Parks in Mecklenburg County come in all shapes and sizes ranging from small neighborhood parks to large regional parks. Many of these are representative samples of the state's great diversity of resources and fragile ecological systems. The park provides plenty of opportunities for recreation and experiencing natural and cultural history. A passenger ferry transports visitors to the pristine beach that provides an opportunity to camp oceanside — an experience unique amongst North Carolina's state parks. For campgrounds with 24-hour access, please observe the Night-Time Public Closure Period guidelines and do not leave the campground between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Campers have more than 1,000 campsites at five accesses to choose from, whether they use a tent, trailer, or RV, and whether they camp with family, friends, or a group. There are biologists on staff and frequent joint projects with universities and conservation organizations that expand knowledge about conservation. Located in New Hanover County 10 miles south of Wilmington, Carolina Beach State Park is home to the Venus flytrap, a unique carnivorous plant. weekdays only, 121 W. Jones St. Swim beaches and areas are closed. The lanky pines — some of them hundreds of years old — tower over a network of trails that traverse expanses of wiregrass. Possibilities for paddling on this 115-mile river are extraordinary. A portion of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail runs through the park near the backcountry campsites. At the main access, visitors can enjoy hiking trails, fishing ponds, a picnic area and shelter, and a group campsite. The park's estuarine habitats can be explored on foot or by paddling the Pamlico River. Located in Camden County abutting the state's northeast border with Virginia, Dismal Swamp State Park provides access to the Great Dismal Swamp, the largest remaining swamp in the eastern United States. Elk Shoals has a swim beach, and all accesses allow for launching kayaks and inner tubes to paddle or float along the shallow, gentle river. Water recreation is offered via the Jacob Fork River, which hosts designated trout waters, or to the far west at the separate Clear Creek access that features the namesake lake. Warm weather months bring loggerhead sea turtles to nest along the park's sandy shores. The State of South Carolina has a group of protected areas managed by the South Carolina State Park Service (often abbreviated to Park Service).Formed in 1933 in conjunction with the formalization of the federal Civilian Conservation Corps program, the State Park Service is administered by the state's Department of Parks… Many parks have open space amidst shade trees and unique facilities. Larger outdoor facilities with a maximum capacity of more than 50 people are also not available for reservation. For most inquiries, we encourage you to find the park you are trying to reach and call the office number or email them directly, rather than contacting the administrative office in Raleigh. A few parks … The Mountains-to-Sea State Trail also traverses both park sections. Located in Vance and Warren counties at North Carolina's north-central border with Virginia, Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a collective of eight access areas around the shoreline of this 50,000-acre reservoir. The 22-mile Dismal Swamp Canal is a popular paddling destination and hosts the annual Paddle for the Border event. Located in Columbus County 25 miles west of Wilmington, Lake Waccamaw State Park sits on the shores of the largest Carolina bay. Mount Mitchell is the crown jewel of North Carolina's breathtaking mountain range. Many of the state parks were initiated by local citizens with a strong conservation ethic. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers. 199 Hemphill Knob Road Asheville, NC 28803-8686 (828) 271-4779 / (828) 298-0398 (recorded information) Locator Map (Parkway Visitor Center at Asheville) / Parkway Map / Visit Website. Below each park, you will find a summary of the trails, facilities, and amenities it offers that are accessible to people with disabilities. Paddle-in only campgrounds provide a remote experience. Located in Orange County 15 miles northwest of downtown Durham, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area offers a quick escape into nature with trails winding through forests of mountain laurel and rhododendron. An abundance of wildlife and plant life, including the belted kingfisher and the rare Carolina bogmint, helped Lumber River earn federal designation as a National Wild and Scenic River, the only blackwater river in the state to have that honor. Located in Stokes County 30 miles north of Winston-Salem, Hanging Rock State Park started as a Civilian Conservation Corps project and has become a park that offers every part of a traditional outdoor experience. The beautiful lake is one of the largest summertime homes of the bald eagle, and an observation platform makes for easy spotting of our national bird. Junior Ranger Program North Carolina has a Junior Ranger Program, in addition to a variety of other children’s programs, like their … Most trails, restrooms, playgrounds, and several boat ramps are open. (Those are listed in our parks directory.). Easy trails at the summit explore the Fraser fir forest, while a vast network of challenging trails — including the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail — extend into adjacent wilderness areas and lead to backpacking opportunities within Pisgah National Forest. weekdays only, 121 W. Jones St. Located in Watauga County 11 miles north of Boone, Elk Knob State Park was established in 2003 to protect the mountain and the headwaters of the North Fork of the New River. Trails offer challenging hikes and towering cliffs — and even the opportunity to traverse two states through the Ridgeline Trail, which connects to Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. Located in Ashe and Alleghany counties 35 miles northeast of Boone, New River State Park covers seven accesses along this National Wild and Scenic River that flows north through three states. A trail traverses the salt marsh and ends at an observation deck with views of Zeke's Island and the Cape Fear River. Please check the park pages for more information about camping procedures. (There is a modest parking fee charged at three state recreation areas.) Environmental