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Camping and Hiking in North Carolina
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Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
Broaden your horizons with scenic vistas and colorful displays
of mountain flora. You can see forever on a clear day. Stroll
the short nature trail through the magnificent forest, a
National Natural Landmark. Hiking Trails--Two short scenic
trails give hikers a spectacular view of the New River and the
surrounding mountain tops. The Rhododendron Trail is a 1.1 mile
self-guiding, nature trail of moderate difficulty. The walk
provides information about the natural history of the park. It
also takes you to Luther's Rock overlook, which offers a view of
the New River. Summit Trail is .3 miles and is strenuous. Bike
Trails--None Bridle Trails--None For information call:
(336)246-9653
Hanging Rock State Park
Visit the "mountains away from the mountains" and choose your
accommodations from cabins to campsites. Sparkling mountain
streams, waterfalls and cascades travel over rugged terrain.
Encounter more than 300 species of mountain plants along miles
of nature and hiking trails. The observation tower atop Moore's
Knob offers rewarding panoramic views. Hiking Trails--There are
11 trails forming over 18 miles of scenic views at Hanging Rock
State Park. Chestnut Oak Nature Trail is 0.7 miles and easy;
Cook's Wall is 2.2 miles and moderate; Hanging Rock Trail is a
1.2 mile hike and moderate; Indian Creek Trail is 3.7 miles and
moderate; Hidden Falls is 0.4 miles and easy; Window Falls Trail
is 0.6 miles and moderate; Lower Cascades Trail is 0.3 miles and
easy; Moore's Wall Trail is 4.2 miles and strenuous; Tory's Den
Trail is 4.2 miles and a moderate hike; Upper Cascades Trail is
0.2 miles and easy; Wolf Rock Loop is 1.9 miles and moderate.
Bike Trails-None. Bridle Trails--There is a bridle trail
starting at the park boundary off NC 66 on Charlie Young Road
(SR 2028), which heads south so riders cover a 4.8 mile loop.
While hiking is allowed on the bridle trail, horses are not
permitted on the hiking trails. Group Camping--A special
undeveloped area is designated for group camping. Reservations
for the group sites can be made through the park office.
Backpack Camping-None. Youth Camping-None. Canoe Camping-None.
RV Camping--Many of the tent/trailer campsites can accommodate
RV's, but no hook-ups are provided. Tent/Trailer Camping--There
are 73 wooded campsites. Hook-ups are not provided. Two central
washhouses provide water, showers and flush-type toilets.
Maximum is 6 people. Campsites are available on a
first-come/first-served basis. Primitive Camping-None. A short
road from the family campground leads to six rustic family
vacation cabins, each accommodating six people. Fully equipped,
each cabin has two bedrooms, kitchen and living room. During the
spring and fall, cabins may be rented by the night, with a
minimum of two nights. Summer rentals are available by the week
only. For information call: (336)593-8480
Morrow Mountain State Park
View the skeletal remains of a once-mighty range of peaks.
Located in the Uwharrie Mountains along the Pee Dee River and
Lake Tillery, Morrow Mountain features miles of mountain trails
to wander on foot or horseback. Visit the historic Kron House,
greenhouse, and hospital of an early 19th century physician.
Stay for a while in a cabin or a campsite and enjoy a dip in the
pool or a boat ride on the lake. Hiking Trails--There are about
16 miles of hiking trails throughout the park. Trails lead
through much of the secluded undeveloped areas of the park. A
half-mile long nature trail depicts a great deal of the natural
history of the area. Laurel (0.6 mi., easy), Morrow Mountain
(3.0 mi., moderate), Hattaway Mountain (2.0 mi., strenuous),
combine to make a 5.6 mile easy to strenuous grouping of trails.
Three Rivers (0.6 mi., easy) and Fall Mountain (4.1 mi.,
moderate) combine to make nearly five miles worth of trails that
are easy to moderate, and offer views of the Kron House and the
river. Rocks (2.6 mi.) is an easy round-trip trail, with
Sugarloaf Mountain being a 2.8 mile and strenuous trek. Mountain
Loop is an easy.8 mile walk. Bike Trails-None. Bridle
Trails--The extensive trail network at Morrow Mountain offers 16
miles of bridle trails, including an 8-mile loop. The trails
wander through the ancient Uwharrie mountain range along small
streams and beside the shore of Lake Tillery. Group Camping--
The group tent camping area is located near the river and is
accessed by a gravel loop road. Six sites, each with picnic
tables and fire circle, provide a wilderness camping experience
for organized groups. Drinking water and pit toilets are nearby.
