Let's Go Hiking in North Carolina-My Raven Rock State Park Hike

Raven Rock State Park

Lillington NC

I enjoy taking long walks with my dog.  The walks we take are near home and usually on paved trails.  We usually go 1-2 miles. I always enjoy these times with Brodie.

I am a member of several MeetUp Groups, and one of them is a hiking group.  Being in a group like this allows me to explore without the possibility of getting lost.  (At least I hope our fearless leaders know where we are going:-)

When I was looking at an upcoming event on the MeetUp site, I saw that one of my favorite groups was hiking at Raven Rock.  The Hiking Over The Hill Group was planning on hiking 4.5 miles on this trip.  It would be a combination of the Little Creek Trail and the Raven Rock Trail.

Below is a description of the Raven Rock Loop Trail, as found on the park website.

Our group met at the Visitor Center.

The visitor center is very nice.  There are restrooms, an exhibit hall, and even a gift shop with fun things to buy plus park information.

Here is a quote from their website

"The Cape Fear River is the frequent hiking destination for visitors entering Raven Rock State Park, whether it’s Lanier Falls, the Fish Traps rapids or the massive Raven Rock, an ageless landmark for river travelers. Along the way, hikers will experience steep terrain, mountain laurel, and rhododendron thickets and tumbling creeks. The park offers primitive backcountry camping areas for families and paddlers; all supplies must be carried in, but the solitude is worth the effort. A separate equestrian area on the river’s north bank offers extensive trails and a large parking area. Frequent interpretive programs complement museum-quality exhibits in the visitor center exploring the Cape Fear region’s cultural and natural history."

The trail was wide and open, covered with leaves.  

There are many roots to watch out for.

After stubbing my toes on several roots, I have decided to invest in hiking boots.

We found a lovely creek on the trail and stopped to take photos.

View of the Cape Fear River.

To get to the Raven Rock, you can descent the stairs.

The stairs were a bit icy on the day of our visit, but if you took your time, it was no problem.

Part of our group attempting to support the Raven Rock.

I love the root system of this tree.  How would I describe this?

Rustic, rugged, knotted, craggy, and beautiful root system.

Our leader said, "who is going to climb up there so I can take a photo?" After a brief hesitation, I jumped at the chance.   What fun.

What a lovely day at Raven Rock State Park.  I loved being outside surrounded by nature's beauty.  It was fun to spend the day with the nice folks in this group. And of course, getting some exercise was a plus as well.  

Happy Hiking Everyone!

KathieyV