Lakes & Rivers

The Lumber River

A trip into history amidst alligators, Spanish moss and cypress knees begins on North Carolina’s Lumber River. Tea-colored water flows between its banks, which prompted the first people here to call it “Lumbee,” an Indian word meaning black water. In the 1800s, the waters carried thousands of logs downstream to be processed in lumber mills and gave the river its new name.

Today, as it has for centuries, the Lumber River carries people along on its languid currents. With the exception of short segments around population centers like Pembroke, Lumberton and Fair Bluff, the river appears much as it did to the earliest settlers. Evidence of human habitation near this National Wild and Scenic River may date back as far as 20,000 BC. More than 420 archaeological sites have been catalogued in Robeson County alone, not far from the banks of this leisurely black water river.

Visitors with an interest in antiquity may find their own evidence of early settlers. A dugout canoe more than 1,025 years old was found in these waters, an indication that pre-Columbian peoples traversed this liquid thoroughfare. Ancient human handiworks like stone projectile points, weights, knives, axes, scrapers, choppers, drills and grinding and nutting stones also have been discovered here, too. Fossilized remains of plants and animals also may be seen along the Lumber, particularly on the east bank about one-quarter of a mile upriver from the NC 72 intersection with the river.

Small boats, canoes in particular, are the best way to experience the swampy river has to offer. A number of canoe rental concerns operate in the Wagram, Burnt Island and Fair Bluff areas, as well as at Pembroke and Lumberton. Floating visitors may hear camera-shy alligators grunting from their hiding places behind cypress knees, river frogs croaking or startled beavers clapping their tails on the water. Sharp-eyed visitors may see Carolina crawfish scuttle by freshwater mussels in the shallows, while wisteria-scented breezes waft by.

A dazzling variety of fish waits for the boating, as well as the shore-bound angler. Sandbars and fallen trees along the length of the river provide cover and food for largemouth bass, catfish, chain pickerel, crappie and yellow perch. The Lumber River State Park has plenty of streamside fishing locations. Primitive camping sites are available in the park, as is a group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 100 people.

Whether you seek fossils or fish, camping or canoeing, the Lumber River is yours to discover.

Directions
The Lumber River State Park headquarters is located in Robeson County, 12 miles east of Fairmont off NC 130. Travel on S.R. 2225 South to S.R. 2246 East. Continue two miles to the park entrance. From I-95, exit onto US 74 East and travel approximately 13 miles. Turn right onto S.R. 2225 South and travel to S.R. 2246 East. Continue east on S.R. 2246 two miles to the park entrance.

added: December 29, 2008

updated: January 2, 2009