Every time I've told someone about my state parks journey the first thing I'm asked is, "which one is your favorite!?!?" Which is a fair and fantastic question to ask, but also an impossible one to answer. So in lieu of my favorite park: I decided to list the state parks on order of what music category that would fit in:
One hit wonder - Glad I went but probably won't go back again
Song for a specific reason or season: Parks that won't be on heavy rotation but might be a good fit at the right time
Playlist worthy - Oh you know the songs - the ones on 3 or 4 of your Spotify playlists. These are the parks I''ll definitely be making frequent visits too
The songs you don't stop telling your friends about: Last but not least, these are the parks that I won't stop talking about and make me smile every time I think of them.
Wonder - Those parks that give you the chills on the inside
Things to do: How many types of activities are there
Special factors: Any especially unique aspects of the park that set it apart!
Bonus Point for creating a special memory
So here we goooo
The ones I won't stop telling all my friends about:
- Lake James State Park - 10 (W-3, T - 3, S - 3, BP - 1)
Probably my favorite one if I had to choose! I loved the multitude of activities the park offered with 15+ miles of biking trails, plenty of hiking options and a gorgeous lake to kayak in! Not to mention the majestic bluish green water nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains! :)
- Gorges State Park - 9
Waterfalls, cascades, swimming holes - need I day more!?
- Hanging Rock State Park - 9
It's hard to beat the view on top of Hanging Rock State Park. The park also boasts loads of fun hikes, waterfalls, and awesome camping spots that will leave your bucket full.
- South Mountains - 8
Waterfalls! Need I say more! I seriously felt like I was in a Hawaiian rainforest at moments while hiking around South Mountains State Park. This place is a true gem!
- Pilot Mountain - 8
There's a reason why Pilot Mountain is an often visited spot in NC! The view of Pilot Mountain from the road is majestic and the trail surrounding it is even better! If you enjoy breath taking views, Pilot Mountain won't let you down.
- Grandfather Mountain - 8
Profile Trail. Please read my description of the profile trail to learn why this a place I will be trying to convince all of my friends to do! Some of my favorite trails were at Grandfather State Park, and I couldn't recommend it more!
Playlist worthy:
- Crowders Mountain - 7
Loved Crowder's Mountain and the view at the top of the peak. At the very top you can get a 360 degree magnificent view that's worth of the tough hike to get up there!
- Stone Mountain - 7
Stone Mountain is just on the edge of being in my top tier list. I found Stone mountain super neat because of the gnarly rock formation smack dab in the middle of a field. It truly fields like someone took a crane and placed the rock there.
- Mount Mitchell - 7
Highest peak east of the Mississippi will surely not disappoint you! Be sure to check out the Balsam Nature trail too if you go!
- Jockey's Ridge -
Jockey's Ridge is quite a unique park as it has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern US! Definitely worth a visit!
- Fort Fisher -
Fort Fisher was such a gem! A friend and I went and had wonderful beach access without all the crowds you might find at other places! Definitely a place I plan to come back to!
- Hammocks Beach
Hammocks Beach was so cool! You have to take a ferry or boat to get to the beach part but once you're there you have miles and miles of beach to play around in and enjoy! It kinda feels like an adventure having to take a boat to get there!
- Elk Knob -
Come here for gorgeous views of the Blue ridge Mountains! :) The hike is tough but the views are worth it!
- Raven Rock
Super cool rock formation that makes you feel like your in Utah for a split second. This one also ranks so high because of its proximity!
Ones for a specific reason or season:
- Lake Norman
This is a park that could make a move! I didn't get to spend much time here and only kayaked in the pond by the visitor's center! Definitely worth a visit if your close by though!
- Morrow Mountain
TBH the view was a little underwhelming, but I went with a friend during Covid and didn't get to experience all that this park has to offer. There's tons of hiking here that will surely not disappoint. Hope to make a trip back.
- Mount Jefferson
Liked this park a whole lot! It's not ranked higher only because the park is pretty small and doesn't have a lot to offer. But the view from Mt. Jefferson is incredible and totally worth checking out!
