Top state parks
State ParkFort Macon State Park
State ParkHanging Rock State Park
State ParkCrowders Mountain State Park
State ParkElk Knob State Park
State ParkEno River State Park
State ParkCarolina Beach State Park
State ParkCliffs of the Neuse State Park
State ParkChimney Rock State Park
State ParkDismal Swamp State Park
State ParkGorges State Park
State ParkMedoc Mountain State Park
State ParkStone Mountain State Park
All state parks (40)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Macon State Park | Carteret County | — | Beaufort | 5 |
| Hanging Rock State Park | Stokes County | — | King | 4 |
| Crowders Mountain State Park | Gaston County | — | Bessemer City | 5 |
| Elk Knob State Park | Watauga County | — | Boone | 3 |
| Eno River State Park | Durham County | — | Durham | 5 |
| Carolina Beach State Park | New Hanover County | — | Carolina Beach | 5 |
| Cliffs of the Neuse State Park | Wayne County | — | La Grange | 4 |
| Chimney Rock State Park | Rutherford County | — | Lake Lure | 3 |
| Dismal Swamp State Park | Camden County | — | Moyock | 4 |
| Gorges State Park | Transylvania County | — | Brevard | 3 |
| Medoc Mountain State Park | Halifax County | — | Enfield | 3 |
| Stone Mountain State Park | Wilkes County | — | Thurmond | 3 |
| Morrow Mountain | Stanly County | — | Badin | 4 |
| Mount Mitchell State Park | Yancey County | — | Burnsville | 3 |
| Jockey's Ridge State Park | Dare County | — | Nags Head | 4 |
| Goose Creek State Park | Beaufort County | — | River Road | 3 |
| Lake James State Park | Burke County | — | Glen Alpine | 3 |
| Lake Norman State Park | Iredell County | — | Troutman | 4 |
| Lumber River State Park | Robeson County | — | Fairmont | 3 |
| Merchants Millpond State Park | Gates County | — | Ahoskie | 3 |
| Raven Rock State Park | Harnett County | — | Lillington | 4 |
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | Wake County | — | Gorman | 5 |
| Singletary Lake State Park | Bladen County | — | Elizabethtown | 3 |
| South Mountains State Park | Burke County | — | Salem | 4 |
| Haw River State Park | Rockingham County | — | Summerfield | 4 |
| Jones Lake State Park | Bladen County | — | Elizabethtown | 3 |
| Lake Waccamaw State Park | Columbus County | — | Lake Waccamaw | 3 |
| New River State Park | Ashe County | — | Jefferson | 3 |
| William B. Umstead State Park | Wake County | — | Cary | 7 |
| Pilot Mountain State Park | Stokes County | — | Pilot Mountain | 4 |
| Mayo River State Park | Rockingham County | — | Mayodan | 4 |
| Carvers Creek State Park | Cumberland County | — | Spring Lake | 5 |
| Kerr Lake State Recreation Area | Vance County | — | Henderson | 3 |
| Bentonville Battlefield | Johnston County | — | Four Oaks | 4 |
| Alamance Battleground | Alamance County | — | Elon | 5 |
| Mount Jefferson State Natural Area | Ashe County | — | Jefferson | 3 |
| Roanoke Island Festival Park | Dare County | — | Manteo | 3 |
| Horne Creek Living Historical Farm | Surry County | — | Tobaccoville | 4 |
| Hammocks Beach State Park | Onslow County | — | Swansboro | 3 |
| Pettigrew State Park | Tyrrell County | — | Plymouth | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.