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Museums and Exhibits

Exhibits in the Visitor Center at Gorges State Park

Museums and Exhibits

Discover...

Most state parks have museums or exhibits in their visitor centers, and some have classrooms and discovery centers with hands-on exhibits.

Ranger-led events, self-guided events, and exhibits engage people in hands-on experiences that promote appreciation and understanding of our state's great cultural and natural resources. Check the Events Calendar to learn more.

Parks with museums or exhibit halls are listed below:

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Located in Chatham County 30 miles west of downtown Raleigh, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area includes seven access areas that provide plenty of camping, boating, and swimming opportunities. Campers have more than 1,000 campsites at five accesses to choose from, whether they use a tent, trailer, or RV, and whether they camp with family, friends, or a group. The beautiful lake is one of the largest summertime homes of the bald eagle, and an observation platform makes for easy spotting of our national bird.
 

 919-362-0586

 jordan.lake@ncparks.gov

 Directions to visitor center

Addresses

Visitor center
Ebenezer Church
New Hope Overlook
Seaforth
Crosswinds campground
Parkers Creek campground
Poplar Point campground
Vista Point campground
White Oak recreation area

 

280 State Park Road, Apex, NC 27523
2582 Beaver Creek Road, Apex, NC 27502
339 W.H. Jones Road, New Hill, NC 27562
Seaforth Beach Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312
389 Farrington Road, Apex, NC 27502
Parkers Creek Beach Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
558 Beaver Creek Road, Apex, NC 27502
2498 N. Pea Ridge Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312
White Oak Beach Road, Apex, NC 27523

 

Not every access has all the listed amenities and facilities. Please check park page and maps for more information.
Camping:
Tent sites (including backpacking sites); Trailer and RV sites (some with electric and water hookups); Group tent sites; Group RV sites; Dump stations; Showers; Firewood
Activities:
Hiking (15 miles); Paddling; Swimming; Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Boat ramps; Amphitheater; Auditorium; Classroom; Picnic shelters; Visitor center; Exhibits; Kids TRACK Trail; Beach accesses (lake); Bathhouse
A privately owned marina near Crosswinds campground provides slips and storage, and fishing boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals.
Accessibility:
The following amenities and facilities are wheelchair accessible: one campsite per loop at Crosswinds (two with RV electric and water hookups); one campsite at Loops 1, 2 and 4 at Parkers Creek (all with RV electric and water hookups); 11 campsites at Poplar Point (seven of which have RV electric and water hookups); one group campsite at Parkers Creek and one at Vista Point; all picnic shelters at Ebenezer Church, Parkers Creek, and Vista Point; one picnic shelter at Seaforth; all swim beaches; the White Oak recreation area; and the visitor center. Accessible parking and restrooms are provided at each access.

Lake Norman State Park

Located in Iredell County 40 miles north of Charlotte, Lake Norman State Park boasts the region's popular mountain biking trail system, the Itusi Trail, offering nearly 31 miles of single-track trail. The namesake lake is the largest manmade lake within the state, and the park covers about 17 miles of its northern shoreline. Park Lake, set off from the larger Lake Norman by a dam, offers quiet fishing spots and paddling. Heron rookeries on two islands shelter over 25 great blue heron nests.
 

 704-528-6350

 lake.norman@ncparks.gov

 Directions to visitor center

Address

759 State Park Road, Troutman, NC 28166

 

Camping:
Tent sites; Trailer and RV sites (no hookups); Group tent sites; Dump station; Showers; Firewood
Activities:
Hiking (38 miles); Biking (30.5 miles); Paddling; Swimming; Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Boat ramp; Boat rentals (seasonal); Concession stand (seasonal); Auditorium; Classroom; Community building; Picnic shelters; Visitor center; Exhibits; Kids TRACK Trail; Beach access (lake); Bathhouse
Accessibility:
The following amenities and facilities are wheelchair accessible: Dragonfly Trail; the fishing pier near the swim beach; all four picnic shelters; the community building; and the visitor center. One campsite and the bathhouse at the camping area are also accessible. A beach wheelchair is available to rent for free to use at the swim beach. Accessible parking and restrooms are provided throughout the park.

