Medoc Mountain stays open amid campsite renovations

HOLLISTER — Medoc Mountain State Park in Halifax County has closed its tent, trailer and RV campsites and its picnic shelters for construction work expected to take at least a year.

The park facilities closed June 3. Renovations scheduled for the next 12 months are funded through the Connect N.C. Bond.

“We are very excited for this project to improve the camping experience at Medoc Mountain State Park,” said Kathy Capps, deputy director of operations at N.C. State Parks. “The park has done a lot of work in recent years to improve day-use experience with the addition of new trails, including the mountain biking trails.”

The park will add water and sewer service to all campsites with electric hookups for RVs. The bathhouses will also be renovated.

In addition, four camper cabins will be added to the campground. These cabins offer two bedrooms to accommodate up to six people but have no indoor living, dining or bathroom areas. Visitors must use the grill and picnic tables outside each cabin to cook and the centrally located bathhouse. Camper cabins will be similar to those offered at the Carolina Beach, Cliffs of the Neuse, Goose Creek, Gorges, Lake Norman, Morrow Mountain and Raven Rock state parks.

All trails, the visitor center and the primitive equestrian campsites will remain open during construction.

“We will continue to offer interpretation and education programs during the closure, including our monthly astronomy program at the visitor center,” said Park Superintendent Allen Williford. “We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding during the closure, but we know the wait will be worth the upgraded campgrounds in the future.”

The project has received $3.6 million from the Connect N.C. Bond and $1.3 million from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Katherine Hogan Architects from Raleigh is completing design work, and H.G. Reynolds is the general contractor.

Located in Halifax County about 30 miles northwest of Rocky Mount, Medoc Mountain State Park stands on the 325-foot remnant of a once-mighty mountain range from 350 million years ago. Instead of a typical “mountain” adventure, visitors can enjoy picnicking in the park’s open meadow, fishing on Little Fishing Creek and traversing the trails on foot, bike or horseback. Uncommon species such as Lewis’ heartleaf and the Neuse River waterdog call the park home.

Medoc Mountain features 29 miles of hiking trails, 10 miles of horseback riding trails and nine miles of trail for mountain biking. For more information, visit www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/medoc-mountain-state-park.

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