List of North Carolina state parks

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates The State of North Carolina has a group of protected areas known as the North Carolina State Park System, which is managed by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR), an agency of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR). Units of the system can only be established by an act of the General Assembly of North Carolina. The park system began in 1916 when the summit of Mount Mitchell became first state park in the Southeastern United States.[1] According to the Division of Parks & Recreation, "the State Parks Act of 1987 lists six types of units included in the NC State Parks System."[1] These are State Parks, State Recreation Areas, State Natural Areas, State Lakes, State Trails, and State Rivers. All units of the system are owned and/or managed by the division, and the division leases some of the units to other agencies for operation. Most units of the park system are also components of State Nature and Historic Preserve.

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State Parks

State Parks are the principle unit of the state park system. The NC Division of Parks & Recreation describes its parks as follows:

Generally, State Parks are expected to possess both significant natural resource values and significant recreational values. State Parks are expected to accommodate the development of facilities, but may vary in the extent of development depending upon what can be provided without damage to the scenic or natural features. Facilities are planned and constructed to keep disturbance of natural resources to a minimum and to leave a "liberal portion" of each park undisturbed and free from improvements and structures, except for trails.[1]

Several of the State Parks are new and are still being planned and developed. A few of the older state parks were greatly expanded in size in the 2000s adding trails and bike paths open to the public.

