If you grew up right here in the Tar Heel State, then you likely spent part of your childhood creating memories in the state’s many wonderful state parks. In turn, as an adult, it’s likely that you love revisiting those parks with your own children or grandchildren so you can relive those memories while adding to them. It makes perfect sense! But did you know there’s a newer park in the system, Mayo River State Park that opened in 2003, that is a wonderful spot to explore and it’s still so little known that you may feel like you have the whole park to yourself? Let’s take a look.
Located about 45 minutes due north of Greensboro, Mayo River State Park is a hidden gem most people have yet to discover.
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The park features the Mayo River as it runs from the Virginia state line to where it joins the Dan River near Madison, North Carolina — a total of 16 miles. Several access points to the park and river are located along the river corridor.
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Google/Donald Searcy
The northernmost park access is the Deshazo Mill Access, sure to be a favorite if you love waterfall swimming holes.
AllTrails/Deva Johnson
This map shows gray areas representing Mayo River State Park’s access areas along the river from the state line to the Dan River. Deshazo Mill Access is at the very top. The highlight of this access point is the 1.3-mile hike (round-trip distance) to the 20-foot Fall Creek Waterfall on the Mayo River.
North Carolina State Parks
Water tumbles and pours over the smooth rock surfaces that span the width of the river here, It then drops into a plunge pool the perfect depth for wading. The pool itself is quite large and contains a few spots with depths that can easily reach the waist of an average-height adult.
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Further upstream, hikers are treated to even more breathtaking views of the Mayo River.
Google/Gloria Hill
Moving on to the Mountain Access area of Mayo River State Park. visitors will find the park office, plus a very nice picnic shelter (pictured) with its own massive outdoor/indoor fireplace. If you have a group gathering planned, this pavilion-style shelter can accommodate a lot of folks.
Facebook/North Carolina State Parks and Recreation / Mayo River State Park For more information about reserving the shelter for your group event, contact the park office at 336-427-2530.
The Mountain Access area is also equipped with a wonderful group campground. Reservations for it can be made here.
Google/MaryKay Kinlaw-Colantuono
Hiking trails, smaller, family-size picnic areas, and fishing ponds round out the offerings at the Mountain Access area of the park.
Google/William Saunders
For anglers and paddlers, the Anglin Mill Access is for you!
Google/Robert Wilson
Anglers who love dropping a line right in the river will agree this access is perfect for that. And for those who are skilled enough for Class II rapids, you’ll find ’em here among the shallow waters and rocky basin of this section of the river.
Facebook/North Carolina State Parks and Recreation Two other main access points are also open in the park. They are the Hickory Creek Access (on Tyne Road) and the Mayodan Access located at the confluence of the Mayo and Dan Rivers in Mayodan.
Have you discovered the fun at Mayo River State Park in North Carolina yet? Did you even realize this park had been added to the list of great parks in the Tar Heel State? Give it your two-thumbs up review in our comments!
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Google/Sandra H
Google/Donald Searcy
AllTrails/Deva Johnson
North Carolina State Parks
Google/Jay S
Google/Gloria Hill
Facebook/North Carolina State Parks and Recreation / Mayo River State Park
For more information about reserving the shelter for your group event, contact the park office at 336-427-2530.
Google/MaryKay Kinlaw-Colantuono
Google/William Saunders
Google/Robert Wilson
Facebook/North Carolina State Parks and Recreation
Two other main access points are also open in the park. They are the Hickory Creek Access (on Tyne Road) and the Mayodan Access located at the confluence of the Mayo and Dan Rivers in Mayodan.
Can’t get enough of the wonderful weather and the great outdoors in North Carolina? We feel that way too! Be sure to check out the unusual park in nearby Greensboro called The Bog Garden at Benjamin Park!
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Address: Mayo River State Park, 500 Old Mayo Park Rd, Mayodan, NC 27027, USAAddress: Deshazo Mill Access, Mayo River State Park, 113 Deshazo Rd, Stoneville, NC 27048, USA