- New River
Really enjoyed my kayak trip on the river. This place would be perfect for a day trip if you lived in the area! I didn't get to explore the hiking trails much but have heard great things about them!
- Carolina Beach
I think this one is here only because I was expecting to have beach access because beach is in the name!!! But this park does feature some cool hiking trails and there are plenty of beaches close by to get your beach fix - just won't be able to get it in the park.
- Fort Macon
I definitely need to give this place another chance - i went during a windy 45 degree day. I'm sure the experience would be much different had the weather been better. The hiking trail around the park is definitely worth checking out though and even allows bikers!
- Kerr Lake
The rocky sandstone beach access here was gorgeous and made for a magnificent sunset! Now that I have a kayak I think I'd be able to really explore Kerr lake better and take advantage of all it has to offer.
- Chimney Rock
I think this one is here mainly because I felt a little salty about having to pay to get in. It's also super touristy, which just isn't my vibe. BUT the park is beautiful! The view from the top of the rock is worth all the 209348 stairs you have to take to get to the top!
- Merchant's Millpond -
The waters of the millpond felt majestic! I definitely hope to kayak here again (and to avoid any alligator sightings!)
Haw River State Park -
Enjoyed my hikes here! Although there isn't much river access the park boasts a disc golf course and a really neat retreat center!
One hit wonders:
- Dismal Swamp- although the park is definitely not dismal, I just didn't find enough here to warrant another trip back! Maybe for kayaking? Probably just not during the summer though - I've heard the mosquitoes are merciless!
- Pettigrew - This park has the 2nd largest natural lake in NC, which is pretty cool! I enjoyed yaking in its waters but probably won't make the 2.5 hr drive to do it again.
- Medoc Mountain - Medoc Mountain is super cool for what it's worth! If I lived close by I would take advantage of the 20+ miles of hiking trails it has.
- Carvers Creek - Carver's creek features a cool bike path and the former vacation home of a Vanderbilt. Worth a visit, just maybe not a 2nd visit. :)
- WeyMouth Woods - I really enjoyed my hike here along the pine trees at WeyMouth Woods! But didn't see enough to make me want to come back!
- Lumber River- Horseflies!! Need I say more!!!!!!!
- Jones Lake - Loved the history of this park! It's where African's spent there time before NC state parks were desegrated. The park was flooded when I when, so I didn't get to see much of it and do hope to go back.
- Lake Waccamaw -
Lake Waccamaw was neat and offered some nice hiking trails for visitors!
- Singletary Lake - One super cool feature of Singletary lake is the water is about 3 ft 100s of feet from shore! This would be the perfect place to take some young kids to play in the water without having to worry about them being safe
- Cliffs of the Nuese - Actually liked this park a lot! The view off the cliff of the Nuese was pretty neat and there's a place to rent kayaks and boats here!
- Mayo River - Went to this park with a friend and rented a SUP! Not a bad spot to get some water time! The park also features a disc golf course!
- Goose Creek
One cool thing about this park is all the cabins that were recently built! They were all along the park and would make for a great spot for a group camping trip. I enjoyed my hike there too!
Favorite Local Parks:
Decided to keep my local favorites out of the above list because I felt like they had an unfair advantage since I get to visit these parks a lot more than the others and they all have a special place in my heart! :)
- Occoneechee :)
Although there's not much here, I love the hike to the vista point. It's the closet thing we have to the mountains here in the Piedmont!
- Jordan Lake!
This place is my hometown spot! Jordan lake is gigantic with lots of recreational options including hiking, boating, swimming, and more! Although the water feels like a hot bath in the summer, it's definitely worth checking out!
- Falls Lake
Even though Falls Lake isn't too far from me, I haven't explored it much! The few times I've been have been great though! Such a fun place for a day visit!
- Umstead Park
The bike trail at umstead park is probably my favorite. The park features tons of hiking trails and options for fun!
- Eno River
Eno is another local gem. Although it's not my go to outdoor spot, I always have a good time when I go.
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