Medoc Mountain State Park

Located in Halifax County 30 miles northwest of Rocky Mount, Medoc Mountain State Park stands on the 325-foot remnant of a once-mighty mountain range from 350 million years ago. Instead of a typical "mountain" adventure, visitors can enjoy picnicking in the park's open meadow, fishing on Little Fishing Creek, and traversing the trails on foot, bike, or horse. Uncommon species such as Lewis' heartleaf and the Neuse River waterdog call the park home.
 

 252-586-6588

 medoc.mountain@ncparks.gov

 Directions to visitor center

Address

1541 Medoc State Park Road, Hollister, NC 27844

 

Camping:
Tent sites; Trailer and RV sites (some with electric hookups); Equestrian campsites; Group tent sites; Dump station; Showers; Firewood
Activities:
Hiking (29 miles); Biking (9 miles); Horseback riding (10 miles); Paddling; Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Classroom; Picnic shelter; Visitor center; Exhibits; Kids TRACK Trails; Bathhouse; Horse trailer parking
Accessibility:
The picnic shelter and the visitor center are wheelchair accessible. Three campsites (one equestrian and two RV with electric hookups) are also accessible. Accessible parking and restrooms are provided.

Merchants Millpond State Park

Located in Gates County 10 miles south of North Carolina's northeastern border with Virginia, Merchants Millpond State Park centers on a 760-acre millpond more than 190 years old. Hiking the surrounding trails or paddling the placid, shallow waters of the pond offer a great way to explore this wetland environment. Old-growth cypress trees adorned with Spanish moss create an "enchant forest," particularly at Lassiter Swamp. Visitors have even spotted the American alligator here, at the northernmost point of its range.
 

 252-357-1191

 merchants.millpond@ncparks.gov

 Directions to visitor center

Address

176 Millpond Road, Gatesville, NC 27938

 

Camping:
Tent sites (including backpacking sites and paddle-in sites); Trailer sites; Group tent sites (including paddle-in only sites); Showers; Firewood
Activities:
Hiking (10 miles); Biking (5 miles); Paddling; Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Boat ramp; Boat rentals; Auditorium; Classroom; Outdoor classroom; Picnic shelter; Visitor center; Exhibits; Kids TRACK Trail; Bathhouse
Accessibility:
The following amenities and facilities are wheelchair accessible: Cypress Point Trail; the outdoor classroom; the picnic shelter; and the visitor center (including indoor classroom and auditorium). Accessible parking and restrooms are provided.

Morrow Mountain State Park

Located in Stanly County 50 miles northeast of Charlotte, Morrow Mountain State Park provides a myriad of adventures from the summit of the namesake mountain, along the banks of the Yadkin River State Trail, and to the shores of Lake Tillery. The mountain is a study in geologic wonder — with Native American artifacts made of rhyodacite to argillite mined by the Civilian Conservation Corps to create many of the park's structures. One of these CCC-built structures is the state parks system's only day-use swimming pool.
 

 704-982-4402

 morrow.mountain@ncparks.gov

 Directions to park office

Address

49104 Morrow Mountain Road, Albemarle, NC 28001

 

Camping:
Vacation cabins; Tent sites (including backpacking sites); Trailer and RV sites (some with electric hookups); Group tent sites; Dump station; Showers; Firewood
Activities:
Hiking (37 miles); Horseback riding (19 miles); Paddling; Swimming (pool, seasonal); Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Boat ramp; Boat rentals (seasonal); Concession stand (seasonal); Amphitheater; Community building; Picnic shelters; Exhibits; Kids TRACK Trail; Bathhouse; Horse trailer parking
Accessibility:
The following amenities and facilities are wheelchair accessible: one vacation cabin; six campsites (all with RV electric hookups); one group tent site; the campground showers; the fishing pier; the swimming pool and bathhouse; one picnic shelter (lower picnic area); the community building; and the park office. Accessible parking and restrooms are provided throughout the park.

