Catalog: Find a State Park Access

Eno River State Park – Pump Station Access

Location: Durham County, 8 miles northwest of downtown Durham

At the park, you can find: a shallow, rocky river corridor combined with upland forests; the endangered Carolina madtom

Falls Lake State Recreation Area – B.W. Wells Group Campround

Location: Wake County, 22 miles north of downtown Raleigh

At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall

Highlights at this access: hike-in group camping; campers-only hiking trails and boat ramp

Falls Lake State Recreation Area – Beaverdam Access

Location: Wake County, 20 miles north of downtown Raleigh

At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall

Highlights at this access: mountain bike trails; accessible fishing and swim beach; non-gas boating on Beaverdam Lake; easy hiking trails

Falls Lake State Recreation Area – Highway 50 Access

Location: Wake County, 19 miles north of downtown Raleigh

At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall

Highlights at this access: boat ramp; picnic area; dam that divides Beaverdam Lake and Falls Lake

Falls Lake State Recreation Area – Holly Point Campground

Location: Wake County, 18 miles north of Raleigh

At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall

Highlights at this access: tent, trailer and RV camping; campers-only boat ramp, swim beach and hiking trail

Falls Lake State Recreation Area – Rolling View Access

Location: Durham County, 12 miles east of downtown Durham

At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall

Falls Lake State Recreation Area – Sandling Access

Location: Wake County, 20 miles north of downtown Raleigh

At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall

Highlights at this access: seasonal access; accessible swim beach; several picnic areas and shelters; hiking trails

Falls Lake State Recreation Area – Shinleaf Campground

Location: Wake County, 17 miles north of downtown Raleigh

At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall

Highlights at this access: backpack camping with access to Falls Lake Trail (Mountains-to-Sea State Trail); drive-in group camping

Falls Lake State Recreation Area – Visitor Center

Location: Wake County, 18 miles north of downtown Raleigh

At the park, you can find: 12,000-acre Falls Lake reservoir and monarch butterflies in the spring and fall

Highlights at this access: visitor center; fishing dock; Mountains-to-Sea State Trail

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

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

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

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