Raven Rock State Park

Geobox Protected Area
name = Raven Rock State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = North Carolina State Park
category_iucn = III


image_caption =
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = Raven Rock
country = United States
state = North Carolina
region_type = County
region = Harnett
location =
lat_d = 35
lat_m = 28
lat_s = 21
lat_NS = N
long_d = 78
long_m = 54
long_s = 26
long_EW = W
location_note = [cite web
url = http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lon=-78.9072&lat=35.4725
title = Raven Rock State Park, USGS Mamers (NC) Topo Map
accessdate = 2008-06-29
publisher = TopoQuest]
elevation_imperial = 131
elevation_round = 1
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 4667
area_round = 1
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biome =
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geology =
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established_type =
established = 1969
established1_type =
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management_body = North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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visitation =
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free_type = Nearest city
free = Lillington, North Carolina
free1_type =
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map_caption = Location of Raven Rock State Park in North Carolina
map_locator = North Carolina
map_first =
website = [http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/raro/main.php Raven Rock State Park]

Raven Rock State Park is a North Carolina state park in Harnett County, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Lillington, North Carolina, it covers 4,667 acres (19 km²) along the banks of the Cape Fear River. Raven Rock State Park is located on the eastern edge of the Piedmont.

History

Raven Rock State Park sits along the fall zone, an area where the hard, resistant rocks of the foothills give way to the softer rocks and sediments of the coastal plain. The underlying rocks of the area were formed more than 400 million years ago by intense heat and pressure.

Through the ages, flowing waters and swirling winds gradually eroded the land, carving and sculpting Raven Rock. This immense crystalline structure rises to convert|150|ft|m and stretches for more than a mile along the Cape Fear River. The rock was originally called Patterson's Rock for an early settler who found refuge there when his canoe capsized nearby. In 1854, its name was changed to Raven Rock, inspired by the sight of ravens that formerly roosted on rock ledges.

The Siouan and Tuscarora Indians hunted the area until European settlers arrived in the mid-1700s. The first settlers were primarily hunters and trappers who were searching for high country similar to their native country, Scotland. Later, stores, mills and quarries were built. Many of the woodlands were farmed, and as the forests returned, much of the land was harvested for timber.

A road that stretched from Raleigh to Fayetteville crossed the Cape Fear River via the Northington Ferry and served as the area's major transportation route. Locks and dams were built along the river to facilitate navigation by boat, and Raven Rock became an important landmark for river pilots. After a hurricane destroyed the locks and dams in 1859, the structures were not replaced; railroad transportation eliminated the need for river travel. As new roads were built, the ferry was closed and Raven Rock became a popular recreation spot. The remnants of the Northington lock and dam can still be seen in the park.

In 1965, interest grew in preserving the area as a state park, and local citizens organized support for the project. In 1969, a bill establishing the park was passed in the General Assembly. More than convert|220|acre|km2 of land were purchased and another convert|170|acre|km2 were donated by Burlington Industries. Additional tracts have since been purchased, bringing the park to its present size of convert|4667|acre|km2.

Information

The park offers a picnic area, places for fishing and canoeing, and camp grounds. There are also several hiking trails, including the American Beech Trail (0.5 miles), Campbell Creek Loop (5.0 miles), Fish Traps Trail (0.6 miles), Lanier Falls Trail (0.2 miles), Little Creek Loop (1.5 miles), Northington Ferry Trail (0.9 miles), and the Raven Rock Loop (2.6 miles). There are also horseback riding trails on the north side of the Cape Fear River.

The Raven Rock Loop splits off in two directions. One leads to the Raven Rock, a convert|150|ft|m|sing=on high and one mile (1.6 km) long rock formation along the river. The other leads to the Overlook, a small manmade stone structure high above the Cape Fear River, giving a clear view of both the river and the undeveloped woodlands. [Raven Rock State Park Map and Brochure; printed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation]

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|km|0 of Raven Rock State Park:
*Jordan Lake State Recreation Area (Chatham County)
*William B. Umstead State Park (Wake County)

References

* [http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/raro/main.php Park home page]