Bladen County
Picturesque rural landscape fills the county of 1,000 lakes and none of the lakes is more popular than White Lake, the resort where families have been enjoying crystal clear waters, boating, water skiing, camping and amusement rides since 1901. For a less crowded venue, visit Jones Lake State Park, just four miles from Elizabethtown on N.C. 242 where swimming, boating, camping and picnicking are the order of the day.
Settled by the Highland Scots in 1734, Bladen is one of the largest counties in the state and offers points of interest such as Harmony Hall, the stately circa 1768 home, built by Col. James A. Richardson on 12,000 acres near White Oak; Tory Hole Battleground, which runs along Elizabethtown's main artery to the Cape Fear River and includes a park, picnic shelter, playgrounds and amphitheater; or The Elwell Cable Ferry Crossing near Kelly, where the two-car ferry operates daily taking travelers across the Cape Fear River.
And for wine lovers, there is Lu Mil Vineyard in Dublin, where you can sample and purchase Bladen County wines while perusing the gift shop and antique store.
Other places of interest are Bladen Lakes State Forest, a preserve of forest and wildlife exhibits and public hunting; the U.S. Lock and Dam No. 2, just over the Cumberland County line on N.C. 87; White Lake Water Park with its Turbo Twister Slide and 2,000-square-foot swimming pool; and, for golfers, Carolina Sands Golf Course, between Elizabethtown and White Lake on U.S. 701.