HAW RIVER STATE PARK

After visiting Mayo River State Park for a few hours I drove about 30 minutes down the road to Haw River State Park. Never visited Haw River State Park before I assumed it would be similar to all the other State Parks I visited in the past, not the case. Haw River State Park was a Retreat and Conference Center originally owned by the Episcopal Diocese. Catering more toward the Environmental Education and Conference Center and not really to the public, Haw River State Park is a unique facility. However, Haw River State Park has acquired a vast amount of land for developing a more traditional park with the amenities we are accustomed to for a State Park. The park does offer several small hiking trails and a 6-acre lake for fishing and canoeing. I took my chances and hiked some of the trails; the Lake Loop Trail, River Overlook Trail and the Piedmont Loop Trail. The River Overlook Trail is a mile out-in-back boardwalk trail through the wetlands. This trail was a surprise for me to see the wet marsh, plant-life, and an abundant amount of colorful fire-flies swarming around. Haw River State Park will be a park I'll wait to visit again after the development of the new section.

Hike: 2.2 Miles