Topics Related to Paddling

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area – New Hope Overlook Access

Location: Chatham County, 29 miles southwest of downtown Raleigh

At the park, you can find: 14,000-acre Jordan Lake reservoir and the bald eagle

Highlights at this access: moderately difficult hiking loops; short hike-in backpack camping; day-use boat ramps

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area – Ebenezer Church Access

Location: Chatham County, 26 miles west of downtown Raleigh

At the park, you can find: 14,000-acre Jordan Lake reservoir and the bald eagle

Highlights at this access: 24-hour boat ramp; accessible swim beach; easy trails; picnic areas and shelters; best access for windsurfing

Jones Lake State Park

Location: Bladen County, 35 miles southeast of Fayetteville

You can find: two Carolina bay lakes: Jones Lake and Salters Lake; red-cockaded woodpeckers that live in the bay forest

Highlights: full hook-up RV camping; tea-colored waters of the lake; long hikes on easy trails; swim beach; picnic shelter; boat rentals

Jockey's Ridge State Park – Soundside Access

Location: Dare County, in the Outer BanksAt the park, you can find: the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic coast, gray fox, American beach grass, and fulguritesHighlights at this access: wetlands, grassy dunes, maritime thickets; swim beach on Roanoke Sound; kiteboarding; windsurfing; paddling access

Hanging Rock State Park – Dan River Access

Location: Stokes County, 30 miles north of Winston-Salem

At this park, you can find: rock outcroppings with scenic vistas, Schweinitz's sunflower, and Wehrle's salamander

Highlights at this access: paddling access on the Dan; easy, riverside trail; connects to main access via Indian Creek Trail

Hanging Rock State Park – Main Access

Location: Stokes County, 32 miles north of Winston-Salem

At this park, you can find: rock outcroppings with scenic vistas, Schweinitz's sunflower, and Wehrle's salamander

Highlights at this access: hiking to Hanging Rock, Wolf Rock, Moore's Knob and three waterfalls; CCC structures; park lake; camping; cabins; visitor center

Hammocks Beach State Park

Location: Onslow County, 19 miles east of Jacksonville

You can find: Bear Island, a 4-mile-long, undeveloped barrier island, and sea turtle nests, including loggerhead turtles, who nest above the high tide line at the island

Highlights: Beach camping (backpack via ferry or paddle-in); seasonal ferry; paddle trails

Goose Creek State Park

Location: Beaufort County, 34 miles southeast of Greenville

You can find: a large live oak tree with branches hanging over the Pamlico River, great blue herons, and green tree frogs

Highlights: Pamlico River and Goose Creek; full hook-up RV camping; camper cabins; swamp boardwalk; butterfly garden

Fort Macon State Park

Location: Carteret County, 39 miles southeast of New Bern

You can find: a restored 19th century-era fort, diverse barrier island habitat, and birds such as the painted bunting

Highlights: daily tours; cannon and musket demonstrations; exhibits; beach access

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Location: New Hanover County, 18 miles south of Wilmington

You can find: loggerhead sea turtles, salt marsh, and an observation deck with views of Zeke's Island

Highlights: four-wheel-drive beach; surf fishing; 24-hour pedestrian beach access; nearby boat ramp