Chimney Rock State Park – Chimney Rock Access
Location: Rutherford County, 25 miles southeast of Asheville
At the park, you can find: peregrine falcons, rock gnome lichen, green salamanders, lampshade spiders, and white irisette
Catalog: Find a State Park Access
Filter the list of North Carolina state parks and accesses based on camping options, available facilities, activities, and/or region. Parks with multiple accesses have them listed individually. You can also use the search field.
Check our Park Notices page for important visitor information. Status of trails are listed at the top of the park's home page.
21 results found
Chimney Rock State Park – Rumbling Bald Access
Location: Rutherford County, 27 miles southeast of Asheville
At the park, you can find: peregrine falcons, rock gnome lichen, green salamanders, lampshade spiders, and white irisette
Elk Knob State Park
Location: Watauga County, 11 miles north of Boone
You can find: Gray's lily, trailing wolfsbane, large purple-fringed orchid, and flame azalea
Highlights: the summit, offering views from one of the highest peaks in the high country; cross country skiing and snowshoeing on ungroomed trail; backpack and zone camping
Gorges State Park – Frozen Creek Access
Location: Transylvania County, near the NC/SC/GA tripoint
At this park, you can find: 26 remote waterfalls and over 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest that host extraordinary biodiversity
Highlights at this access: free backcountry camping; multiuse trails; access to the Foothills Trail and Lake Jocassee
Gorges State Park – Grassy Ridge Access
Location: Transylvania County, near the NC/SC/GA tripoint
At this park, you can find: 26 remote waterfalls and over 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest that host extraordinary biodiversity
Highlights at this access: Upper Bearwallow Falls; visitor center; modern family campground
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Location: Avery County, 13 miles southwest of Boone
You can find: over 70 species of rare, threatened and endangered plants and animals
Highlights: Grandfather Profile; backcountry camping; free hiking access to more than 13 miles of trail
Park home page
Park Office – 9872 N.C. 105 S., Suite 6, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Lake James State Park – Canal Bridge Boat Ramp
Location: Burke County, 50 miles east of Asheville
At the park, you can find: Lake James and its resident bald eagles
Highlights at this access: 24-hour boat ramp; easy put-in access to paddle-in campsites (reservations required) on Long Arm peninsula
Lake James State Park – Catawba River Access
Location: McDowell County, 50 miles east of Asheville
At the park, you can find: Lake James and its resident bald eagles
Highlights at this access: Sandy Cliff and Lake Channel overlooks; walk-in backpack camping; large group rental that includes picnic shelter and swimming area
Lake James State Park – Hidden Cove Boat Ramp
Location: McDowell County, 50 miles east of Asheville
At the park, you can find: Lake James and its resident bald eagles
Highlights at this access: boat ramp
Lake James State Park – Paddy's Creek Access
Location: Burke County, 50 miles east of Asheville
At the park, you can find: Lake James and its resident bald eagles
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
Location: Ashe County, 26 miles northeast of Boone
You can find: Luther Rock and over 700 species of plants
Highlights: drive-up overlooks along the park road, showcasing great views; annual downhill skateboarding event; moderate to strenuous hikes
Mount Mitchell State Park
Location: Yancey County, 32 miles northeast of Asheville
You can find: the tallest mountain on the East Coast and fraser firs
Highlights: the observation deck, with unmatched views on a clear day; backpacking and hiking access into Pisgah and other peaks in the Black Mountains
New River State Park – Alleghany Access
Location: Alleghany County, 39 miles northeast of Boone
At the park, you can find: 26.5 miles of the New River; the hellbender salamander; 14 rare and threatened species of flora
Highlights at this access: paddle-in access only; hiking trails; use Kings Creek access for parking
New River State Park – Elk Shoals Access
Location: Ashe County, 27 miles northeast of Boone
At the park, you can find: 26.5 miles of the New River; the hellbender salamander; 14 rare and threatened species of flora
Highlights at this access: Chapel on the New facility rental; southernmost access of the state park
New River State Park – Kings Creek Access
Location: Alleghany County, 39 miles northeast of Boone
At the park, you can find: 26.5 miles of the New River; the hellbender salamander; 14 rare and threatened species of flora