Raven Rock State Park - The Campbell Creek, Lanier Falls, and Raven Rock Loop Trails - Lillington, NC
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” - Confucius
“You can destroy your now by worrying about tomorrow” - Janis Joplin
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary ... Quoth the Raven, Nevermore.” - Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven
The Story -
Saturday was Ginger’s birthday and much to my delight, she wanted to go on a hike for her special day! That’s probably not a shock to those who know her, yet I was still pleasantly surprised by her choice. We ended up doing our longest hike of the fall, nine miles on a combination of trails at the beautiful Raven Rock State Park near Lillington, North Carolina.
Raven Rock State Park -
Raven Rock State Park is a large park that covers nearly 4700 acres along the banks of the Cape Fear River on the edge of the Piedmont Region in Eastern North Carolina. The Park is steeped in history as the Siouan and Tuscarora Indians hunted the area long before the European settlers arrived in the area in the mid-18th century. Its name is doubly inspired by an immense 150ft high mile-long crystalline rock structure that towers high above the Cape Fear River and the numerous sightings of ravens roosting high up on its ledges. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any ravens on our hike but we were able to get up close to the massive and seemingly out-of-place cliffs. The Park has over twenty miles of well-maintained hiking trails that vary in difficulty from easy to moderate, an additional twenty miles of biking and bridle trails, and opportunities for paddling and overnight camping.
Spill The Tea -
We arrived at the entrance of the Park around noon not anticipating to encounter a long line of cars waiting to enter the park. The possibility that we might have to wait to enter the park never crossed my mind; surprisingly, it was the first time I had experienced such a dilemma. I frequently dismiss potential hikes due to the overcrowding potential. Fortunately for us, we were able to enter the park after only a brief twenty-minute wait. Parking at the visitor’s center, we opted to start on the lesser-known and less-crowded Campbell Creek Loop Trail, then took a connector trail to the Lanier Falls before finishing up on the park’s namesake and most popular trail, the Raven Rock Loop Trail.
Add Some Cream and Sugar -
The family-friendly Campbell Creek Loop Trail never strays very far from the creek and thus provides many opportunities to get up close to the amazingly clear and rolling water. We encountered dozens of people, including many joyous and boisterous children playing around and even in the creek. Along the way, we also passed many rapids, wooden bridges, large rock outcroppings similar to those found much further west, and several downed trees crossing over the creek. Taking a connector trail, we descended to Lanier Falls, a two-hundred-foot-wide, three-foot drop waterfall stretching the entire length of the Cape Fear River. While not as dramatic as taller waterfalls, its width is truly spectacular and unlike anything I had ever seen. After a snack break and multiple pictures, we returned to the Campbell Creek Loop Trail and followed it back to the visitor’s center where we started the Raven Rock Loop Trail. The wide Raven Rock Loop Trail leads you to a long, wooden staircase that takes you to the base of the soaring one-hundred-fifty-foot cliffs the park is named for and stunning views of the broad and mighty Cape Fear River.
Wrap It Up -
Located among acres and acres of flat farmland in the Eastern Piedmont of North Carolina, The Raven Rock State Park is a pleasant surprise with terrain similar to parks and trails found hundreds of miles to the west in the mountains. Its location along the fall zone between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain gives rise to several geological oddities that have to be seen to be believed. It is truly marvelous and should be on your list of hikes to experience. Give it try, maybe this weekend! Just be sure to get there early to avoid the wait.
Sassafras and Skinks