Trails
4117 N.C. 242 N.
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
910-588-4550
jones.lake@ncparks.gov
GPS: 34.682743, -78.595420
November - February: 8am - 6pm
March - May and September and October: 8am - 8pm
June - August: 8am - 9pm.
Closed Christmas Day
Park gate is closed and locked at park closing time.
Visitor Center
8am - 5pm weekdays
Closed state holidays
List of trails
Aromatic bay thickets and pond cypress stands draped with Spanish moss are signature attractions on a four-mile trail that loops around one of North Carolina’s mysterious bay lakes. Hiking is a great addition to a family picnic or swim session.
Bay Trail
Location: Begin Bay Trail at the picnic area or campground.
Description:
Bay Trail is a loop around Jones Lake, offering an excellent chance to experience the habitats of a Carolina bay. Wander through dense vegetation and over boggy soil to view lovely lakeside flora. Large pond cypress trees, draped with Spanish moss, line the shore and grow in the shallow water. Leatherwood plants with delicate white flowers, also called titi, overhang the water’s edge. Several short side-trails lead to the lake, allowing hikers a chance to catch their breath while viewing the vista across the lake.
Surface: natural surface, gravel
Length:
4.00 miles
loop
4.00 miles
loop
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
white diamond
white diamond
Cedar Loop Trail
Location: Starts at far end of the picnic area farthest from Large Picnic Shelter.
Description:
Part of the Bay Trail, Cedar Loop offers a one-mile journey through both the bay forest and sand ridge communities.
Surface: natural surface, gravel
Length:
1.00 miles
loop
1.00 miles
loop
Difficulty:
easy hike
easy hike
Blaze:
red circle
red circle
Salters Lake Trail
Location: Salters Lake Trail connects the Bay Trail to Salters Lake.
Description:
The trail passes through bay forest as well as sand ridge communities and ends at the shore of Salters Lake.
Surface: natural surface, gravel
Length:
1.00 miles
one way
1.00 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
yellow rectangle
yellow rectangle
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, January 26, 2020 - 2:00pm