Lumber River State Park

Lumber River State Park is a protected area in southeastern North Carolina spanning four counties and preserving a river landscape of marshes, swamps, and forests. The park offers multiple access points for exploring the river and its adjoining natural areas.

The park was established in 1989 to protect threatened ecosystems and habitats along the river corridor. This creation followed decades of conservation efforts to safeguard the region's natural resources.

The river holds deep meaning for the Lumbee Tribe and other local communities who maintain ancestral connections to this waterway. Visitors can encounter these living traditions through the ways local people interact with and steward the land.

Visitors can start at Princess Ann and Chalk Banks for hiking, boating, and fishing activities. Both locations have parking and basic facilities, though conditions can vary by season.

The river is one of the South's rare blackwater rivers and maintains remarkably high biodiversity despite its dark, tannin-rich water. This quality makes it an unusual habitat for fish and aquatic plants adapted to these specific conditions.

Location: North Carolina

Inception: 1989

Website: http://ncparks.gov/lumber-river-state-park

GPS coordinates: 34.39140,-78.99810

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:06