The beaches along Scenic Highway 30A have definitely been discovered by the rest of the country. And while that makes it fun and exciting to share this area with people from all over, some days you just want to be alone. We are happy to report that there are still plenty of options to get off the beaten path and find some relative seclusion.
While most of these are just around the corner, a few others require a little bit of effort to get to. But we promise it will be worth it.
It’s easy to lose yourself to nature at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, a 1,640-acre preserve that’s home to 3.2 miles of pristine beaches, majestic sand dunes (some over 25 feet tall), three coastal dune lakes, wetlands, sand pine scrub, and long-leaf pine forests.
The beach is accessible only by a paved hiking or biking trail that is about a mile long. This makes it challenging if you have a lot of gear, but perfect if you enjoy a walk in nature that leads to a beach with relatively few people. (A tram is also available.)
