Do you ever feel like you want to get away from it all but don’t have the time or the money to do it? Exploring your state parks is a great way to find rest in an otherwise crazy life. We are always blown away by the new places we visit, people we meet, and adventures we experience. We often come away with a new and deeper appreciation for the state we live in. This is how we felt when we visited Mayo River State Park.
Where Is Mayo River State Park
Mayo River State Park is about a 30 minute drive north of Greensboro on Highway 220. The park is split up into two parts, the Mayo Mountain Access and the Mayo Beach Access. You will need to drive between the two access points. It is about a 12 minute drive between the two locations.
Mayo River is one of the newer parks in the state park system. It became a state park in 2010 but it has been around since 1948. It was originally a private corporate park for a local mill. The state has done a great job renovating the existing buildings and has plans for plenty of future development.
What To Do At Mayo River
Even though Mayo River is a newer park, there are still several activities for your family to enjoy. Our favorite thing to do at the park was to visit the Fall Creek Falls at the Mayo Beach Access. The hike to the falls is a quick quarter of a mile walk from the parking lot. It is mostly gravel and downhill on the way there, with plenty of shade. If you follow the trail past the waterfall, it will take you all the way into Virginia.
The falls are way bigger than we thought they would be. They weren’t too high, but they were really wide. The water was really cold at the bottom of the falls and made for a great little spot to put our feet in and cool off. There were multiple levels to the falls which made it fun to climb the rocks. Be careful though, it can be very slippery where the water flows. It is a great spot to sit and relax even if you are just stopping by for 15 minutes.
When we went we were the only people there. There are a couple of picnic tables at the trail head, a grill, the trail and the waterfall at this access point. At this time there are no state park facilities, though there are plans for expansion in the future.
The Mayo Mountain Access is where the welcome center is. Make sure you stop by here to get your N.C. State Park Passport Book stamped along with getting any maps or other information you might need. There is a 1.8 mile trail to hike and a pond where you can go fishing. Fun fact, they also have a really great picnic shelter that was designed by a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright.
What Else Is Around Mayo River State Park
In the immediate vicinity, there is the Town of Mayoden, but it is also a great stop on a day trip to Greensboro or Southwest Virginia. Check out our detailed guide for day trips to Greensboro and Southwest Virginia with ideas for a fun day of exploring! Hanging Rock State Park would be the best state park to pair with if you are trying to do multiple state parks in a day.
Takeaways From Our Trip To Mayo River State Park
Mayo River is a little gem of a park surrounded by natural beauty. It is a nice little retreat away. It is a great park for beginners, especially kids or people who are just starting to get out into nature. Even for those of us who are a little more experienced with the outdoors, we still loved it. It is pretty and quaint.
Make sure you bring your own food and water. Bring a towel if you want to get in the river for a bit. Also, make sure you use the restroom before you get to the falls. Have so much fun going the adventure way at Mayo River State Park!
Have you been to Mayo River State Park? What are some of your favorite things to do around the area?
Looking for more North Carolina State Parks to explore? Check out our guide for visiting South Mountains State Park, one of our favorites!
