View source for List of North Carolina state parks

{{Short description|None}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
The [[State of North Carolina]] has a group of [[protected area]]s known as the '''North Carolina State Park System''', which is managed by the '''North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation''' ('''NCDPR'''), an agency of the [[North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources|North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR)]].  Units of the system can only be established by an act of the [[General Assembly of North Carolina]].  The park system began in 1916 when the summit of [[Mount Mitchell]] became first [[state park]] in the [[Southeastern United States]].<ref name=SysOverview />  According to the Division of Parks & Recreation, "the State Parks Act of 1987 lists six types of units included in the NC State Parks System."<ref name=SysOverview />  These are ''State Parks'', ''State Recreation Areas'', ''State Natural Areas'', ''State Lakes'', ''State Trails'', and ''State Rivers''.  All units of the system are owned and/or managed by the division, and the division [[lease]]s some of the units to other agencies for operation.  Most units of the park system are also components of [[North Carolina State Nature and Historic Preserve|State Nature and Historic Preserve]].

{{Location  map+|North Carolina|width=450|float=right|caption=North Carolina State Parks (Hover mouse over pog to popup clickable link)<br />Green - State Park<br />Red - State Recreation Area<br />Blue - State Natural Area|places=
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=blue pog.svg |marksize =5|lat_deg =36.15361111|lon_deg = -81.82416667|link=Bear's_Paw}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =34.01666667|lon_deg = -77.90833333|link=Carolina_Beach_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.18577778|lon_deg = -78.87805556|link=Carvers_Creek_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.43305556|lon_deg = -82.25055556|link=Chimney_Rock_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.23861111|lon_deg = -77.88444444|link=Cliffs_of_the_Neuse_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.23277778|lon_deg = -81.27694444|link=Crowders_Mountain_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.51277778|lon_deg = -76.41638889|link=Dismal_Swamp_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.32722222|lon_deg = -81.67694444|link=Elk_Knob_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.05666667|lon_deg = -78.98111111|link=Eno_River_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=red pog.svg  |marksize =5|lat_deg =36.01666667|lon_deg = -78.69583333|link=Falls_Lake_State_Recreation_Area}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=red pog.svg  |marksize =5|lat_deg =33.95416667|lon_deg = -77.92972222|link=Fort_Fisher_State_Recreation_Area}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =34.69555556|lon_deg = -76.68888889|link=Fort_Macon_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.47361111|lon_deg = -76.91388889|link=Goose_Creek_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.07      |lon_deg = -82.92111111|link=Gorges_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.095625  |lon_deg = -81.83152   |link=Grandfather_Mountain}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =34.63194444|lon_deg = -77.14555556|link=Hammocks_Beach_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.39138889|lon_deg = -80.26611111|link=Hanging_Rock_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.24944444|lon_deg = -79.75472222|link=Haw_River_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=blue pog.svg |marksize =5|lat_deg =35.72527778|lon_deg = -78.78638889|link=Hemlock_Bluffs_Nature_Preserve}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.96194444|lon_deg = -75.63416667|link=Jockey's_Ridge_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =34.70833333|lon_deg = -78.64166667|link=Jones_Lake_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=red pog.svg  |marksize =5|lat_deg =35.73694444|lon_deg = -79.01694444|link=Jordan_Lake_State_Recreation_Area}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=red pog.svg  |marksize =5|lat_deg =36.44861111|lon_deg = -78.37194444|link=Kerr_Lake_State_Recreation_Area}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.73388889|lon_deg = -81.88916667|link=Lake_James_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.66833333|lon_deg = -80.94111111|link=Lake_Norman_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =34.25916667|lon_deg = -78.46833333|link=Lake_Waccamaw_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=blue pog.svg |marksize =5|lat_deg = 34.27     |lon_deg = -77.75      |link=Lea-Hutaff_Island}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =34.39166667|lon_deg = -78.99777778|link=Lumber_River_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=blue pog.svg |marksize =5|lat_deg =34.12555556|lon_deg = -77.85805556|link=Masonboro_Island}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.4388    |lon_deg = -79.938171  |link=Mayo_River_State_Park_(North_Carolina)}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.25805556|lon_deg = -77.87833333|link=Medoc_Mountain_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.43722222|lon_deg = -76.68444444|link=Merchants_Millpond_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.39333333|lon_deg = -80.08305556|link=Morrow_Mountain_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=blue pog.svg |marksize =5|lat_deg =36.40083333|lon_deg = -81.46277778|link=Mount_Jefferson_State_Natural_Area}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.77027778|lon_deg = -82.26333333|link=Mount_Mitchell_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.41527778|lon_deg = -81.38722222|link=New_River_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=blue pog.svg |marksize =5|lat_deg =36.062004  |lon_deg = -79.12090483|link=Occoneechee_Mountain_State_Natural_Area}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.79722222|lon_deg = -76.42194444|link=Pettigrew_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.34279167|lon_deg = -80.48274722|link=Pilot_Mountain_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.468611  |lon_deg = -82.768889  |link=Pisgah_View_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.4725    |lon_deg = -78.90722222|link=Raven_Rock_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.227222  |lon_deg = -81.292778  |link=Rendezvous_Mountain_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =34.59861111|lon_deg = -78.45833333|link=Singletary_Lake_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.59861111|lon_deg = -81.65972222|link=South_Mountains_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =36.39861111|lon_deg = -81.06222222|link=Stone_Mountain_State_Park}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=blue pog.svg |marksize =5|lat_deg =34.69722222|lon_deg = -76.83305556|link=Theodore_Roosevelt_State_Natural_Area}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=blue pog.svg |marksize =5|lat_deg =35.1473    |lon_deg = -79.3689    |link=Weymouth_Woods-Sandhills_Nature_Preserve}}
{{Location map~|North Carolina|mark=green pog.svg|marksize =5|lat_deg =35.85388889|lon_deg = -78.74277778|link=William_B._Umstead_State_Park}}
}}

==State Parks==
''State Parks'' are the principle unit of the state park system.  The NC Division of Parks & Recreation describes its parks as follows:

<blockquote>Generally, State Parks are expected to possess both significant natural resource values and significant recreational values. State Parks are expected to accommodate the development of facilities, but may vary in the extent of development depending upon what can be provided without damage to the scenic or natural features. Facilities are planned and constructed to keep disturbance of natural resources to a minimum and to leave a "liberal portion" of each park undisturbed and free from improvements and structures, except for trails.<ref name=SysOverview /></blockquote>

