Lumber River State Park » Activities
As of 6/11/13 the Lumber River is above flood stage. At 1:0pm on 6/18/13 the river was at 12.9 ft., and rising again, on the USGS gauge in Lumberton, which has a flood stage of 13.00 ft. This is from a crest of 15.41. Under the current weather forecast it is expected to remain near or above flood stage for the next 4-6 days on the lower end of the river. Due to significant rain last night the river is currently rising again at Princess Ann and is at about 8.25 ft. on the USGS gauge at Boardman.
The river is at 10.18 ft. and falling, from a high of about 12.6 ft. on the USGS gauge in Maxton.
At these levels the swift, very strong current makes boating dangerous. Park staff does not recommend boating, or participating in any other aquatic activities, on the river when it is above flood stage. All park guided canoe and kayak trips have been cancelled until further notice. Those who have signed up for these trips will be updated by park staff when conditions allow trips to resume. Anyone choosing to boat in these dangerous conditions should do so with extreme caution due to a much stronger than normal current.
Updated: 2013-06-18 13:20:32
Princess Ann campsites 7 & 8 are closed due to high water across the trail leading to them.
... details ± Princess Ann campsites 7 & 8 are closed due to high water on the trail leading to these campsites. The water previously over a small amount of this trail had begun to recede but a very large amount of rain last night has caused the river to rise higher on the trail today, 6/18/18, and further large amounts of rainfall expected over the next two days will likely raise the river water on the trail even higher.
Updated: 2013-06-18 13:20:32
Click the links below to view information about activities for this park.
Boating: A ramp at the park offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a leisurely small boat or canoe trip on one of
the country's few wild and scenic rivers—the only black-water river with this designation in
North Carolina. Contact the park office for river conditions and suggested canoe trips. Below is a
listing of distances along the Lumber River.
Note: Due to the fluctuating water level of the Lumber River, canoeists and boaters should exercise
caution in planning trips on the river. Add extra time for crossing exposed hazards and sandbars. All
float times should include additional time to reach take-out points.
- U.S. 15-501 to S.R. 1412, 9.4 miles, 4.5 hours
- SR 1412 to Chalk Banks, 6.0 miles, 3 hours
- Chalk Banks to U.S. 401, 1.8 miles, 1 hour
- U.S. 401 to SR 1404, 2.4 miles, 1.0 hours
- SR 1404 to SR 1310/1433, 7.4 miles, 3.0 hours
- SR 1310/1433 to N.C. 71, 5.5 miles, 3.0 hours
- N.C. 71 to SR 1303, 3.2 miles, 2.0 hours
- SR 1303 to SR 1153/1339, 3.0 miles, 2.0 hours
- SR 1153/1339 to SR 1354, 6.4 miles, 4.5 hours
- SR 1354 to N.C. 710-711, 3.0 miles, 2.5 hours
- N.C. 710-711 to SR 1554, 5.1 miles, 3.0 hours
- SR 1554 to SR 1003, 3.0 miles, 2.5 hours
- SR 1003 to SR 1550, 5.5 miles, 3.5 hours
- SR 1550 to N.C. 72, 8.9 miles, 5.0 hours
- N.C. 72 to McMillan's Beach, 2.6 miles, 2.0 hours
- McMillan's Beach to Stephens Park, 1.4 miles, 1.0 hours
- Stephens Park to Noir Street Playground, 1.9 miles, 1.0 hours
- Noir Street Playground to N.C. 72, 2.3 miles, 1.0 hours
- N.C. 72 to SR 2123, 9.5 miles, 5.0 hours
- N.C. 2123 to SR 2121, 3.9 miles, 2.0 hours
- SR 2121 to U.S. 74, 8.1 miles, 4.0 hours
- Boardman / U.S. 74 to Princess Ann, 9.4 miles, 4.0 hours
- Princess Ann to N.C. 904, 11.7 miles, 5.0 hours
- N.C. 904 to NC/SC Border, 3.9 miles, hours not classified
Camping:
Primitive camping: The is a total of 22 campsites, eight at Princess Ann and fourteen at Chalk Banks.
One site at each access area is designated handicapped accessable. A maximum of six
people are allowed per site. Each site has a table, grill, lantern holder, trash
can and fire pit. All fires must be contained in the pit. Permits for camping are required.
Group campsites: Group campsites are available by reservation for verifiable, affiliated groups only. The
maximum number of persons allowed per site is 20. Each site includes two tables, a grill, lantern holder,
trash can and fire pit. All fires must be contained in the pit. Checkout time is noon.
Education and Events: Rangers hold regularly scheduled educational and interpretive programs about Lumber
River State Park. Click the Events link on the menu to the left to search our database of park events. To arrange
a special exploration of Lumber River State Park for your group or class, contact the park office.
Fishing: Fish from a boat or along the riverbank. Black crappie, red breast, largemouth bass and catfish are
abundant. Anglers must have a state fishing license and obey all regulations of the NC Wildlife Resources
Commission.
Hiking: Hikers enjoy the park's nature trail system. Princess Ann has 1.5 miles of trails. Chalk Banks
Trail, a 1.5-mile loop, meanders along the river's edge, by a wetlands habitat, and a mixed pine and
hardwoods forest.
Begin near the picnic shelter and enjoy a peaceful walk along the highest bank of the Lumber River. The trail
features a 100-foot boardwalk across a wet area. A fishing pier and turn-of-the-century millpond are adjacent
to the trail.
Picnicking: Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Lumber River in a picnic area. For large gatherings, a picnic
shelter can hold approximately 100 people and is available for reservations. Some picnic sites are
accessible for persons with disabilities. All sites are available on a first-come basis.