VISITNC
AT TRAC T IONS
HENDERSON Local Information: Vance County Dept. of Tourism (See our ad on page 149) Kerr Lake State Recreation Area.
6254 Satterwhite Point Rd., (252) 438-7791, (252) 438-7582. 50,000-acre-lake (in North Carolina) with over 800 miles of shoreline. Includes campsites, picnic areas, boat ramps, fishing, community buildings and picnic shelters for rent, bird watching, and hiking trails. Enjoy the visitor’s center, yearly sailing regattas and fishing tournaments throughout the year. Free; fee for camping. www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ncparks.html
along its banks. The Park offers 7,936 acres of land and 115 miles of state natural and scenic waters, 81 miles of which are also designated national wild and scenic waters. www.ils.unc. edu/parkproject/visit/luri/home.html
PINNACLE Local Information: Stokes County EDC Pilot Mountain State Park. 1792 Pilot
Knob Park Rd., (336) 325-2355. Divided into two sections with 1,000 acres located on the Yadkin River. Hiking trails, scenic overlooks, climbing area. National Natural Landmark. www.ils.unc. edu/parkproject/visit/pimo/home.html
HILLSBOROUGH Local Information: Chapel Hill/Orange County VB (See our ad on page 64) Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. Virginia Cates Rd., (919) 383-1686. This
124-acre state natural area includes the eastern half of Occoneechee Mountain with an 867-foot-high summit, part of the Eno River, hiking trails. www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/ocmo/home.html
HOLLISTER Local Information: Halifax County TDA
RALEIGH Local Information: Greater Raleigh CVB (See our ad on page 83) William B. Umstead State Park. 8801
Glenwood Ave., (919) 571-4170. Over 5,400 acres of natural area located in Wake County. The park offers hiking trails, bridle and bike trails, picnicking and camping. Rowboats and canoes are available for rental during the summer. www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ visit/wium/home.html
KINGS MOUNTAIN Local Information: Cleveland County C of C Crowders Mountain State Park.
522 Park Office Ln., (704) 853-5375. Climb rugged peaks rising 800 feet above the surrounding countryside and watch raptors soar in the wind currents. The park’s 2,758 acres include 1,625-foot Crowders Mountain and 1,705-foot Kings Pinnacle. A nine-acre lake, canoe rentals, more than 15 miles of hiking and nature trails, picnic facilities, and primitive pack-in camp. Free; fee for canoes and camping. www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/ crmo/home.html
LILLINGTON Local Information: Dunn Area TDA Raven Rock State Park. 3009 Raven Rock Rd.,
(910) 893-4888. Eleven miles of hiking trails, seven miles of bridle trails, picnicking, primitive backpack camping. Steep bluff, outcrops. Free; fee for camping (permit required as well). www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/raro/home.html
ORRUM Local Information: Lumberton VB Lumber River State Park. 2819 Princess Anne Rd., (910) 628-4564. A black water river, the Lumber River gets its inky coloring from the natural tannic from the many cypress gum trees
Local Information: Greater Raleigh CVB (See our ad on page 83) Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
13304 Creedmoor Rd., (919) 676-1027. This 12,000acre lake and 26,000 acres of woodlands offer a variety of outdoor activities. www.ils.unc.edu/ parkproject/visit/fala/home.html
Coast ATLANTIC BEACH Local Information: Crystal Coast TA (See our ad on page 171) Fort Macon State Park. E. Fort Macon Rd., (252) 726-3775. Built between 1826 and 1834 to guard the entrance to Beaufort Harbor, this fivesided fort, constructed of brick and stone, was intermittently garrisoned before being seized by Confederate troops in 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War. During the Reconstruction Era, it was used as a prison. Fort Macon was regarrisoned for the Spanish-American War and during World War II. Tours daily except Christmas Day. www.clis.com/friends Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area.
Medoc Mountain State Park. 1541 Medoc
State Park Rd., (800) 522-4282, (252) 586-6588. Medoc Mountain has 10 miles of hiking trails and 2,300 acres of hardwoods/pine forest with a variety of flora. www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ visit/memo/home.html
WAKE FOREST
SEVEN SPRINGS Local Information: Greater Goldsboro T&T (See our ad on page 149) Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
345A Park Entrance Rd., (919) 778-6234. This 750-acre park on the Neuse River features a 90-foot-high sand cliff, hiking trails and water sports. Creative dioramas and audio-visuals in the museum depict the unique geology and natural history of the area. Newly appointed to N.C. Birding Trail. www.ils.unc.edu/ parkproject/visit/clne/home.html
SOUTHERN PINES Local Information: CVB for the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve. 1024 N. Ft. Bragg, (910) 692-2167.
A 571-acre nature preserve of longleaf pine forest, home of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker; nature center museum, hiking. Bicycling is prohibited. www.ils.unc.edu/ parkproject/visit/wewo/home.html
TROUTMAN Local Information: Statesville CVB Lake Norman State Park. 159 Inland Sea Ln. (704) 528-6350. Covering 1,458 acres, Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake in the state. The park offers picnic areas; a swimming area; canoe, rowboat and paddle boat rental; group camping facility (tents only); family tent/trailer area; fishing; hiking trails; and boat launch access to Lake Norman. Free; fee for camping and rentals. www.ils.unc.edu/ parkproject/visit/lano/home.html
1 Roosevelt Dr., (252) 726-3775, (252) 247-4003. One of the few remaining maritime forests on the North Carolina coast, the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area offers an interpreted trail adjacent to and leading from the parking area of the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Donated to the state by the family of the 26th president, this nature preserve attracts naturalists and photographers. Trail use is free.
CAROLINA BEACH Local Information: Cape Fear Coast CVB (See our ad on page 103) Carolina Beach State Park. 1010 State Park
Rd., (910) 458-8206. Spot the rare Venus flytrap and other species of plants. Wind your way through habitats along intriguing trails or enjoy fishing and boating. Covers 712 acres with five miles of hiking trails, boat ramps, slips and fuel dock. Campsites, picnic areas, group camping. Free; fee for camping, ramps and slips. www.ils. unc.edu/parkproject/visit/cabe/home.html
CRESWELL Local Information: Washington County TTA Pettigrew State Park. 2252 Lake Shore Rd.,
(252) 797-4475. An angler’s paradise, this park is the home of Lake Phelps, a 16,600-acre natural lake; a virgin forest; and recreational facilities including a family campground, group camping, trails, picnic areas, boat ramp, exhibits, fishing pier and play fields. Ideal for shallow draft sailboats, canoeing and windsurfing. View displays of prehistoric American Indian culture in the exhibit hall or visit nearby Somerset Place, a state historic site. www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ visit/pett/home.html