Several of the State Parks are new and are still being planned and developed. A few of the older state parks were greatly expanded in size in the 2000s adding trails and bike paths open to the public.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Park Name
! class="unsortable" | Web-<br />site
! Region
! County or Counties
! Size
! Year Established
! Status
! class="unsortable" | Remarks
|-
| [[Carolina Beach State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/carolina-beach-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[New Hanover County, North Carolina|New Hanover]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|761|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=CABE-History /><ref name=CABE-GMP-Land />
| 1969<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Named not for a beach, rather the [[Carolina Beach, North Carolina|Town of Carolina Beach]], the park is located along the banks of the [[Cape Fear River]] and Snow's Cut (part of the [[Intracoastal Waterway]]).  The park is best known for its variety of wild [[carnivorous plant]]s, including the [[Venus Flytrap]].
|-
| [[Carvers Creek State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/carvers-creek-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Cumberland County, North Carolina|Cumberland]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|4530|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2005<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under development;<br />Interim facilities are open at the park's historic Long Valley Farm Access.
|-
| [[Chimney Rock State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/chimney-rock-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Rutherford County, North Carolina|Rutherford]], [[Polk County, North Carolina|Polk]], [[Buncombe County, North Carolina|Buncombe]], [[Henderson County, North Carolina|Henderson]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|8014|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2005<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under development;<br />The park protects the landscape of [[Hickory Nut Gorge]], including its most well known feature, ''Chimney Rock''.
|-
| [[Cliffs of the Neuse State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/cliffs-neuse-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1097|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1945<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park protects ancient [[cliff]] faces located along the banks of the [[Neuse River]].
|-
| [[Crowders Mountain State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/crowders-mountain-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Gaston County, North Carolina|Gaston]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|5217|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1973<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park protects the ''Kings Mountain Ridgeline'' in North Carolina, including its highest peaks [[Crowder's Mountain]] and [[King's Pinnacle]].  The park is also adjacent to [[Kings Mountain State Park]] in [[South Carolina]], which in turn is adjacent to [[Kings Mountain National Military Park]].  All three parks are connected via the ''Kings Mountain Ridgeline Trail''.
|-
| [[Dismal Swamp State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/dismal-swamp-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Camden County, North Carolina|Camden]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|14432|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1974<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under development;<br />The park protects large part of the [[Great Dismal Swamp]], and it is adjacent to [[Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge]].  It is bounded on the east by the [[Dismal Swamp Canal]].
|-
| [[Elk Knob State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/elk-knob-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga]], [[Ashe County, North Carolina|Ashe]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|4423|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2002<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under development;<br />The park preserves some of the highest peaks in Ashe and Watauga Counties, and it protects [[headwater]]s of the [[North Fork New River]].
|-
| [[Eno River State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/eno-river-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Durham County, North Carolina|Durham]], [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|4319|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1973<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park protects the banks of the [[Eno River]] and surrounding lands.
|-
| [[Fort Macon State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/fort-macon-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[Carteret County, North Carolina|Carteret]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|424|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1924<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The first North Carolina State Park to open to the public.  It protects the [[Battle of Fort Macon|historic Fort Macon]] and the eastern end of [[Bogue Banks]].
|-
| [[Goose Creek State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/goose-creek-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Beaufort County, North Carolina|Beaufort]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1672|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1974<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park protects part of the landscape along the [[Pamlico Sound]].
|-
| [[Gorges State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/gorges-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Transylvania County, North Carolina|Transylvania]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|7709|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1999<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under development;<br />North Carolina's westernmost state park; it is located along the steep [[Blue Ridge Mountains|Blue Ridge Escarpment]].  The park is best known for the many [[waterfall]]s it provides access to, both inside the park and on adjacent public lands.
|-
| [[Grandfather Mountain State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/grandfather-mountain-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Avery County, North Carolina|Avery]], [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga]], [[Caldwell County, North Carolina|Caldwell]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|3647|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2009<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under development;<br />Adjacent to the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]], the park protects the highest peak located along the [[Blue Ridge Mountains|Blue Ridge Escarpment]].  The park consists of lands formerly known as the "backcountry area" when it was privately owned nature preserve.
|-
| [[Hammocks Beach State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/hammocks-beach-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[Onslow County, North Carolina|Onslow]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1611|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1961<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| While protecting a variety of maritime habitats, the park is most known for its four-mile ({{convert|4|miles|km|disp=output only}}) long [[barrier island]], [[Bear Island (North Carolina)|Bear Island]].  The park operates a passenger [[ferry]] service between the mainland and island in the warmer months.
|-
| [[Hanging Rock State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/hanging-rock-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Stokes County, North Carolina|Stokes]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|9011|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1935<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park encompasses the eastern end of the [[Sauratown Mountains|Sauratown Mountain range]], including a geologic feature known as ''Hanging Rock''.<ref name=NicheGuide-HangingRock />  It also protects a segment of the [[Dan River (Virginia)|Dan River]].
|-
| [[Haw River State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/haw-river-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Rockingham County, North Carolina|Rockingham]], [[Guilford County, North Carolina|Guilford]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1485|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2003<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under development;<br />This park preserves large [[wetland]]s along the [[Haw River]].
|-
| [[Jockey's Ridge State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/jockeys-ridge-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[Dare County, North Carolina|Dare]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|427|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1975<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park protects the tallest [[sand dune]] system on the [[East Coast of the United States]].
|-
| [[Jones Lake State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/jones-lake-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1669|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1939<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park surrounds ''Jones State Lake'' and ''Salters State Lake'', both of which are largely undeveloped [[Carolina Bay]] lakes. Until 1965, it was one of two parks open to Black people.
|-
| [[Lake James State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/lake-james-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[McDowell County, North Carolina|McDowell]], [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|3743|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1987<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under redevelopment;<br />Located near the base of [[Linville Gorge]], the park encompasses large parts of the [[Lake James]] shoreline.  In 2004, the park nearly [[Wiktionary:octuple|octupled]] in size after a land deal with [[Crescent Resources]].
|-
| [[Lake Norman State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/lake-norman-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1942|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1962<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Formerly known as ''Duke Power State Park'', most of this park consists of lands donated by [[Duke Power]] along the shores of [[Lake Norman]], the largest manmade body of fresh water in North Carolina.
|-
| [[Lake Waccamaw State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/lake-waccamaw-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Columbus County, North Carolina|Columbus]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|2398|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1976<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| This park is along the shoreline of [[Lake Waccamaw]], the largest natural [[Carolina Bay]] lake.<ref name=NicheGuide-Waccamaw />
|-
| [[Lumber River State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/lumber-river-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Scotland County, North Carolina|Scotland]], [[Hoke County, North Carolina|Hoke]], [[Robeson County, North Carolina|Robeson]], [[Columbus County, North Carolina|Columbus]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|13695|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1989<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The State Park with the greatest geographic expanse, it preserves the banks of the [[blackwater river|black water]] [[Lumber River]], which is [[Wild and Scenic River]] and a ''State River''.
|-
| [[Mayo River State Park (North Carolina)|Mayo River State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/mayo-river-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Rockingham County, North Carolina|Rockingham]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|2778|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2003<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under development;<br />This new, still growing park is located along the [[Mayo River (Dan River)|Mayo River]].
|-
| [[Medoc Mountain State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/medoc-mountain-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Halifax County, North Carolina|Halifax]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|3893|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1973<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| At {{convert|325|foot|m}}, [[Medoc Mountain]] isn't a true mountain but rather the remnant of a former mountain range which eroded long ago.<ref name=NicheGuide-MedocMtn />  The park preserves the land around the Medoc, as well as the banks of nearby [[Little Fishing Creek]].
|-
| [[Merchants Millpond State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/merchants-millpond-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Gates County, North Carolina|Gates]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|3520|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1973<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park protects a unique, [[cypress]] filled [[millpond]] and the [[Lassiter Swamp]]. 
|-
| [[Morrow Mountain State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/morrow-mountain-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Stanly County, North Carolina|Stanly]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|5702|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1935<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| At {{convert|936|foot|m}}, [[Morrow Mountain State Park|Morrow Mountain]] is the fourth tallest peak of the [[Uwharrie Mountains]],<ref name=NicheGuide-MorrowMtn /> and the park encompasses several peaks of the range, just west of the [[Yadkin River|Yadkin]] / [[Pee Dee River]].
|-
| [[Mount Mitchell State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/mount-mitchell-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Yancey County, North Carolina|Yancey]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|4789|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1916<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The first North Carolina State Park, it protects the summit of [[Mount Mitchell]] the highest point in the [[eastern United States]].<ref name=SysOverview />
|-
| [[New River State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/new-river-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany]], [[Ashe County, North Carolina|Ashe]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|3323|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1975<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| This park preserves the landscape along the [[New River (Kanawha River)|New River]], which is [[Wild and Scenic River]] and a ''State River''.
|-
| [[Pettigrew State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/pettigrew-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Tyrrell County, North Carolina|Tyrrell]], [[Washington County, North Carolina|Washington]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|5951|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1936<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park protects the banks of [[Lake Phelps]], the state's second largest natural lake, and the [[Scuppernong River (North Carolina)|Scuppernong River]].<ref name=NicheGuide-Pettigrew />
|-
| [[Pilot Mountain State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/pilot-mountain-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Surry County, North Carolina|Surry]], [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|3872|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1968<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| The park encompasses the western end of the [[Sauratown Mountains|Sauratown Mountain range]], including [[Pilot Mountain (North Carolina)|Pilot Mountain]], as well as an island filled segment of the [[Yadkin River]].<ref name=StateParksBook-PilotMtn />
|-
| [[Pisgah View State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/pisgah-view-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Buncombe County, North Carolina|Buncombe]], [[Haywood County, North Carolina|Haywood]]<ref name=SL2019-138 />
| {{convert|205|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2019<ref name=SL2019-138 />
| style="background: pink" | Closed
| Planned State Park on the property of Pisgah View Ranch, near [[Mount Pisgah (mountain in North Carolina)|Mount Pisgah]] and [[Pisgah National Forest]].
|-
| [[Raven Rock State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/raven-rock-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Harnett County, North Carolina|Harnett]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|4810|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1970<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Located along both banks of the [[Cape Fear River]], the park encompasses a rock outcropping where the river crosses the [[Atlantic Seaboard fall line|Fall Line]].
|-
| [[Rendezvous Mountain State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/rendezvous-mountain-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes]]
| {{convert|1,800|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=Matheson-named-super />
| 1926<ref group=Note name=Note01/>
| Open
| Popularly rumored to have been an assembly point for the [[Overmountain Men]] during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]].<ref name=StateParkHistory /><ref name=Matheson-named-super />
|-
| [[Singletary Lake State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/singletary-lake-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|649|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1939<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | Limited
| The park surrounds [[Singletary Lake]], which is a ''State Lake'' and a [[Carolina Bay]] lake.  The park's facilities are usually reserved for registered group campers, but limited day use may be allowed while the camps are unoccupied.
|-
| [[South Mountains State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/south-mountains-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|20949|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1978<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Under redevelopment;<br>The largest unit of the state park system, it encompasses a large part of the [[South Mountains (North Carolina)|South Mountains]] range, which is a branch of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]].
|-
| [[Stone Mountain State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/stone-mountain-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany]], [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|14353|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1969<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| Adjacent to the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]], this large park's centerpiece is a [[granite]] dome named [[Stone Mountain (North Carolina)|Stone Mountain]].
|-
| [[William B. Umstead State Park]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/william-b-umstead-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|5599|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1945<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| This large, forested park is in the heart of the [[Research Triangle]]. It was originally known as Crabtree Creek State Park. In 1950, the {{convert|1234|acre|km2|sortable=on}} southern section was carved out for a Blacks-only park. In 1955, the Crabtree Creek section was renamed Willium B. Umstead. It was desegregated in 1965.
|-
|}