Park Name Web-
site 		Region County or Counties Size Year Established Status Remarks
Carolina Beach State Park [1] Template:NtshCoast New Hanover[2] Template:Convert[3][4] 1969[2] Open Named not for a beach, rather the Town of Carolina Beach, the park is located along the banks of the Cape Fear River and Snow's Cut (part of the Intracoastal Waterway). The park is best known for its variety of wild carnivorous plants, including the Venus Flytrap.
Carvers Creek State Park [2] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Cumberland[2] Template:Convert[5] 2005[2] Open Under development;
Interim facilities are open at the park's historic Long Valley Farm Access.
Chimney Rock State Park [3] Template:NtshMountains Rutherford, Polk, Buncombe, Henderson[2] Template:Convert[5] 2005[2] Open Under development;
The park protects the landscape of Hickory Nut Gorge, including its most well known feature, Chimney Rock.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park [4] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Wayne[2] Template:Convert[5] 1945[2] Open The park protects ancient cliff faces located along the banks of the Neuse River.
Crowders Mountain State Park [5] Template:NtshPiedmont Gaston[2] Template:Convert[5] 1973[2] Open The park protects the Kings Mountain Ridgeline in North Carolina, including its highest peaks Crowder's Mountain and King's Pinnacle. The park is also adjacent to Kings Mountain State Park in South Carolina, which in turn is adjacent to Kings Mountain National Military Park. All three parks are connected via the Kings Mountain Ridgeline Trail.
Dismal Swamp State Park [6] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Camden[2] Template:Convert[5] 1974[2] Open Under development;
The park protects large part of the Great Dismal Swamp, and it is adjacent to Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. It is bounded on the east by the Dismal Swamp Canal.
Elk Knob State Park [7] Template:NtshMountains Watauga, Ashe[2] Template:Convert[5] 2002[2] Open Under development;
The park preserves some of the highest peaks in Ashe and Watauga Counties, and it protects headwaters of the North Fork New River.
Eno River State Park [8] Template:NtshPiedmont Durham, Orange[2] Template:Convert[5] 1973[2] Open The park protects the banks of the Eno River and surrounding lands.
Fort Macon State Park [9] Template:NtshCoast Carteret[2] Template:Convert[5] 1924[2] Open The first North Carolina State Park to open to the public. It protects the historic Fort Macon and the eastern end of Bogue Banks.
Goose Creek State Park [10] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Beaufort[2] Template:Convert[5] 1974[2] Open The park protects part of the landscape along the Pamlico Sound.
Gorges State Park [11] Template:NtshMountains Transylvania[2] Template:Convert[5] 1999[2] Open Under development;
North Carolina's westernmost state park; it is located along the steep Blue Ridge Escarpment. The park is best known for the many waterfalls it provides access to, both inside the park and on adjacent public lands.
Grandfather Mountain State Park [12] Template:NtshMountains Avery, Watauga, Caldwell[2] Template:Convert[5] 2009[2] Open Under development;
Adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the park protects the highest peak located along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The park consists of lands formerly known as the "backcountry area" when it was privately owned nature preserve.
Hammocks Beach State Park [13] Template:NtshCoast Onslow[2] Template:Convert[5] 1961[2] Open While protecting a variety of maritime habitats, the park is most known for its four-mile (Template:Convert) long barrier island, Bear Island. The park operates a passenger ferry service between the mainland and island in the warmer months.
Hanging Rock State Park [14] Template:NtshPiedmont Stokes[2] Template:Convert[5] 1935[2] Open The park encompasses the eastern end of the Sauratown Mountain range, including a geologic feature known as Hanging Rock.[6] It also protects a segment of the Dan River.
Haw River State Park [15] Template:NtshPiedmont Rockingham, Guilford[2] Template:Convert[5] 2003[2] Open Under development;
This park preserves large wetlands along the Haw River.
Jockey's Ridge State Park [16] Template:NtshCoast Dare[2] Template:Convert[5] 1975[2] Open The park protects the tallest sand dune system on the East Coast of the United States.
Jones Lake State Park [17] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Bladen[2] Template:Convert[5] 1939[2] Open The park surrounds Jones State Lake and Salters State Lake, both of which are largely undeveloped Carolina Bay lakes. Until 1965, it was one of two parks open to Black people.
Lake James State Park [18] Template:NtshMountains McDowell, Burke[2] Template:Convert[5] 1987[2] Open Under redevelopment;
Located near the base of Linville Gorge, the park encompasses large parts of the Lake James shoreline. In 2004, the park nearly octupled in size after a land deal with Crescent Resources.
Lake Norman State Park [19] Template:NtshPiedmont Iredell[2] Template:Convert[5] 1962[2] Open Formerly known as Duke Power State Park, most of this park consists of lands donated by Duke Power along the shores of Lake Norman, the largest manmade body of fresh water in North Carolina.
Lake Waccamaw State Park [20] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Columbus[2] Template:Convert[5] 1976[2] Open This park is along the shoreline of Lake Waccamaw, the largest natural Carolina Bay lake.[7]
Lumber River State Park [21] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Scotland, Hoke, Robeson, Columbus[2] Template:Convert[5] 1989[2] Open The State Park with the greatest geographic expanse, it preserves the banks of the black water Lumber River, which is Wild and Scenic River and a State River.
Mayo River State Park [22] Template:NtshPiedmont Rockingham[2] Template:Convert[5] 2003[2] Open Under development;
This new, still growing park is located along the Mayo River.
Medoc Mountain State Park [23] Template:NtshPiedmont Halifax[2] Template:Convert[5] 1973[2] Open At Template:Convert, Medoc Mountain isn't a true mountain but rather the remnant of a former mountain range which eroded long ago.[8] The park preserves the land around the Medoc, as well as the banks of nearby Little Fishing Creek.
Merchants Millpond State Park [24] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Gates[2] Template:Convert[5] 1973[2] Open The park protects a unique, cypress filled millpond and the Lassiter Swamp.
Morrow Mountain State Park [25] Template:NtshPiedmont Stanly[2] Template:Convert[5] 1935[2] Open At Template:Convert, Morrow Mountain is the fourth tallest peak of the Uwharrie Mountains,[9] and the park encompasses several peaks of the range, just west of the Yadkin / Pee Dee River.
Mount Mitchell State Park [26] Template:NtshMountains Yancey[2] Template:Convert[5] 1916[2] Open The first North Carolina State Park, it protects the summit of Mount Mitchell the highest point in the eastern United States.[1]
New River State Park [27] Template:NtshMountains Alleghany, Ashe[2] Template:Convert[5] 1975[2] Open This park preserves the landscape along the New River, which is Wild and Scenic River and a State River.
Pettigrew State Park [28] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Tyrrell, Washington[2] Template:Convert[5] 1936[2] Open The park protects the banks of Lake Phelps, the state's second largest natural lake, and the Scuppernong River.[10]
Pilot Mountain State Park [29] Template:NtshPiedmont Surry, Yadkin[2] Template:Convert[5] 1968[2] Open The park encompasses the western end of the Sauratown Mountain range, including Pilot Mountain, as well as an island filled segment of the Yadkin River.[11]
Pisgah View State Park [30] Template:NtshMountains Buncombe, Haywood[12] Template:Convert[5] 2019[12] Closed Planned State Park on the property of Pisgah View Ranch, near Mount Pisgah and Pisgah National Forest.
Raven Rock State Park [31] Template:NtshPiedmont Harnett[2] Template:Convert[5] 1970[2] Open Located along both banks of the Cape Fear River, the park encompasses a rock outcropping where the river crosses the Fall Line.
Rendezvous Mountain State Park [32] Template:NtshMountains Wilkes Template:Convert[13] 1926[Note 1] Open Popularly rumored to have been an assembly point for the Overmountain Men during the Revolutionary War.[14][13]
Singletary Lake State Park [33] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Bladen[2] Template:Convert[5] 1939[2] Limited The park surrounds Singletary Lake, which is a State Lake and a Carolina Bay lake. The park's facilities are usually reserved for registered group campers, but limited day use may be allowed while the camps are unoccupied.
South Mountains State Park [34] Template:NtshMountains Burke[2] Template:Convert[5] 1978[2] Open Under redevelopment;
The largest unit of the state park system, it encompasses a large part of the South Mountains range, which is a branch of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Stone Mountain State Park [35] Template:NtshMountains Alleghany, Wilkes[2] Template:Convert[5] 1969[2] Open Adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, this large park's centerpiece is a granite dome named Stone Mountain.
William B. Umstead State Park [36] Template:NtshPiedmont Wake[2] Template:Convert[5] 1945[2] Open This large, forested park is in the heart of the Research Triangle. It was originally known as Crabtree Creek State Park. In 1950, the Template:Convert southern section was carved out for a Blacks-only park. In 1955, the Crabtree Creek section was renamed Willium B. Umstead. It was desegregated in 1965.

