Raven Rock State Park located along the Cape Fear River features a striking landmark used by travelers in the past. Raven Rock uncharismatically for this area of the state, towers high above the river, this made it an obvious landmark for early travelers.
This is a well cared for park with many friendly rangers on staff. With a quick stop at the information center and nature exhibit, you can gather helpful information about the history of the park, and what is available to visitors.
Raven Rock Trail staircase
Raven Rock Loop Trail overlook
Here is the short list of activities available to you on your visit.
Camping – Backpacking & Canoe camping facilities only. There is NO traditional campground available here, you must hike or paddle to get to them. NOTE: You must make reservations so do so before planning a trip. Raven-Rock-Reservations
Picnicking – Wooded picnic area are covered with 20 tables and 5 grills. There is also a shelter that can be rented for special occasions.
Trails – There are a plethora of short trails from 1/2 mile to 2 miles in length. You may combine the trails for a longer hike. On the north side of the river, there are two bridle trails (Horse) that are about 4 miles long each. The bridle trails are also open for hiking. There is no provision for Mountain Biking and only trails in the park.
Paddling – The Cape Fear River Trail travels 56 miles in total and passes straight through Raven Rock State Park. There is Canoe camping allowed, but remember to get a reservation. NOTE: there are no boat launches available in the park.
Fishing – There is a myriad of gamefish in the cape fear river, remember you still need an NC fishing license.
Trails at Raven Rock State Park
On our recent visit, we stopped to hike a trail or two. We were traveling from the coast back to our home in Moravian Falls and decided to pay this park a visit. With only a few hours available to us we decided to hike the Raven Rock Trail and the Raven Rock Loop Trail. The Raven Rock Trail is a short add on to the loop trail.
The Raven Rock Loop Trail I would consider as comfortable. The trail is 2.6 miles long, very few if any hills, and it is a wide and well-maintained trail. This trail connects to the Raven Rock Trail and has access to an overlook on the Cape Fear River atop the cliff. Blazed with an orange circle, the trail is very easy to follow.
The Raven Rock Trail is a short trail that connects to the loop trail about a mile in from the trailhead. I would also consider this trail easy, it is only about 1/2 mile in length. However, it does have a staircase that drops you from the top of the bluff down to the river’s edge. There are about 130 steps that have to be descended on the way in and ascended on the way out. If you are not in shape, plan on taking your time on the steps, this is not a race.
My review of the Raven Rock State Park trail system
My overall impression of the trails and the park are very positive. NC has done a great job making this park very friendly, well maintained, and open access for us the public. The park and the trails are very family friendly, there would be no issue taking along even the smallest child onto these trails.
Raven Rock itself is worth exploring, once next to the river on the Raven Rock Trail, you can explore the river’s edge while admiring the towering cliffs of Raven Rock above you. This would be a beautiful area to pack a picnic and find a place to enjoy lunch at the foot of an age old landmark along the Cape Fear River. The Raven Rock Loop Trail purposely stays clear of the edge of the cliff but does have a scenic overlook with a stone wall. For the photography buffs out there this will be a great spot to catch that perfect sunset or sunrise.
In the couple of hours, we had to spend here, I feel we got an overall sense of the park and of Raven Rock. There are a dozen trails to follow, each will have its own unique character. The next time I am in the area I plan on hiking the west side which includes Lanier Falls, Northington Ferry, and the Fish Traps.
The park does post specific hours of operation; however, a ranger at the visitor center told me they do not lock the gates as a general rule.
Raven Rock State Park information
Raven Rock State Park
3009 Raven Rock Road
Lillington, NC 27546
Phone910-893-4888
raven.rock@ncparks.gov
Latitude: 35.459700
Longitude: -78.912700
Park Hours:
January, February: 7 am – 7 pm
March, April, May: 7 am – 9 pm
June, July, August: 7 am – 10 pm
September, October: 7 am – 9 pm
November, December: 7 am – 7 pm
Closed Christmas Day
Park Visitor Center
8 am – 5 pm daily
Closed Christmas Day
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