Cliffs of the Neuse

Cliffs of the Neuse SP https://www.ncparks.gov/cliffs-of-the-neuse-state-park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_the_Neuse_State_Park Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is located along the southern banks of the Neuse River in Seven Springs, Wayne County, North Carolina. It has a swimming area, camp sites, hiking trails, fishing areas, and picnic areas. The park's museum features exhibits about the geology and natural history of the cliffs and the park. Extending for 600 yards (550 m), the series of cliffs rise 90 feet (27 m) above the water. Layers of sand, clay, seashells, shale and gravel form the multicolored cliff face, a rainbow of white, tan, yellow and brown.

Activities Located 2 miles from the Seven Springs township in Wayne County, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park sits on steep cliffs overlooking the Neuse River. Some trails follow the cliffs’ edge for great views of the river, while other traverse pine forests and lead to small creeks that make for quiet fishing spots. An 11-acre lake allows for boating and swimming, while campgrounds and camper cabins offer an opportunity to stay overnight. Experience the Park! Cliffs of the Neuse State Park 240 Park Entrance Rd. Seven Springs, NC 28578 919-778-6234 cliffs.neuse@ncparks.gov GPS: 35.2354, -77.8932 Fun Facts ■■ The park was established in 1945 ■■ Local landowner, Lionel Weil, proposed the area to become a park in 1944, and along with other individuals donated the land in 1945. ■■ The cliffs were slowly carved over millions of years by the erosive action of the Neuse River waters. 7 miles of hiking and biking trails Spanish moss reaches the western limits of its distribution at Cliffs of the Neuse. Layers of sand, clay, seashells, shale and gravel form the multicolored cliff surface. ■■ The park sits on what was once a ceremonial ground for the Tuscarora and Saponi Indians. ■■ During the Civil War, the CSS Neuse was built near the park in 1862 to challenge Union control of the state’s coastal waters. • Cypress • Galax • Wild ginger • Longleaf pine The waters were also used for whiskey stills ■■ The mineral springs in the area were touted for the water’s healing properties. ■■ Reservable Facilities include picnic shelters, Camper Cabins, an auditorium and classrooms. • River otter • Muskrat • Opossum • Raccoon • Copperhead • White-tailed deer • Eastern fox squirrel • Pileated woodpecker • Prothonotary warbler ncparks.gov MNQP 

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park 19 FAMILY CAMPGROUND 240 Park Entrance Rd., Seven Springs, NC 28578 GPS: 35.2412, -77.8870 cliffs.neuse@ncparks.gov (919) 778-6234 17 21 18 23 22 20 25 24 12 26 Bathhouse 29 Cabin 7 14 13 27 LEGEND Hiking Trail To O 28 30 31 4 34 loo k 7 5 3 1 ve r 6 2 32 33 9 8 Information Parking 11 10 Campsite 1 Campsite – full hookup 15 16 Restrooms Road Sanitary Disposal Station Telephone North Trash Bin Water Spigot 0 250 500 feet 02/20 

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Pettigrew State Park South Mountains State Park – 2018 Park of the Year Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation manages more than 234,000 acres of iconic landscape across our state in our parks, recreation areas and natural areas with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomed more than 19 million visitors in 2017. Discover More with a Ranger Across North Carolina, state park rangers are proud of our parks and eager to welcome you and your family. Come to our parks to marvel at our state’s most beautiful natural resources, enjoy your favorite outdoor activities and learn about the rich science, culture and history that make our parks great. Fun facts about North Carolina State Parks ■■ There are 41 places to visit, including 34 parks, four recreation areas and three staffed state natural areas. ■■ The Division manages four state rivers, seven state lakes and six state trails. ■■ There are about 581 miles of trail to explore in our parks. ■■ The first state park created was Mount Mitchell State Park on March 3, 1915. Fort Macon State Park was the second. ■■ The Division celebrated 100 years of being Naturally Wonderful in 2016. ■■ Parks that welcome over 1 million visitors annually include: Jockey’s Ridge, Fort Macon and William B. Umstead state parks and Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake state recreation areas. ■■ The Division employs over 1,000 people across the state. ■■ Some www.ncparks.gov M N P Q Roy Cooper Governor unique activities you can do in our parks include: wind surfing and hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, cross country skiing and snow shoeing at Elk Knob State Park, driving on the four-wheel-drive beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and rock climbing at Chimney Rock, Crowders Mountain, Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain and Stone Mountain state parks. Susi H. Hamilton Secretary 75,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $10,707.92 or $0.14 each. 03/18 Did you know that many plants atop Mount Mitchell are rare in North Carolina but common in Quebec? That the giant sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge are constantly moving? Do you know how to safely hold a crayfish? From fishing lessons to astronomy programs and tree identification hikes to guided paddles, parks offer programs for all ages. Visit our website for a list of upcoming programs at each park. Junior Rangers The Junior Ranger program offers educational and skill-based activities to encourage children to explore the outdoors. Children can complete activity guides, geared for ages 6-12, and attend ranger programs to earn a junior ranger patch unique to each park. Ask about the program at a park office or download the guide at: www.ncparks.gov/junior-rangers. Environmental Education Learning Experiences Parks have their own curriculum guides that are correlated to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Competency goals in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language arts are available. Each program includes pre-visit, on-site and post-visit student activities that have measurable objectives, background information, vocabulary, references and step-bystep activity instructions. Passport Program How many state parks can you visit? Use your passport as a guide and collect stamps, earn prizes and make “Naturally Wonderful” memories! Pick up your passport at a state park near you. North Carolina State Parks 100-Mile Challenge Can you hike, bike or paddle 100 miles in a year? Join the N.C. State Parks’ 100-Mile Challenge and log your miles online to earn digital badges and redeem prizes as you reach various milestones! This is a great way to get outside, get moving and keep track of your activity. Visit www.nc100miles.org to sign up. ■■ Several parks have educational trails, called TRACK trails, that include activities for children to complete along the way. William B. Umstead State Park Jockey’s Ridge State Park Friends Of State Parks Join the Friends of State Parks to help support, promote and advocate for the parks system as a whole, or join the friends group of your favorite park. The group helps provide funding for Junior Ranger and Youth in Parks – Environmental Education programs, as well as grants for state parks projects. You can also make a donation to help keep our parks around for future generations. Learn more at www.ncfsp.org or www.ncparks.gov/support-your-parks. Merchandise Want to show your N.C. State Parks pride? Visit the online webstore and purchase products such as coffee mugs, prints, t-shirts, pins, patches and Christmas ornaments. This exclusive merchandise makes a great gift for special state parks fans, including yourself. www.ncparkstore.com N.C. State Parks License Plate Show your support for state parks every time you drive your vehicle! Purchase an N.C. State Parks license plate through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicl