Cliffs of the Neuse State Park near Seven Springs in eastern North Carolina preserves a dramatic geologic formation and a long record of human use along the Neuse River. Rising about 90 feet above the river, the 600-yard cliffs expose layers of sediment left by ancient shallow seas and later shaped by fault movement, river cutting, and erosion. Long before the park was created, Tuscarora and Saponi peoples used the area as a ceremonial ground and gathering place for hunting. Preservation began in 1944 through Lionel Weil and other donors, leading to the park’s establishment in 1945. Today it protects diverse habitats, rich wildlife, and recreational opportunities.