Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is located in Seven Springs, NC. The park is named for the 90-foot…read morecliffs that overlook the Neuse River. I first stopped at the Visitor Center. I like visiting these as they are like a little museum in each state park. This visitor center was very interactive and had bright colors with the storyboards. I like that they covered the local ecology, the history of the river and also how we can help make better choices to keep the water safe. In the lobby, there are some taxidermies; you will see a black bear, an owl, a fox and a bobcat that lived in the area. When the fault formed, the water created the cliffs. The cliffs are unique in the layers formed. The white and yellow layers of sand and gravel are remnants of ancient beaches. The Atlantic Ocean once covered the area. Then the dark gray and black layers were made of clay likely deposited by ancient marshes. Between these layers are marine life, seashells, shale, and gravel. These got left behind as the sea levels rose and fell. These formations are 90 feet high and 200 feet underground. Native Americans gathered here, the Tuscarora and Saponi tribes. The river acted as a transportation route and a source of food. They used canoes to go from the coast to the inland forest. The high ground served as a lookout point, allowing them to see anyone approaching. They hunted deer and turkey. The museum has stone tools and other artifacts that were found in the area. During the Civil War, in the Battle of Whitehall (now Seven Springs), the Union soldiers used the higher ground to fight the Confederates. The Confederates were building an ironclad ship (the CSS Neuse). They thought being upriver would keep them safe from the Union ships. They had hoped to retake New Bern with it. The ship survived the battle with only minor damage and was moved to Kinston to have an engine and heavy iron armor added. (The ship can be seen at the CSS Interpretive Museum in Kinston, NC) I liked the phones available for a glimpse into the past from people who were part of the park, and the viewer glasses. The building is air-conditioned, and restrooms are available. There is a small gift shop too. The staff were friendly as they were expecting campers. There is an Overlook for a beautiful view. It is just steps away from the parking lot. The view was stunning. The signs make it easy to find from the visitor center. There are some trails to follow as well if you want to explore more.

The name caught my eye, and despite this being far away from the mountainous part of the state…read morethere are indeed cliffs. The river was at flood stage due to heavy rains throughout the region when I visited, but there was no danger of getting wet at the top of the cliffs. You can pretty much drive right up to where the views are, and this being a NC state park, you can simply motor on in without paying a fee, which is not the case in neighboring states like SC and VA. Trails take one from the cliffs down to the riverside in fairly short order, and there were plenty of interesting sights to see in the short time I spent there, another on my list of sights seen in a fascinatingly diverse state.

Wonderful experience will definitely go back Great trails very educational we sat at the water…read morefor quite awhile serene and peaceful

Fantastic local place for woods walking. This park is often crowded on the weekends in their…read moreparking lot. Your car will get dirty driving in on their gravel road. They offer a few hiking trails plus cooking grills.

Lake Johnson Park is one of Raleigh's best spots when you want a workout that actually comes with a…read moreview. The 3-mile loop gave me the perfect mix of cardio, scenery, and just enough challenge to keep things interesting. The trail is mostly paved and very well maintained, but there are also a few off-road paths if you want to switch things up. The lake views are gorgeous throughout the walk, and the heavily wooded sections make it feel peaceful and shaded even on warmer days. I also appreciated that the trail has a few solid uphill stretches. I'd say it's ideal for intermediate walkers, runners, or cyclists looking for a scenic challenge without venturing into hardcore hiking territory. The only downside is the parking situation, which can get pretty tight during busy hours. Still, once you're on the trail, it's absolutely worth it. Raleigh really lucked out with this gem of a park.

Natures finest!…read more Local park with free (but limited) parking. Walking trails. Kayak and paddleboard rentals. Birdwatching. Clean picnic and public bathrooms. Great place to go and enjoy nature.

Such a fun place to take kids or if you wanna be a big kid yourself! I like how they have teenagers…read more(maybe some college kids) working there. They're all so friendly and welcoming! Gives them an opportunity to earn some money during the season. We got the aquabana as they call it, for half a day (4 hours) and it was worth it ! We didn't swim but the kids did and they had a blast! You're able to bring a cooler with food and drinks ( juice, tea, soda, water. No alcohol) they have a food truck on site, as well as a "dirty soda" stand. Flavored sodas with cream (very popular in Utah but slowly making their way to the east coast) as well as a first aid bungalow. Everyone gets a life vest but kids under 18 MUST wear theirs at all times! I like that rule! Keeps the kids safe. Of course the teens working there are certified lifeguards just in case! They also offer scuba classes/lessons at the quarry. Would I come back? YES! Maybe one day I would try the courses and swim or paddle board but the go around it was nice relaxing and letting the kids live carefree in the lake!

