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Spring Lake, NC

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Carvers Creek State Park

4.4 (19 reviews)
Open • 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

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Some cool looking fungi!
Sky T.

Not the most exciting trail, but worth doing if you have some down time and want to see some Rockefeller History. The Carver Creek State Park is broken into two different sections: Long Valley Farm Access (with the historic Rockefeller Retreat House) and the Sandhill Access (just flat trails for hikers/horses). They are about 20 minutes apart. Between the two, I'd go to the Long Valley Farm Access since the history component whereas the other is just trails. Overall, there is really not much else here and you can complete it within an hour an a half or so. The loop is 2 miles long, but if you go straight back then it's about 1.5 miles total.

John B.

This is one of those parks that somewhat confusingly has multiple sites that are under the same name. I went to the Sandhills Access, the downstream and thus eastward portion. A clean road lead to a parking lot with plenty of room. The woods had a rather fascinatingly manicured quality of which I do not know the history, and a variety of interesting plants. Of course, this being North Carolina, there were mosquitoes as well. The creek itself wasn't that impressive and the trail only briefly intersected with it, but the views of nature were quite satisfactory, and this was a quiet place - excepting some booming sounds faintly in the distance that I suspect were from Fort Bragg - with fresh air. Hoofprints indicated the occasional equestrian visitor, but I saw only humans on foot and their dogs. I did not finish anything close to the entire set of trails, and I think the other access point would be worth checking out as well. It's all free, and it's very driveable from downtown Fayetteville, and it's the best dose of nature I've found locally. UPDATE: The Long Valley Farm is a weird site; apparently an abandoned country estate, it's full of old but not too old buildings and has kind of a creepy vibe. The lake was largely closed as of this writing, and the remaining trails didn't have a ton to offer. Perhaps more will open up, but the Sandhills area has more going on as of this writing.

Jasmin T.

Hidden trail in Spring Lake with a wonderful fishing dock! It has two loop pathways that can be taken averaging about 2 miles each. Surprisingly clean facility. Pet- friendly :)

Info about the neat spring house
Jonathan B.

I'm originally from really close to here. I was surprised, actually, that I hadn't been to this park yet but then I realized it hasn't even been around for a whole decade yet. And I haven't lived here for longer than that. Talk about a young park that basically slipped under my radar! The entrance is easy to get to and find with a large sign right off the road. The area is quite open with fields allowing good views. There is a long-ish, packed dirt road taking you to the park office. The office is basically just a modular home meant to be temporary. The long term plan is to convert the Rockefeller house on the property into the park museum and office - cool stuff, can't wait to see it! I grabbed a stamp in my passport and headed out for a hike. The main trail is a continuation of the dirt drive but cut off to cars. It takes you not quite a mile on loosely packed sand (you know you're in coastal Carolina when...) right up to some old buildings and the Rockefeller house itself. It's flat but makes for a good workout on the ankles and feet. It also denotes a transitional zone between meadow and forest which can make for some great views of wildlife. You can come back on the parallel trail in the woods that definitely has a gradual hill you can feel in it. It's deceptive! Excellent trail run training to be had out here too. The house and grounds are unfortunately in relative disrepair. I'm sure the park is currently just not quite funded enough to get things in tip-top shape yet. Then you have the incessant rain and storms of the last couple years which breached the dam and emptied the lake behind the house. Despite that, this place is worth a stop. I'm actually quite enamored with it and it's one I will definitely be back to.

Patrice Z.

This place is so cute and quiet! (you will hear Fort Bragg every now and then). Walk the Sandy Paths and you find the historial old home of a Rockeller (holiday home). No fishing as the pond was impacted by flooding, climbing trees available. Wifi hot spot for schools available. Bathrooms were not open. Flodding affected the hiking paths.

Ann H.

Carvers Creek is a relatively new addition to the NC State Parks, having recently opened its short-term facilities to the public. A little north of Fayetteville and bordering Fort Bragg, it's pretty easy to find, but watch the signs once you get to Long Valley road. While there's only one entrance, it's easy to head down the service road instead.. Although the park is nearly 4000 acres, the initial two trails give an easy hike. One is about a half-mile to the Rockefeller house and the second, a connecting Cypress trail loop, is about three-fourths of a mile. The paths are flat, except for the occasional tree roots breaking through. It's a fascinating walk, one side is open field and the other a forest of pines. As you approach the Rockefeller house, where you can pick up the connecting Cypress trail, you get the initial glimpse of the pond. Near the main house is the mill, pavilion, and canoe house. If you continue walking toward the fishing spot, the pond is on one side and a swamp on the other. The Cypress trail shadows the swamp and the forest. Along the initial path and heading toward the fishing pier, there are picnic tables set up for lingering and picnicking on nice days. Right now there's no overnight camping, but you can bring your (leashed) dog and enjoy the sights. It's beautiful on a gray winter day. It has to be stunning on a bright summer day. Stop at the ranger station as you enter; pick up a map, although it probably isn't needed for these short hikes, and information about future park development.

