Biking

The Sand Path is a generations-old farm path that leads to the park's four primitive group campsites. Beginning at the visitor center on the Longleaf Trail, following the Sand Path, then hiking the Spanish Moss Trail creates an almost 2-mile loop that ends up back at the visitor center. The path travels into a mixed pine and hardwood forest and borders a longleaf restoration area of the park. The trail may be traveled by vehicles at low speeds by group campers, so hikers must be aware of the dual-use.

The 2-mile Lake Trail was opened to the public in June 2015. This trail is 3 feet wide and features a natural sand base that makes it ideal for hikers and joggers. The trail winds through a previously-unused forested section of the park and provides a good look at many mature white oaks, in addition to a variety of other hardwoods. With fewer loblolly and longleaf pines, hikers who look closely may glimpse historic remnants of dead longleaf stumps that were used in the naval stores industry between 1750 and 1875.

The Longleaf Trail was created in 2013 as a way to connect hikers and joggers from the visitor center to the park's Sand Path and then onto the Spanish Moss Trail. Following the trails in that order creates a 2-mile loop beginning and ending at the visitor center. The Longleaf Trail is so named for the fact that it passes through the park's longleaf pine restoration area, a 75-acre section of mixed pine and hardwood that is being burned with prescribed fire on regular intervals to foster the dominance of the longleafs that were featured originally on the property.

This trail winds along a peninsula overlooking the millpond and back to the James S. Rockefeller Trail through a longleaf pine forest. Along the way, you'll encounter historic structures viewed from across the millpond, a bank fishing access footpath and a floating observation deck with nice views of the millpond.

The trail travels between a native grass meadow and longleaf pine forests. It ends in front of the Rockefeller House and a large historical marker where the trail connects with the Cypress Point Loop Trail. Two wayside displays discuss edge habitat and the life cycle of the longleaf pine. Enjoy long views of open meadows, old farm silo in the distance, longleaf pine forests and good birdwatching. Please use this trail on your return hike to the park office/trailhead.

The trail begins at the mountain bike trails parking lot at 2568 Moores Spring Road. Walk your bike across the crosswalk; use caution when crossing Moores Spring Road. The trail's surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. Follow Kingsnake Trail for 300 feet, then the trail begins on the left. The trail parallels Cascade Creek then goes past bluffs of the Dan River, before leading uphill through forested hills.

Mountain bike trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Hikers must yield to mountain bikers.

This trail is not recommended for beginners. The trail starts at the beginning of the farmhouse parking lot driveway at 2700 Moores Spring Road. From the driveway, the trail winds under the NC Department of Transportation bridge on Moores Spring Road. The trail immediately crosses Cascade Creek. There is no bridge; riders must cross through the creek. The trail then goes uphill and splits at a Y. To the right, the trail leads to Black Racer Trail; to the left, the trail leads to Kingsnake Trail. The trail's surface is gravel, dirt, and rock.

Park at the mountain bike trails parking lot at 2568 Moores Spring Road. Walk your bike across the crosswalk; use caution when crossing Moores Spring Road. This trail is a short loop beginning and ending near trail marker number 33 of the Hognose Trail. The trail surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. The trail follows a ridge through what was once an old campground. This gentle, winding trail is good for newer riders.

Mountain bike trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Hikers must yield to mountain bikers.

Park at the mountain bike trails parking lot at 2568 Moores Spring Road. Walk your bike across the crosswalk; use caution when crossing Moores Spring Road. This trail is a short loop beginning and ending near trail marker number 106 of the Kingsnake Trail. The trail surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. The trail leads through a mature open forest. This gentle, winding trail is good for newer riders.

Mountain bike trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Hikers must yield to mountain bikers.

Trail begins at the mountain bike trails parking lot at 2568 Moores Spring Road. Walk your bike across the crosswalk; use caution when crossing Moores Spring Road. The trail surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. The trail crosses the metal grate pedestrian bridge and winds past the historic Moore's Spring House, where mineral water was bottled and shipped worldwide in the early 1900s. The trail turns uphill to the right past the springhouse. Halfway up the hill, the trail turns left. Ride under stately beech trees in a large loop high above the Dan River.