State Recreation Areas

State Recreation Areas are more intensely developed units than State Parks, and they largely encompass lands less sensitive to human activities than State Parks. According to the NC Division of Parks & Recreation:

State Recreation Areas are sites where the primary purpose is outdoor recreation, rather than preservation. More intensive development of facilities is provided than in State Parks. Protection and enjoyment of the natural resources are still important, and the sites are expected to contain scenic and attractive natural features. Development is planned and constructed to keep a "reasonable amount" of each area undisturbed and free from improvements and structures.[1]

State Recreation Area Web-
site 		Region Counties Size Established Status Remarks
Falls Lake State Recreation Area [37] Template:NtshPiedmont Wake, Durham[2] Template:Convert[5] 1982[2] Open This recreation area is located along the shores of Falls Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built reservoir.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area [38] Template:NtshCoast New Hanover[2] Template:Convert[5] 1986[2] Open This recreation area is known for its long, sandy beach between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. This is the only unit of the park system that allows four-wheel drive vehicles off-road.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area [39] Template:NtshPiedmont Chatham[2] Template:Convert[5] 1981[2] Open This recreation area is located along the shores of Jordan Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built reservoir.
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area [40] Template:NtshPiedmont Vance, Warren[2] Template:Convert[5] 1952[2] Open This recreation area is located along the North Carolinian shores of Kerr Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built reservoir, which is along the border of North Carolina and Virginia.

State Natural Areas

State Natural Areas protect areas more sensitive to human activities than State Parks. Most of the State Natural Areas are undeveloped and have limited to no facilities, and some of them are closed to the general public to protect rare, fragile ecosystems. A few have developed facilities for low intensity, passive recreation, as well as facilities for public interpretation and education of the natural area. The NC Division of Parks & Recreation states:

The purpose of State Natural Areas is focused on preserving and protecting areas of scientific, aesthetic, or ecological value. Facilities are limited to those needed for interpretation, protection, and minimum maintenance. Generally, recreational and public use facilities such as camping, swimming, picnicking, and the like are not provided in State Natural Areas.[1]

