Get away to nature close by with family hikes at Raven Rock State Park

The park is located at 3009 Raven Rock Road in Lillington.

We were only able to hike two trails: Raven Rock Loop Trail (2.6 miles) & Fish Traps Trail (1.8 miles). Our time was limited due to weather conditions. However, I learned enough in a few hours to share a little with you.

1. Entrance is free. Daily park hours are currently 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. but will extend to 10 p.m. from June to August.

2. Activities on the premises include paddling, hiking trails, picnicking, fishing, camping (backpack & paddle-in campsites), camper cabins and nature programs.

3. Knowing the weather forecast is a must for any outdoor activity. Rain was expected the day of our visit, but we were prepared with ponchos and umbrellas. On our way back to the parking lot, it went from sprinkles to a downpour fast.

We passed many drenched hikers. A ranger there told us we were the "smartest people" he'd seen at the park that day. The lesson here?

Know the weather and be prepared.

4. The Visitor's Center is adjacent to the main parking lot. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Restrooms are located here and are the only ones we saw during our hike. Outside of the building, a sign stated that restrooms close at 4:30 p.m. This is seemingly aligned with the hours of the center for monitoring and cleaning purposes.

5. Grab a map right outside of the Visitor's Center to keep track of where you are and where you're going. Trails are very well-marked, but the map came in handy. We used it to help a few people along the way.

6. The two trails we hiked are labeled as easy on various websites. However, there were many exposed roots, stumps, etc. The trail to Fish Traps is downhill. The trail to the overlook and Raven Rock is mainlyu uphill. If you're new to hiking, haven't gone in a while, or have other health issues, the trails won't feel particularly easy.

Know that once you reach the Raven Rock landmark, there are over 100 steps to descend for a full view. Then, consider the climb to get back up to the trails.

Go at your own pace. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes. And if you have trekking poles, they may come in handy.

7. With all I shared in the prior tip concerning terrain, you'll be happy to know that benches are provided for rest breaks. We saw them throughout our hike and definitely used them when necessary.

8. Outside activity during spring and summer means you're never alone. Bugs make sure of that! Although we weren't overwhelmed by them, we had our moments. Wear bug repellent or whatever protection you prefer. I'll also add: Skip the perfumes and other sweet/fruity smelling toiletries when outdoors. If not, consider yourself a magnet.

9. Raven Rock State Park was a fun, peaceful and beautiful hike for us. Any personal challenges we experienced were well worth the views and memories. Therefore, my last tip is to bring your camera! You may regret it if you don't.

When writing about hiking, I often add reminders to bring plenty of water, snacks, basic first aid items and to leave no trace. That simply means respect the grounds and pick up your trash. Leave vegetation and animals undisturbed.