A True Hidden Gem, Lumber River State Park Is Perfect For North Carolina Nature Lovers

When you want to get outside and get some fresh air, there’s one particular park that North Carolina nature lovers will especially enjoy, and that’s Lumber River State Park. This massive 13,659-acre state park spans four different counties, yet it still feels like you’ve found a little hidden gem in the Tar Heel State.

There are two access areas to the park, which are about an hour away from each other.

One is Princess Ann and the other is Chalk Banks. Both offer plenty of activities, hiking trails, camping opportunities, and scenic views to enjoy.

Between the two, you've got over five miles of trails to explore.

The hiking trails are a wonderful way to see the park's scenery.

And they're easy enough that even the youngest North Carolina nature lovers will enjoy them.

The crown jewel of the park is the 115-mile stretch of the Lumber River, one of the most unique rivers in North Carolina.

It's also some of the most scenic. So scenic, in fact, that it was designated a National Wild and Scenic River by the National Park Service, and it's the only blackwater river in North Carolina to receive that honor!

Spending an afternoon paddling down this river is a wonderful adventure that'll show you an entirely new perspective of the park.

As you weave in and out of the cypress trees, keep an eye out for wildlife along the way! You never know when you'll be greeted with a beaver or a river otter enjoying the river.

Check out Lumber River State Park's website for more information including camping and trail maps. Lumber River State Park is just one of the 41 state parks in North Carolina. These are 15 of the most beautiful state parks in North Carolina.