Environmental education
Environmental education is the central focus at Haw River State Park. The Summit Environmental Education Center is a retreat and educational facility operated by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. It was formerly a retreat center owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, who sold the property to the state. The center can house up to 180 overnight visitors in a motel and several dormitories. There are eight conference rooms, a cafeteria and indoor and outdoor recreational facilities with a six acre (0.02 km²) lake and hiking trails.