Pettigrew State Park sits on the shores of Lake Phelps, one of North Carolina’s largest natural lakes and among the oldest in the eastern United States. Spanning nearly 6,000 acres across the Coastal Plain, this park preserves a landscape shaped by thousands of years of natural and human history — including ancient dugout canoes discovered in the lake’s shallow waters, some dating back over 4,000 years.

The park’s centerpiece is Lake Phelps itself, a 16,600-acre body of remarkably clear, dark water fed entirely by rainfall. Anglers come for largemouth bass, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed, while paddlers enjoy miles of open water with minimal boat traffic. A public boat ramp provides easy lake access.

On land, trails wind through towering bald cypress and old-growth forests that feel untouched by time. The 0.4-mile Bee Tree Canal Trail and the longer Carriage Drive Trail offer manageable hikes through dense hardwood forest. Birders should bring binoculars — the park hosts bald eagles, ospreys, and migrating waterfowl throughout the cooler months.

History buffs can explore Somerset Place State Historic Site adjacent to the park, a preserved antebellum plantation that tells the stories of the enslaved people who lived and worked there.

Established in 1936, Pettigrew remains one of North Carolina’s quieter state parks — a genuine escape from crowds. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather and the best wildlife viewing. Summer visitors should prepare for heat, humidity, and mosquitoes typical of the coastal plain.

Explore Nearby

• Laurel Point Light — Lighthouse in North Carolina
• Wade Point Light — Lighthouse in North Carolina
• Edenton-Windsor Loop — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Alligator River Route — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Croatan National Forest — National Forest in North Carolina