Topics Related to Picnicking

Location: Gates County, 10 miles south of the northeast border with Virginia

You can find: millpond more than 200 years old and the American alligator at the northernmost point of its range

Highlights: many types of camping; Lassiter Swamp; boat rentals; paddling trails

Location: Halifax County, 61 miles northeast of RaleighYou can find: Lewis' heartleaf, mountain laurel, pyrite minerals, and the Neuse River waterdogHighlights: hiking trails, bike trails, and bridle trails; primitive equestrian camping; fishing and paddling on one of the region's cleanest streams

Location: Rockingham County, 46 miles north of Greensboro

At the park, you can find: the Mayo River and the great blue heron

Highlights at this access: Fall Creek Falls, riverside hiking trail, picnic area, no restrooms at this access at this time

 

Location: Rockingham County, 38 miles north of Greensboro

At the park, you can find: the Mayo River and the great blue heron

Highlights at this access: park office, large picnic shelter, fishing pond, hiking trails, group camping, closes at 5 p.m.

 

Location: Scotland County, 32 miles southeast of Fayetteville

At the park, you can find: blackwater river, bald cypress trees in the swamp forest, and the eastern box turtle

Highlights at this access: long hiking trail; drive-in tent camping; paddle-in camping; picnic area; boat ramp

Location: Robeson County, 54 miles south of Fayetteville

At the park, you can find: blackwater river, bald cypress trees in the swamp forest, and the belted kingfisher

Highlights at this access: Griffin's Whirl; access to paddle-in camping; walk-in group camping with overflow area; boat ramp; picnic shelter

Location: Columbus County, 40 miles west of Wilmington

You can find: Waccamaw Dam, the headwaters for the 150-mile river; the American alligator; and the Venus flytrap

Highlights: lakeside hiking; boat ramps and boardwalks to provide access to the 52 species of fish and numerous endemic animals in the lake

Location: Iredell County, 39 miles north of Charlotte

You can find: largest manmade lake in N.C. with 520 miles of shoreline, and the great blue heron

Highlights: mountain bike and accessible hiking trails; boat rentals; swim beach; boat ramp; cabins; full-hookup RV camping; community building

Location: McDowell County, 50 miles east of AshevilleAt the park, you can find: Lake James and its resident bald eaglesHighlights at this access: Sandy Cliff and Lake Channel overlooks; walk-in backpack camping; large group rental that includes picnic shelter and swimming area

Location: Burke County, 50 miles east of AshevilleAt the park, you can find: Lake James and its resident bald eaglesHighlights at this access: wooden bridge; bike trails; swim beach; boat rentals; drive-in camping; paddle-in camping to Long Arm peninsula; access to Fonta Flora and Overmountain Victory state trails