Reservations are required for use of the area. Backpack
Camping--See Primitive Camping. Youth Camping--see Group
Camping. Canoe Camping-None. RV Camping--Many of the
tent/trailer sites can accommodate RVs. However, there are no
hook ups. Tent/Trailer Camping--There are 106 drive-to
tent/trailer campsites with tables and grills. Water and a
showerhouse are centrally located. Sites are available on a
first-come basis. Area C is open year-round, while areas A and B
are open March 15 - November 30. Primitive Camping- Backpack
into the woods for camping in a wilderness setting. A two-mile
hike from the park office leads to the primitive campground
which has four sites accommodating six people each. Pit toilets
are provided in the camping area, but drinking water and all
other supplies must be carried out. Fires are not permitted. A
backpack camping permit is required and must be obtained in
advance from park staff. All trash must be packed out. Six
cabins are available from March 1st to November 30th. To reserve
a cabin, which accommodates up to six people and during June,
July, August, cabins may be rented by the week only. During the
spring and fall weekend rentals are allowed with a two-night
stay. No pets are allowed. For information call: (704)982-4402
Raven Rock State Park
Contemplate the processes of nature among an abundance of
wildflowers. The world is at your feet atop this massive
152-foot high rock outcrop, which juts out at a 45-degree angle
over the Cape Fear River. Fish in small clear streams that have
cut beds through soil and rock in their age-old rush to join the
river. Float your boat to one of our canoe campsites where
advance reservations may be made. Hiking Trails--Scenic trails
invite you to journey into the park's interior. More than 12
miles of hiking trails let you wander through a variety of
terrain. Raven Rock Loop Trail (2.1 miles, easy) travels through
a hardwood forest. Wooden stairs going down the face of the
river bluff lead to the base of Raven Rock, where the river bank
provides a place to examine the area beneath the overhang. A
stone balcony along the trail overlooks the river and the flood
plains beyond. Connecting trails (easy to moderate) include the
self-guiding American Beech Nature (0.5 mi.), Little Creek Loop
(1.4 mi.), Fish Traps (1.2 mi.) and Northington's Ferry (2.2
mi.). Campbell Creek Loop (5.1 mi.) and Lanier Falls (0.4 mi.)
combine to make an easy to moderate round trip. Bike
Trails-None. Bridle Trails--Seven miles of equestrian adventure
can be found along the East Loop and West Loop bridle trails on
the north side of the river. Horses are not permitted on the
hiking trails. Group Camping--Little Creek Loop Trail leads to
the group wilderness camp, some 2.2 miles from the parking area.
Located along the Cape Fear River, the area offers tent pads,
fire circles and pit toilets and accommodates up to 200 people.
Reservations are recommended for group camping. Camping is
available all year. Backpack Camping--Follow Campbell Creek Loop
Trail to reach the family wilderness campground, approximately
2.5 miles from the parking area. Five sites, each accommodating
four persons, offer tent pads, fire circles, and an outhouse.
Obtain a permit from the park office. Sites are obtained on a
first-come-first-serve basis. All vehicles of campers must be
registered at the park office. Camping is available year-round.
Youth Camping-None. Canoe Camping--Six campsites along the Cape
Fear Canoe Trail offer accommodations for canoeists. Located
beside the river in a low lying area, these sites include tent
pads, fire circles and an outhouse. The canoe camping area is
about two miles from the park office and sites may be reserved
by canoeists. Camping is available year-round. RV Camping-None.
Tent/Trailer Camping-None. Primitive Camping-See Backpack
Camping. For information call: (910)893-4888
Hammocks Beach State Park
Venture to Bear Island and be rewarded with vivid memories of
one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic.
Where loggerhead sea turtles come ashore under cover of darkness
to nest above the tide line. Where adventuresome explorers
discover marine life in tidal creeks and mudflats. Accessible
only by private boat or passenger ferry, Hammocks may not be for
everyone, but just the place for those who enjoy the challenges
of relentless sun, sand, sea, and sky. Hiking Trails--There is a
3.8 mile, easy to walk beach strand leading from Bear Inlet to
Bogue Inlet. Bike Trails--None Bridle Trails-None. Group
Camping--There are three primitive campsites available on Bear
Island. Reservations for these areas must be made in advance.
Group campers must be organized groups. Limit 12 people per
site. Camspites are available year-round. Backpack
Camping--Fourteen primitive backpack campsites are located on
Bear Island. Drinking water and showers are open from March 15th
through December 1st. No fires are permitted on the island and
camping is not permitted the night before, of, or immediately
following a full moon in the summer to reduce the disturbance of
nesting loggerhead sea turtles. Campsites are available on a
first-come/first-serve basis. Access to all sites requires
hiking. Contact the park office for more information. Campsites
are available year-round. Youth Camping-None. Canoe
Camping--There are four sites for canoe camping. RV
Camping-None. Tent/Trailer Camping-None. Primitive Camping--See
Group and Backpack Camping. For information call:(910)326-4881
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