Cliffs of The Neuse State Park RV & Campground Guide
North Carolina
- Home
- State Parks
- North Carolina
- Cliffs of The Neuse State Park
The cliffs and river at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park in North Carolina were created by shifts along a fault line of the Earth’s crust millions of years ago. Before this state park was established, it was occupied by Tuscarora and Saponi Native American tribes, and these people used the cliffs and forests as hunting and ceremonial grounds. The state park dates back to 1945, and it encompasses 892 acres, most of which were donated by landowners. The exposed cliff faces that the park is known for range from white and tan to yellow and brown in color, and they are made from multiple layers of sand, clay, shells, shale, and gravel.
Nearby Cities
Seven Springs, NC
Fayetteville, NC
Goldsboro, NC
Raleigh, NC
Spring 51-74 F
Summer 71-91 F
Fall 52-74 F
Winter 34-53 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cliffs of The Neuse State Park
Campground Accommodations
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes, 12 sites
Electrical hookup: Yes, 12 sites
Sewer hookup: Yes, 12 sites
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Bathhouses, a dump station, a telephone, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park Campground
The Cliffs of the Neuse State Park Campground offers year-round RV family camping in a woodland area inside the park. The campground offers 12 full-hookup RV campsites with 30- or 50-amp electric. There is also a dump station and shower house with hot water. Nightly rates are $30.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes (not allowed in swimming area)
Other amenities: Hiking trails, beach and swim area, fishing, boat rentals, visitor center
Neuseway Nature Park Campground
The Neuseway Nature Park Campground is a full-service campground in Kinston, NC, that is open all year. This park perches on the banks of the Neuse River and offers 32 full-hookup campsites for $20 nightly on a first-come, first-served basis.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes (Wi-Fi hotspot)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: River access, fire rings, picnic tables, dump station, restrooms, showers, fishing, boating, playground, nature center
Lake Leamon Campground
Lake Leamon Campground in Wallace, NC, sits on the shores of Lake Leamon and offers year-round, full-hookup RV campsites. Enjoy fishing, walking trails, swimming, boating, and more at this family-friendly campground. Nightly rates range from $35 to $45.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Boat ramp, boat rental, showers, flush toilets, laundry, dump station, game room, snack bar
What to Do at
Cliffs of The Neuse State Park
Seasonal boat rentals are available at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, and there is a beach access area to the park’s own lake. There is also an amphitheater, auditorium, and seasonal concession stand for visitors to enjoy during planned state park events both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, there are some picnic sites located along the lake to use on a first-come, first-served basis.
The cliffs at this state park are great backdrops for photo shoots and other outdoor activities. The many creeks of the park were also once used to make moonshine and cornmeal products, but they are now open as fishing spots.
Inside Cliffs of The Neuse State Park
The must-see excursion in Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is to get a close-up view of the namesake cliffs formed through centuries of erosion. Take a kayak or canoe ride down the river and observe the cliffs with their colorful layers that rise 90 feet above the water. Make sure to spend time in the visitor center to learn about the history and local culture. Numerous hiking trails allow bird-watching or spotting of local flora and fauna. Enjoy fishing, playing on or near the 11-acre swimming lake, boating, or having a picnic.
Fishing
Anglers love the Neuse River found at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park for its abundant catfish, bluegill, and largemouth bass.
Nature Watching
Because this state park is home to multiple types of habitats, including riverside habitats and rolling hills, there are over 420 types of trees and shrubs that have been recorded in the park. There are also many animals to see, especially around the campgrounds, including foxes, squirrels, white-tailed deer, copperhead snakes, and even coyote and black bears. Visitors may also spot river otters and muskrats in the park’s lake and river.
Hiking
There are four miles of hiking trails found at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, including the Lake Trail and the Bird Trail. For easy hiking, the Old Wagon Path is a must-do trail that travels through the forest. For more difficult hiking, the Spanish Moss Trail, which is a loop path, is popular and can be accessed from the park’s campground.
Boating
A boat launch on the Neuse River is found inside this state park at the end of the 350-Yard Trail, and there is a take-out point 2.5 miles downstream in Seven Springs. Visitors can also take a longer, 8-mile moderate river adventure by beginning at the paddle boat launch on Broadhurst Bridge, which is found 6 miles outside the park. Inside the park, visitors can also rent paddle boats to use on Swim Lake, and the fee to use these boats is $10 an hour.
Swimming
There is a swimming beach found on the Cliffs of the Neuse State Park’s Swim Lake, which is nearly 11 acres large. The lake is open for swimming seasonally, and swimming passes are required to use the lake and beach. Lifeguards are also usually on duty at the lake and, if they are not, swimming is restricted to the shallow ends only.
How to Get to
Cliffs of The Neuse State Park
To reach Cliffs of the Neuse State Park from the town of Seven Springs, take NC-55 West onto Indian Springs Road. From there, turn right onto Park Road, and then turn right again after a half mile. Then, take Park Entrance Road into the park.
Entering Cliffs of The Neuse State Park
There is no fee to enter the park or for parking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cliffs of The Neuse State Park
Perhaps the best time of year to visit this state park is in the summer when the swimming beach is open. During this time, boat rentals are also available.
At Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, visitors can find over 420 types of plants. Animals, such as opossums, raccoons, foxes, and squirrels are also commonly spotted in the park.
There are 30 campsites designated for RV or tent camping at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. 12 of these campsites offer full hookups while 18 only offer potable water.
Campsites at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park should be reserved online or by phone before you plan to camp there. The cost to camp depends on the type of site being reserved, but you can expect to pay $26 per night for a standard campsite and $36 per night for a campsite with full hookups.
Pets are allowed at this state park so long as they are supervised and contained on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times. However, pets are not allowed on the swimming beach or in the cabins or other buildings on the property unless they are licensed service animals.