New Bern Outdoors
New Bern is a retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers as there are countless outdoor activities to enjoy!
From biking, bird watching, boating, camping, fishing, golfing, hiking, hunting, paddling, running, to observing wildlife, and more…we have it all!
Nestled between the Neuse and Trent Rivers, New Bern is a haven for boaters, fishermen, and watersports fanatics! From large Marinas to off the path boat ramps, you’ll find them here!
Fishing is plentiful! Some of the water is brackish so you can catch both salt water and fresh water fish, but you may need both licenses, so check the fishing regulations.
Go Scuba Diving with Divin’ Dawgs, 801 Cardinal Dr., (638-3432)
Prefer paddling? Contact Sound Rivers (637-7972) for paddle trail maps and details about boating and fishing on our rivers.
The Croatan National Forest is a “Nature Lover’s Paradise” and it’s in our backyard! Discover carnivorous plants like the Venus flytrap, pitcher plant, sundew, along with other exotic plants. The Croatan spans approximately 160,000 acres. It’s home to black bear, deer, wild turkey, quail, coyotes, bald eagles, beaver, bobcats, porcupine, alligator, and other wildlife species. Visit the Ranger’s Station on Hwy 70 E (638-5628).
Check out the Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park off Broad Creek Rd.
Hunting/Fishing License Information (888-248-6834)
Enroll today in a one-day basic boating safety class taught by certified U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary instructors Saturday, March 21st from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Fairfield Harbour Community Center, 585 Broad Creek Rd. in New Bern, NC. $35.00 • $5.00 for additional person sharing the textbook. Includes textbook, certificate of completion, wallet card. Persons born in 1988 or later must complete an approved boating education course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10 HP or greater. You’ll learn the required knowledge to operate a boat. Many insurance companies offer discounts on boat insurance for completing […]
Saturday, February 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Spring Pruning “The Right Tool for the Job” with Outdoor Demonstration presented by Dr Tom Glasgow. Demonstration Garden Tour from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Sponsored by the Craven County Cooperative Extension and Facilitated by Craven County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. FREE Horticultural Workshop Program (Listen, Learn, and Questions). It will take place at the Agricultural Building and Demonstration Gardens located at 300 Industrial Dr., just off the Clark’s Exit (409) from Route 70 West. These programs are free and open to everyone! Great family education! Questions: Call 252-633-1477 (Monday – Friday: 8:30 […]
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir According to the weather forecast, the temperatures should be in the 50’s – 60’s this weekend in New Bern! There are so many terrific ways to get back to nature in New Bern and surrounding areas. If you love nature, but prefer staying out of the woods, consider strolling the Downtown Riverwalk that hugs the Neuse and Trent River. The paved trail starts at Walt Bellamy Drive and continues to Council Bluff Green on East Front Street. During your walk, think about the Tuscarora Tribe. […]
Spring is just around the corner. Do you have a garden plan or are you waiting for inspiration? Are you concerned that last year’s problems will be lurking, ready to attack this year’s plants? Bring your concerns and questions to the River Bend Community Organic Garden and Education Center’s sixth annual Roundtable for Gardeners on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at River Bend Town Hall. Our panel experts will try to answer your questions and address your gardening concerns in this interactive forum. The roundtable format presents an opportunity to seek ideas and share your own solutions to garden […]
New Bern, NC – New Bern Parks and Recreation will be offering an Adult Coed Church Softball League this Spring. An information meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 11th at West New Bern Recreation Center to discuss the upcoming season, rules and regulations and game schedule. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Games are held on Saturdays at Fort Totten Park. Practice times will be available beginning the week of March 2nd. Games will begin on March 21st. League fees are $400, which includes field prep, game officials, awards and tournament. The deadline to register for this program […]
Craven County Clean Sweep sponsors four annual clean up events on the first Saturdays of February, May, August and October to help keep New Bern streets and waterways free of litter. The upcoming one will be Saturday, February 1st, but if that day is not convenient, you can choose another day that fits your schedule! It’s your choice to help out in any of these ways: by walking along the streets in your own neighborhood; by using your boat to clean up a waterway; by meeting with others at Craven County Administration Building’s parking lot, 406 Craven Street on that Saturday […]
New Bern Historical Society Brings Leesa Jones to Lunch & Learn New Bern, NC – With its many rivers, creeks, and seaports, the Maritime Underground Railroad was active in eastern North Carolina. This version of the Underground Railroad was so effective that runaway slaves often ran to the coast instead of heading north to reach freedom through overland routes. Leesa Jones will present this fascinating program for the New Bern Historical Society’s Lunch & Learn on Feb. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Chelsea. She will share how enslaved people in this area used common items including plants, nursery rhymes, […]
Two basic boating classes, Navigating Local Waters and Suddenly in Command, will be presented by the New Bern Area Coast Guard Auxiliary on January 25th at the New Bern Yacht Club, 1206 Brice’s Creek Rd. In the first class, boaters will learn detailed information about the Neuse River and adjoining waters. The class, beginning at 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., will cover the locations of anchorages, marinas and boat yards, bridges, hazards, aids to navigation and safe passages along the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers and the ICW all the way to Cape Lookout. Cost is $10 for the first member […]
Maritime Movie: Lincoln’s Secret Weapon In March 1862, opposing ironclads, USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, battle to a draw but change naval combat forever. Monitor would eventually sink off the coast of Cape Hatteras during a storm and become the nation’s first marine sanctuary. Join the N.C. Maritime Museum, located at 315 Front St. in Beaufort, on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. for a screening of Lincoln’s Secret Weapon, which also follows an elite team of divers as they attempt to recover priceless artifacts from American naval history. Admission to the showing is free, and advance registration is not required. […]
Atlantic Beach, NC – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (Ft. Macon, Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Beaufort, areas) is proud to announce it is having its Change of Watch on Saturday evening January 04, 2020, 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at The Inn at Pine Knoll Shores in Pine Knoll Shores. Flotilla Commander Mark Sonder will be welcoming to the helm as Vice Flotilla Commander, Captain Jeffrey Lance Perkins. The public is welcome to attend the dinner and to meet their local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members patrolling and educating the Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, and Beaufort communities. For reservations, please […]