State Natural Area Web-
site 		Region Counties Size Established Public Access Remarks
Bakers Lake State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoastal Plain Bladen Template:Convert 2021[15] Template:NtshUndeveloped Established to protect an undeveloped, Template:Convert natural lake.
Baldhead Island State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoast Brunswick[2] Template:Convert[5] 1979[2] Template:NtshUndeveloped Contiguous to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, this undeveloped natural area preserves a large portion of the Smith Island Complex, which consists of barrier islands, salt marshes, bays, tidal creeks and estuarine islands.[16]
Bay Tree State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoastal Plain Bladen[2] Template:Convert[5] 1979[2] Template:NtshUndeveloped Former State Park which was never developed. It consists of lands adjacent to Bay Tree State Lake.
Bear Paw State Natural Area — Template:NtshMountains Avery[2] Template:Convert[5] 2008[2] Template:NtshUndeveloped The natural area is located just north of Grandfather Mountain State Park, and it protects Hanging Rock Ridge and the headwaters of Dutch Creek. The Cherokee name for the site is "Yonah‑wayah", which means "Bear's Paw".[17] It is managed by Elk Knob State Park.
Beech Creek Bog State Natural Area — Template:NtshMountains Watauga[2] Template:Convert[5] 2002[2] Template:Ntsh The natural area protects a southern Appalachian bog.
Bobs Creek State Natural Area [41] Template:NtshMountains McDowell Template:Convert[5] 2017[18] Template:NtshClosed Historically known as Bob's Pocket Wilderness, the natural area conserves high quality, rare natural communities.
Bullhead Mountain State Natural Area — Template:NtshMountains Alleghany[2] Template:Convert[5] 2000[2] Template:NtshLimited This natural area is adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway and just north of Stone Mountain State Park.
Bushy Lake State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoastal Plain Cumberland[2] Template:Convert[5] 1977[2] Template:NtshUndeveloped Managed by Jones Lake State Park, the natural area protects an area of wet pocosin and carolina bay forest.
Chowan Swamp State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoastal Plain Gates[2] Template:Convert[5] 1973[2] Template:NtshOpen Located along the northern shores of the Chowan River, this natural area is leased by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for management as part of the larger Chowan Swamp Game Land.
Hemlock Bluffs State Natural Area [42] Template:NtshPiedmont Wake[2] Template:Convert[5] 1976[2] Template:NtshOpen The natural area is leased by the Town of Cary for operation as Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve.[19]
Lea Island State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoast Pender[2] Template:Convert[5] 2000[2] Template:NtshLimited The natural area preserves a largely undeveloped barrier island.
Lower Haw River State Natural Area — Template:NtshPiedmont Chatham[2] Template:Convert[5] 2003[2] Template:NtshOpen Under development;
This natural area is adjacent to and managed by Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, and it has one Template:Convert hiking trail along the Haw River.
Masonboro Island State Natural Area [43] Template:NtshCoast New Hanover[2] Template:Convert[5] 1976[2] Template:NtshUndeveloped Managed by the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, this natural area preserves an undeveloped barrier island, near Wilmington, North Carolina. The island is only accessible by boat.
Mitchells Millpond State Natural Area — Template:NtshPiedmont Wake[2] Template:Convert[5] 1976[2] Template:NtshClosed The natural area protects granitic flatrock outcrops. The ecosystem of the flatrocks is unique and fragile.
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area [44] Template:NtshMountains Ashe[2] Template:Convert[5] 1956[2] Template:NtshOpen Formerly a State Park, this natural area is managed as a satellite of New River State Park, and it preserves the prominent peak of Mount Jefferson.
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area [45] Template:NtshPiedmont Orange[2] Template:Convert[5] 1997[2] Template:NtshOpen Managed as a satellite of Eno River State Park, this natural area preserves the highest point in Orange County.
Pineola Bog State Natural Area — Template:NtshMountains Avery[2] Template:Convert[5] 2006[2] Template:Ntsh The natural area protects a southern Appalachian bog.
Run Hill State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoast Dare[2] Template:Convert[5] 1995[2] Template:NtshUndeveloped Managed as a satellite of Jockey's Ridge State Park, the natural area preserves Run Hill, a large sand dune north of Jockey's Ridge.
Salmon Creek State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoastal Plain Bertie Template:Convert[5] 2017[18] Template:NtshClosed The natural area contains high-quality natural communities, and important archaeological sites.
Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoastal Plain Pender, Onslow[2] Template:Convert[5] 2006[2] Template:NtshClosed The natural area preserves southern pine savannas.
Sugar Mountain Bog State Natural Area — Template:NtshMountains Avery[2] Template:Convert[5] 2006[2] Template:Ntsh The natural area protects a southern Appalachian bog.
Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area [46] Template:NtshCoast Carteret[2] Template:Convert[5] 1971[2] Template:NtshOpen Jointly managed by Fort Macon State Park and the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, the natural area preserves Bogue Banks' only intact maritime forest.
Warwick Mill Bay State Natural Area — Template:NtshCoastal Plain Robeson Template:Convert[5] 2017[18] Template:NtshClosed The natural area protects an undisturbed Carolina Bay, which is an important nesting site for birds. Audubon North Carolina assists with the management of the property.
Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve [47] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Moore[2] Template:Convert[5] 1963[2] Template:NtshOpen The first North Carolina State Natural Area, it preserves strands of longleaf pine forests in Sandhills region.
Yellow Mountain State Natural Area — Template:NtshMountains Mitchell, Avery[2] Template:Convert[5] 2008[2] Template:NtshLimited The natural area protects a Grassy Bald in the Roan Highlands range.[17] The natural area is adjacent to the Pisgah National Forest.

