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Put In -
Goose Creek State
Park near Washington, NC is on the Pamlico Sound.
It is about a 2 hour drive from Raleigh. I camped in campsite 9. For
kayaking the best campsites are 9 thru 12. Anything lower and you are
pretty far from the put-in. Campsite 11 & 12 are the best for the
put-in but you have to walk your gear in a little further. The
campsites are well spaced out so you are quite isolated. I used
my kayak dolly to get down to the put-in. You have water at spigots
along the road and two restrooms with one not in order. The one near
campsite 9 was open. It has no running water, kinda like an outhouse
on stilts. I was also told by the ranger when he checked me in after
dinner on Friday that the check-out time is 11am. This was news to me
as the website and NC State Park FAQs says all parks have a 3pm checkout.
I decided not to fight this, but I did have to break camp right after
breakfast so I could kayak till around 1pm without having to worry.
So, basically I was out of the campsite by 9am. I even called the
office about this and they said it has to do with getting the campsite in
order for the next camper, but I was back at the car at 1pm and nothing was
done and when I left at 2pm nothing had been done to the campsite that I
could tell. I mean it is not like it is a hotel where you have to
change the sheets. This check-out time is not posted any where, I
looked at the information sign and the main visitor center. They just
spring it on you after you arrive.
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Distance/Time - Three trips during the two days camping. 4.8 miles the
first afternoon up Goose Creek both spurs, 3.1 miles in the evening, the following morning
8.5 miles to Mallard Creek.
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Difficulty - Easy, no wind the whole two days.
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Trip Directions - Goose Creek has canoe trail markers. Both spurs on
Goose Creek dead end in tall grass. This happens in most creeks.
The evening paddle was very nice watching the sun set. A sail boat
motored in and anchored in Goose Creek for the night. The trip to
Mallard Creek was also nice because of low wind, I could see this might be
tough on a windy day. There was a slight breeze and the sail boats
were out. I stopped at a hiking access dock and the swim area. I
hiked into the restrooms at the swim area and also found an old cemetery.
The Visitor Center is very nice with a large room of embalmed animals.
The hanging egret was cool and the black bear.
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Scenery -
Lots of Spanish moss, turtles, and a few egrets. Basic coastal kayaking
in tall grass or open water.
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Hazards -
None.
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Trail from campsite 9 to road. |
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Parking in front of campsite 9, about 25 yards to the campsite. |
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Gravel road into the campsites |
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Lots of osprey or eagle nests. |
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Faddy Creek in the evening. Water spot caused the sky
distortion, but I liked the shot |
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Sunset with a sail boat motoring in |
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Dinah's Landing boat ramp across from the park |
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First time for pancakes and real maple syrup |
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Another nest at Ragged Point on the way to Mallard Creek |
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Mallard Creek entrance, a few homes |
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Mallard Creek dock to a hiking trail |
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Dock at the Mallard Creek hiking trail |
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Sailboats having a good time |
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You need two fishing permits and this is the border line. |
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