Jones Lake State Park was inaugurated on July 1, 1939, as the first state park designated for African Americans in North Carolina. Before its establishment, the region was extensively involved in the Naval Stores Industry. Today, the park’s Visitor Center showcases exhibitions that delve into the historical importance of both the park and its surroundings. Among its displays is an ancient Native American dugout canoe, estimated to be around 2,000 years old, offering a glimpse into the distant past of the area. The park is located at 4117 NC HWY 242 North in Elizabethtown, NC, and welcomes visitors from 8 am to 5 pm every day of the week throughout the year, except on Christmas Day.