Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

About Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

Since the turn of the century, visitors have flocked to the site, and riverboat rides take you up and down the cliffs. You can drink mineral water from local springs to heal the sick, as well as from mineral springs in the nearby river.

However, a lot has changed since then and bottled water is unlikely to cure anything. River boats have given us a more modern means of transport, but the cliffs have remained virtually unchanged.

But the country's geological and biological history magazines consider the rock formations to be one of America's most important natural resources. Read our guide to protecting these spectacular formations to learn more about the history of these cliffs and other natural wonders in the area.

A spectacular series of cliffs stretching over 600 meters along the southern bank of the Neuse River in New Jersey, USA. From the stones one can observe the erosion forces that have dug into the rocks on the south bank of Neuse.

The cliffs were formed when a fault in the Earth's crust shifted millions of years ago, and the Neuse follows this fault line. Over time, it has cut through a coastal plain once covered by a shallow sea that has been deposited by erosion of the sea floor over the last millions of years. Part of the bank has buckled, part buckles and water erosion is slowly eroding the cliffs along the Neuse.

Much of the human history of this area revolves around the river and has been used for excursions into the surrounding wilderness. The present park was once inhabited by the Tuscarora and Saponi Indian tribes and was once present in the park, but much of its history revolves around this river.

Early European settlers established a trading centre in Whitehall (now Seven Springs) as the first English settlement in the area. During the Revolutionary War, stagecoach lines and river traffic supported the growth of the city, and the Neuse played a role in its development.

In the early 20th century Whitehall was known for its mineral water cures, and in 1864 the CSS Neuse armored ship was built to fight the US Army's siege of New York City. The city itself was bombed by Union cannons and largely destroyed, but the destroyed ship ran aground in the river and had to be destroyed to prevent its capture.

On an area of only a few square metres, there are seven springs that are supposed to produce water with varying chemical content. Visitors can check in to a hotel to drink the mineral water or take a riverboat trip to the cliffs. Locals say that while the minerals in the water do not cure the sick, corn whisky can make people forget what has plagued them since the beginning. A gallon of water a day is enough to cause misery to many people in New York City and even more elderly people.

In the 1920s the village was damaged by fire and never fully recovered. In 1944 the local landowner Lionel Weil proposed to preserve the rocky area of the Neuse as a national park. The park was founded in 1945 and the land on the south side of the river was donated by Weils and other individuals to the Wayne Foundation.

Through additional purchases and donations, the park was enlarged to its present size of 751 hectares. East of the river, another 200 hectares of land were added, and with additional purchases and donations, it was expanded to its present size of 7,51 hectares, with a total area of 1,842 hectares.

The family campsites on the cliffs of the Neuse are located in a wooded area near the park office.

Tents and trailers are set up in thirty to five locations, each with picnic tables and barbecues, in one of them tents or trailers.

Occupancy is limited to one family of six per site and there is no water or electricity. Water is available in several places on the campsites, but there are no washhouses, hot showers or electricity centrally located. Near the entrance to the campsite is a dump with a water supply of about 1,000 gallons per day.

The family campsites are open from 15 March to 30 November and from 1 April to 30 June, two days a week.

These places have picnic tables, fireplaces and barbecues, and drinking water and mine water is nearby. Campers are not allowed to leave the park or close it after 8 am in case of a medical emergency. The gates of the parks are closed during the indicated closing hours, except for the family campsites and the primitive camp. Some parts of the park are set up as primitive camps for organized groups and some as family campsites.

Group camping is possible all year round and can be reached via the Spanish Moosweg, but reservation is required for the use of this area.

An 11 hectare artificial lake for refreshment, as well as a picnic area with picnic tables, picnic benches and a water park.

The banks of the Neuse River provide a picturesque place to wet your leash, and the river and its tributaries are home to a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds of prey. White hickory tanks migrate from the rivers in spring, as does the white-legged tortoise. A state fishing license is required, but Wildlife Resources Commission regulations can be enforced under the Fish and Wildlife Act and the New York State Code.

The lakeside picnic area has $8 barbecue places at 60 picnic tables, and there is drinking water and toilets nearby. The shade of the huge pine trees offers a magnificent view of the Neuse and its tributaries, as well as the river and lakes.

The picnic area in the park is ideal for large gatherings, and the covered brick building has twelve tables and two fireplaces.

The use of the shelter is free of charge and will be served first if no reservation is required, but to ensure that it is available, we ask for a reservation. The shelter will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and weekends.

A fence-lined path runs along the shore and follows the cliffs to enjoy a magnificent view of the river. The path ends at the top of a cliff, and a path surrounds the fence that leads down to the shore.

The path is lined with oaks, dogwood and other trees, which often obscure the view of the river. An observation area at the foot of a steep slope offers visitors a view over the rock face.

Although the cliffs have been formed over millions of years, they have been destroyed by the irresponsible actions of man. Climbing these cliffs is not allowed to preserve these beautiful formations, but climbing these rocks can cause serious damage.

Mill Creek was once home to a grain mill, while Still Creek is home to a state-run whiskey distillery.

Today the area where the river flows into the Neuse serves as a fishing spot and nature experience.

Follow the park's path to Mill Creek, a creek that was once used for the production of moonlight corn flour.

The cliffs of Neuse State Park are located on the eastern edge of the largest national park in New York State. Four hiking trails are accessible from the parking lot near the museum, each less than a mile long and offering views of Mill Creek, Still Creek and the river and cliffs.

From Goldsboro, turn right onto NC 111 and travel approximately 50 miles east on US 70 to US 40, then take I-40 about 40 miles west to the entrance to Neuse State Park.

Turn left to cross the Neuse at the park entrance, then left onto US 70 to US 40 and then right onto NC 111 to the entrance to Neusing State Park.

Turn right on Park Entrance Road, turn north on NC 111 and left on US 70 to US 40 and then right on NC 110 to the entrance to Neusing State Park. From South North Carolina: NC 55 to East 40, then North to North 40 until you turn right at the parking lot on the north side of the road into the park entrance.