Free nature programs at NC State Parks

Pilot Mountain– photo by Harrison Grothoff

North Carolina State Parks offer hiking, boating, fishing, camping, paddling, picnicking and much more. We’re lucky in the Triangle that there are so many close by. Many also offer free guided hikes and nature programs.

We’ve put together a photo guide to hiking 12 North Carolina State Parks, as well as a guide to some amazing North Carolina waterfalls.

Read on for a list of North Carolina State Parks in and near the Triangle, as well as a list of events coming up at these parks. Make sure to follow the links to register and for more information.

North Carolina State Parks In or Near the Triangle

Please note that most of the parks have more than one entrance. To see all of the access points, follow the links to the official pages of the parks.

Also, follow each link to see what amenities and activities each park has to offer.

Jordan Lake State Park
280 State Park Road, Apex, NC 27523
919-362-0586

Falls Lake State Recreation Area
13304 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
919-676-1027

Eno River State Park
6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC 27705
919-383-1686

William B. Umstead State Park
8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27617
919-571-4170

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
625 Virginia Cates Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-383-1686

Haw River State Park
339 Conference Center Drive, Browns Summit, NC 27214

Mayo River State Park
500 Old Mayo Park Road, Mayodan, NC 27027

Pilot Mountain State Park
1792 Pilot Knob Park Road, Pinnacle, NC 27043

Hanging Rock State Park
1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury, NC 27016

Raven Rock State Park
3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington, NC 27546

Upcoming Events at North Carolina State Parks

Eno River State Park. Photo: Harrison Grothoff

Here’s a list of events coming up at North Carolina State Parks in or near the Triangle. All are free, unless otherwise noted. Schedule is subject to change.

Registration is required for most of these events. Follow each link for complete information and call the park to find out about registering.

Squirrel It Away
January 25th, 2023
11 a.m. to 12 pm.
Eno Rier State Park — Cole Mill Access
4390 Old Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC
Free

Have you ever forgotten where your keys are? What about your food? Well, while storing food for the winter, sometimes the squirrels around the park do exactly that, and it helps to grow the forest around us. Join a ranger at the Cole Mill shelter to learn about these crafty animals and how them forgetting food can create a forest!

Holden Mill Settlement Tour
January 25th, 2023
1 to 3 p.m.
Eno River State Park — Dumont Drive Access
999 Dumont Drive, Durham, NC
Free

Hike off-trail with a park technician to the site of a settlement associated with Holden Mill. We will tell the story of William Holden Mill, the first governor of North Carolina to face impeachment. We will discuss sensitive information regarding violence, racial discrimination, and the Ku Klux Klan during this program. Please attend with a respectful attitude and be prepared to hear about a difficult subject matter.

Winter Tree Identification Hike
Thursday, January 26th, 2023
4 to 5:30 p.m.
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
625 Virginia Cates Road, Hillsborough, NC
Free

Join a ranger at the Occoneechee picnic tables for a challenging winter tree identification hike at Occoneechee Mountain. We will hike about 1.5 miles, trying to identify as many tree species as we can, and end at the overlook in time for sunset.

Pinecone Bird Feeders
Saturday, January 28th, 2023
11 a.m to 12 p.m.
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
625 Virginia Cates Road, Hillsborough, NC
Free

Join a ranger at the Occoneechee picnic tables for craft time to create your very own bird feeder out of a pinecone, while learning what birds need to survive the cold winter.

Supplies are limited: Please RSVP with the number of guests in your party and a phone number where you can be reached in the event of changes by email at eno.river@ncparks.gov or by phone at 919-383-1686.

Occoneechee Mountain Geology and History Hike
Saturday, January 28th, 2023
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
625 Virginia Cates Road, Hillsborough, NC
Free

Learn about Occoneechee Mountain’s geologic wonders, including quartz and pyrophyllite. Explore the history of the mountain and learn how the mountain was formed. Discover the four summits and see the habitat for one of the mountain’s most elusive butterflies. Join Mr. Faw at the Occoneechee Mountain picnic tables to learn about all this and more!

Star Observation Night
Saturday, February 11th, 2023
7 to 10 p.m.
Pilot Mountain State Park — Summit Parking Lot
1721 Pilot Knob Park Road, Pinnacle, NC

Come join the Forsyth Astronomical Society for a night of stargazing at the summit of the mountain. Telescopes will be provided. This event is weather permitting, and is open to stargazers of all levels. Forsyth Astronomical members will be available to help point out features of the night sky.

Please check the park website for weather updates or call the office at 336-444-5100.