Lumber River State Park encompasses parts of four counties along the Lumber River. The headwaters of the river are in Scotland County.[3] The Lumber River bisects Robeson County. The recreational facilities are at the Princess Ann Landing in southeastern Robeson County near the towns of Orrum and Fair Bluff. The river ends in South Carolina, where it joins the Little Pee Dee River about 8 miles (13 km) south of the state line.[4]
History
The Lumber River is the only blackwater river in North Carolina to be designated as a National Wild and Scenic River by the United States (US) Department of the Interior. The river is 115 miles (185 km) long from its headwaters at the confluence of Drowning Creek and Buffalo Creek near Wagram in Scotland County.[3] The river flows freely along its entire course, making it one of the longest unobstructed rivers in North Carolina.
The upper section of the river was designated as a State Recreational Water Trail in 1978. The river was established as a National Canoe Trail in 1981. The lower Lumber River was designated as a State Canoe Trail in 1984. The General Assembly established the Lumber River as a Natural and Scenic River and also as a state park in 1989.[4]
The first European settlements were made by Scots-Irish who migrated to the area in the late 18th century. They chartered Princess Ann in 1796. The town was the second to be established in Robeson County, and the first settled by people ascending the river from South Carolina. Princess Ann has since been abandoned. The name survives in local folklore and as the name of the road that leads to the park.[4]
The recreational facilities for Lumber River State Park are in a section of Robeson County known as Princess Ann.
Nine primitive camping sites are located at the Princess Ann section of the park. These campsites are meant to be used by no more than six people at a time. Each camp site features a picnic table and grill, lantern holder, trash can, and fire ring. Princess Ann has several hiking trails and picnic areas, and many municipal and county parks are located on the Lumber River as well.