Dry pond
Tiffany N.

Great park for walking, running, and biking. Recent Hurricanes have washed out some culverts and dams so the pond is dry. However, it is still a beautiful place to go for a stroll. Plenty of people there on the weekends (great for safety) and the front desk attendant is helpful. They allow pets but they must be leashes. Winter Home of J.D Rockerfellow. Well maintained but you can't tour inside.

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7 years ago

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6 years ago

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3 years ago

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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3 years ago

Great hike! Nice clean trail, good for beginners! They even have a dock overlooking the pond!

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4 years ago

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12 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

I really like this park. It has loads of history and beautiful trails. It's peaceful.

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5 years ago

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7 years ago

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9 years ago

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8 years ago

Great trail to run on. Enjoyed every second and the person at the desk was very helpful

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Ask the Community - Carvers Creek State Park

Review Highlights - Carvers Creek State Park

“The landscape and Rockefeller house is breathtaking Addendum just found out it was hit by flood.”

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Mazarick Park - Lake view

Mazarick Park

3.9(13 reviews)
10.2 mi

The husband and I had spent five days "vacationing", i.e., doing nothing. This is good--for awhile…read more Then you need to get up, get outside, and get active. At least we do. So we searched the hiking trails in the area and settled on Mazarick Park because it's on a lake; and we love the water. The route we took to get there was scary at times. An entire strip of sports (that's one word for it) bars and cabarets (read: strip clubs) with names like Bottoms Up. But with six minutes left in the drive, we pressed on and hoped for the best. Now we have visited some incredibly beautiful lakes before; this wasn't one of them. Still, it's a lake with lovely rows of water bound trees that make a nice reflection on the water's surface. (See photo.) A few men were fishing off a dock for "anything that will eat the bait." We would've sat on the pier for awhile but didn't want to disturb their fishing. A paved path extends in opposite directions from the pier. Each ending at a road, so we doubled back at each end. The park is also used for disc golf and has a few playgrounds, pavilions and rest rooms throughout. The path, covered with tall pines, was very well maintained and the bathrooms clean, but there was some trash in the brush. I wished I'd brought a trash bag and gloves. Nonetheless, the walk was quiet and serene, with chirping birds and only a few people. The entire walk was about 2 miles, flat and easy. We'd walk it again.

My last day in Spring Lake, my family and I took a walk in this Mazarick Park just to have a…read moreconversation. It was a pretty hot day. I thought it was OK. Nothing too special. It does have a disc golf set up in and around the park and a small dock out on the lake to finish from. Overall, it's very relaxing.

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Mazarick Park - Me getting ready to the park

Me getting ready to the park

Mazarick Park
Mazarick Park

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William B Umstead State Park - Pott's Branch Trail, orange diamond. Well marked trail! - December 2025

William B Umstead State Park

4.6(185 reviews)
48.8 mi

I came across William B Umstead State Park while staying in a nearby hotel for business. I am…read morealways looking for somewhere peaceful to walk or run when I have the time and so happy to have found this park nearby. I came to find out that the park covers thousands of acres and has all kinds of trails. The entrance I utilized on foot required my constant attention after crossing over the interstate as the sidewalk vanishes and I had to make sure I was on the shoulder to make sure I didn't get squished by cars going into and out of the park. It wasn't that difficult but be aware if you are entering the park on foot from the nearby SAS campus (of which I understand Umstead along with a friend started). There's lots of parking from this entrance and a few trails to choose from. I took the Loblolly trail from the Reedy Creek entrance. It is fairly long at around 7 miles out. It's not a loop. I did about a mile and a quarter of the trail and it was awesome. All covered with a tree canopy the trail is well marked and maintained. It ranged from gravel to vines and rocks to bare dirt. Great scenery and very peaceful. There's enough room to pass other walkers and hikers. I really enjoyed this park. I want to explore it more if I'm in the area again as I had time constraints. I highly recommend this well maintained park and will visit again. Nothing quite like a good walk in nature. Enjoy!

Wonderful trails for biking, hiking, walking (and also some trails are sign-posted to allow…read morehorses). Not crowded. Miles & miles of trails. Picnic tables and pavilions. Creeks and streams. Lakes and ponds. Boating. BE AWARE of closed trails, bridges, etc...stop by the park office AND check the website for closures.

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William B Umstead State Park
William B Umstead State Park
William B Umstead State Park

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Carvers Creek State Park - hiking - Updated October 2026

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