Reservations are required; check availability as you plan. The climbs therefore differ both in the number of steps and in whether the tour goes to the top or to an outdoor balcony.
Nature Trails and Bird Island
At Green Swamp Preserve, a trail is described as 1.3 miles each way and 2.6 miles round trip. Trail conditions may change after wet weather. Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve has seven miles of maintained hiking trails; conditions there may also change.
You can reach Bird Island on foot or by bicycle from the southernmost public beach access in Sunset Beach. At certain times of year, stewards from the Bird Island Preservation Society lead educational walks there. If you are interested in joining one, check the dates as you plan.
Explore more destinations: Sunset Beach, Southport, Leland, Calabash, Ocean Isle Beach, Shallotte, Bald Head Island, Bolivia, Holden Beach, Caswell Beach, Oak Island.
For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.
