Topics Related to Piedmont

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

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

Mayo River State Park – Mayodan Access

Location: Rockingham County, 35 miles north of Greensboro

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

Highlights at this access: fishing; paddling into the Dan River

Mayo River State Park – Hickory Creek Access

Location: Rockingham County, 45 miles north of Greensboro

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

Highlights at this access: Hickory Creek; fishing; hiking

 

Mayo River State Park – Anglin Mill Access

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: Mayo Beach; Boiling Hole; no restrooms

 

Mayo River State Park – Deshazo Mill Access

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

 

Mayo River State Park – Mayo Mountain Access

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.

 

Lake Norman State Park

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

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area – Nutbush Bridge Access

Location: Vance County near the Virginia state line

At the park, you can find: 50,000-acre Kerr Lake reservoir and ospreys

Highlights at this access: two 24-hour boat ramps, one suitably large for fishing tournaments; year-round tent, trailer, and RV camping, some with electric and water hookups

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area – Kimball Point Access

Location: Warren County near the Virginia state line

At the park, you can find: 50,000-acre Kerr Lake reservoir and ospreys

Highlights at this access: great access for sailing; tent, trailer, and RV camping, some with electric and water hookups; swim beach area