==State Recreation Areas==
''State Recreation Areas'' are more intensely developed units than State Parks, and they largely encompass lands less sensitive to human activities than State Parks.  According to the NC Division of Parks & Recreation:

<blockquote>State Recreation Areas are sites where the primary purpose is outdoor recreation, rather than preservation. More intensive development of facilities is provided than in State Parks. Protection and enjoyment of the natural resources are still important, and the sites are expected to contain scenic and attractive natural features. Development is planned and constructed to keep a "reasonable amount" of each area undisturbed and free from improvements and structures.<ref name=SysOverview /></blockquote>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! State Recreation Area
! class="unsortable" | Web-<br />site
! Region
! Counties
! Size
! Established
! Status
! class="unsortable" | Remarks
|-
| [[Falls Lake State Recreation Area]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/falls-lake-state-recreation-area]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake]], [[Durham County, North Carolina|Durham]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|5035|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1982<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| This recreation area is located along the shores of [[Falls Lake]], a [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] built [[reservoir]].
|-
| [[Fort Fisher State Recreation Area]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/fort-fisher-state-recreation-area]
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[New Hanover County, North Carolina|New Hanover]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|287|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1986<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| This recreation area is known for its long, sandy beach between the [[Cape Fear River]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean]].  This is the only unit of the park system that allows [[four-wheel drive]] vehicles off-road.
|-
| [[Jordan Lake State Recreation Area]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/jordan-lake-state-recreation-area]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Chatham County, North Carolina|Chatham]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|4558|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1981<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| This recreation area is located along the shores of [[Jordan Lake]], a [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] built [[reservoir]].
|-
| [[Kerr Lake State Recreation Area]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/kerr-lake-state-recreation-area]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Vance County, North Carolina|Vance]], [[Warren County, North Carolina|Warren]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|3376|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1952<ref name=ParkDir />
| Open
| This recreation area is located along the North Carolinian shores of [[Kerr Lake]], a [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] built [[reservoir]], which is along the border of North Carolina and [[Virginia]].
|-
|}

==State Natural Areas==
''State Natural Areas'' protect areas more sensitive to human activities than State Parks.  Most of the State Natural Areas are undeveloped and have limited to no facilities, and some of them are closed to the general public to protect rare, fragile [[ecosystems]].  A few have developed facilities for low intensity, passive recreation, as well as facilities for public interpretation and education of the natural area.  The NC Division of Parks & Recreation states:

