LILLINGTON — April is Earth Month, a time dedicated to environmental awareness and sustainability, making it a fitting time to appreciate the region’s natural landscapes, including one of its scenic destinations — Raven Rock State Park.
Just under an hour's drive from Fayetteville, Raven Rock State Park in Lillington is one of several state parks nearby that offer opportunity to connect with nature. The 4,800-acre park hugs the banks of the Cape Fear River and features more than 30 miles of trails. According to the park’s website, the trails range in difficulty from easy to advanced and include options for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Distances vary from quarter-mile loops to 10-mile treks.
The park’s signature Raven Rock Loop Trail is a 2.6-mile path through a canopy of trees, over creeks and down a steep descent into the cavernous rock formation known as Raven Rock.
Valerie Stevenson took the opportunity recently to bring her children to the park during their spring break.
"This is my first time coming here to Raven Rock, and it's just amazing to see this natural formation that over time, the water erosion has created," Stevenson said April 16. "It's beautiful weather out here and the nature is amazing."
If you’re looking to explore Raven Rock State Park for yourself, here are four things to do there.
Chill beneath the cliffs
According to the park's map, the 150-foot-tall feature for which the park is named is its signature feature. Visitors descend a steep staircase to reach the base and take in the view. In mid-April, several people explored the area with walking sticks in hand, while others found cool, shaded spots beneath the rock formations to relax and read.
In addition to the Rock itself, the park has nine hiking trails, two horseback bridle trails, five biking trails, a dedicated picnic area and a visitor center.
The Cape Fear River
The Cape Fear River cuts through the heart of the park, adding a tranquil soundtrack to many of the trails, with small streams and brooks curving through hardwoods to join the river. Once used for trade and transportation, today the river near Raven Rock is a peaceful place to fish, kayak or just enjoy the serenity.
According to the park map, the Lanier Falls and Fish Traps trails provide the best access for those looking to get closer to the water. Anglers interested in game fish such as largemouth bass, warmouth, bluegill, catfish and green sunfish, need to have a valid North Carolina inland fishing license.
For canoeists and kayakers, the 56-mile-long Cape Fear Canoe Trail begins at the U.S. 1 bridge over Deep River, with a portion of the trail running through Raven Rock State Park. While there is no paddle launch within the park, paddlers can launch from a few places up stream including from Cape Fear River Adventures, 100 S. Main St., Lillington., about 9 miles from the park.
The overlook platform
A short walk from the Raven Rock Loop Trail leads to the overlook platform perched 150 feet above the riverbank. It’s a peaceful place to catch your breath after tackling the steep ascent back from the base of Raven Rock. Snap a photo from the platform or enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valley for miles through the canopy. The overlook offers a chance to catch your breath before finishing the trail.
Camping
Raven Rock State Park provides a range of camping options for outdoor enthusiasts, including backpack and paddle-in campsites where visitors must carry in all supplies, including water, according to the park map.
The Moccasin Branch campground has 15 sites for tents and trailers with no hookups for $26 a night, along with nine RV sites equipped with full hook-ups at $36. For those without a tent or trailer, the park features six camper cabins — with one designed to be wheelchair accessible, the map said. Cabins cost $78 per night, with a two-night minimum stay. For information on rentals visit https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/raven-rock-state-park/camping#CamperCabins-6820.
The details
Address: 3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington
Phone: 910-893-4888
Hours: Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., November through February; Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., March, April, September and October; Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., May through August.
On the web:ncparks.gov/state-parks/raven-rock-state-park
Reporter Lizmary Evans covers dining, retail, entertainment and culture for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at [email protected].