North Carolina State Parks

Medoc Mountain

1541 Medoc State Park Road, Hollister, NC 27844 · (252) 586-6588 · E-mail

Should the humdrum of nine-to-five leave you with the urge to travel and explore, head to Medoc Mountain State Park. A pleasurable excursion awaits just a 1.5-hour drive from the Research Triangle.

At Medoc Mountain, the urban refugee finds a welcome tranquility, a chance to embrace the outdoors. Trails beckon as light filters through branches overhead and falls on paths that hold the promise of new frontiers. The peacefulness gives the opportunity to refresh. The silence of the forest is broken only by bird songs and the occasional drumming of the pileated woodpecker. Grab your hiking boots. Load your camera. Spend some time at Medoc Mountain State Park and let nature renew your spirit.

Camping

Enjoy an evening in the woodlands of Medoc Mountain.

A hardwood forest bordering open fields is home to the family campground. The campground's sites are for tent or trailer camping and accommodate up to six persons each. Out of the campground's 34 sites, 12 have electric hookups and two are accessible. Campsites offer tent pads, tables and grills. The camping area is served by a washhouse with hot showers and toilets. Drinking water is nearby. Sites are available on a first-come basis for a modest fee.

Two group campsites accommodate up to 30 persons each. The area offers picnic tables and fire circles. The washhouse is also near the group camping area. Reservations are required for group camping, and a modest fee is charged. Group camping facilities are closed from December 1 through March 15.

Canoeing

Bring your canoe to Little Fishing Creek and enjoy a pleasant journey. The creek flows through the park for about 2.5 miles and offers an opportunity to view the area from a different perspective. Perfect for beginning canoeists, the waters of Little Fishing Creek flow slowly and there are few obstacles along the way. Shallow water near rock outcrops may make portaging necessary at certain spots. The creek is accessible from the bridge on SR 1322, and a 1.5- to two-hour trip leads to a take-out point at the bridge on SR 1002. Contact park staff for information about water levels as high water can create dangerous conditions. Canoeists should exercise caution and wear personal flotation devices at all times.

Fishing

Hook and line will bring rewards at Medoc Mountain where Little Fishing Creek is considered to be one of the cleanest streams in the state. Several species of game fish, including redbreast sunfish, bluegill, Roanoke bass, largemouth bass and chain pickerel make fishing a popular pastime in the park. Anglers must have a current fishing license and obey all regulations of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Hiking

Scenic trails invite you to journey into the park's interior. Seven trails wander through a variety of terrain and provide more than 11 miles of hiking. Most of the trails are easy or moderate in difficulty, and trail scenery includes an artesian well, granite outcroppings and miniature rapids. Winding along Little Fishing Creek, around the high ridge of Medoc Mountain and through the forests, the trails are the best way to appreciate the beauty and diversity of Medoc Mountain. For information on distance and difficulty, see the park map.

Picnicking

Shady woods and an open meadow provide ideal spots for picnicking in the park. Thirty tables and eight grills offer a choice of picnic locations. Drinking water and restrooms are located nearby. The park's picnic shelter is equipped with tables, a fireplace and a drinking fountain. Use of the shelter is free of charge unless reservations are requested.

Ball and bat or a volleyball net may come in handy as the picnic area's adjacent open meadow is a great spot for group recreation activities. Some picnic facilities are wheelchair accessible.

For more information visit: North Carolina State Parks - Medoc Mountain State Park