Topics Related to Picnicking

Pilot Mountain State Park – Mountain Section

Location: Surry County, 24 miles northwest of Winston-Salem

At the park, you can find: Pilot Knob, the Yadkin River, and ravens soaring above Big Pinnacle

Highlights at this access: tent and trailer camping; variety of hiking trails; rock climbing and rappelling; visitor center

Pettigrew State Park

Location: Washington County, 71 miles northeast of Greenville

At the park, you can find: wintering tundra swans from November to February; Lake Phelps; Somerset Place state historic site; Scuppernong River

Highlights at this access: historic sites and artifacts; long, easy trails around the lake; biking

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

Location: Orange County, 15 miles northwest of downtown Durham

You can find: mountain laurel; the rare brown elfin butterfly

Highlights: hiking through quiet forests; Occoneechee Mountain overlooks with great views of sunsets and the Eno River; fishing ponds; picnic areas; geologic formations, including a rock quarry

New River State Park – Elk Shoals Access

Location: Ashe County, 27 miles northeast of BooneAt the park, you can find: 26.5 miles of the New River; the hellbender salamander; 14 rare and threatened species of floraHighlights at this access: Chapel on the New facility rental; southernmost access of the state park

New River State Park – Kings Creek Access

Location: Alleghany County, 39 miles northeast of Boone

At the park, you can find: 26.5 miles of the New River; the hellbender salamander; 14 rare and threatened species of flora

Highlights at this access: closest paddling access to Alleghany paddle-in campsites; northernmost parking area of the state park; picnicking

New River State Park – Wagoner Access

Location: Ashe County, 31 miles northeast of Boone

At the park, you can find: 26.5 miles of the New River; the hellbender salamander; 14 rare and threatened species of flora

Highlights at this access: backpack or paddle-in camping to Riverbend/Peaks area; also has walk-in or paddle-in campsites at the access

New River State Park – U.S. 221 Access

Location: Ashe County, 36 miles northeast of Boone

At the park, you can find: 26.5 miles of the New River; the hellbender salamander; 14 rare and threatened species of flora

Highlights at this access: full hook-up RV camping; walk-in or paddle-in backpack camping; visitor center; easy to moderate hiking; community building

Mount Mitchell State Park

Location: Yancey County, 32 miles northeast of AshevilleYou can find: the tallest mountain on the East Coast and fraser firsHighlights: the observation deck, with unmatched views on a clear day; backpacking and hiking access into Pisgah and other peaks in the Black Mountains

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

Location: Ashe County, 26 miles northeast of Boone

You can find: Luther Rock and over 700 species of plants

Highlights: drive-up overlooks along the park road, showcasing great views; annual downhill skateboarding event; moderate to strenuous hikes

Morrow Mountain State Park

Location: Stanly County, 51 miles north of Charlotte

You can find: Morrow Mountain, one of the highest peak in the Uwharries, and bald eagles spotted from Lake Tillery

Highlights: hiking and bridle trails; Lake Tillery and the Yadkin River; Kron House; CCC structures, including the poolhouse; boat rentals