9 Perfect Places to Watch the Sunrise in North Carolina

1 Lake Norman

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At 32,500 acres, Lake Norman is the largest body of water entirely in North Carolina. The sunrises are just as impressive, and they’re best seen from a boat. Sail your vessel from one of the many launches to either Davidson or Reedy creeks, rent a boat or drive to Beatties Ford launch in Denver.

2 Brunswick Islands

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These are North Carolina's southernmost barrier islands. Oak Island has family-friendly activities, our state’s youngest lighthouse, 60 public beach access sites and beautiful sunrises. Before summer sunrises, watch for nesting sea turtles. And winter brings another special sight: When the sun is low in the southern sky, the islands’ east-west orientation means they’re among the only places on Earth to see sunrises and sunsets from the same beach.

3 Morrow Mountain State Park

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Head to the top of the park’s namesake mountain, where you’ll find parking and an easy 0.8-mile trail. Unobstructed views to the east look over Lake Tillery. Winter sunrises are later, about 7:30 a.m., so be at the park when it opens at 7 a.m., or stay at one of more than 100 campsites to be on time for earlier summer sunrises. Then you can spend the day touring a restored 19th-century doctor’s home, swimming in the pool, or fishing from shore or boat.

4 Corolla

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Here, wild horses will watch the sunrise with you. Historians believe they arrived with Spanish explorers hundreds of years ago. Today, the protected herds roam near where paved NC Highway 12 ends in Corolla, and travel then continues by foot or off-road vehicle on the beach. Horses can be anywhere – from surf to backyards – so keep your eyes open and maintain a distance of at least 50 feet.

5 Jordan Lake

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West of Raleigh and south of Durham, you’ll find 13,900-acre B. Everett Jordan Reservoir. A popular boating, swimming and fishing site, it offers some of the best sunrise views near the Triangle. Head to the north side of the NC Highway 751 bridge or west side of the US Highway 64 bridge, where there’s parking at a boat launch.

6 Cape Hatteras National Seashore

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This is our state’s easternmost point and the first to see the sunrise. Use any of the beach accesses to walk or wade with some of the more than 400 bird species. Once the sun is up, learn more about seashore ecology at Hatteras Island Ocean Center. Its interactive exhibits are interesting for visitors of any age.

• Project 543: America's First National Seashore

7 Waterrock Knob

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Attention sleepyheads: The sun rises later the farther west you travel. Enjoy an extra 30 minutes of shuteye by heading to Waterrock Knob instead of Hatteras. You’ll find it at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 451.2. Use the parking lot at the visitors center, which opens later and has a few ecology exhibits and a gift shop. You can see the sunrise there, or take the 1.2-mile moderate hike to the peak, where you’ll also see the Great Smoky Mountains and Maggie Valley.

8 Onslow County

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Onslow County’s rural coastal plains, towns and scenic beaches offer many opportunities to begin your day with a sunrise. Set your alarm and stroll onto the beach straight from your vacation rental or resort, or book an early morning fishing charter with Pogie’s or Just Got Reel Inshore Charters and catch the views (and some fish) from the water.

9 Linn Cove Viaduct

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It’s hard to find a bad Blue Ridge Parkway view, especially at the Linn Cove Viaduct, which wraps around the eastern face of Grandfather Mountain. Admire the viaduct and the sunrise from the visitors center at Milepost 304.4 or from one of the trails that goes under it. A short drive north is Blowing Rock, a small village with shopping, dining and plenty of cabins to rent, whether for a romantic getaway or family reunion. Most have their own sunrise view.

• Project 543: Drive the Most Complicated Segmental Bridge Ever Built