Raven Rock State Park is a North Carolina state park that covers 4,810 acres along the banks of the Cape Fear River in Harnett County, about 40 miles southwest of Raleigh. The park is named after the 150-foot-high Raven Rock, a crystalline structure that overlooks the river and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It is home to various natural features, such as rapids, waterfalls, creeks, tributaries, wildflowers, and diverse wildlife, such as deer, foxes, raccoons, beavers, otters, and birds.

Raven Rock State Park: Attractions

One of the main attractions of Raven Rock State Park is its network of hiking trails, which total 26 miles and range from easy to strenuous. The Raven Rock Loop Trail is the most popular trail, which is 2.6 miles long and leads to the Raven Rock itself. It has a wooden staircase that descends 150 steps to the base of the rock, where visitors can admire the sheer cliffs and the river below. 

The trail also has an overlook that provides a panoramic view of the rock and the surrounding forest. Other trails in the park include the Campbell Creek Loop Trail, which is 5 miles long and passes by several creek crossings and rapids; the Lanier Falls Trail, which is 1.4 miles long and leads to a scenic waterfall; and the Northington Ferry Trail, which is 1.5 miles long and follows the route of an old ferry that operated during the Civil War.

Biking and Horseback Riding

Raven Rock State Park offers 13.5 miles of biking trails and 8 miles of bridle trails for those who prefer to explore the park on wheels or horseback. The biking trails are in the Avents Creek Access, a separate entrance from the main park. They are mostly single-track and have varying difficulty levels, from easy to advanced. They are located in the East and West Bridle Trail Loops, accessible from the main park. The trails are wide, flat, and suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike.

Camping and Picnicking

For those who want to extend their stay at Raven Rock State Park, the park offers several options for camping and picnicking. The park has a campground with 20 sites, 6 of which have full hook-ups for RVs. The campground also has five camper cabins, which are rustic wooden structures that accommodate up to 6 people. It has a bathhouse with showers and toilets, a dump station, and a firewood vending machine. 

The park also has six backpack camping sites and five paddle-in camping sites located along the Cape Fear River. The backpack camping sites are accessible by hiking 1.7 to 2.4 miles from the parking lot, while the paddle-in camping sites are accessible by canoeing or kayaking 1.5 to 8.5 miles from the nearest boat launch.

Plan Your Visit

Raven Rock State Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in spring and fall, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in summer. The park is closed on Christmas Day. They do not charge any fees for day use, but fees are charged for camping, facility rentals, and certain event permits. The phone number is (910) 893-4888.