State Lakes

State Lakes are all large, naturally formed bodies of water in the state's Coastal Plain. Most of the lakes are Carolina Bays. The NC Division of Parks & Recreation describes its State Lakes as follows:

Chapter 165 of the Laws of 1929 specified that "all lakes now belonging to the State having an area of 50 acres or more" should be "administered as provided for other recreational areas now owned by the State." This allowed the then-Department of Conservation and Development to assume management authority for seven Coastal Plain lakes that became units of the State Parks System known as State Lakes. Most of these are administratively included as part of an adjoining State Park, but one of the lakes (White Lake) has no public ownership on its shoreline.[1]

State Lake Adjoining State Park Counties Size Remarks
Bay Tree State Lake Bay Tree State Park Bladen[2] Template:Convert[5] Bay Tree Lake was formerly known as Black Lake.
Jones State Lake Jones Lake State Park Bladen[2] Template:Convert[5] The shore line of Jones Lake is entirely owned by the state.
Phelps State Lake Pettigrew State Park Washington, Tyrrell[2] Template:Convert[5] Phelps is North Carolina's second largest natural lake.[10]
Salters State Lake Jones Lake State Park Bladen[2] Template:Convert[5] Salters is the only State Lake without development along its shores.
Singletary State Lake Singletary Lake State Park Bladen[2] Template:Convert[5] The shore line of Singletary Lake is entirely owned by the state.
Waccamaw State Lake Lake Waccamaw State Park Columbus[2] Template:Convert[5] Lake Waccamaw is the largest natural Carolina Bay lake.[7]
White State Lake None Bladen[2] Template:Convert[5] This is the only State Lake without public lands along its shores.

State Trails

State Trails are one of the principal components of the State Trail System. State Trails may be either long-distance, hiking trails or paddle trails. State Trails may have land components for providing a trail corridor or for protecting significant features or resources along the trail. Most of these lands are leased to other land management agencies. All of the State Trails are joint projects with other government agencies and nonprofit organizations. The following is the NC Division of Parks & Recreation description of State Trails:

The North Carolina Trails System Act was passed in 1973 to help provide for the state's outdoor recreation needs and to promote public access to natural and scenic areas. The act prescribed methods for establishing a statewide system of scenic trails, recreation trails, and connecting or side trails. The Trails System includes "park trails", which are designated and managed as units of the State Parks System known as State Trails, and "designated trails", which are managed by other governmental agencies or corporations.[1]