<blockquote>The purpose of State Natural Areas is focused on preserving and protecting areas of scientific, aesthetic, or ecological value. Facilities are limited to those needed for interpretation, protection, and minimum maintenance. Generally, recreational and public use facilities such as camping, swimming, picnicking, and the like are not provided in State Natural Areas.<ref name=SysOverview /></blockquote>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! State Natural Area
! class="unsortable" | Web-<br />site
! Region
! Counties
! Size
! Established
! Public Access
! class="unsortable" | Remarks
|-
| Bakers Lake State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]]
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}
| 2021<ref name=SL2021-180-Bakers />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|2}}Undeveloped
| Established to protect an undeveloped, {{convert|75|acre|km2|adj=on}} natural lake.
|-
| Baldhead Island State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[Brunswick County, North Carolina|Brunswick]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1260|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1979<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|2}}Undeveloped
| Contiguous to [[Fort Fisher State Recreation Area]], this undeveloped natural area preserves a large portion of the [[Bald Head Island, North Carolina|Smith Island Complex]], which consists of barrier islands, salt marshes, bays, tidal creeks and estuarine islands.<ref name=FortFisherGMP />
|-
| Bay Tree State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|609|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1979<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|2}}Undeveloped
| Former State Park which was never developed.  It consists of lands adjacent to ''Bay Tree State Lake''.
|-
| [[Hanging Rock (North Carolina)|Bear Paw State Natural Area]]
| —
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Avery County, North Carolina|Avery]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|384|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2008<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|2}}Undeveloped
| The natural area is located just north of [[Grandfather Mountain State Park]], and it protects Hanging Rock Ridge and the [[headwater]]s of Dutch Creek.  The [[Cherokee]] name for the site is "Yonah‑wayah", which means "Bear's Paw".<ref name=SL2008-155 />  It is managed by [[Elk Knob State Park]].
|-
| Beech Creek Bog State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|295|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2002<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{Ntsh|5}}
| The natural area protects a southern Appalachian [[bog]].
|-
| Bobs Creek State Natural Area
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/bobs-creek-state-natural-area]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[McDowell County, North Carolina|McDowell]]
| {{convert|6000|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2017<ref name=SL2017-177 />
| style="background: pink" | {{Ntsh|4}}Closed
| Historically known as Bob's Pocket Wilderness, the natural area conserves high quality, rare natural communities.
|-
| Bullhead Mountain State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|442|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2000<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|3}}Limited
| This natural area is adjacent to the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] and just north of [[Stone Mountain State Park]].
|-
| Bushy Lake State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Cumberland County, North Carolina|Cumberland]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|6396|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1977<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|2}}Undeveloped
| Managed by [[Jones Lake State Park]], the natural area protects an area of [[pocosin|wet pocosin]] and [[carolina bay]] forest.
|-
| Chowan Swamp State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Gates County, North Carolina|Gates]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|6066|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1973<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: green" | {{Ntsh|1}}Open
| Located along the northern shores of the [[Chowan River]], this natural area is leased by the [[North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission]] for management as part of the larger ''Chowan Swamp Game Land''.
|-
| [[Hemlock Bluffs State Natural Area]]
| [http://www.hemlockbluffs.org/]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|97|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1976<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: green" | {{Ntsh|1}}Open
| The natural area is leased by the [[Cary, North Carolina|Town of Cary]] for operation as ''Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve''.<ref name=NicheGuide-Hemlock />
|-
| [[Lea-Hutaff Island|Lea Island State Natural Area]]
| —
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[Pender County, North Carolina|Pender]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|25|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2000<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|3}}Limited
| The natural area preserves a largely undeveloped [[barrier island]].
|-
| Lower Haw River State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Chatham County, North Carolina|Chatham]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1025|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2003<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: green" | {{Ntsh|1}}Open
| Under development;<br />This natural area is adjacent to and managed by [[Jordan Lake State Recreation Area]], and it has one {{convert|2|miles|km|adj=on}} hiking trail along the [[Haw River]].
|-
| [[Masonboro Island|Masonboro Island State Natural Area]]
| [http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/crp/masonboro-island]
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[New Hanover County, North Carolina|New Hanover]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|106|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1976<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|2}}Undeveloped
| Managed by the [[North Carolina Division of Coastal Management]], this natural area preserves an undeveloped [[barrier island]], near [[Wilmington, North Carolina]].  The island is only accessible by boat.
|-
| Mitchells Millpond State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|93|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1976<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: pink" | {{Ntsh|4}}Closed
| The natural area protects granitic flatrock outcrops.  The ecosystem of the flatrocks is unique and fragile.
|-
| [[Mount Jefferson State Natural Area]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/mount-jefferson-state-natural-area]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Ashe County, North Carolina|Ashe]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1188|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1956<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: green" | {{Ntsh|1}}Open
| Formerly a State Park, this natural area is managed as a satellite of [[New River State Park]], and it preserves the prominent peak of [[Mount Jefferson (North Carolina)|Mount Jefferson]].
|-
| [[Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/occoneechee-mountain-state-natural-area]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|221|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1997<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: green" | {{Ntsh|1}}Open
| Managed as a satellite of [[Eno River State Park]], this natural area preserves the highest point in Orange County.
|-
| Pineola Bog State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Avery County, North Carolina|Avery]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|91|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2006<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{Ntsh|5}}
| The natural area protects a southern Appalachian [[bog]].
|-
| Run Hill State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[Dare County, North Carolina|Dare]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|123|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1995<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|2}}Undeveloped
| Managed as a satellite of [[Jockey's Ridge State Park]], the natural area preserves Run Hill, a large [[sand dune]] north of Jockey's Ridge.
|-
| Salmon Creek State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Bertie County, North Carolina|Bertie]]
| {{convert|1002|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2017<ref name=SL2017-177 />
| style="background: pink" | {{Ntsh|4}}Closed
| The natural area contains high-quality natural communities, and important archaeological sites.
|-
| Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Pender County, North Carolina|Pender]], [[Onslow County, North Carolina|Onslow]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|3133|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2006<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: pink" | {{Ntsh|4}}Closed
| The natural area preserves [[Eastern savannas of the United States|southern pine savannas]].
|-
| Sugar Mountain Bog State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Avery County, North Carolina|Avery]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|102|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2006<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{Ntsh|5}}
| The natural area protects a southern Appalachian [[bog]].
|-
| [[Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area]]
| [http://www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores/plan-your-visit/helpful-hints/theodore-roosevelt-natural-area-nature-trails]
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[Carteret County, North Carolina|Carteret]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|265|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1971<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: green" | {{Ntsh|1}}Open
| Jointly managed by [[Fort Macon State Park]] and the [[North Carolina Aquariums#North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores|North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores]], the natural area preserves [[Bogue Banks]]' only intact maritime forest.
|-
| Warwick Mill Bay State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Robeson County, North Carolina|Robeson]]
| {{convert|976|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2017<ref name=SL2017-177 />
| style="background: pink" | {{Ntsh|4}}Closed
| The natural area protects an undisturbed [[Carolina Bay]], which is an important nesting site for birds.  [[National Audubon Society|Audubon North Carolina]] assists with the management of the property.
|-
| [[Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve]]
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/weymouth-woods-sandhills-nature-preserve]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Moore County, North Carolina|Moore]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|915|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1963<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: green" | {{Ntsh|1}}Open
| The first North Carolina State Natural Area, it preserves strands of [[longleaf pine]] forests in [[Sandhills (Carolina)|Sandhills]] region.
|-
| Yellow Mountain State Natural Area
| —
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Mitchell County, North Carolina|Mitchell]], [[Avery County, North Carolina|Avery]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|3809|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2008<ref name=ParkDir />
| style="background: yellow" | {{Ntsh|3}}Limited
| The natural area protects a [[Appalachian balds|Grassy Bald]] in the [[Roan Highlands]] range.<ref name=SL2008-155 />  The natural area is adjacent to the [[Pisgah National Forest]].
|-
|}

==State Lakes==
''State Lakes'' are all large, naturally formed bodies of water in the state's [[Atlantic coastal plain|Coastal Plain]].  Most of the lakes are [[Carolina Bay]]s.  The NC Division of Parks & Recreation describes its State Lakes as follows:

<blockquote>Chapter 165 of the Laws of 1929 specified that "all lakes now belonging to the State having an area of 50 acres or more" should be "administered as provided for other recreational areas now owned by the State." This allowed the then-Department of Conservation and Development to assume management authority for seven Coastal Plain lakes that became units of the State Parks System known as State Lakes. Most of these are administratively included as part of an adjoining State Park, but one of the lakes (White Lake) has no public ownership on its shoreline.<ref name=SysOverview /></blockquote>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! State Lake
! Adjoining State Park
! Counties
! Size
! class="unsortable" | Remarks
|-
| [[Bay Tree Lake|Bay Tree State Lake]]
| [[Bay Tree State Park]]
| [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1418|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| Bay Tree Lake was formerly known as ''Black Lake''.
|-
| [[Jones Lake State Park|Jones State Lake]]
| [[Jones Lake State Park]]
| [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|224|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| The shore line of Jones Lake is entirely owned by the state.
|-
| [[Lake Phelps|Phelps State Lake]]
| [[Pettigrew State Park]]
| [[Washington County, North Carolina|Washington]], [[Tyrrell County, North Carolina|Tyrrell]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|16600|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| Phelps is North Carolina's second largest natural lake.<ref name=NicheGuide-Pettigrew />
|-
| [[Salters Lake|Salters State Lake]]
| [[Jones Lake State Park]]
| [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|315|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| Salters is the only State Lake without development along its shores.
|-
| [[Singletary Lake|Singletary State Lake]]
| [[Singletary Lake State Park]]
| [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|572|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| The shore line of Singletary Lake is entirely owned by the state.
|-
| [[Lake Waccamaw|Waccamaw State Lake]]
| [[Lake Waccamaw State Park]]
| [[Columbus County, North Carolina|Columbus]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|8938|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| Lake Waccamaw is the largest natural Carolina Bay lake.<ref name=NicheGuide-Waccamaw />
|-
| [[White Lake (North Carolina)|White State Lake]]
| None
| [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]]<ref name=ParkDir />
| {{convert|1068|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| This is the only State Lake without public lands along its shores.
|-
|}

