North Carolina Adds 3,005 Acres to Lumber River State Park

North Carolina State Parks acquired 3,005 acres of land in Robeson County to expand Lumber River State Park. The new parcel sits along the South Carolina border near Fair Bluff and protects the west banks of the river. This acquisition increases the park's total size to 16,594 acres, making it the second-largest unit in the state system.

The purchase was financed through a combination of public grants and private fundraising. The Conservation Fund bought the property from a willing seller using a $4.05 million grant from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund. State Parks then took ownership of the land using a $3.6 million grant from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. An additional $234,375 came from the state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, approved in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Governor Josh Stein stated that protecting this area preserves natural beauty for future residents and visitors. DNCR Secretary Pam Cashwell described the purchase as an investment in water quality and outdoor recreation. She noted that the land protects a large portion of the federally designated National Wild and Scenic River system.

Guenevere Abernathy, the Conservation Fund's North Carolina state director, said the project succeeded because partners worked toward a shared goal. She emphasized that the land will benefit wildlife and the local community. U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, who represents the area, said the expansion preserves the state's outdoor heritage and ensures access for generations to come.

The Lumber River basin contains wetlands that support endangered and rare plant and animal species. The river has served as a water resource for local communities since the time of the ancestors of the present-day Lumbee Tribe. Earlier this year, American Rivers ranked the Lumber River No. 4 on its list of Most Endangered Rivers in the country.

Lumber River State Park spans parts of Columbus, Robeson, Scotland, and Hoke counties. It is located 60 miles south of Fayetteville and features three main access points: Princess Ann in Orrum, Wire Pasture in Maxton, and Chalk Banks in Wagram. The Wire Pasture access area opened earlier this year, minutes from the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The new land will provide public access to a scenic section of the river that holds dual designations as a National Wild and Scenic River and a state Natural and Scenic River.