i'm gonna assume that most state parks will be crowded on memorial day weekend, but does anybody have experience specifically with hanging rock? we're taking some friends camping who have never been before and this is the only weekend that would work for everybody. they're having a baby this summer so if we don't go now, we won't get to for a long time.

any suggestions on parks that may not be as crowded but are still pretty/have nice terrain. we don't want to drive more than 3 hours or so from rocky mount (45 mins east of raleigh).

4/27/2009 8:48:27 AM

camping with a late term pregnant woman sounds like a blast!

4/27/2009 9:02:17 AM

at the nascar race it will be!

4/27/2009 9:05:41 AM

Quote :

"hanging rock"

I used to work there. Be at the gates when they open on Friday morning (or better yet, Thursday) if you want a chance at getting a campsite.

4/27/2009 9:10:57 AM

she won't be late term. she'll still be 4 months from the due date. she's the one pushing us to go. it's up to her.

thanks for the info.

4/27/2009 9:31:10 AM

Memorial day is rookie day to camping as New Years Eve is to drinking.


It will be loud and you might have a hard time finding somewhere good to sit, but the people watching is golden.

4/27/2009 11:03:51 AM

what do you mean somewhere good to sit?

so what are the least popular parks? what about cliffs of the neuse or merchants millpond or pettigrew?

we're looking for heartland or eastern or coast, drive up camping, and showers.

[Edited on April 27, 2009 at 11:45 AM. Reason : ]

4/27/2009 11:19:40 AM

I have already gotten a camping trip and a beach trip in and it's not even May! Yay!

4/27/2009 1:59:43 PM

wat

4/27/2009 2:00:49 PM

you should go to myrtle beach that weekend

4/27/2009 2:01:43 PM

i don't go to myrtle beach. we've got a beach house sound-side in emerald isle. i don't like touristy shopping club crap either.

4/27/2009 2:05:12 PM

I'm trying to go camping over Memorial Day weekend, probably just one night. I know everywhere is going to be crowded but does anyone have suggestions between Stone Mountain, Pilot Mountain, and Hanging Rock? I'm going to be coming from Winston Salem and figured those would be my best bets.

Is there any advantage to go Saturday night vs. Sunday night?

5/6/2009 1:28:54 PM

I'll be down "by daaa beeeeach, boyee."

Camping at Cape Lookout.

[Edited on May 6, 2009 at 1:33 PM. Reason : h]

5/6/2009 1:33:03 PM

Quote :

"I used to work there. Be at the gates when they open on Friday morning (or better yet, Thursday) if you want a chance at getting a campsite."

exactly...i LOVE hanging rock, but since they don't take reservations (at least, for most of the campsites, IIRC), you gotta be up there thursday night or early friday if you want to make sure you get a site

first-come/first-served annoys the hell out of me up there (though i don't blame them)...the ex-gf and i went up there once and they were booked, but we stayed at the NCSU 4H grounds that were just down the road (they were pretty nice, and about the same price)

5/6/2009 2:20:09 PM

No reservations (unless you know the right people). And the local folks will set up camp in the morning or during lunch and leave.

It's pretty wacky on holidays.

5/6/2009 2:35:35 PM

cliffs of the neuse down here in goldsboro probably won't be too crowded. it's not that popular of a place.


watch out for that spring creek high school strange tail though

5/6/2009 3:17:21 PM

^^ since i'm good friends with the new superintendent up there, i think next time i want to camp up there, i'm giving him a call

5/6/2009 3:24:04 PM

^^thank you! we might try there then.

oh man, the longest trail is half a mile ):

[Edited on May 6, 2009 at 3:42 PM. Reason : ]

5/6/2009 3:38:52 PM

the longest marked trail is half a mile

[Edited on May 6, 2009 at 3:50 PM. Reason : it's not a big place. not sure what you're looking for.]

5/6/2009 3:49:59 PM

i dunno, a couple of miles at least.

5/6/2009 3:52:34 PM

The one time I went camping Memorial Day weekend it was insane. Great for people watching. Forget about doing anything nature-y without a crapload of people on your heels.

5/6/2009 10:23:30 PM

Cape Lookout For the Winz!

5/6/2009 11:28:08 PM