Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Cape Carteret, North Carolina

Holland Point is a quick out and back trail that rides along the edges of private property. This is an easy drive with only a few large potholes in the middle of the trail. Following dense coastal forest, it's a perfect short drive if looking for wildlife along the coast with an incredible revealing...
Learn more about Holland Point

This is one of three potential entrances that access the vast trail system within the Pettiford Creek Tract trail system, which has nearly 10 miles of sandy double track with mud holes, stream crossings, whoops, and amazing scenery. Most of the trail is loose sand, with some ruts and potential mud p...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek West Entrance

Pettiford Creek Trail 11 is a short offshoot from the Pettiford Creek West Entrance that leads to a small, secluded campsite along Pettiford Creek. The site can accommodate up to three or four vehicles, including creek access and a fire ring. At the beginning of the trail, there is a noticeable hump...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 11

Pettiford Creek Trail 10 connects the Pettiford Creek West Entrance with Pettiford Creek Trail 9 and also provides access to a scenic campsite along Pettiford Creek. The trail itself consists mostly of packed sand with minimal obstacles--only a few shallow ruts and small roots scattered throughout. ...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 10

This trail branches off Pettiford Creek - FS 206 and winds through Croatan National Forest land. The majority of the route is relatively easy but includes a few minor challenges. Some sections feature loose sand, tight encroaching trees, and potential mud pits after recent rain. While the trail does...
Learn more about FS 206 Spur 1

This trail is an easy forest service road that provides access to Croatan National Forest land and a few shorter trails. Along the road is a bridge, a small creek, an access trail to a clearing, and several hiking trails, while the end of the trail features access to three shorter trails. The surfac...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek - FS 206

This offshoot branches from FS 206 Spur 2 and Pettiford Creek. It's a sandy double-track trail that offers an enjoyable and relatively easy drive. While a few spots may become muddy after recent rainfall, the overall difficulty remains low. Some narrow sections could be a tight fit for full-sized ve...
Learn more about FS 206 Spur 3

This trail is another offshoot of Pettiford Creek FS 206 and consists of a sandy double track that winds through Croatan National Forest, offering access to Pettiford Creek. While slightly more challenging than FS 206, it remains manageable and enjoyable for most vehicles. The trail begins in a typi...
Learn more about FS 206 Spur 2

Bogue Road is another hard-pack road leading to more Croatan National Forest areas. Along the road is a vast hunting land area and numerous side trails. The end of the road turns into a tight-looking double-track trail that may not be accessible or a legal road or trail. The road is accessible by mo...
Learn more about Bogue Road

Pettiford Creek Trail 13 is a longer route that winds through Pettiford Creek State Forest and Croatan National Forest, running parallel to the boundary of nearby private property. The trail primarily consists of packed sand, with a few light mud sections that may reach a few inches deep--mild compa...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 13

Pettiford Creek Trail 14 is a short connector trail that links Bogue Road to Pettiford Creek Trail 13. While generally mild, it can feature a few shallow mud pits--typically no deeper than a few inches--that may cause issues for less capable vehicles, especially after rainfall. Additional challenges...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 14

This trail is a longer trail with a varied environment. The beginning of the trail is rather sandy and open but eventually turns into a tighter, secluded forest. This trail is rather easy, featuring some mild ruts, whoops, bumps, and shallow mud pits. The trail suddenly ends and is rather narrow, ma...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 1

This is the main trail through Pettiford Creek State Forest, allowing access from one side of the state forest to the other. This is the easiest trail within Pettiford Creek and mostly consists of sandy double-track with small whoops and potential for small puddles or mud pits. The majority of the t...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Main Trail

This is one of the first branches off the main trail through Pettiford Creek State Forest. The trail begins with a wide, sandy double track, which turns into a narrow, muddy trail. The trail ends in a secluded wetlands area that frequently has mud pits and large ruts. This trail features a few poten...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 2