education is also a hallmark of North Carolina state parks. Located in Onslow County 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville, Hammocks Beach State Park comprises a mainland area and three barrier islands, including the 4-mile-long Bear Island. There are 500,000 of these mysterious craters, and the lake is one of the few that contains open water instead of vegetation. An overlook summit rewards visitors with a panoramic view of North Carolina's high country. The park office also manages limited access to nearby White Lake and Bay Tree Lake. For more than 100 years, North Carolina’s protected parks, forests, waterways and seashores have been a haven for wildlife and visitors. Most have campgrounds and many have modern visitor centers. It features vibrant color photographs and a fold-out map pinpointing the location of each state park and … Deaths Reported Last Week: 516. Some are open to horseback riding and mountain biking, and a portion is part of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. This park located in the Blue Ridge Escarpment spans over 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest and hosts extraordinary biodiversity. North Carolina state forests are managed by the North Carolina Forest Service. 15 Gorgeous State Parks In North Carolina To Explore This Summer 1. We have provided a quick link to Google Maps directions to each park office or visitor center. Enjoy a glimpse of the beauty of North Carolina State Parks through the pages of this brochure. Heron rookeries on two islands shelter over 25 great blue heron nests. › North Carolina State Parks does not operate any other ferry service. Jones Lake and the adjacent Salters Lake are two of the mysterious geological formations known as Carolina bays, a series of elliptical depressions along the Atlantic coast, the origins of which are unknown. Located in Yancy County 30 miles northeast of Asheville, Mount Mitchell State Park was the genesis of North Carolina's state parks system. View the contact sheet for the email address and phone number of each park », (General information – please do not call this number for camping or park-specific questions), Office Hours Remnants of boat piers, a trackless railroad bed, and burnt remains of tar kilns provide a glimpse of the heyday of a lumber industry that was once the center of life in the area. The mountain, first spotted from the Blue Ridge Parkway, rises abruptly from the surrounding landscape. Campers can choose from seven campgrounds and hundreds of campsites to enjoy a serene night by the lake. The trademark camps provide a unique experience for organized groups to unite in work and play in the midst of the unique Carolina bay environment, complete with dormitory-style cabins, a mess hall, and a 500-foot pier for swimming. Located in Wayne County 15 miles southeast of Goldsboro, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park sits on 90-foot bluffs overlooking the Neuse River. Visitor centers and park offices are open, and masks or face coverings are required to enter. The park is known for habitats like Sugarloaf Dune, a 50-foot dune that once served as a navigational marker for river pilots, as well as three limesink ponds that each feature a unique plant community. Please check with North Carolina Department … The swift, but often shallow stream of the river can make for difficult paddling but provides beautiful landmarks like the Cascades. Located in Bladen County 40 miles southeast of Fayetteville, Jones Lake State Park opened as the first state park to welcome African Americans and has since been a community destination for picnicking, swimming, hiking, and paddling. This tradition of grassroots conservation in North Carolina is reflected in the state's mandate that these precious natural resources be readily available to all citizens. In the winter, about 1 mile of ungroomed trail is open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Each park page also has a calendar of Events and Programs, as well as maps of the park you can print and download prior to your visit. Campsites at both Catawba River and Paddy's Creek accesses provide an opportunity to spend the night by the lake, with some sites accessible only by paddling. Extensive exhibits educate visitors on fort history and the natural surroundings. The trails along the bluffs that lead to the rock are dotted with beautiful wildflowers including mountain laurel. The marsh, brimming with wildlife, provides plenty of watching opportunities for birders and photographers year-round. Campgrounds remain open under the order. Located in Stanly County 50 miles northeast of Charlotte, Morrow Mountain State Park provides a myriad of adventures from the summit of the namesake mountain, along the banks of the Yadkin River State Trail, and to the shores of Lake Tillery. View the contact information sheet for the full list of park office phone numbers and email addresses ». One of these CCC-built structures is the state parks system's only day-use swimming pool. Alternate hikes towards the river reward visitors with landmarks like Lanier Falls Rapids, Fish Traps Rapids, and the remains of the Northington Lock and Dam. Alcohol is not permitted in North Carolina’s State Parks. Lake James State Park is located at 7321 North Carolina 126, Nebo, NC 28761. North of the river, near Avents Creek, a separate access features the park's popular bridle trails. Each park offers free interpretive programs by rangers on a regular basis that explore the marvels of that park's resources. The park features 26 waterfalls, the northern boundary of Lake Jocassee and a portion of the 70-mile Foothills Trail. There is also a conscious attempt to offer facilities and recreation opportunities in a low-impact manner that protects the land. Located in Avery, Caldwell, and Watauga counties 20 miles southwest of Boone, Grandfather Mountain State Park showcases a stunning mountain known for severe weather and challenging terrain that has hikers scrambling along cliffs, gripping cables and climbing up ladders. The mountain is a study in geologic wonder — with Native American artifacts made of rhyodacite to argillite mined by the Civilian Conservation Corps to create many of the park's structures. North Carolina State Parks. Uncommon species such as Lewis' heartleaf and the Neuse River waterdog call the park home. 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