Raven Rock's Great Gift

On Day 1 of our first “daddy deployment”, I took my boys to Raven Rock. Long before he left, I anticipated the void our family would suffer those many months of separation. I also understood I could never fill the void by stepping into his shoes—down and dirty soccer matches, hair-raising bouts of tickle-monster and tackle football. What I must do, I resolved, was step into my own shoes, lacing them even tighter. So I donned my hiking boots, and off to Raven Rock we went.

Raven Rock State Park sits alongside the Cape Fear River in Harnett County, a 45-minute drive from Fayetteville traveling US 421. The park sits on a "fall line", where the river drops to produce some of the best rapids in the eastern piedmont. Unique to this fall line section of the Cape Fear, is a topography and ecology quite stunning and diverse to the piedmont region.

Every hike at Raven Rock should begin with a walk-through of their newly completed Visitors Center. Interactive and child-friendly, the mini-exhibit explains why Raven Rock is such a treasure. It gives visitors deeper insight to an already stunning natural experience.

For any hike you choose, be prepared to witness an ever-changing variety of trees, underbrush and wildflowers. The higher elevations are marked by pine, oak and hickory, with dogwood and blueberry making up the underbrush. As you descend the almost vertical, multi-landing staircase of Raven Rock Loop, pause mid-way (don’t worry, you’ll probably need to!) and observe how nature changes, delighting you with new viewing pleasures-- mountain laurel, rhododendron, elm and red maple. But the view from the bottom is my family’s favorite— dizzying bluffs, rocky out-croppings, beautifully exposed knotty tree root systems, all intertwined to create a child’s (and dog’s) climbing fantasy come true.

Of course, one can’t only soak up the views. Well, I can…for a moment. I’m consumed by the views of nature and the views of my children climbing all over it. Their favorite thing is playing hard, then pausing long enough to soak in some sun—becoming almost like the turtles by river’s edge--but not for long. A little sun, a little snack, and off they go again.

Raven Rock State Park offers camping, canoeing, picnicking, and educational events; but my personal favorite is the annual Raven Rock Rumble-- a 5 & 10-mile trail run held each November. The race is well organized and well attended; offering challenging, yet fun courses, which traverse and highlight the beautiful forests, hills and creeks of Raven Rock.

My boys found new courage at Raven Rock that first day of deployment. Climbing rocks from below the bluffs, gazing across the expanse of river and piedmont from above; they realized strength within for the season ahead. They could do it. Daddy deployment wouldn’t be fun, but it could have fun times—times they were determined to enjoy and share once Daddy came home. 

Needless to say, we’ve been to Raven Rock-- over and over again.

Planning Your Visit:

*Cost: Free

*Pets are welcome—bring the leash

*For special programs, call, rather than rely on internet. There may be educational events upcoming which are not posted on their calendar.

*Address: 3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington, NC 27546

*Phone: (910) 893-4888

Raven Rock State Park

North Carolina State Parks