Trails Program Rules and Safety

Home , Carvers Creek State Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Crowders Mountain, Dismal Swamp State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Eno River State Park

Swimming is permitted in designated areas only. areas designated in permitted is Swimming

o . [email protected] at us email or 919-707-9300, at office

Crowders Mountain State Park State Mountain Crowders discovery.

www.ncdot.org/dmv/

of the park. Just contact the park office or our Raleigh Raleigh our or office park the contact Just park. the of

prohibited.

Many parks have exciting exhibit halls for self-guided self-guided for halls exhibit exciting have parks Many plate. a purchase

The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is is beverages alcoholic of consumption or possession The

o www.ncparks.gov/partf at Website

in detail as well as the unique natural and historic aspects aspects historic and natural unique the as well as detail in

and social studies into hands-on field trips for schools. schools. for trips field hands-on into studies social and

Division of Motor Vehicles to to Vehicles Motor of Division

to community centers to greenways. Visit the trust fund’s fund’s trust the Visit greenways. to centers community to These brochures include park maps and describe facilities facilities describe and maps park include brochures These Camping is permitted in designated areas, by permit only. permit by areas, designated in permitted is Camping o

Parks have their own curriculum guides that tie science science tie that guides curriculum own their have Parks Carolina North the Contact

We also offer specialized brochures for many of our parks. parks. our of many for brochures specialized offer also We included diverse recreation initiatives from playgrounds playgrounds from initiatives recreation diverse included Fires are permitted in designated areas only. areas designated in permitted are Fires

o Environmental Education Learning Experiences Learning Education Environmental

recreation opportunities. Projects have have Projects opportunities. recreation

Falls, Jordan and Kerr Lake State Recreation Areas. Recreation State Lake Kerr and Jordan Falls,

www.ncfsp.org Parks. State of Friends

before your visit. your before local governments to improve improve to governments local

firearms. Accordingly, concealed handguns are prohibited at at prohibited are handguns concealed Accordingly, firearms.

for personalized plates). Additional fees support the the support fees Additional plates). personalized for

of Engineers and subject to separate regulations governing governing regulations separate to subject and Engineers of of educational programs and special events. Check it out out it Check events. special and programs educational of

grant funds for for funds grant

There is a $30 fee in addition to regular license fees ($60 ($60 fees license regular to addition in fee $30 a is There

Division managed properties are owned by the U.S. Army Corps Corps Army U.S. the by owned are properties managed Division

each park is provided as well as an up-to-date calendar calendar up-to-date an as well as provided is park each

Fund also provides provides also Fund

acting under this exception should take notice that certain certain that notice take should exception this under acting Support North Carolina state parks with a license plate. license a with parks state Carolina North Support

kayaking and rock climbing. Contact information for for information Contact climbing. rock and kayaking

and Recreation Trust Trust Recreation and prohibited in state park visitor centers and offices. Persons Persons offices. and centers visitor park state in prohibited

reservations and special outdoor activities such as cycling, cycling, as such activities outdoor special and reservations

G.S. 14-269 and G.S. 14-415.11. All firearms and weapons are are weapons and firearms All 14-415.11. G.S. and 14-269 G.S. The North Carolina Parks Parks Carolina North The

www.ncparkstore.com

permitted areas & under the requirements of North Carolina Carolina North of requirements the under & areas permitted can be downloaded plus details on park facilities, fees, fees, facilities, park on details plus downloaded be can

with a proper permit may possess a concealed handgun in in handgun concealed a possess may permit proper a with

Division of Parks and Recreation. You’ll find maps that that maps find You’ll Recreation. and Parks of Division

adding to and improving state parks. state improving and to adding

20 State Natural Areas. Natural State 20

Firearms and other weapons are prohibited except that those those that except prohibited are weapons other and Firearms o

“Naturally Wonderful” state parks. state Wonderful” “Naturally

Carolina North the of programs as well as parks our

exhibits. The trust fund is the primary funding source for for source funding primary the is fund trust The exhibits.

under development and other types of units, including our our including units, of types other and development under

freshwater, saltwater and trout fishing are required. are fishing trout and saltwater freshwater,

browse and remember. Your purchase helps to support our our support to helps purchase Your remember. and browse gives complete information on each of of each on information complete gives ncparks.gov

campgrounds, improved trails, swim areas and educational educational and areas swim trails, improved campgrounds,

Resources Commission are enforced. Appropriate licenses for for licenses Appropriate enforced. are Commission Resources Please visit our Website for a complete list of new parks parks new of list complete a for Website our visit Please . www.ncparks.gov at guide the

these items remind you of your visit. Take a moment to to moment a Take visit. your of you remind items these

www. at Website system’s parks Carolina North The

Boating and fishing regulations of the North Carolina Wildlife Wildlife Carolina North the of regulations fishing and Boating

o been developed with new facilities such as visitor centers, centers, visitor as such facilities new with developed been

patch. Ask about the program at a park office or download download or office park a at program the about Ask patch.

