Pender County is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. With beaches, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Northeast Cape Fear River, the Black River, and a multitude of streams and creeks, we have boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and jet skis adventures. With the Holly Shelter Game Lands, we have hunting and hiking. Go shelling on our beaches, walk a trail, or enjoy our parks.
HIKING
Mountains to Sea Trail: The MST traverses Pender County, through the Holly Shelter Game Lands, winding through neighborhoods in Surf City and along the beach into Onslow County’s North Topsail Beach.
The trail begins at Clingman’s Dome and ends at Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. For information and interactive maps go to ncmst.org.
East Coast Greenway Trail: From Maine to Florida, this 3,000 mile trail travels down Topsail Island to Surf City, along the Intracoastal and Sloop Point Loop Road to Country Club and southward along US Hwy 17. For information visit greenway.org.
BURGAW AREA
Holly Shelter: Enjoy fishing on the North East Cape Fear River. Primary fish species are: catfish, largemouth bass and sunfish. Camping allowed in designated areas only.
7271 Shaw Hwy. Click here for details.
Sawpit Landing: Enjoy fishing on the Northeast Cape Fear River. Primary fish species: catfish, largemouth bass and sunfish. 527 Whitestocking Rd. Ext.
Shelter Creek: Enjoy fishing on Holly Shelter Creek. Primary fish species are: catfish, largemouth bass and sunfish. 12380 Shaw Hwy.
The above boating accesses are managed by the NC Wildlife Division.
Contact: 919-707-0010; ncwildlife.org; wrccomments@ncwildlife.org
Holly Shelter Game Land: More than 75,120 acres of land. Primary hunting species include deer, bear, turkey, fox, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, quail, dove, and waterfowl. Primary fish species are: catfish, largemouth bass and sunfish. Camping allowed in designated areas only. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail traverses the game land. Located at 7471 Shaw Hwy. Rocky Point, NC 28457
Info: 910-259-5555 www.ncwildlife.org
Holland's Shelter Creek Kayak Canoe Rentals, Campsites
Boat rental, kayaks and canoes. Fishing gear. Located at 8315 NC Hwy 53 East, Burgaw
Info: 910-259-5743
HAMPSTEAD AREA
Boating Access - Hampstead
Enjoy fishing on the Intracoastal Waterway. Primary fish species are: red drum, Southern flounder and spotted seatrout.
613 Lewis Road
Hampstead, NC 28443
Phone: 919-707-0010, ncwildlife.org
Harbour Village Marina
Harbour Village Marina is a private ownership marina located on the Intracoastal Waterway at mile marker #267, behind Topsail Island. (N34°23.173, W77°38.251). These facilities are for the use of members or guests accompanied by members, only. The marina lounge is handicap accessible and offers both gas and diesel fuels, showers, lounge, 30/50 amp power connections, and pump-out services. Transient boaters are welcome, but reservations are required. Please contact the Harbour Master for details. Fuel and pump-out services are available to the general public.
101 Harbour Village Dr.
Info: 910-270-4017, harbourvillagemarina.com
GOLFING IN HAMPSTEAD
Belvedere Country Club
The golf course at Belvedere has certainly evolved since its conception in the 1970's. Belvedere now features a rare combination of six par threes, six par fours, and six par fives to achieve a par of 72. Located in coastal Hampstead, NC, the front nine takes you out toward the Intracoastal Waterway and back toward the Clubhouse; the back nine ventures you inland and then back toward the Clubhouse forming a giant figure 8 without any parallel fairways. This design offers a sure test in the normally breezy conditions. You will experience the winds coming from every direction during your round
2368 Country Club Dr.
Info: 910-270-2703, 910-270-8585 (Restaurant), belvederecountryclub.com
Castle Bay Country Club: Located just off US-17, we are a challenging, Scottish-links style 18-hole championship course. True to the tradition, the course demands excellent shot placement on almost every hole.
107 Links Ct.
Info: 910-270-1978, castlebaycc.com
Olde Point Country Club: Matured 18-hole championship course featuring woodlands, scenic lakes, 419 Bermuda fairways, strategic greenside and fairways, bunkers, and large bentgrass greens. Championship (6913 yards, 73.1 rating, 130 slope) Back (70.4 rating, 123 slope) Middle (6008 yards, 69.3 rating, 120 slope) Forward (5133 yards, 69.8 rating, 118 slope) 18 holes, par 72. On-site clubhouse, lounge, pro shop, and rentals.
513 Country Club Dr.
Info: 910-270-2403, oldepointgolf.com
ROCKY POINT
Angola Bay Game Land: Consists of 24,483 acres of land; primary hunting species include deer, bear, turkey, fox, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, and quail.
