Ferne Clyffe State Park RV & Campground Guide

You can fish for largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and sunfish from the banks of the deep, placid Ferne Clyffe Lake.

As you walk the trails, immerse yourself in a natural wonderland filled with sparkling waterfalls, towering cliffs, and shallow caves. If you love to discover new plants and spot animals making their way through the woodlands, you'll enjoy spending time in the Round Bluff Nature Preserve after a relaxing picnic. All plants and wildlife within the preserve are protected, and you will need to stay on the trails to avoid snakes. In spring, you can look out for uncommon wildflowers like trillium, Dutchman's breeches, and trout lily that add color near the ground. Later in the season, ferns and mosses turn the park into an emerald paradise. In autumn, the hills glow with brilliant, magical colors.

The park is far from city lights, making it an excellent place to spend an evening stargazing. You can set up a telescope to get a closer view of the heavens in the picnic area or head to the lake to experience the ethereal feeling of seeing the night sky reflected below in the water.

Ferne Clyffe State Park is home to a lush array of plant life, with over 700 species of trees, ferns, and flowers. While you walk through the forest, you can spot everything from flowering dogwood to spicebush and sumac. Redbud, sweetgum, oak, maple, and hickory trees cover the hills, while wildflowers blanket the woods in color in early May. In the summertime, you can find honeysuckle and autumn olive as you walk the trails. It's not uncommon to see squirrels, rabbits, quail, bluebirds, and the occasional turkey as you make your way through the woods. As you explore, be aware that copperheads and cottonmouth water moccasins live in the park. They don't typically bother or threaten humans unless they are disturbed.

Ferne Clyffe State Park is a wonderful destination for hikers, with eighteen trails that vary in difficulty. Trails are named and numbered to make them easy to identify and maneuver, and some are horse- and wheelchair-accessible. The rocky cliffs create some natural hazards within the park, so use caution and stay on the paths. As you hike, you'll pass the lake, caves, and waterfalls. Trails include the easy, half-mile-long Hawk's Cave Trail that passes a large shelter bluff. Alternatively, the Round Bluff Nature Preserve Trail is a mile-long, moderately challenging trail through areas filled with rare plants. The Waterfall Trail, Big Rocky Hollow Trail, and Bork's Waterfall Trail all lead to the park's most spectacular natural feature, a 100-foot-tall waterfall.

Ferne Clyffe State Park is a premier destination for beginning and experienced climbers who enjoy scaling the designated climbing areas at Boat Rock, Cedar Bluff, and Rebman Trail. Rebman Trail and Cedar Bluff both provide foot access to rappelling and climbing areas. The park offers nearly 150 routes for climbers of every skill level.