Epic fall Travel Guide Inspiration
From festive hikes, water activities, explorations and accommodations, we built the ultimate guide to fall in Plymouth aka wild Washington County.
Roanoke River in early-October inspires us to slow down and take in the beauty of the changing season. Photo: Tom Harrison
Wildlife
Golden grain fields beneath autumn skies juxtapose perfectly with the wildlife of eastern North Carolina. It’s a photographer and outdoor enthusiast’s delight - and it’s the best time to experience Bearolina, even for the novice. Find an abundance of black bears alongside migrating birds in the Pungo Unit of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
The cooler temperatures lead to beautiful, warm days and cooler nights, hinting to most wildlife to gear up for winter. Everyone will be out feeding in preparation for the colder, slower days. Bears can still be seen but are less active. With the first full moon in November, tundra swan and snow geese along with other waterfowl begin arriving. Bearolina, and indeed the entire Albemarle Peninsula, is home to the largest concentration of wintering swan in North America. Whereas the Pungo Unit of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is the best public viewing area, swan and snow geese can be seen in farmers fields throughout the area. It is an amazing spectacle to see these magnificent birds forming white funnel clouds as they descend to feed.
For a more up-close and personal encounter visit Windy Acres Farm & Petting Zoo which offers wild within reach, literally. You can pet close to 60 very friendly animals of all sorts. Owner Joe Brickhouse is passionate about animals. Windy Acres Farm and Petting Zoo is open Wednesday - Saturday, by appointment only. There is a minimal cost for entry, which goes to feed and house the animals.
We’ve mapped it all out for you. Let’s go.
Water
Cypress of the Shallows is a living art museum without walls.
Kayak the delta to the Cypress of the Shallows for a living art museum without walls. It shines in fall as deciduous cypress trees turn rust and red before dropping thier needle-like leaves. If flora isn’t your thing, test out your fishing-rod to see if the fish really do bite better in the fall. It’s a great time to target Striped Bass, Crappie, and White Perch.
Take a dip in Phelps Lake at Pettigrew State Park. Its shallow waters are protected from drastic changes in water temperature, thus Phelps Lake is likely still warm and enjoyable for a late fall dip after a long hike. Enjoy seeing swans and other species of waterfowl that can often be seen resting in Lake Phelps and munching on the grain fields. You can try your luck casting a line here as well. This 16,600-acre lake is an amazing fishing spot, known for its bass, crappie, and sunfish, or as we call it regionally, bream.
We’ve mapped it all out for you. Let’s go.
Riverside Cafe offers pontoon rides on the Roanoke River.
Book a pontoon ride at Riverview Cafe. Local owner Lou Manring offers pontoon rides from his cafe, Riverside Cafe. Just stop in and ask for a tour, and you might as well grab a bite to eat while you’re at it. The Bearolina biscuit is perfect for a ride on the river.
Bear Track Landing offers paddlers a convenient and safe place to launch your boat on Conaby Creek. Bear Track Landing provides locals and visitors alike with easy access to the natural beauty and tranquility of northeastern North Carolina's waterways.
Hikes
At Pettigrew State Park walk under a canopy of Spanish moss and bald cypress trees, turning cinnamon and fiery red in the cooler autumn temperature. In late November you’ll find birds filling up for winter, or fish dancing in the warm water and cooler air temps. There are nine miles of hiking and biking, as well as the nearby Somerset Place, a State Historic Site that preserves a vast plantation worked by hundreds of enslaved Black Americans.
A walk along Water Street in downtown Plymouth takes you by four museums within a mile radius. Starting at the Roanoke River Light Station, passing by Bear O’ology, God’s Creation Wildlife Museum, and ending at Port O’Plymouth Museum. You’ll pass shops and restaurants, too.
For the more adventurous, continue past the historic church and graveyard, at the corner of Water and Madison streets. The church is one of the few remaining buildings from the battle of Plymouth. Continue on the river trail and meet up with the Railswitch Nature Trail for history infused in nature.
Round trip there and back is under 2 miles, on flat, mostly even terrain and pavement. Pick up a brochure about the Railswitch Nature Trail at the Bearolina Welcome Center on Water Street. It’s an official NC birding trail.
Where to Stay
Pitch a tent, sleep on the river, try a locally run motel, or stick to a tried and true. Check out one of the below to find the perfect place to stay on your fall getaway. We promise where ever you choose, you’ll sleep soundly.