==State Trails==
''State Trails'' are one of the principal components of the State Trail System.  State Trails may be either [[long-distance trail|long-distance, hiking trails]] or [[paddle trail]]s.  State Trails may have land components for providing a trail corridor or for protecting significant features or resources along the trail.  Most of these lands are leased to other land management agencies.  All of the State Trails are joint projects with other government agencies and nonprofit organizations.  The following is the NC Division of Parks & Recreation description of State Trails:

<blockquote>The North Carolina Trails System Act was passed in 1973 to help provide for the state's outdoor recreation needs and to promote public access to natural and scenic areas. The act prescribed methods for establishing a statewide system of scenic trails, recreation trails, and connecting or side trails. The Trails System includes "park trails", which are designated and managed as units of the State Parks System known as State Trails, and "designated trails", which are managed by other governmental agencies or corporations.<ref name=SysOverview />
</blockquote>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! State Trail
! class="unsortable" | Web-<br />site
! Region
! Designated Length
! Size
! Established
! class="unsortable" | Remarks
|-
| [[Dan River (Virginia)|Dan River State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/dan-river-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}
| 2021<ref name=SL2021-55 />
| A [[paddle trail]] on the Dan River in [[Stokes County, North Carolina|Stokes]] and [[Rockingham County, North Carolina|Rockingham Counties]].
|-
| [[Deep River State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/deep-river-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|1274|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2007<ref name=ParkDir />
| Planned hiking and [[paddle trail]] along the [[Deep River (North Carolina)|Deep River]].
|-
| [[East Coast Greenway|East Coast Greenway State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/east-coast-greenway-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}
| 2021<ref name=SL2021-54 />
| North Carolina's section of a developing [[bikeway]] spanning the [[East Coast of the United States]].
|-
| [[Equine State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/equine-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}
| 2023<ref name=SL2023-63 />
| A [[bridle path]] in North Carolina's [[Sandhills (Carolina)|Sandhills]] region.
|-
| [[Fonta Flora State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/fonta-flora-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|19|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|203|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2015<ref name=SL2015-113 />
| Planned hiking and bicycling trail that will encircle the eastern half of [[Lake James]].<ref name=SL2015-113 />
|-
| [[French Broad River|French Broad River State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/french-broad-river-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|117|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1987<ref name=ParkDir />
| A [[paddle trail]] extending from the beginning of the French Broad River in [[Rosman, North Carolina|Rosman]], to [[I-40]] in [[Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville]].
|-
| [[Haw River Trail|Haw River State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/haw-river-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}
| 2023<ref name=SL2023-36 />
| A [[paddle trail|paddle]] and hiking trail connecting Haw River State Park and Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.
|-
| [[Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/hickory-nut-gorge-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2017<ref name=SL2017-57 />
| A trail planned to encircle Hickory Nut Gorge and [[Lake Lure]].
|-
| [[Mountains-to-Sea Trail|Mountains-to-Sea State Park Trail]]<ref name=SL2000-157 />
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/mountains-sea-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|0}}State
| {{convert|669|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|778|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2000<ref name=ParkDir />
| The Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is a [[long-distance trail|Long-distance, hiking trail]], which runs across North Carolina from the [[Great Smoky Mountains]] to the [[Outer Banks]].  Still a work in progress, the trail will be approximately a {{convert|1000|miles|km}} long when completed.
|-
| [[Northern Peaks State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/northern-peaks-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2019<ref name=SL2019-74 />
| A hiking trail planned to go over several mountain peaks from Rivers Park in [[Boone, North Carolina|Boone]] to [[Mount Jefferson State Natural Area]].
|-
| [[Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail|Overmountain Victory State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/overmountain-victory-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|49.5|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2019<ref name=SL2019-20 />
| The Overmountain Victory Trail roughly follows the historic route of the [[Overmountain Men]] on their march to the [[Battle of Kings Mountain]].
|-
| [[Roanoke River|Roanoke River State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/roanoke-river-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}
| 2021<ref name=SL2021-180-Roanoke />
| A [[paddle trail]] on the Roanoke River from [[Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina|Roanoke Rapids]] to the [[Albemarle Sound]].
|-
| [[Saluda Grade|Saluda Grade State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/saluda-grade-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}
| 2023<ref name=SL2023-134 />
| A planned [[rail trail]] along [[Norfolk Southern Railway]]'s [[W Line (Norfolk Southern)|W Line]], from [[Zirconia, North Carolina|Zirconia]] to the North Carolina-South Carolina state line.
|-
| [[Wilderness Gateway State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/wilderness-gateway-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|0|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|1474|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 2019<ref name=SL2019-20 />
| Proposed trail to connect the Overmountain Victory Trail, South Mountains State Park, [[Valdese, North Carolina|Valdese]], and [[Hickory, North Carolina|Hickory]].
|-
| [[Yadkin River|Yadkin River State Trail]]
| [https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/yadkin-river-state-trail]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| {{convert|130|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1987<ref name=ParkDir />
| This [[paddle trail]] is along a mostly free-flowing stretch of the ''Yadkin River'' between the [[W. Kerr Scott Reservoir|W. Kerr Scott Dam]] and the beginning of [[High Rock Lake]].  There are only two small [[dam|impoundments]] along the trail, and neither one creates a large [[reservoir]].
|-
|}

==State Rivers==
''State Rivers'' are components of the state's Natural and Scenic Rivers System, which is the state's equivalent to the [[National Wild and Scenic Rivers System]].  Most of the [[List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers#North Carolina|state's National Wild and Scenic Rivers]], are also State Rivers and [[List of Latin phrases: V#vice versa|vice versa]].  The NC Division of Parks & Recreation states that:

<blockquote>The Natural and Scenic Rivers System was created by the 1971 General Assembly to preserve and protect certain free flowing rivers, their water quality and their adjacent lands for the benefit of present and future generations. The Natural and Scenic Rivers Act established criteria and methods for inclusion of components to the system. Components of the Natural and Scenic Rivers System are State Rivers, and are also units of the State Parks System.<ref name=SysOverview /></blockquote>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! State River
! Region
! Designated Length
! Size
! Established
! class="unsortable" | Remarks
|-
| [[Horsepasture River|Horsepasture State Natural River]]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|4.5|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1985<ref name=ParkDir />
| The river is located in the [[Pisgah National Forest]], within a moderate {{convert|1.75|miles|km}} hike of [[Gorges State Park]], via the [[Rainbow Falls Trail]].<ref name=Rainbow-Falls-Trail />
|-
| [[Linville River|Linville State Natural River]]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|13.0|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1975<ref name=ParkDir />
| The river is located in the middle of the [[Linville Gorge Wilderness]].
|-
| [[Lumber River|Lumber State Natural River]]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| {{convert|34.5|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1989<ref name=ParkDir />
| [[Lumber River State Park]] is along portions of the adjacent river banks.
|-
| [[Lumber River|Lumber State Scenic River]]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| {{convert|52.0|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1989<ref name=ParkDir />
| [[Lumber River State Park]] is along portions of the adjacent river banks.
|-
| [[Lumber River|Lumber State Recreational River]]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| {{convert|15.5|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1989<ref name=ParkDir />
| [[Lumber River State Park]] is along portions of the adjacent river banks.
|-
| [[New River (Kanawha River)|New State Scenic River]]
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| {{convert|26.5|miles|km|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| {{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSize />
| 1975<ref name=ParkDir />
| [[New River State Park]] is along portions of the adjacent river banks.
|-
|}

==Former units==
Some units have been formally removed from the NC State Park System and transferred to other agencies for management.

