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Best free nature & animal related places to check out?

New to NC & haven’t gotten to do much exploring yet. So far I’ve seen:
– North Cary Park (Raleigh)
– JC Raulston Arboretum (Raleigh)
– NC Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh)

I love parks, scenic hikes, & animals. I love to read in peaceful nature areas so looking for recommendations for that too. I want to check out Jordan Lake but still doing research on where I can park & where I can walk around, sit, read & take the nature in. I’ve been unemployed looking for work so places that charge a fee to enter isn’t an option for me right now sadly. I live outside of Raleigh but willing to make a trip & explore the rest of the state. It’s so beautiful here! 🙂

To the mods- I did post this in the Raleigh group pertaining to Raleigh specific areas, I figured I could post here to get recommendations for the rest of North Carolina as the Raleigh group won’t allow posts not related to Raleigh. I understand if you don’t want a duplicate post, just trying to expand my search & find more beauty in the state. I understand if you have to take the post down.