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Lately I've been very interested in checking out the state parks. I've been to a few such as Pilot mountain, hanging rock, lake norman, chimney rock park, grandfather mountain, and a few out in the beach when I was younger. It would be cool to get everyones input to their favorite state parks and why they're your favorite!
Nice thread and I like your picks. This would be a good bucket list to visit all the state parks.
I do have to commend the state in nicest, cleanliness, and ease of use of parks I have visited.
Below is my likes and I'm referring to the state parks within destination.
Stone Mountain and Gorges are my favorite next to Mt. Mitchell.
I agree on Hanging Rock, even though I haven't used them but those cabins look cute.
I like all what Pilot Mountain offers.
Grandfather Mountain is OK .
Same with South Mountain, I wished it offer more but the option to either take rugged or gradual incline to top is nice.
I loved experiencing coastal habitat on trails of Carolina Beach State Park, from the state symbols, the long leaf pine to the venus fly trap.
Ft Fisher state park , I just used parking lot to go to beach
Last speaking of expierencing sand,never thought I should give state credit is maintaining Jockeys Ridge, It just dawn on.me it more than sand dunes but the plant life that helps the dunes from eroding away. I like getting in the middle, feels like an oasis.
As you've discovered, NC has a great state parks system. One thing that makes it so great is the wide variety of environments they represent--mountains, lakes, rivers, eastern pine forests and cypress swamps, beaches, etc. Collectively they are a fantastic resource that costs little to nothing to enjoy. We are very fortunate to live in a state that offers such diversity.
I've been to about 3/4 of them, and it's hard to say I have a favorite because they are all excellent places to visit. Hanging Rock is definitely a favorite though, in part because it's a short drive from where I live so I have more opportunities to take advantage of it. I'm also partial to the eastern cypress swamps as I grew up just a few miles Chalk Banks on the Lumber River, so the Lumber River and Merchants Millpond parks are favorites. The Lumber River State Park covers many miles of the river and provides a number of access points. It's very relaxing to take a canoe trip on its gentle-flowing black water. Of course, the mountain-area parks are fantastic for their hiking opportunities and incredible views.
I also think it's amazing that we have fantastic parks sort of hidden in or near the most populated areas of our state: Eno River, Occoneechee, and Umstead in the Triangle (in addition to the lake parks at Falls and Jordan lakes); Haw River, Mayo River, Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock in the Triad; and Morrow Mountain, Crowders Mountain, and Lake Norman in the Charlotte area. It's great to have such wonderful recreational opportunities so close to our largest cities.
Not to get too picky (but look at my username...), actually DuPont is a "State Recreational Forest" and is managed by the North Carolina Forest Service, as a recreational, demonstration, and working forest....Including timber harvesting, prescribed fire, stream restoration projects, and hunting. It is not a State Park. DuPont does not have overnight camping, hookups, cabins, or other facilities like most State Parks do. In fact DuPont has way more trails than any State Park, and it's proving to be a problem -- too many people are "loving it to death" and causing erosion on the trails, damage to vegetation, littering, and trespassing onto adjoining private land. Not enough Rangers or Foresters to patrol the whole place.
Not to get too picky (but look at my username...), actually DuPont is a "State Recreational Forest" and is managed by the North Carolina Forest Service, as a recreational, demonstration, and working forest....Including timber harvesting, prescribed fire, stream restoration projects, and hunting. It is not a State Park. DuPont does not have overnight camping, hookups, cabins, or other facilities like most State Parks do. In fact DuPont has way more trails than any State Park, and it's proving to be a problem -- too many people are "loving it to death" and causing erosion on the trails, damage to vegetation, littering, and trespassing onto adjoining private land. Not enough Rangers or Foresters to patrol the whole place.
Well...much of that was because it lacked pretty much any infrastructure at all...which when I was there a few years ago seemed to be getting corrected to some extent.
I think its great it doesnt have camping and such...it should just be a day trip.
Hanging Rock is one I probably visit at most twice a year. It's not really the mountains but it's close enough, definitely for a day trip from Raleigh. If I lived in the Triad, I'd probably visit even more frequently. It gives you everything you'd want, from campsites, cabins, waterfalls, lakes, and spectacular views from the rock itself. You can see the skyline of Winston-Salem, and even Greensboro if the day is clear. On the other side, you have a nice view of the mountains right over the Virginia border.
Raven Rock is a good one not too far from Raleigh. I always visit when I want something more rural that isn't terribly far. It beats Umstead, which is nice but isn't much besides a great big pine forest. Still, I'm not complaining because I have nightmares of Umstead being torn down for more sprawl.
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