The Lumber River is the only blackwater river in North Carolina designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. Its stretch in Scotland County is undeveloped for nearly its entire length. When planning a trip, you can focus on river landscapes and cycling routes, historical collections, or a stay around event dates. To choose a place to stay, it helps to first decide which of these themes matters most to you.
River Landscapes and Cycling Routes
The Sandhills habitat in Scotland County includes longleaf pines and scrubby blackjack oaks. Bogs and swamps dotted with cypress trees punctuate this landscape. In addition to the river, distinctive forest and wetland areas are also natural highlights. Both access areas of Lumber River State Park have camping facilities.
The county’s bicycle route system includes 147 miles, three numbered and signposted routes, and several unmarked connector routes. The routes pass through mostly flat terrain with occasional small hills.
Historic Sites and Collections
The roughly 100-year-old John Blue House offers a glimpse into Scotland County’s past and the culture of rural Carolina. The John Blue House and Heritage Center also includes the Tobacco Barn, a 100-year-old tobacco barn. At Heritage Village, relocated homes and other buildings illustrate the culture of rural Carolina in the late 19th century. Another glimpse into history awaits at the General Store, a restored early 20th-century shop displayed as an exhibit.
The Museum of Agriculture and History displays agricultural and textile machinery as well as early farming tools. The collection also includes classic cars, a historic fire engine, model trains, local art, and artifacts from the American Civil War. The museum therefore offers several ways to explore its collections: agriculture and textile history alongside transportation, art, and regional and national historical artifacts.
The Carolinas Indian Museum is dedicated to the lives of the Indigenous people of the Carolinas. Its exhibits include an original canoe, projectile points, pottery, and ancient stone tools. In Laurinburg, the Art Garden adds to the cultural experience with modern sculptures by UNC-Pembroke students, made exclusively from reclaimed materials from Scotland County. Downtown Laurinburg’s Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes 50 contributing buildings.
Festivals, Wine, and Events
The annual John Blue Cotton Festival combines tours of the early 19th-century home and cabins with demonstrations of a mule-powered cotton gin. The program also includes antique tractors, train rides, arts and crafts, hayrides, and children’s games. The annual Kuumba is an African American cultural celebration featuring dance, drumming, storytelling, socializing, and gospel and jazz music. Check event dates and the program before your trip.
Cypress Bend Vineyards grows Muscadine grapes, also known as Scuppernong, and offers tastings and tours. The Fall Harvest and Grape Stomp takes place there annually in early September. The combination of wine-related activities and a set event date makes the season a special consideration when planning your trip; check the date before you arrive.
Motorized Activities
The Outback Motorsports Complex offers tracks and natural off-road obstacles for dirt bikes, ATVs, side-by-sides, and off-road vehicles. Numerous racing events take place there throughout the year, and concerts are also held on the grounds. If you’d like to include these activities in your plans, check current operating conditions and event dates before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Laurinburg, Wagram, Guilford, Burke County, Orange, Halifax, Watauga, Greene County.
Return to the main travel overview: North Carolina.