When the State Historic Site system was established in 1955, the system's first six components were historic properties transferred from the State Park System.<ref name=StateHistoricSites-Foreword /><ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />

One unit, [[Rendezvous Mountain State Park|Rendezvous Mountain]], was transferred back to the park system, after 66 years in the state forest system.<ref group=Note name=Note01/><ref name=StateParkHistory /><ref name=Matheson-named-super />

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Former unit
! class="unsortable" | Web-<br />site
! Region
! Counties
! Size †
! Established
! Removed
! Status
! class="unsortable" | Remarks
|-
| [[Alamance Battleground|Battle of Alamance]]<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150905151835/http://www.nchistoricsites.org/alamance/alamanc.htm]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Alamance County, North Carolina|Alamance]]<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| {{convert|40|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| 1953<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 1955<ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| Open
| The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
|-
| [[Boone's Cave Park|Boone's Cave State Park]]<ref name=Profile-BoonesCave /><ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20121231165454/http://www.co.davidson.nc.us/ParksAndRecreation/Boone%60sCaveParkInformation.aspx]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Davidson County, North Carolina|Davidson]]<ref name=StateParksBook-BoonesCave />
| {{convert|110|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=Profile-BoonesCave />
| 1971<ref name=StateParksBook-BoonesCave /><ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| 2002<ref name=SL2002-149 />
| Open
| Formerly managed by [[Morrow Mountain State Park]], Boone's Cave is now a Davidson County Park.
|-
| [[Brunswick Town, North Carolina|Brunswick Town]]<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20090321001517/http://www.nchistoricsites.org/brunswic/brunswic.htm]
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[Brunswick County, North Carolina|Brunswick]]<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| {{convert|119|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| 1952<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 1955<ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| Open
| The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
|-
| [[Cape Hatteras National Seashore|Cape Hatteras State Park]]<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| [https://www.nps.gov/caha/index.htm]
| {{Ntsh|1}}Coast
| [[Dare County, North Carolina|Dare]]<ref name=14th-Biennial-DCD />
| {{convert|1200|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=14th-Biennial-DCD />
| 1935<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=14th-Biennial-DCD /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 1952<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| Open
| Cape Hatteras State Park was located adjacent to [[Cape Hatteras Light]], and it was transferred to the larger Cape Hatteras National Seashore.<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
|-
| [[Aycock Birthplace|Charles B. Aycock Birthplace]]<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150905132624/http://www.nchistoricsites.org/aycock/aycock.htm]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne]]<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| {{convert|1|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| 1951<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 1955<ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| Open
| The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
|-
| [[Town Creek Indian Mound|Frutchey State Park]]<ref name=StateHistoricSites-TownCreek />
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20110727113801/http://www.nchistoricsites.org/town/town.htm]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Montgomery County, North Carolina|Montgomery]]<ref name=StateHistoricSites-TownCreek /><ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| {{convert|53|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| 1937<ref name=StateHistoricSites-TownCreek /><ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 1955<ref name=StateHistoricSites-TownCreek /><ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| Open
| The park was named after L. D. Frutchey, who donated the core property to the state, and it was later renamed "Town Creek State Park".  The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system, becoming known as [[Town Creek Indian Mound]].<ref name=StateHistoricSites-TownCreek />
|-
| Hiwassee Lake State Park<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 
| {{Ntsh|4}}Mountains
| [[Cherokee County, North Carolina|Cherokee]]<ref name=14th-Biennial-DCD />
| {{convert|834|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=14th-Biennial-DCD />
| 1948<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=14th-Biennial-DCD /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 1952<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 
| The state leased land around [[Hiwassee Dam|Hiwassee Lake]] from the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] for a few years.<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
|-
| [[James Iredell House]]<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20090615051123/http://www.nchistoricsites.org/iredell/]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Chowan County, North Carolina|Chowan]]<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| {{convert|2|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| 1951<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 1955<ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| Open
| The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
|-
| Reedy Creek State Park<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| [https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/william-b-umstead-state-park]
| {{Ntsh|3}}Piedmont
| [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake]]<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| {{convert|1,234|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| 1950<ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| 1966<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| Open
| Formed as a [[Racial segregation|segregated]] park for black citizens, it was merged with [[William B. Umstead State Park]] during [[Desegregation in the United States|desegregation]].<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
|-
| Sandhills State Recreation Area<ref name=Crossroads />
| [http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Hunting/GameLand_Maps/Piedmont/Sandhills.pdf]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Richmond County, North Carolina|Richmond]]
| <!--{{convert|0|acre|km2|sortable=on}}-->
| 1939<ref name=Crossroads />
| 1941<ref name=Crossroads />
| Open
| Transferred to Wildlife Resources Commission.<ref name=Crossroads />  Now part of the Sandhills Game Land.
|-
| [[Tryon Palace]]<ref name=ParkSystemHistory /><ref name=Crossroads />
| [http://www.tryonpalace.org/]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Craven County, North Carolina|Craven]]<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| {{convert|2|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD />
| 1952<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD /><ref name=Crossroads />
| 1955<ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| Open
| The park was transferred as one of the initial components of the State Historic Site system.
|-
| Waynesborough State Park<ref name=ProfileWAYN /><ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| [http://www.oldwaynesborough.org/]
| {{Ntsh|2}}Coastal Plain
| [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne]]<ref name=ProfileWAYN />
| {{convert|130|acre|km2|sortable=on}}<ref name=ProfileWAYN />
| 1979<ref name=ProfileWAYN /><ref name=ParkSystemHistory />
| 2003<ref name=SL2003-234 />
| Open
| Formerly managed by [[Cliffs of the Neuse State Park]], the park is now owned and managed by the ''Old Waynesborough Commission'', a [[non-profit corporation]].
|-class="sortbottom"
| colspan="9" | † Size while the unit was part of the park system
|-
|}

==See also==
*[[List of U.S. national parks]]
*[[List of North Carolina state forests]]
*[[List of National Natural Landmarks in North Carolina]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=Note|refs=
<ref name=Note01>
Rendezvous Mountain was originally established as North Carolina's third state park in 1926.  It was transferred to the Division of Forestry in 1956.  From 1984 to early 2022, it was operated as an educational state forest.  It was returned to the state park system in 2022.
</ref>
}}

==References==
<references>
<ref name=SysOverview>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncparks.gov/About/system_main.php
| title       = About Us  »  The Park System  »  Overview
| publisher   = North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20101120181206/http://www.ncparks.gov/About/system_main.php
| archive-date = November 20, 2010
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
}}
</ref>

<ref name=ParkSize>
{{cite web
 |url         = https://files.nc.gov/ncparks/north-carolina-state-parks-system-size-07-01-2020.xlsx
 |title       = Size of the North Carolina State Parks System
 |date        = July 1, 2020
 |publisher   = North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
 |format      = XLS
 |access-date  = August 17, 2020
 |url-status  = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20200818022924/https://files.nc.gov/ncparks/north-carolina-state-parks-system-size-07-01-2020.xlsx
 |archive-date = August 18, 2020
}}
</ref>

<ref name=ParkDir>
{{cite web
 |url=http://ncrules.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2015a%20-%20environment%20and%20natural%20resources/chapter%2012%20-%20parks%20and%20recreation%20area%20rules/subchapter%20a/15a%20ncac%2012a%20.0104.pdf 
 |title=Directory of State Parks and Recreation Areas 
 |date=May 1, 2010 
 |publisher=North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings 
 |pages=1–2 
 |format=PDF 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722003156/http://ncrules.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2015a%20-%20environment%20and%20natural%20resources/chapter%2012%20-%20parks%20and%20recreation%20area%20rules/subchapter%20a/15a%20ncac%2012a%20.0104.pdf 
 |archive-date=July 22, 2011 
 |access-date=May 20, 2011 
 |url-status=dead 
}}
</ref>