location for official state parks merchandise. We hope hope We merchandise. parks state official for location

allowed in public buildings, bathhouses or swimming areas. swimming or bathhouses buildings, public in allowed more than 40,000 acres of state parkland and parks have have parks and parkland state of acres 40,000 than more

North Carolina’s state parks. state Carolina’s North fun activities and attend ranger programs to earn a special special a earn to programs ranger attend and activities fun

The North Carolina state park store is the only online online only the is store park state Carolina North The

Pets must be on an attended leash six feet or less. Pets aren’t aren’t Pets less. or feet six leash attended an on be must Pets

its creation in 1994, trust fund grants have conserved conserved have grants fund trust 1994, in creation its Goose Creek State Park State Creek Goose enjoyed by as many as possible. Enjoy your exploration of of exploration your Enjoy possible. as many as by enjoyed Junior Ranger guides are geared for ages 6-12. Kids do do Kids 6-12. ages for geared are guides Ranger Junior

preserves. Hunting or trapping is prohibited. is trapping or Hunting preserves. developing public parks and recreation facilities. Since Since facilities. recreation and parks public developing that the state’s array of natural treasures should be be should treasures natural of array state’s the that Rangers Junior

Areas managed by North Carolina State Parks are wildlife wildlife are Parks State Carolina North by managed Areas o

Carolinians by preserving the state’s natural resources and and resources natural state’s the preserving by Carolinians

reasonable. Early on, the people of North Carolina decided decided Carolina North of people the on, Early reasonable. Support State Parks State Support

The removal of any plant, animal, rock or artifact is prohibited. is artifact or rock animal, plant, any of removal The

o camping, swimming and other park activities are very very are activities park other and swimming camping, upcoming programs. upcoming provides support to improve the quality of life for North North for life of quality the improve to support provides

carry disease. Report unusual behavior to park staff. park to behavior unusual Report disease. carry While visiting our state parks, you’ll find that fees for for fees that find you’ll parks, state our visiting While for a list of of list a for www.ncparks.gov Visit ages. all for programs The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Fund Trust Recreation and Parks Carolina North The

Feeding wildlife is prohibited. Animals can be dangerous and and dangerous be can Animals prohibited. is wildlife Feeding o identification hikes to guided canoe paddles—parks offer offer paddles—parks canoe guided to hikes identification

Trust Fund Trust

features that attract so many visitors. visitors. many so attract that features From fishing lessons to astronomy programs, from tree tree from programs, astronomy to lessons fishing From

set of regulations is posted at the park office. park the at posted is regulations of set www.ncparks.gov/About/trails_mst.php miles.

to complement, rather than compete with the natural natural the with compete than rather complement, to Discover More with a Ranger a with More Discover office for other rules pertaining to specific parks. A complete complete A parks. specific to pertaining rules other for office

Ridge State park when complete, a distance of some 1,000 1,000 some of distance a complete, when park State Ridge

been careful to arrange campgrounds and park amenities amenities park and campgrounds arrange to careful been protection of our parks and our visitors. Check with the park park the with Check visitors. our and parks our of protection Parks & Recreation & Parks

Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Jockey’s Jockey’s the to Park National Mountains Smoky Great

Here are some of the more common regulations for the the for regulations common more the of some are Here

mission demands relatively low-impact activities. We’ve We’ve activities. low-impact relatively demands mission

Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. The trail will connect the the connect will trail The Trail. State Mountains-to-Sea

While there are myriad recreational opportunities, our our opportunities, recreational myriad are there While

the flagship trial for this statewide effort is North Carolina’s Carolina’s North is effort statewide this for trial flagship the

developed these parks cautiously with this idea in mind. mind. in idea this with cautiously parks these developed

cliff faces. cliff

when making daytime excursions outside the park. park. the outside excursions daytime making when developing a system of trails across North Carolina and and Carolina North across trails of system a developing

Stay on designated trails and away from streams, waterfalls and and waterfalls streams, from away and trails designated on Stay o while providing high quality outdoor recreation. We’ve We’ve recreation. outdoor quality high providing while

plan accordingly when arranging your arrival time and and time arrival your arranging when accordingly plan The trails program is also planning, promoting and and promoting planning, also is program trails The

of the more than 215,000 acres of parkland in our system system our in parkland of acres 215,000 than more the of won’t be caught by darkness. by caught be won’t

North Carolina. North

Park gates are locked each night when the park closes. So, So, closes. park the when night each locked are gates Park

Allow plenty of time for hikes as daylight hours shorten so you you so shorten hours daylight as hikes for time of plenty Allow o

Carolina. The Division strives to balance the protection protection the balance to strives Division The Carolina.