Pettiford Creek Trail 9 is a longer route that initially runs along the edge of private property before entering the state forest and linking Pettiford Creek West Entrance to Pettiford Creek Main Trail. While the official connection point is gated off, an unofficial path has been worn beside the gat...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 9

This narrow double-track trail provides access to the Pettiford Creek State Forest, an area surrounded by Croatan National Forest. This state forest offers miles of trails ranging from sandy double tracks to deeper mud and water crossings. This trail in particular is one of the entrances to the fore...
Learn more about Bogue Road Spur

Pettiford Creek Trail 3 is an offshoot of Bogue Road Spur that connects to the Pettiford Creek Main Trail. While Trail 3 and the Main Trail run parallel, they only link up at the beginning and end, making Trail 3 a scenic and slightly more engaging alternative. It features a few fun whoops, a small ...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 3

Millis Road (128) crosses Croaton National Forest between Whitehouse Fork Road and Nine Mile Road. This route is generally maintained and offers a nice scenic drive for any vehicle or driver. While the road is well maintained, portions of large potholes should be watched closely to avoid any mishaps...
Learn more about Millis Road (128)

This narrow double-track trail winds through Croatan National Forest and shares similarities with trails in Pettiford Creek State Forest, featuring loose sandy terrain, mud, and potential shallow water crossings. The trail begins with very loose sand, providing an exciting driving experience, before...
Learn more about Bogue road spur 2

This offshoot from the main trail within Pettiford Creek State Forest provides access to state forest lands and Croatan National Forest lands. The trail is shorter, grassy, and features a few mud crossings, with rather narrow, encroaching branches. The trail's end comes rather suddenly, has very ste...
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Branch 4

This easy off-road trail is located on the western side of the Croatan National Forest. Obstacles include a few potholes, and the trail is mostly gravel. There is one small muddy area that might be trouble for low-clearance vehicles after heavy rains. There is also a water crossing, but it has a con...
Learn more about Holston Hunter Trail

Pulling onto Hill Field Road from Highway 58, you will be met with a gravel road and an open gate allowing access to this trail. It flat and smooth from beginning to end and might have to pull off onto the side to allow others to pass through. At the end will be a parking area for hunters during the...
Learn more about Hill Field - FS 603

Can be accessed from Middle Little Road or Catfish Lake Road. This gravel road is fairly well maintained and has enough room for passing vehicles to get by. A gate is located in the middle of the trail off to the side that leads to private residence. A variety of different vehicles can travel this r...
Learn more about Brown Road - FS 121D

Started off as a nice dirt road, then slowly transitions to small mud holes on both sides of the trail. Shortly after, you will come to the end that is gated and marked with numerous private property signs. There are no signs of dispersed camping located on this trail.
Learn more about Briery Branch - FS 122

This easy off-road trail is located on the western side of the Croatan National Forest. Obstacles include a few potholes, and the trail is mostly gravel. There is one small muddy area that might be trouble for low-clearance vehicles after heavy rains. There is also a water crossing, but it has a con...
Learn more about Holston Hunter Trail

Pulling onto Hill Field Road from Highway 58, you will be met with a gravel road and an open gate allowing access to this trail. It flat and smooth from beginning to end and might have to pull off onto the side to allow others to pass through. At the end will be a parking area for hunters during the...
Learn more about Hill Field - FS 603

Coming up onto the trail off of Mirey Branch, you will be met with a gravel road that stretches over 3.2 miles of flat gravel terrain. The road was clear from beginning to end, with no obstructions, fallen trees, washouts, or other hazards blocking travel at any point along the route. It appeared we...
Learn more about Mattocks - FS 606

Can be accessed from Middle Little Road or Catfish Lake Road. This gravel road is fairly well maintained and has enough room for passing vehicles to get by. A gate is located in the middle of the trail off to the side that leads to private residence. A variety of different vehicles can travel this r...
Learn more about Brown Road - FS 121D