<ref name=ParkSystemHistory>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.ncparks.gov/sites/default/files/ncparks/37/NC-State-Parks-History.pdf
 |title        = History of the North Carolina State Park System
 |date         = August 27, 2015
 |publisher    = North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
 |format       = PDF
 |access-date   = September 24, 2015
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150925120353/http://www.ncparks.gov/sites/default/files/ncparks/37/NC-State-Parks-History.pdf
 |archive-date = September 25, 2015
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref>

<ref name=Crossroads>
{{Cite report
 | year       = 1968
 | title      = North Carolina State Parks At The Crossroads
 | url        = https://archive.org/details/northcarolinasta68unse
 | publisher  = Division of State Parks
 | pages      = 1–5
 | access-date = October 13, 2015
}}
</ref>

<ref name=14th-Biennial-DCD>
{{Cite report
 | year       = 1952
 | title      = Fourteenth Biennial Report of the Department of Conservation and Development
 | url        = https://archive.org/details/biennialconserv19501952
 | publisher  = Department of Conservation and Development
 | edition    = 14
 | location   = Raleigh, NC
 | chapter    = Division of State Parks
 | page       = 67
 | access-date = October 13, 2015
}}
</ref>

<ref name=15th-Biennial-DCD>
{{Cite report
 | year       = 1954
 | title      = Fifteenth Biennial Report of the Department of Conservation and Development
 | url        = https://archive.org/details/biennialcoserv19521954
 | publisher  = Department of Conservation and Development
 | edition    = 15
 | location   = Raleigh, NC
 | chapter    = Division of State Parks
 | page       = 66
 | access-date = October 13, 2015
}}
</ref>

<ref name=CABE-GMP-Land>{{Cite report
 |date        = January 22, 2007
 |title       = Carolina Beach State Park General Management Plan
 |url         = http://www.ncparks.gov/sites/default/files/ncparks/37/cabe-gmp.pdf
 |publisher   = North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
 |format      = PDF
 |chapter     = IX. Land Acquisition
 |pages       = 50–51
 |access-date  = October 3, 2015
 |quote       = The state owns 420 acres and leases 266 acres from the Department of the Army.  ... 75 additional acres are pending as an addition to the MOTSU lease[.]
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151005101335/http://www.ncparks.gov/sites/default/files/ncparks/37/cabe-gmp.pdf
 |archive-date = October 5, 2015
 |url-status  = dead
}}</ref>

<ref name=CABE-History>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncparks.gov/carolina-beach-state-park/history
| title       = History
| website     = North Carolina State Parks
| publisher   = North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
| access-date = October 3, 2015
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Profile-BoonesCave>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncparks.gov/About/plans/systemwide/docs/boca.pdf
| title       = Boone's Cave State Park - Park Profile
| publisher   = North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
| pages       = 1–2
| format      = PDF
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100527123010/http://www.ncparks.gov/About/plans/systemwide/docs/boca.pdf
| archive-date = May 27, 2010 
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
}}
</ref>

<ref name=ProfileWAYN>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncparks.gov/About/plans/systemwide/docs/wayn.pdf
| title       = Waynesborough State Park - Park Profile
| publisher   = North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
| pages       = 1–2
| format      = PDF
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
}}
</ref>

<ref name=FortFisherGMP>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncparks.gov/About/plans/gmp/fofi/2007/desc.pdf
| title       = I. Description of Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
| date        = February 1, 2007
| work        = Fort Fisher State Recreation Area General Management Plan
| publisher   = North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
| format      = PDF
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
| quote       = The Bald Head Island State Natural Area consists of a complex of barrier islands, salt marshes, bays, tidal creeks and estuarine islands located south of the state recreation area. (Figure I-2) The state natural area, a unit of the N.C. State Parks System, is under administration of staff from Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and includes: all of Bluff Island; about five miles of the beach strand of East Beach and the marshes behind it; and land at the actual point of Cape Fear on the southeastern tip of Bald Head Island.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2002-149>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2001/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1211v6.html
| title       = Session Law 2002-149
| date        = October 9, 2002
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| at          = Section 2
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
| quote       = Boone's Cave State Natural Area is deleted from the State Parks System pursuant to G.S. 113-44.14. The State may transfer this property to Davidson County for management as a park. The instrument transferring this property shall provide that the State retains a possibility of reverter and shall provide that, in the event that Davidson County ceases to manage the property as a park, the property shall revert to the State.  The State may not otherwise sell or exchange the property.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2000-157>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/1999/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1311v4.html
| title       = Session Law 2000-157
| date        = August 2, 2000
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| at          = Section 1
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
| quote       = The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to add the Mountains to Sea State Park Trail to the State Parks System as provided in G.S. 113-44.14(b).
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2003-234>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/sessions/2003/bills/senate/html/s627v4.html
| title       = Session Law 2003-234
| date        = June 19, 2003
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| at          = Section 5
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
| quote       = Waynesborough State Park is deleted from the State Parks System pursuant to G.S. 113-44.14.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2008-155>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/sessions/2007/bills/house/html/h2496v3.html
| title       = Session Law 2008-155
| date        = June 19, 2003
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2015-113>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2015/Bills/House/HTML/H339v3.html
| title       = Session Law 2015-113
| date        = June 24, 2015
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| access-date  = September 23, 2015
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2017-57>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2017/Bills/Senate/HTML/S257v9.html
| title       = Session Law 2017-57
| date        = June 28, 2017
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| at          = Section 14.15
| access-date  = June 10, 2018
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2017-177>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2017/Bills/House/HTML/H353v5.html
| title       = Session Law 2017-177
| date        = July 25, 2017
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| access-date  = June 10, 2018
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2019-20>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2019/Bills/House/HTML/H532v4.html
| title       = Session Law 2019-20
| date        = June 3, 2019
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| access-date  = June 7, 2019
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2019-74>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2019/Bills/Senate/HTML/S610v3.html
| title       = Session Law 2019-74
| date        = July 1, 2019
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| access-date  = July 5, 2019
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2019-138>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2019/Bills/Senate/HTML/S535v4.html
| title       = Session Law 2019-138
| date        = July 19, 2019
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| access-date  = July 21, 2019
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2021-54>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2021/Bills/House/HTML/H130v3.html
| title       = Session Law 2021-54
| date        = June 25, 2021
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| access-date = June 28, 2021
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2021-55>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2021/Bills/House/HTML/H360v3.html
| title       = Session Law 2021-55
| date        = June 25, 2021
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| access-date = June 28, 2021
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2021-180-Roanoke>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2021/Bills/Senate/PDF/S105v8.pdf
| title       = Session Law 2021-180
| date        = November 18, 2021
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| at          = Section 14.7.(g)
| access-date = November 30, 2021
| quote       = The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to add the Roanoke River Paddle Trail in Halifax, Northampton, Bertie, Martin, and Washington Counties to the State Parks System as a State trail[.]
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2021-180-Bakers>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2021/Bills/Senate/PDF/S105v8.pdf
| title       = Session Law 2021-180
| date        = November 18, 2021
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| at          = Section 14.10
| access-date = November 30, 2021
| quote       = The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to add Bakers Lake State Natural Area in Bladen County to the State Parks System[.]
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2023-36>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2023/Bills/Senate/PDF/S100v3.pdf
| title       = Session Law 2023-36
| date        = June 9, 2023
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| access-date = June 15, 2023
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2023-63>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2023/Bills/Senate/PDF/S582v8.pdf
| title       = Session Law 2023-63
| date        = June 27, 2023
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| at          = Section 6
| access-date = June 30, 2023
| quote       = The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to add the Equine State Trail in Chatham, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, and Richmond Counties to the State Parks System as a State trail[.]
}}
</ref>

