Goose Creek State Park: Eastern NC Trails for Everyone

Goose Creek State Park is an accessible park that does the small things right. The scenery is impeccable and enjoyable for anyone. Get up close and personal with the amazing inland wetlands of eastern NC and leave feeling refreshed. Only 2 hours from the Raleigh area, Goose Creek is an ideal day trip for a family, couple, or solo.

Getting There and Staying There

The drive to Goose Creek State Park takes you by a fair number of country roads and towns. The largest town near by is “little” Washington. If you have not been there, it is a cute little inland water community with a unique vibe. Not a bad spot to pick up lunch on the way if you forgot to pack one. There are no concessions in the park.

Once you enter the park you will immediately notice a difference. Everything feels a little more wild with the tall grass and towering pine trees. Check the park map out here. You will first come to the the Visitor center/education center. When we visited, this was closed due to manning issues but may be open when you come. The bathrooms are still accessible just inside the door to the right. This is a fairly new build as far as state buildings go. Across the street is a very new RV camp ground. This area was completely packed with RV’s and campers. There are a few smaller cabins also in this area that were also fully booked. Looking back I see why this might be a good spot to stay for a long weekend.

Water View Trails

The trails throughout Goose Creek State Park are both clearly marked and well traveled. Most trails have been in use for some time and are a mix of compact sand/dirt with pine needles. The sandy parts really close to the water can be a slow going at times but overall, the trails were very easy. Madilyn and I went on this adventure together and she enjoyed pointing out all the trail markers the whole way. Though she rode in the carrier, I am confident she could have walked these just fine. I did miss a turn at one point but that was my fault entirely.

If you want to, you can take the trail right behind the visitor center called the Palmetto Boardwalk. We also did all the smaller trails around the SE corner of the park and loved them. We had a good mix of scenery to include some of the marshy area, beaches and other really amazing boardwalks. There were several areas that looked perfect for fishing along these trails. With the car only 10-20 minutes walk at most, this could be a nice little get-away spot.

Having grown up in NC, Kaitlyn and I learned about the importance of wetlands many times. Visiting Goose Creek State park felt like I was experiencing much of it for the first time. Each step on the trails gave way to another really wild view while still looking like something out of a resort. Considering how flat all the terrain is, this is a park nearly everyone can enjoy at their preferred pace. If you are in great shape, you can easily do all the trails in a single day. I think the best way to experience this park is slowly so do not hesitate to stop and soak in the views like we did.

Swimming and Boating

There is a designated swimming area in the south east area of the park. Parking is not bad in this area but I can see how it might get crowded on a hot summer day. The swimming area looks decent but the surroundings area look a little treacherous. Since this is an inland water area, the water is fairly calm compared to a ocean front beach. Plenty of trash cans available to keep the beach clean, foot washing station on the exit path and some nice picnic areas. A paved path from the parking lot, through the picnic area, past the foot washing area and stops at the swim area(which is fairly sandy). It was a little too cold for us to dip our toes in the water when we visited but I have no doubt this is a favorite place to cool off in the warm months.

In a separate access area to the north of the park is the boat launch. See the park map for accessibility. This appears to be a common kayak area. I was interested in the “paddle trail” that the map identifies leading up the Goose Creek from this point. I never thought of a trail for kayaks or any other boat but I suppose that makes sense. Parking in this area is sized to handle many trailers for boats as well as normal parking. Be mindful of all the different types of boats in the area.

Overall

Goose Creek State Park is a great day trip for the whole family. Even in the cooler months, the trails are still scenic and relaxing. In the warmer months, this place is equipped to handle boaters, swimmers, hikers, RVer’s, campers, fishers and more. Pack a lunch and enjoy a great day trip you will be sure to tell your friends and family about.

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