Raven Rock State Park

About Raven Rock State Park

If you've felt the urge to travel and explore during a busy working week, head to Raven Rock State Park for an adventure of your own.

One of the first feelings you will probably experience on the Rock of the Raven is that of renewal: the forest is the highest good, with a timeless cycle of growth that continues throughout the year to heal the old age and old wounds that man has inflicted. While plants compete with each other in the stages of forest succession, nature triumphs over man to restore forests to their natural state of health and vitality.

High above the Cape Fear River stands the Raven Rock, which, despite its barren beauty, bears witness to the forces that have shaped this country. As the river flows into the sea, the elements of nature continue to shape the surface of this natural monument. Spend some time in Raven Rock State Park and let nature refresh your mind with the beauty of nature and North Carolina's history.

For more information about Raven Rock State Park, please contact the North Carolina Department of Parks and Recreation at (919) 888-486-8477.

Raven Rock State Park is located in an area where hard, tough rock ledges give way to soft soft rock sediments of the coastal plain. Raven Rock, a huge crystalline structure that rises 150 feet, is formed from the rocks in the area below, which were formed more than 400 million years ago by intense heat and pressure. Over time, flowing water and swirling winds have eroded the land and shaped the rock into its present shape.

Originally it was called Patterson Rock, after an early settler who found refuge there when his canoe capsized nearby. The name was changed to Raven Rock in the late 19th century, inspired by the location of the rock on the eastern shore of the Atlantic Ocean and its proximity to the New Jersey coast.

In the mid-17th century, European settlers arrived in the area, which had been hunted by Siouan and Tuscarora Indians for thousands of years. The first settlers were primarily hunters and trappers looking for higher terrain, and the first settler was primarily hunters - trappers looking for high terrain.

When the forests returned, much of the land was cut down for timber and later shops, mills and quarries were built. Today, many of these forests are still managed in the same way as they were in the past, with a few exceptions.

The Raleigh-Fayetteville road crossed the Cape Fear River, which served as the region's main transportation route, and Raven Rock became an important landmark for river pilots. Locks and dams were built along the river to facilitate navigation for boats, but these structures were replaced after a hurricane destroyed a lock and dam in 1859. The railroad made river traffic superfluous, and when a new road was built, the ferries closed and the Raven Rock became a popular holiday resort.

The remains of the Northington lock and dam are still visible in the park, as are the remains of a wooden bridge over the river and some other structures.

Interest in preserving the area as a national park grew and citizens organized themselves to support the project. In 1969, the General Assembly passed a law establishing the park, and in 1969, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Park Service organized volunteers and citizens to support the projects.

More than 220 acres of land were purchased and Burlington Industries donated 170 acres, and additional land was purchased to bring the park to its current size of 2,000 acres.

Backpack campsites, available for families and groups, offer the opportunity to enjoy the wilderness without distraction. All supplies, including water, must be packed on site, water included and no more than one gallon of water per person per day.

The Family Wilderness Campsites consist of five pitches for up to four people, equipped with tent mats, a fireplace and a secure toilet. Follow the Campbell Creek Loop Trail to reach the plots of land available on a "first - come, first served" basis. You must register your vehicle for camping and obtain a camping permit at the park office.

The Cape Fear River has a fireplace and toilets and can accommodate up to 20 people per campsite. The Little Creek Loop Trail leads to group wilderness camping about 2 km from the parking lot.

The grounds are located along the river in a flat mooring area and have a fire ring and secure toilets. Use of this area is subject to reservation. Click here to download a map of the Cape Fear River and Little Creek Loop Trail for more information.

The canoe campsite is located about 5 km from the park office and is not accessible by car. Canoeists should contact the park office before travelling and not drive more than 10 km to this campsite.

A section of the Cape Fear Canoe Trail runs through the park, and the entire route runs 56 miles along the River Fear. Boats signal the location of the canoe camps in the parks and a buoy signals the entrance to the Lanier Falls Rapids about 5 km from the campsite. The section between the canoe campground and the canoe trail Laniers Falls connects to a section of the Cape Angst Canoes Trail that runs in and around the park.

Spring floods make the river dangerous for canoeists, and they should be careful and always wear a life jacket. Before you start canoeing, check the current water level in the park office and check the current water level before you start canoeing.

There is a fish trap at the mouth of Campbell Creek, and wild fish in the water include blue-tongue trout, blue-eye, white-footed trout and other species. Other interesting species are bees such as the red leg frog, the black and white striped frog and the black and white pike.

Fishing is permitted only during the park period, and fishermen must have a state fishing permit.

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission regulations are enforced and fishing is permitted in the park only during park time and only on private land.

Rabenfelsen offers a variety of hiking trails and hiking trails with panoramic views invite you to a trip through the park. Raven Rock State Park, a national park in North Carolina, invites visitors to take their families, friends and family members on hikes and camping trips.

You can walk or ride to one of the park's many hiking trails, as well as a variety of other hiking and camping sites.

The Raven Rock Loop Trail leads through the deciduous forest to the heart of the park at the Ravenfelsen. The stone balcony path overlooks the river and the floodplain behind it, and wooden stairs at the head of a river slope lead to an area with overhangs where river banks provide a place to study the area below the overhang.

Further hiking trails offer access to fishing holes and idyllic scenery, and information on distances and difficulties can be found on the park map.

The adjacent parkland is private property, so please respect the rights of landowners and not interfere with them. Seven kilometers of trails for horse riding offer a variety of different types of riding as well as a wide range of other activities.

Horses are not allowed on the trails and in heavy rain the trails can become very muddy.

Please avoid these paths at all times to avoid injuries to horses and damage to natural resources. Visitors with horses must be able to provide a negative test for equine anemia (Coggin) before visiting North Carolina State Parks.

Please contact the parking office for more information on the organisation of a group class or for further information. Rangers regularly hold group courses for children from 5 years and adults.

The programme is accompanied by a teacher's booklet and a workshop, which is free of charge for teachers. This program at the Raven Rock introduces the students to the geological processes of the fall zone. This program is designed for grades 5-8 and is based on North Carolina's competencies. It is open to all students in grades 3-6.

Raven Rock State Park is located at the intersection of US 421 and US 421, which will take you east from US 1 to the North Carolina State University campus.

Take I-95 to 40 South on US 421, turn left onto Raven Rock Road and follow it for 2 miles to the park. Turn left onto Raven Rock Road and then right at the intersection of RavenRock Road on the campus of North Carolina State University. After passing Lillington, you can turn east on Northside Drive and then follow Ravenrock Road for another 3-4 miles, turn left and follow it until you pass the N.C. Department of Natural Resources office building.