<ref name=SL2023-134>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2023/Bills/House/PDF/H259v7.pdf
| title       = Session Law 2023-134
| date        = October 3, 2023
| publisher   = General Assembly of North Carolina
| location    = Raleigh, North Carolina
| at          = Section 14.5
| access-date = October 31, 2023
| quote       = The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to add the trail established on the Saluda Grade rail corridor to the State Parks System as a State trail[.]
}}
</ref>

<ref name=StateParksBook-BoonesCave>
{{cite book
| last1       = Biggs, Jr.
| first1      = Walter C.
| last2       = Parnell
| first2      = James F.
| title       = State Parks of North Carolina
| edition     = 2nd
| orig-year    = 1989
| year        = 1993
| publisher   = John F. Blair
| location    = Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| isbn        = 0-89587-071-1
| pages       = 107–110
| chapter     = Piedmont
}}
</ref>

<ref name=StateParksBook-PilotMtn>
{{cite book
| last1       = Biggs, Jr.
| first1      = Walter C.
| last2       = Parnell
| first2      = James F.
| title       = State Parks of North Carolina
| edition     = 2nd
| orig-year    = 1989
| year        = 1993
| publisher   = John F. Blair
| location    = Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| isbn        = 0-89587-071-1
| pages       = 176–187
| chapter     = Piedmont
| quote       = Pilot Mountain, like the rocky escarpments in nearby Hanging Rock State Park, is a remnant of the ancient Sauratown Mountain range.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=NicheGuide-HangingRock>
{{cite book
| last1       = Lynch
| first1      = Ida Phillips
| last2       = Pendergraft
| first2      = Bill
| others      = Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design
| title       = North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide
| year        = 2007
| publisher   = Niche Publishing
| location    = Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| isbn        = 978-0-9794591-0-8
| pages       = 40–41
| chapter     = Piedmont
| quote       = Hanging Rock State Park is located at the eastern end of the isolated Sauratown Mountain range.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=NicheGuide-Hemlock>
{{cite book
| last1       = Lynch
| first1      = Ida Phillips
| last2       = Pendergraft
| first2      = Bill
| others      = Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design
| title       = North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide
| year        = 2007
| publisher   = Niche Publishing
| location    = Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| isbn        = 978-0-9794591-0-8
| page        = 43
| chapter     = Piedmont
}}
</ref>

<ref name=NicheGuide-MedocMtn>
{{cite book
| last1       = Lynch
| first1      = Ida Phillips
| last2       = Pendergraft
| first2      = Bill
| others      = Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design
| title       = North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide
| year        = 2007
| publisher   = Niche Publishing
| location    = Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| isbn        = 978-0-9794591-0-8
| pages       = 54–55
| chapter     = Piedmont
| quote       = This "mountain" reaches a height of only 325 feet and is the eroded remnant of a larger mountain range.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=NicheGuide-MorrowMtn>
{{cite book
| last1       = Lynch
| first1      = Ida Phillips
| last2       = Pendergraft
| first2      = Bill
| others      = Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design
| title       = North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide
| year        = 2007
| publisher   = Niche Publishing
| location    = Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| isbn        = 978-0-9794591-0-8
| pages       = 56–57
| chapter     = Piedmont
| quote       = Morrow is the tallest of the range's four major peaks and measures 936 feet.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=NicheGuide-Pettigrew>
{{cite book
| last1       = Lynch
| first1      = Ida Phillips
| last2       = Pendergraft
| first2      = Bill
| others      = Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design
| title       = North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide
| year        = 2007
| publisher   = Niche Publishing
| location    = Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| isbn        = 978-0-9794591-0-8
| pages       = 106–107
| chapter     = Coastal Plain
}}
</ref>

<ref name=NicheGuide-Waccamaw>
{{cite book
| last1       = Lynch
| first1      = Ida Phillips
| last2       = Pendergraft
| first2      = Bill
| others      = Design by Leesa Brinkley Graphic Design
| title       = North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide
| year        = 2007
| publisher   = Niche Publishing
| location    = Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| isbn        = 978-0-9794591-0-8
| pages       = 96–97
| chapter     = Coastal Plain
}}
</ref>

<ref name=StateHistoricSites-Foreword>
{{cite book
| last        = McCullough
| first       = Gary L.
| title       = North Carolina's State Historic Sites
| year        = 2001
| publisher   = John F. Blair
| location    = Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| isbn        = 0-89587-241-2
| page        = vi
| chapter     = Foreword
| quote       = In 1955, seven historic properties were transferred from the state parks system to what was then the North Carolina Department of Archives and History.  Thus began the system of state historic sites ... 
}}
</ref>

<ref name=StateHistoricSites-TownCreek>
{{cite book
| last        = McCullough
| first       = Gary L.
| title       = North Carolina's State Historic Sites
| year        = 2001
| publisher   = John F. Blair
| location    = Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| isbn        = 0-89587-241-2
| pages       = 51–54
| chapter     = Central
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Rainbow-Falls-Trail>
{{cite web
| url         = http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akamai.com/11558/www/nepa/57753_FSPLT1_026115.pdf
| title       = Rainbow Falls Trail Decision Memo
| first       = Randall
| last        = Burgess
| date        = March 17, 2010
| publisher   = USDA Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina, Pisgah Ranger District
| location    = Transylvania County, North Carolina
| pages       = 1–4
| format      = PDF
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
}}<br />
— {{cite web
| url         = http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=28413
| title       = Rainbow Falls Trail Extension
| publisher   = USDA Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
}}<br />
— {{cite web
| url         = http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110811&ttype=recarea&recid=48438&actid=50&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=null&cid=null&pname=Pisgah+Ranger+District+-+Rainbow+Falls+Trail+%23499
| title       = Rainbow Falls Trail #499
| publisher   = USDA Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina
| access-date  = May 20, 2011
| quote       = 1.75 mi - Moderate
}}
</ref>

<ref name=StateParkHistory>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/rendezvous-mountain-state-park/education
| title       = Education
| date        = August 27, 2015
| publisher   = North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
| access-date = September 3, 2022
| url-status   = live
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20220904023716/https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/rendezvous-mountain-state-park/education
| archive-date = September 4, 2022
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Matheson-named-super>
{{cite web
| url          = https://www.journalpatriot.com/news/matheson-named-rendezvous-superintendent/article_b8c11853-a4d7-502e-87e1-64d15ff67afe.html
| title        = Matheson named Rendezvous superintendent
| first        = Jule
| last         = Hubbard
| date         = July 10, 2022
| publisher    = [[Wilkes Journal-Patriot]]
| location     = North Wilkesboro
| access-date  = September 3, 2022
| url-status   = live
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20220717045142/https://www.journalpatriot.com/news/matheson-named-rendezvous-superintendent/article_b8c11853-a4d7-502e-87e1-64d15ff67afe.html
| archive-date = July 17, 2022
}}
</ref>
</references>

==External links==
* [http://www.ncparks.gov/ NC State Parks home page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110406202133/http://www.ncparks.gov/About/docs/protection_acreage.pdf Size of the North Carolina State Park System] (Updated biannually)
* [http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_143/gs_143-260.10.html NC General Statute § 143‑260.10.  Components of State Nature and Historic Preserve.]

{{Protected areas of North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{Lists of state parks by U.S. state}}

[[Category:State parks of North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:North Carolina geography-related lists|State parks]]
[[Category:Lists of state parks of the United States|North Carolina state parks]]