Biking

The trail is appropriate for mountain bikers of beginner or intermediate skill levels.

The trail is appropriate for mountain bikers of beginner or intermediate skill levels.

The Elliott Coues Nature Trail is a new hiking trail that connects the Fort area with the Swim Beach area. It stretches approximately 3.2 miles round trip and travels along the marsh, through the maritime forest, and through the sand dunes. The trail can be accessed both at the Fort parking lot or the Beach Access parking lot. Park visitors are reminded that these two parking lots have separate closing times and these times change throughout the year based on the month, so please be mindful of your time if you start your hike later in the afternoon.

The trail divides the park north and south. It crosses the Jacob Fork River above High Shoals Falls. Be prepared for a stream crossing. The trail continues through the Upper Falls Backcountry Campsite and climbs steeply to a vista. It continues west to Jacob Branch Backcountry Campsite and ends on the Lower CCC Trail. Horses, hikers and bicycle riders share this trail.

Raven Rock Trail crosses the park road and Jacob Fork River then ascends steeply to a paved road shared by the park and Pine Mountain Golf Resort. There is a winter view of High Shoals Falls. This trail is open to horses and hikers and the upper section is part of the bicycle loop trail.

The park's 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 permits for a two-mile loop back to 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 originally were featured on the property.

The Lower CCC Trail was named for the Camp Dyer Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The trail follows a ridgeline that separates the Henry Fork Watershed and the Jacob Fork Watershed. Murray Branch Backcountry Campsite can be reached from this trail. Horses, hikers and bicycle riders share the Lower CCC Trail.

The trail provides access to Shinny Creek Trail, the Shinny Creek Backcountry Campsite and the Upper Falls Trail.

The trail serves as a boundary between North Carolina gamelands and the park. Benn Knob Peak is a restricted area.