Pettigrew State Park, State park in Tyrrell and Washington Counties, North Carolina, United States
Pettigrew State Park encompasses about 5,951 acres (2,410 hectares) and centers on Lake Phelps and the Scuppernong River with cypress trees and natural waterways. The park offers tent and RV camping, boat ramps, and nine miles (14 kilometers) of hiking trails along with swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities.
The park was established in 1939 during the Great Depression through a land lease from the Farm Security Administration program. This initiative helped the region during a period of economic hardship.
Somerset Place is a restored plantation complex from the 1830s with original and reconstructed buildings located within the park boundaries. The site shows how people lived and worked during that era.
The area is most accessible during fall and winter months when trails and waterways are easiest to navigate. Visitors should bring insect repellent and be prepared for wet conditions.
Lake Phelps has a distinctive water chemistry that has preserved hundreds of dugout canoes carved from logs dating back roughly 4,400 years. These prehistoric artifacts rest on the lake floor and provide insight into early human life in the region.
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