State Trail Web-
site 		Region Designated Length Size Established Remarks
Dan River State Trail [48] Template:NtshPiedmont Template:Convert Template:Convert 2021[20] A paddle trail on the Dan River in Stokes and Rockingham Counties.
Deep River State Trail [49] Template:NtshPiedmont Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 2007[2] Planned hiking and paddle trail along the Deep River.
East Coast Greenway State Trail [50] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Template:Convert Template:Convert 2021[21] North Carolina's section of a developing bikeway spanning the East Coast of the United States.
Equine State Trail [51] Template:NtshPiedmont Template:Convert Template:Convert 2023[22] A bridle path in North Carolina's Sandhills region.
Fonta Flora State Trail [52] Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 2015[23] Planned hiking and bicycling trail that will encircle the eastern half of Lake James.[23]
French Broad River State Trail [53] Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 1987[2] A paddle trail extending from the beginning of the French Broad River in Rosman, to I-40 in Asheville.
Haw River State Trail [54] Template:NtshPiedmont Template:Convert Template:Convert 2023[24] A paddle and hiking trail connecting Haw River State Park and Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.
Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail [55] Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 2017[25] A trail planned to encircle Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.
Mountains-to-Sea State Park Trail[26] [56] Template:NtshState Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 2000[2] The Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is a Long-distance, hiking trail, which runs across North Carolina from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. Still a work in progress, the trail will be approximately a Template:Convert long when completed.
Northern Peaks State Trail [57] Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 2019[27] A hiking trail planned to go over several mountain peaks from Rivers Park in Boone to Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.
Overmountain Victory State Trail [58] Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 2019[28] The Overmountain Victory Trail roughly follows the historic route of the Overmountain Men on their march to the Battle of Kings Mountain.
Roanoke River State Trail [59] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Template:Convert Template:Convert 2021[29] A paddle trail on the Roanoke River from Roanoke Rapids to the Albemarle Sound.
Saluda Grade State Trail [60] Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert Template:Convert 2023[30] A planned rail trail along Norfolk Southern Railway's W Line, from Zirconia to the North Carolina-South Carolina state line.
Wilderness Gateway State Trail [61] Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 2019[28] Proposed trail to connect the Overmountain Victory Trail, South Mountains State Park, Valdese, and Hickory.
Yadkin River State Trail [62] Template:NtshPiedmont Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 1987[2] This paddle trail is along a mostly free-flowing stretch of the Yadkin River between the W. Kerr Scott Dam and the beginning of High Rock Lake. There are only two small impoundments along the trail, and neither one creates a large reservoir.

State Rivers

State Rivers are components of the state's Natural and Scenic Rivers System, which is the state's equivalent to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Most of the state's National Wild and Scenic Rivers, are also State Rivers and vice versa. The NC Division of Parks & Recreation states that:

The Natural and Scenic Rivers System was created by the 1971 General Assembly to preserve and protect certain free flowing rivers, their water quality and their adjacent lands for the benefit of present and future generations. The Natural and Scenic Rivers Act established criteria and methods for inclusion of components to the system. Components of the Natural and Scenic Rivers System are State Rivers, and are also units of the State Parks System.[1]

State River Region Designated Length Size Established Remarks
Horsepasture State Natural River Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 1985[2] The river is located in the Pisgah National Forest, within a moderate Template:Convert hike of Gorges State Park, via the Rainbow Falls Trail.[31]
Linville State Natural River Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 1975[2] The river is located in the middle of the Linville Gorge Wilderness.
Lumber State Natural River Template:NtshCoastal Plain Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 1989[2] Lumber River State Park is along portions of the adjacent river banks.
Lumber State Scenic River Template:NtshCoastal Plain Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 1989[2] Lumber River State Park is along portions of the adjacent river banks.
Lumber State Recreational River Template:NtshCoastal Plain Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 1989[2] Lumber River State Park is along portions of the adjacent river banks.
New State Scenic River Template:NtshMountains Template:Convert[5] Template:Convert[5] 1975[2] New River State Park is along portions of the adjacent river banks.

Former units

Some units have been formally removed from the NC State Park System and transferred to other agencies for management.