Carolina’s natural resources for all citizens and visitors in in visitors and citizens all for resources natural Carolina’s

www.ncparks.gov/About/trails_grants.php

should you plan a long hike. long a plan you should

and protect the stunning natural resources in North North in resources natural stunning the protect and

(1-877-722-6762)

• to exemplify and encourage good stewardship of North North of stewardship good encourage and exemplify to •

agencies for a variety of trail projects. projects. trail of variety a for agencies

Make your plans known to park staff and family members members family and staff park to known plans your Make o our state’s constitution. Our principal mission is to preserve preserve to is mission principal Our constitution. state’s our

organizations and governmental governmental and organizations photo by Eran Andrechek Eran by photo 1-877-7-CAMPNC

terrain.

throughout North Carolina; and, Carolina; North throughout statement on the facing page, which, in turn, evolved from from evolved turn, in which, page, facing the on statement

Eno River State Park Park State River Eno

Dress properly. Check with park staff regarding weather and and weather regarding staff park with Check properly. Dress

which provides grants to non-profit non-profit to grants provides which o • to provide and promote outdoor recreation opportunities opportunities recreation outdoor promote and provide to • It has to do with our mission mission our with do to has It

the Federal Recreational Trails Program, Program, Trails Recreational Federal the

flotation devices when playing around water. around playing when devices flotation

• to protect North Carolina’s natural diversity; natural Carolina’s North protect to •

www.ncparks.gov

Supervise children at all times and equip them with personal personal with them equip and times all at children Supervise o

vehicle trails. The program administers administers program The trails. vehicle

and recreation areas. recreation and . Wonderful

Don’t swim alone or exceed your swimming abilities. swimming your exceed or alone swim Don’t Recreation is: Recreation as well as water trails and off-road off-road and trails water as well as o and manage our state parks parks state our manage and Naturally Naturally parks state Carolina North makes what reveal

The mission of the North Carolina Division of Parks and and Parks of Division Carolina North the of mission The hiking, biking and horseback riding, riding, horseback and biking hiking, for pedestrians, bicyclists and wildlife. and bicyclists pedestrians, for indicates how we develop develop we how indicates and maximum stays. stays. maximum and a crayfish? Interpretation & Education programs help help programs Education & Interpretation crayfish? a

Park speed limits are 25 mph unless otherwise posted. Watch Watch posted. otherwise unless mph 25 are limits speed Park o and manage greenways, routes for for routes greenways, manage and more than a catch phrase. It It phrase. catch a than more there are requirements for advance notice and minimum minimum and notice advance for requirements are there are constantly moving? Do you know how to safely hold hold safely to how know you Do moving? constantly are

citizens and visitors. visitors. and citizens government agencies plan, develop develop plan, agencies government Wonderful.” For us, this is is this us, For Wonderful.” and other park facilities. Where reservations are offered, offered, are reservations Where facilities. park other and you know that the giant sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge Ridge Jockey’s at dunes sand giant the that know you

experience.

enjoyment, education, health and inspiration of all our our all of inspiration and health education, enjoyment, helps volunteers, nonprofit groups and and groups nonprofit volunteers, helps call our state parks “Naturally “Naturally parks state our call system can be used to reserve campsites, picnic shelters shelters picnic campsites, reserve to used be can system are rare in North Carolina, but common in Quebec? Did Did Quebec? in common but Carolina, North in rare are visit to North Carolina’s state parks a safe and rewarding rewarding and safe a parks state Carolina’s North to visit

In North Carolina, we like to to like we Carolina, North In the for exists System Parks State Carolina North The A full-service, online- and call center-based reservations reservations center-based call and online- full-service, A Did you know that many plants atop Mount Mitchell Mitchell Mount atop plants many that know you Did The North Carolina Trails Program Program Trails Carolina North The We’re serious about safety. Follow these tips to make your your make to tips these Follow safety. about serious We’re

Trails Program Trails Rules and Safety and Rules About our parks... our About Mission Our Reservation Information Reservation Education and Kids and Education

North Carolina’s state parks are “Naturally Wonderful” and also wonderfully diverse. With 41 state park units, the system stretches from the highest sand dune on the East Coast at Jockey’s Ridge to Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern United States. Between these points, you’ll find mysterious bay lakes, wild swamps, rare sandhills, piedmont river systems and bold mountain streams.

The parks system was established in 1916 when a group of citizens sought to protect the summit of Mount Mitchell. It became the first state park in the Southeast and among the first in the nation. Many of the state parks were Singletary Lake State Park initiated by local citizens with a strong conservation ethic.

More than 14 million people visit the state parks each year. The state parks system employs park rangers and park superintendents who are commissioned law enforcement officers.

Education is also a hallmark of North Carolina state parks. Rangers offer free interpretive programs that reveal the marvels of each park. Many parks have state-of-the-art Hanging Rock State Park visitor centers and exhibit halls to help you explore North Carolina’s cultural and natural heritage.

Fort Macon State Park Conservation, recreation and education are what North Carolina state parks are all about. A visit to any of them can show you why they’re “Naturally Wonderful.”

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