Located in Pender and Duplin counties, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Info: 910-259-5555, www.ncwildlife.org
Desperado Horse Farm Trail Rides: Open seven days a week by appointment for all ages and all levels of experience. Walk, trot or gallop on 500 acres of natural forest with a guide. Birthday parties and special events available.
7214 NC Hwy 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Info: 910-617-3563, www.desperadohorsefarm.com
Miller's Pond: Miller's Pond is a great place to walk, fish, or picnic or just enjoy nature. The park's main features are a 7-acre pond surrounded by a half mile walking trail near the historic location of the Civil War prisoner exchange.
12762 US Highway 117, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Info: 910-259-1330, www.pendercountync.gov
Rocky Point Campground: Enjoy time spent with family, friends or even alone. We have picnic area great for pool party reservations. We are a countryside RV site with more than 40 rentable spots; basketball court; horseshoes; fishing pond; washer and dryer.
14565 Ashton Rd., Rocky Point, NC 28457
Info: 910-259-9611, 910-259-7260
SCOTTS HILL
Abbey Nature Preserve Trail: Dedicated to the memory of Margaret Abbey Foy Moore, the Foy family has placed 67 acres of undeveloped land into the Coastal Land Trust. Enjoy a short walk up the sandy road or take a longer walk that crosses the dam through the woods along the outflow stream. Take pleasure in the wooden walkway built across the 10-acre pond that connects with walking trails on both sides. Experience the great outdoors through the forest while hiking, bird watching or just viewing the beautiful trees, plants, flowers and wildlife.
10200 US Hwy 17, Wilmington, NC 28411
Info: 910-686-9518, poplargrove.org/nature_trail.htm
SURF CITY
Boating Access - Surf City
Enjoy fishing on the Intracoastal Waterway. Primary fish species are: red drum, Southern flounder and spotted seatrout.
517 Roland Ave.
Info: 919-707-0010, ncwildlife.org
Sears Landing Grill and Boat Docks: Located near the foot of the Surf City swing bridge on the mainland, Sears Landing overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. Overnight, weekly and monthly boat slip rentals are available along the Sears Landing Grill docks. Folks from all over the Eastern Seaboard travel the Waterway and discover the friendly staff and great food offered at Sears Landing Grill. Looking for a port for the night or longer, slips are available for small pleasure craft to fishing boats and luxury yachts.
806 Roland Ave.
Info: 910-328-1312, searslanding.com
Surf City Ocean Pier: Topsail Island's first fishing pier, originally built in 1948, was destroyed by Hurricane Fran in 1996 and totally rebuilt and reopened in August of 1997. We have a large selection of bait and fully stocked tackle shop with rental equipment. We also have a gift shop, souvenirs and T- shirts, two large fish cleaning stations, and lighting for all night fishing. Our grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving seafood and American foods. Enjoy our family fun environment with no alcohol.
112 South Shore Dr.
Info: 910-328-3521, surfcityoceanpier.com
TOPSAIL BEACH
A&B Saltwater Adventures LLC: Make your Topsail Island vacation extraordinary with the ride of a lifetime on our Yamaha jet skis and our SUP boards. Located at Bush Marina, A&B Saltwater Adventures LLC is a family owned and operated business with more than 20 years of experience on the water. with both civilian and military training, we take pride in ensuring our riders have a safe and enjoyable time on the water. Rent a jet ski and see Topsail Island from our beautiful waters.
912 South Anderson Blvd., Topsail Beach, NC 28445
Info: 910-915-5256, absaltwateradventures.com
Bush Marina: Located in the heart of Topsail Beach, Bush Marina is conveniently located near shops, restaurants and the beach. Access the waterway any time day or night as our marina is open to the public at all times. An attendant is available during various hours to assist you in your boating needs. Topsail Beach Marina has 10 boat slips available for rental. Only one parking per boat slip is allowed.
912 S Anderson Blvd., Topsail Beach, NC 28445
Info: 910-328-2746, topsailbeach.org
Jolly Roger Pier: Rent fishing gear and fish from our pier. Grill.
803 Ocean Blvd., Topsail Beach, NC 28445
Phone: 910-328-4616, 800-633-3196
REGIONAL
Cape Fear River Boats: Prepare to be amazed by the tranquility and breathtaking scenery along the northwest Cape Fear River and the Black River. Experience the beauty and natural history of the Cape Fear region during a narrated nature cruise along these scenic and historic coastal rivers aboard the Capt. J.N. Maffitt.
101 South Water St., Wilmington, NC 28401
Info: 910-343-1611 or 800-676-0162, cfrboats.com