Mount Mitchell State Park

Located in Yancy County 30 miles northeast of Asheville, Mount Mitchell State Park was the genesis of North Carolina's state parks system. At 6,684 feet, the mountain is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and an observation deck provides breathtaking mountain views on a clear day. Easy trails at the summit explore the Fraser fir forest, while a vast network of challenging trails — including the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail — extend into adjacent wilderness areas and lead to backpacking opportunities within Pisgah National Forest.
 

 828-675-4611

 mount.mitchell@ncparks.gov

 Directions to park office

Address

2388 N.C. 128, Burnsville, NC 28714

 

Camping:
Tent sites; Firewood
The park also offers access and overnight parking for campers who are backpacking into the Pisgah National Forest. Please note that the backpacking sites are not within Mount Mitchell State Park property.
Activities:
Hiking (40 miles); Picnicking
Amenities:
Concession stand (seasonal); Restaurant (seasonal); Classroom (seasonal depending on programming); Lounge (seasonal); Picnic shelters; Exhibits; Kids TRACK Trail
Accessibility:
The following amenities and facilities are wheelchair accessible: both picnic shelters; the restaurant; the gift shop/concession stand/museum; and the park office. The Summit Trail is paved, but the grade of the path exceeds the guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Park staff can take visitors with limited mobility to the observation deck on an all-terrain vehicle (Available depending on staff availability. From July to October, this service is offered on Fridays through Sundays. At any other day or time of the year, visitors may call the park office several days in advance of their visit to schedule this assistance). Accessible parking and restrooms are provided.

New River State Park

Located in Ashe and Alleghany counties 35 miles northeast of Boone, New River State Park covers seven accesses along this National Wild and Scenic River that flows north through three states. Elk Shoals has a swim beach, and all accesses allow for launching kayaks and inner tubes to paddle or float along the shallow, gentle river. Paddle-in only campgrounds provide a remote experience. The hellbender — the largest salamander in the U.S. — and 14 species of rare and threatened plant species inhabit the New River valley.
 

 336-982-2587

 new.river@ncparks.gov

 Directions to visitor center

Addresses

U.S. 221 access
and visitor center
Wagoner access
Kings Creek access
Elk Shoals access

 

358 New River State Park Road, Laurel Springs, NC 28644
 
1447 Wagoner Access Road, Jefferson, NC 28640
2250 Kings Creek Road, Piney Creek, NC 28663
349 Methodist Camp Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694

 

Not every access has all the listed amenities and facilities. Please check park page and maps for more information.
Camping:
Tent sites (including paddle-in sites); Trailer and RV sites (some with electric, water, and sewer hookups); Group tent sites (including backpacking sites and paddle-in only sites); Dump station; Showers; Firewood
Activities:
Hiking (9 miles); Paddling; Swimming (Elk Shoals access only); Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Classrooms; Conference room; Community building; Picnic shelters; Visitor center; Exhibits; Kids TRACK Trail; Beach access (river, at Elk Shoals access only); Bathhouses
Accessibility:
The following amenities and facilities are wheelchair accessible: the Dogwood Trail at U.S. 221; both picnic shelters at Wagoner and U.S. 221; one picnic table at Elk Shoals access; the community building; and the visitor center. Two campsites at the U.S. 221 drive-in campground are accessible, both of which have RV electric, water, and sewer hookups. Accessible parking and restrooms are provided.

Raven Rock State Park

Located in Harnett County 40 miles southwest of Raleigh, Raven Rock State Park celebrates the namesake 150-foot crystalline structure that overlooks the Cape Fear River. The trails along the bluffs that lead to the rock are dotted with beautiful wildflowers including mountain laurel. Alternate hikes towards the river reward visitors with landmarks like Lanier Falls Rapids, Fish Traps Rapids, and the remains of the Northington Lock and Dam. North of the river, near Avents Creek, a separate access features the park's popular bridle trails.
 

