Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park

For one of the most peaceful outdoor escapes in New Bern, NC, Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park is a real treasure. Set about a mile north of Lee’s Landing in Craven County, this tranquil 133-acre coastal preserve opened in 2011 as the first dedicated nature park in the county. With its color-coded walking trails, scenic boardwalk over coastal wetlands, kayak launch, and incredible birdwatching, the park offers a welcome counterpoint to New Bern’s bustling historic downtown. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the park before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A 133-Acre Coastal Preserve

Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park was established to give visitors and locals alike a quiet, accessible way to experience the coastal ecosystem that defines this part of North Carolina. The 133-acre preserve includes mature hardwood forest, brackish wetlands, freshwater ponds, and frontage along Broad Creek — a true cross-section of the eastern NC coastal plain in one accessible package.

The park’s well-maintained amenities include picnic shelters, restrooms, parking, and clear signage at the trailheads, making it equally suitable for a casual family afternoon or a more involved day of birding and exploration.

Color-Coded Trails and a 2,000-Foot Boardwalk

The park is laced with a network of color-coded walking trails ranging from 0.1 to 0.8 miles in length — short enough to make a full loop through the property in an afternoon, and varied enough to give each segment its own character. Trail surfaces include packed earth, gravel, and elevated boardwalk through wetter sections.

The signature feature is the 2,000-foot boardwalk, which winds through some of the park’s most beautiful coastal wetlands and ends at a peaceful observation area — one of the best spots in the park to take in the natural setting and look for birds and other wildlife. For visitors who want to head straight to the observation deck, the yellow trail offers the shortest route.

A note from our visit: not all of the side trails were clearly marked when we hiked, making it occasionally tricky to know exactly which path we were on. That said, the park is compact enough that we never felt lost, and exploring beyond the marked routes added a sense of casual discovery to the visit.

A Haven for Birdwatchers and Paddlers

With more than 130 bird species sighted within the park’s boundaries, Latham-Whitehurst is one of the most rewarding birdwatching destinations in this part of the state. Songbirds, wading birds, and seasonal migrants all make appearances, and the boardwalk observation area is the natural spot to settle in with binoculars for a quiet morning or evening of birding.

For paddlers, the park offers a canoe and kayak launch along Broad Creek, providing direct water access to one of the area’s most peaceful waterways. The park also features a fishing section for anglers looking to drop a line in a serene setting.

Good to Know

Size: 133 acres
Opened: 2011 (Craven County’s first nature park)
Location: About one mile north of Lee’s Landing in New Bern
Trails: Color-coded loops ranging from 0.1 to 0.8 miles
Signature feature: 2,000-foot boardwalk with observation area
Most direct route to the observation deck: Yellow trail
Birds: 130+ species sighted
Paddling: Canoe and kayak launch along Broad Creek
Additional features: Fishing section, picnic shelters, restrooms
Cost: Free
Best for: Families, birdwatchers, hikers, paddlers, and quiet nature lovers
Pair with: A morning at Martin Marietta Park and a stroll through historic downtown New Bern
Located about one mile north of Lee’s Landing in New Bern, NC

A New Bern Highlight

Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park is the kind of stop that genuinely captures the coastal beauty of eastern North Carolina. The boardwalk through the wetlands, the steady chorus of bird life, the gentle paddling access to Broad Creek, and the welcome quiet of a 133-acre preserve all add up to one of the most rewarding outdoor stops in Craven County. Whether you’re looking to spot rare migratory species, paddle Broad Creek, or just settle in for a peaceful afternoon in the woods, this is one of the most peaceful outdoor escapes you can make near downtown New Bern.