By: Katie Hall, Public Information Officer, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
You know those days that are sunny but not hot; breezy but not cold; everything feels just right? The kind of day that, with one deep breath, seems to wash away the troubles of the world and make you just happy to be alive? That was the kind of day I enjoyed for my first hike at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. I hope you’re lucky enough to experience the park on a day like I did.
Besides its natural beauty and unique features, one of my favorite things about Cliffs of the Neuse is its location. It’s in a part of the state that is still in need of engaging, affordable outdoor recreational opportunities, and is convenient to places like Wilson, Greenville, Smithfield, Mt. Olive, Kinston, and Goldsboro. It’s also about halfway from Raleigh to the coast, offering a fun stop on a weekend trip to the beach or a great place to stay for a few nights with sun, water, and hiking without making a trip all the way down east.
This park is home to impressive cliffs overlooking the Neuse River–truly a sight that will surprise you when you visit for the first time. The cliffs reach 600 yards along the riverbank and rise 90 feet above the water. Layers of sand, clay, seashells, shale and gravel make up the cliff face, which began to form when a fault in the earth’s crust shifted millions of years ago. The Neuse River followed this fault line and slowly cut its course through sediment across the coastal plain. A portion of the river took a bend against its bank and the water carved the Cliffs of the Neuse.
Five trails ranging from 350 yards to two miles on land will lead you along riverside micro-habitats. You’ll see mature forests as well as a longleaf pine restoration area that is just beginning its journey back to its natural state. Many of the trails have lots more elevation changes than you would expect in the coastal plain. I found the terrain to be more reminiscent of the foothills, but with a mix of flora and fauna you would expect in central and eastern N.C. Bald cypress trees fight to hang on to their bit of habitat in bogs along the trail, Spanish moss makes its westernmost appearance here, and galax, red oak, and Virginia pines more commonly seen in the western part of the state make their home upslope in the park.
Hosting this kind of biodiversity is truly special. Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is a place to explore, swim, paddle, run, and play– the park is a jack-of-all-trades. If you haven’t been before, you’ll be truly impressed. If it’s been a while, you owe yourself a visit! I hope that vacationers, explorers, and residents from nearby will head to Cliffs of the Neuse and enjoy all the reasons to love this very special place that belongs to us all.
While you’re there, you’ll want to stay a few nights to try our new Camper Cabins– sturdy log cabins with the added comforts of A/C and electricity, especially nice during heat or cold. These two-bedroom Camper Cabins are only offered at Cliffs of the Neuse and Carolina Beach state parks, but we hope to have more in time as they have been a big hit with visitors.
See you in our parks!
____________
Katie Hall is the Public Information Officer for the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. A life-long North Carolinian, Katie is on a mission to explore all the state parks she has missed or hasn’t seen in a decade or more. Her background is in environmental science, management and policy, communications and outreach. Parks visited so far: 34
North Carolina State Parks 