Hiking

The West Loop Bridle Trail is the perfect adventure for those who wish to explore the northside of the park. Take this trail by itself or combine it with the East Loop Bridle Trail to make an 8-mile circuit. Be sure to hitch up your horse and take a break at the Avents Creek crossing located on the trail. This is a great spot to enjoy Jumping Fish Falls and see friendly snakes sunning themselves on the boulders.

Riders, please be mindful and considerate when encountering other trail users.

The park's namesake trail is very popular for its iconic features, such as Raven Rock and the Overlook. Following along Little Creek, you will wind through the woods and find your way to a large staircase that descends to the Rock. Once under the Rock, take a moment to soak in the sights and sounds of the riverbed on the large fallen boulders. At the Overlook, bald eagles are commonly seen fishing along the river. The Overlook is also one of the best spots to view a sunset in the park.

Northington Ferry Trail is named after the Northingtons, a prominent family that once lived here long ago. The Northingtons operated a general store, a river ferry system, and the lock and dam located at Fish Traps. This quiet trail is ideal for spotting wildlife, such as deer and box turtles, as well as all kinds of native birds. It is also popular with fishermen due to the trail ending at the mouth of Campbell Creek where it meets the Cape Fear River. Fish commonly caught in this area include catfish, sunfish, bass, and crappie.

The advance loop of the park's mountain bike trail system starts off of the beginner loop. This loop poses the highest amount of opt-in challenges and technical features for riders to experience. It is also the narrowest of the three loops. Once a rider completes the advanced loop, they will need to continue down the beginner loop to return to the parking area.

Bikers, please pay attention to which direction to go. Please be mindful and considerate when encountering other trail users.

The intermediate loop of the park's mountain bike trail system starts off of the beginner loop. On the intermediate loop, riders can expect a more challenging experience as they near Fish Creek and are able to catch more of the topography in this section of the park. Riders will notice that this trail is narrower than the beginner loop and offers some technical features.

Bikers, please pay attention to which direction to go. Please be mindful and considerate when encountering other trail users.

This is the beginner loop of Raven Rock's mountain bike trail system, which is named for the abundant thickets of mountain laurel present along the trail. As you ride through the woods, you will cross numerous bridges; pass between stands of pines and mixed hardwoods; and traverse a restored forest. More experienced riders have the option of lengthening their rides by taking the intermediate or advanced loops, both of which veer off the beginner loop.

Bikers, please pay attention to which direction to go. Please be mindful and considerate when encountering other trail users.

This short but educational trail is canopy covered and wheelchair accessible. Along the way, you will find displays on natural resource management techniques used by the park, as well as displays on native wildlife you may discover in the area.

This beautiful hike follows alongside Little Creek with its rock creek bed and abundance of wildlife. You will also walk a canopy-covered ridgeline along the Cape Fear River. The trailhead for this serene path can be found on the Raven Rock Loop Trail and it loops back to nearly the same spot.

This trail is an offshoot of the Campbell Creek Loop Trail and features some rocky terrain and steps that lead down to Class II rapids in the Cape Fear River. The "falls" in the name refers to its geographical positioning on the fall line, which, in this case, results in exposed bedrock and rapids. It isn't uncommon to spot all kinds of wildlife along this portion of the river.

This short trail features several creek crossings and footbridges under a thick canopy. It is moderately flat and a very easy hike extending off the Little Creek Loop Trail. This trail is named for the heritage eastern cottonwood tree that lived nearby for many years.