Me and my husband had such a fun time here! It was just enjoyable sitting in our beach chairs…read morelistening to the music after running and swimming around out there. The inflatables are so much fun and you get tired out after about an hour. They had a food truck that had some great options as well we enjoyed. I would say this is a great spot for all ages.

This is the place to go in Garner for your July 4th fireworks! You can rent a paddle boat during…read morethe day, walk the perimeter, have a picnic or play flag football on the gigantic fields. This park had bathroom facilities, dog parks and a playground. Police frequently patrol and keep the park safe for families. Don't miss the US War memorials! Such history at your finger tips.

Beautiful, spacious park in Garner! I visited Lake Benson Park mainly because I heard about the dog…read morepark. I stopped by on a Thursday night and the park was packed. Lots of kids on the playgrounds, people walking on the paths, and dogs in the dog park. I enjoy seeing parks full of people enjoying the outdoors. Pros: -Large dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs -Dog park is free for anyone to use (no pass required) -Clean park -Ample parking in lots or along the road -Beautiful, respectful veterans' memorial -Labelled areas and trails -Ample areas to sit -Multiple playgrounds and shelters Cons: -Dog park is open to anyone so the dogs may not be fixed, vaccinated, or well-trained -Most of the driving paths are not paved. This kicks up a lot of dust -Lots of bird poop on signs and benches. It's an outdoor park so this is understandable. Bring a towel if you plan to use the benches

Lovely trails in an urban area! It wasn't long before the car sounds faded and I could only hear…read morethe sounds of nature. Out and back, I walked about a mile. Watch out for some roots, but it's mostly flat. No man-made restrooms, so "go before you go."

It's neat to have Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve so close to home. We did the stairway to…read moreheaven, beach bluffs loop and swift creek loop in about 1.6 miles. There were a few downed trees but we were able to easily get around them. The trail is narrow so it was tough to social distance in most spots but other hikers had masks. I recommend going early or on an 'off' day because parking is a pain. I want to check this spot out again once it gets cooler to see how the views change.

When I moved to Raleigh our real estate agent has told us about the Greenway, but when I purchased…read moremy house I had no idea we lived so close to an entrance, or how much I would enjoy this wonderful place. It is not often a government gets something right, but in the case of the Greenway they nailed it in my opinion. Laid out nicely along the Neuse River. Trash cans set up so people can dispose of their garbage. A great place to jog, walk or ride your bike. I wish more cyclists would announce themselves when coming up from behind, but hey what would the world be without assholes. Enjoy a relaxing couple of ours and take a hike. Relatively flat and you can go as far as you like.

I loved walking here today. Although it was quite warm and some would say hot, it didn't feel too…read morebad because of the trees which provided good shade. The trails are long enough to get your steps in or even a decent bike ride. Dogs are welcome too. The scenery and fresh scents were also highlights of my walk. However, the icing on the cake came from the birds and animals. The chirping sound of the birds felt refreshing while the squirrels and deer added to the amazing view. If I lived near here l would make this a regular place to visit.

If your into trail running or biking this is a great place to get in some miles. Just finished 13…read moremiles of trail running. Second day in a row, did 10 miles yesterday. Just make sure you follow the directional signs.

The river trail is 5.5 miles in total length, 4 miles between the two parking lots on the trail…read more The best parking/access is on the north side near the Jordan soccer complex. The trail is enclosed by trees so you don't really get much views of the river, but it's a nice trail in the forest. It's paved and wheel chair accessible. Bikes and scooters etc are allowed. There is also access to several mountain biking trails along the path. The trail is mostly shaded, but doesn't get much breeze because of the forest so can be muggy during hot weather. This is one of the best options for walking in the area since the city is not pedestrian friendly. There are emergency beacons along the trail about every 1 mile for safety, and it's a fairly busy trail so I would consider it to be safe to solo joggers or hikers.

Will forever be my favorite trail in Fayetteville. Many different routes to take and so pretty…read more Love seeing the seasons change

My go to Place to reflect and unwind…read more Peaceful at times is an understatement. Weekends are a lil. Crowed if the weather is nice. Bugging obviously after the rains and warmer weather.

Very pretty we enjoyed our walk A little far from us or we would go more often kind of strange…read moregravel entrance