North Carolina's Lake State Park Offers Scenic Hiking Trails, Camping, And Fishing

If you've been searching for the best state parks in America you must absolutely visit, Jones Lake State Park in North Carolina is an outdoor paradise for anyone drawn to hiking, camping, and fishing, and it should be at the top of your list. Located in Bladen County, this park sits about a 40-minute drive from Lumberton, about 45 minutes from Fayetteville, and an hour from Wrightsboro, making it easily accessible for everyone.

International visitors can fly into Wilmington International Airport, then travel about an hour and eight minutes to reach Elizabethtown. A connecting flight from Charlotte or Atlanta will take you to Fayetteville Regional Airport, a 52-minute drive to Elizabethtown. From there, a short four-mile drive along Highway 242 takes you straight to the park entrance.

Founded in 1939, the park sprawls across 2,208 acres of coastal plain terrain, home to rare wildlife such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and box turtle. The forest is filled with cypress trees, pond cypress, Spanish moss, and native plants. What truly sets Jones Lake apart is the presence of Carolina bays, elliptical depressions of unknown origin that formed both Jones Lake and Salters Lake. These geological mysteries create an opportunity to enjoy a range of water activities, from swimming to boating and fishing.

The park trails deliver some of the best hikes in the world to put on your bucket list for anyone who loves exploring the outdoors. Start with the easy 1.5-mile Cedar Loop Trail, a visitor favorite that takes you through shaded woods and sandy ridges. The 4.2-mile Jones Lake Trail and Bay Trail Loop offers a moderate hike with gorgeous wildlife and breathtaking lake views. The 5.8-mile Salters Lake Trail via Bay Trail is more demanding and perfect for escaping crowds. Pets are welcome but must be leashed, and visitors are advised to stay on marked trails to avoid ticks, snakes, and poisonous plants.

Fishing ranks high among favorite activities at the park, and casting your line brings good odds of landing chain pickerel, catfish, blue-spotted sunfish, and yellow perch. Yellow perch dominate the waters, making them your most likely catch. To fish here, anyone 16 or older needs a valid North Carolina fishing license. Visitors can purchase a coastal recreational fishing license for $14, and it covers ten consecutive days, giving you the option to fish whenever you want during your visit.

One experience you shouldn't miss here is camping, as this park ranks among the best bucket list camping destinations in the region. Choose from 20 primitive campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, with restrooms and drinking water nearby. Six sites offer full RV hookups with electricity, sewer, and water. The campground operates from March 15 through November, with rates from $19 to $72 based on site type and group size. Campers must be 18 years old, and group sites require an adult present. Reserving your spot early is recommended, as campsites are dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Beyond hiking, fishing and camping, there are plenty of activities to round out your visit. The tea-colored Jones Lake, which reaches only eight feet deep, is safe and enjoyable for swimming but only in designated areas, and if you prefer to stay dry, you can rent a canoe or paddleboard from the park's boathouse during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), though you'll need permission from staff before launching. Families traveling together should reserve the picnic shelter for $105, or grab one of the many tables shaded by cypress and pine trees scattered throughout the grounds, all within easy reach of restrooms and other facilities.

Before heading in, stop at the park's visitor center to pick up trail maps and check out exhibits explaining the geological bay formations. The staff are ready to answer questions about current conditions, wildlife activity, and the best spots for whatever adventure you're planning.

The park welcomes visitors year-round, except Christmas Day, but check weather forecasts and the park website for updates before your trip, and pack sturdy hiking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, and trash bags to leave no trace of your visit.