 910-893-4888

 raven.rock@ncparks.gov

 Directions to visitor center

Addresses

Visitor center
Moccasin Branch access

 

3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington, NC 27546
778 Moccasin Branch Road, Lillington, NC 27546
 

 

Camping:
Camper cabins; Tent sites (including backpacking sites and paddle-in sites); Trailer and RV sites (some with electric, water, and sewer hookups); Showers; Firewood
Activities:
Hiking (26 miles); Biking (6.6 miles); Horseback riding (8 miles); Paddling; Fishing; Picnicking
Amenities:
Amphitheater; Auditorium; Classroom; Picnic shelter; Visitor center; Exhibits; Kids TRACK Trail; Horse trailer parking; Bathhouse
Accessibility:
The following amenities and facilities are wheelchair accessible: Longleaf Loop Trail; one RV campsite with full hookups; one camper cabin; two tables inside the picnic shelter; one of the grills at the picnic shelter; the bathhouse; and the visitor center. Accessible parking and restrooms are provided.

South Mountains State Park

Located in Burke County 55 miles east of Asheville, South Mountains State Park is situated at the crossroads of the Appalachian Mountains and the Foothills to provide the ultimate backcountry experience. The park boasts elevations up to 3,000 feet, an 80-foot waterfall, and nearly 50 miles of trail for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. Water recreation is offered via the Jacob Fork River, which hosts designated trout waters, or to the far west at the separate Clear Creek access that features the namesake lake.
 

 828-433-4772

 south.mountains@ncparks.gov

 Directions to visitor center

Addresses

Jacob Fork access
and visitor center
Clear Creek access
(day-use only)

 

3001 South Mountain Park Ave., Connelly Springs, NC 28612
 
5999 Branstrom Orchard St., Morganton, NC 28655

 

Camping:
at Jacob Fork access only
Tent sites (including backpacking sites); Trailer and RV sites (some with electric hookups); Equestrian campsites; Showers; Firewood
Activities:
at Jacob Fork access
Hiking (47 miles); Biking (17 miles); Horseback riding (35 miles); Fishing; Picnicking
at Clear Creek access
Hiking (3.5 miles); Horseback riding (2 miles); Paddling; Fishing
Amenities:
Amphitheater; Auditorium; Classroom; Picnic shelter; Visitor center; Exhibits; Kids TRACK Trail; Bathhouse; Horse trailer parking
Accessibility:
The following amenities and facilities are wheelchair accessible: one equestrian campsite with RV electric hookup; one RV campsite with electric hookup; the Jacob Fork picnic area; the picnic shelter; and the visitor center. Accessible parking and restrooms are Jacob Fork access.

Stone Mountain State Park

Located in Alleghany and Wilkes counties 60 miles northwest of Winston-Salem, Stone Mountain State Park is home to the 600-foot granite dome that is a designated National Natural Landmark and the historic Hutchinson Homestead, a restored mid-19th-century farm situated at the mountain base. The park offers nearly all types of outdoor activity to experience a high country landscape adorned with beautiful waterfalls, winding creeks, and bountiful trout streams. A portion of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail runs through the park near the backcountry campsites.
 

 336-957-8185

 stone.mountain@ncparks.gov

 Directions to park office

Address

3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668

 

Camping:
Tent sites (including backpacking sites); Trailer and RV sites (some with electric and water hookups); Group tent sites; Dump station; Showers; Firewood
Activities:
Hiking (29 miles); Horseback riding (10 miles); Fishing; Picnicking; Rock climbing
Amenities:
Amphitheater; Picnic shelters; Kids TRACK Trail; Bathhouse; Horse trailer parking
Accessibility:
The following amenities and facilities are wheelchair accessible: 16 campsites with no hookups; two campsites with RV electric, water, and sewer hookups; one group tent site; one fishing pier along the East Prong of the Roaring River; all three picnic shelters; and the park office. Accessible parking and restrooms are provided.