When the State Historic Site system was established in 1955, the system's first six components were historic properties transferred from the State Park System.[32][33][34]

One unit, Rendezvous Mountain, was transferred back to the park system, after 66 years in the state forest system.[Note 1][14][13]

Former unit Web-
site 		Region Counties Size † Established Removed Status Remarks
Battle of Alamance[33][34] [63] Template:NtshPiedmont Alamance[35] Template:Convert[35] 1953[35][34] 1955[33] Open The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
Boone's Cave State Park[36][33] [64] Template:NtshPiedmont Davidson[37] Template:Convert[36] 1971[37][33] 2002[38] Open Formerly managed by Morrow Mountain State Park, Boone's Cave is now a Davidson County Park.
Brunswick Town[33][34] [65] Template:NtshCoast Brunswick[35] Template:Convert[35] 1952[35][34] 1955[33] Open The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
Cape Hatteras State Park[33][34] [66] Template:NtshCoast Dare[39] Template:Convert[39] 1935[33][39][34] 1952[33][34] Open Cape Hatteras State Park was located adjacent to Cape Hatteras Light, and it was transferred to the larger Cape Hatteras National Seashore.[33][34]
Charles B. Aycock Birthplace[33][34] [67] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Wayne[35] Template:Convert[35] 1951[35][34] 1955[33] Open The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
Frutchey State Park[40] [68] Template:NtshPiedmont Montgomery[40][35] Template:Convert[35] 1937[40][35][34] 1955[40][33] Open The park was named after L. D. Frutchey, who donated the core property to the state, and it was later renamed "Town Creek State Park". The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system, becoming known as Town Creek Indian Mound.[40]
Hiwassee Lake State Park[33][34] Template:NtshMountains Cherokee[39] Template:Convert[39] 1948[33][39][34] 1952[33][34] The state leased land around Hiwassee Lake from the Tennessee Valley Authority for a few years.[33][34]
James Iredell House[33][34] [69] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Chowan[35] Template:Convert[35] 1951[35][34] 1955[33] Open The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
Reedy Creek State Park[33][34] [70] Template:NtshPiedmont Wake[35] Template:Convert[33][35] 1950[33] 1966[33][34] Open Formed as a segregated park for black citizens, it was merged with William B. Umstead State Park during desegregation.[33][34]
Sandhills State Recreation Area[34] [71] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Richmond 1939[34] 1941[34] Open Transferred to Wildlife Resources Commission.[34] Now part of the Sandhills Game Land.
Tryon Palace[33][34] [72] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Craven[35] Template:Convert[35] 1952[35][34] 1955[33] Open The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
Waynesborough State Park[41][33] [73] Template:NtshCoastal Plain Wayne[41] Template:Convert[41] 1979[41][33] 2003[42] Open Formerly managed by Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, the park is now owned and managed by the Old Waynesborough Commission, a non-profit corporation.
† Size while the unit was part of the park system

See also

Notes

Template:Reflist

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Protected areas of North Carolina Template:US state navigation box Template:Lists of state parks by U.S. state

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SysOverview
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ParkDir
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CABE-History
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CABE-GMP-Land
  5. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ParkSize
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NicheGuide-HangingRock
  7. ↑ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NicheGuide-Waccamaw
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NicheGuide-MedocMtn
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NicheGuide-MorrowMtn
  10. ↑ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NicheGuide-Pettigrew
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named StateParksBook-PilotMtn
  12. ↑ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2019-138
  13. ↑ a b c Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Matheson-named-super
  14. ↑ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named StateParkHistory
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2021-180-Bakers
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FortFisherGMP
  17. ↑ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2008-155
  18. ↑ a b c Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2017-177
  19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NicheGuide-Hemlock
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2021-55
  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2021-54
  22. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2023-63
  23. ↑ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2015-113
  24. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2023-36
  25. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2017-57
  26. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2000-157
  27. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2019-74
  28. ↑ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2019-20
  29. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2021-180-Roanoke
  30. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2023-134
  31. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Rainbow-Falls-Trail
  32. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named StateHistoricSites-Foreword
  33. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ParkSystemHistory
  34. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Crossroads
  35. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 15th-Biennial-DCD
  36. ↑ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Profile-BoonesCave
  37. ↑ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named StateParksBook-BoonesCave
  38. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2002-149
  39. ↑ a b c d e f Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 14th-Biennial-DCD
  40. ↑ a b c d e Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named StateHistoricSites-TownCreek
  41. ↑ a b c d Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ProfileWAYN
  42. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SL2003-234


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