4:00 PM at the Visitor Center (1005 Visitor Center Drive, Westfield) -- closes 4:45 PM.
Check-out
10:00 AM. Keys on the kitchen table.
Two vans
Terry driving Van 1, Dan driving Van 2. 3 people each.
Groceries
Walmart pickup in King, NC -- Wed 5-6 PM after check-in. ~20-25 min from cabin.
Cell service
None in the park. Download maps before leaving home.
Lake swimming
Thu–Sun only. Open Thursday and Friday.
Fishing
Grandpa Dan's NC lifetime license covers the kids.
Firewood
From Visitor Center or Camp Host (~$7/bundle).
Snappy Lunch
Closes 1:45 PM Fridays. Plan to arrive by noon if going.
Day 1 — Wednesday, May 27
Arrive and Settle In
~Noon-1 pm
Depart Fuquay-VarinaTwo vans -- Terry driving Van 1, Dan driving Van 2. Allow 3 hours with buffer, aiming to arrive by 4pm. Dan's sandwiches and trail mix for the road.
~4:00 pm
Check in at the Visitor Center1005 Visitor Center Drive, Westfield. Closes at 4:45 PM. Get key, pick up trail map, head to Cabin 1.
After check-in
Unload and get settledClaim beds, unpack gear. Screened porch with rocking chairs.
Late afternoon
Bikes and lake trailTandem for Adam and Dan. David leads Aidan and JJ on park roads. Papa takes the flat Lake Trail or sits on the porch.
5:00–6:00 pm
Walmart grocery pickup -- King, NCSomeone makes the run (~20-25 min each way) while others settle in at the cabin.
Evening
Picanha tip dinnerPre-marinated prime picanha tips. Pat dry, cast iron very hot, cook in batches. Rest 5 min before serving. Corn on the cob, bread, butter. Cook extra for Thursday breakfast.
After dinner
Campfire and first nightFirewood from Visitor Center or Camp Host (~$7/bundle). Dark skies out here.
Day 2 — Thursday, May 28
Waterfalls, Trails, and Mountain Pies
Morning
Steak and eggs with roasted potatoesLeftover picanha tips sliced and seared with eggs. Cubed russet potatoes roasted. Best camping breakfast.
9:30 am
Visitor CenterMuseum, trail maps, deck overlook. Flat and easy for everyone. 1005 Visitor Center Drive, Westfield.
10:00 am
Upper Cascades Falls -- whole group0.6 mi round trip. Accessible overlook deck -- Adam (with trekking poles) and Papa stop here. Rhododendron and mountain laurel in full bloom. Stairs to the base for anyone who wants to go further.
Lower Cascades Falls • Kylem322 / CC BY 3.0
Day 2 continued
Around 11 am
Options -- split or stay togetherLower Cascades Falls (0.8 mi, swimming hole, 2143 Hall Rd) • Mountain bike singletrack (2568 Moores Spring Rd) • Stay at the cabin or lake area
Around noon
Regroup and lunchDan's Lowes Foods specialty brats + Ball Park hot dogs on the charcoal grill outside the cabin.
2:00–4:30 pm
Free afternoonBikes on park roads, fishing off the lake pier (Dan's license covers the kids), porch time.
Late afternoon
Tory's Den Cave (optional)Short hike from 1185 Charlie Young Rd, Westfield. Revolutionary War hideout cave. Go if it works.
5:30 pm
Pizza mountain piesDan's pie makers. Butter bread, add sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni. Each person makes their own. Start early.
After dinner
S'mores and stargazingGraham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows. Minimal light pollution out here.
Justin Wolff / Unsplash
Day 3 — Friday, May 29
Easy Morning, Scenic Drive Home
Morning
Smoothies and cerealProtein shakes for Adam, Dan, David -- one blender bottle, take turns. Cheerios for Papa and JJ.
By 10:00 am
Pack up and check out10:00 AM check-out. Keys on the kitchen table.
~10:30 am
Pilot Mountain State Park25 min from Hanging Rock. Drive-to overlook of the Big Pinnacle. Free. 15-20 min. 1721 Pilot Knob Park Rd, Pinnacle.
~11:30 am
Mount Airy -- Mayberry
Wally's & Mayberry Jailhouse (free) -- locked in Otis's cell. 625 S Main St.
Granite Quarry Overlook (free) -- largest open-face quarry in the US
Andy Griffith Museum (optional, $8/$6)
Snappy Lunch (cash only, closes 1:45 PM) -- $4.20 pork chop sandwich. Go if timing works.
~2:00 pm
Head homeAbout 2 hours. Everyone except the drivers will sleep in the car -- which is fine, because someone has to make sure you end up in Fuquay and not Fayetteville.
