Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Cherry Branch, North Carolina

This is a well-maintained gravel road. The whole road is mostly flat and is wide enough for passing vehicles to go around each other without stopping. No trees or debris blocking the road and no…
Learn more about Ives Field - FS 182

Coming up onto Pine Grove Road (FS 156), located off of Catfish Lake Road, you will be met with a gravel road that stretches 3.1 miles in the eastern section of the Croatan National Forest.…
Learn more about Pine Grove - FS 156

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…
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…
Learn more about Briery Branch - FS 122

Beautiful single-vehicle width track through the forest. The entry/exit route to the northwest is very, very corrugated. But to the south, you'll find one of the widest and smoothest unpaved roads in the country. The…
Learn more about Middle Little

Mostly gravel from start to finish. This trail features a couple of pull-offs that allow you to launch kayaks into the water for the day, and a few spots for possible dispersed, primitive camping. Overall,…
Learn more about Catfish Lake Farm - FS 158

Located in the northern section of Croatan National Forest, North Little (FS 121-1) extends 2 miles between County Line Road and Perrytown Road. This forest service road is notably wide throughout and provides ample room…
Learn more about North Little - FS 121-1

Located in the northern section of Croatan National Forest, Mill Branch (FS 170) stretches approximately 2.9 miles between County Line Road and Farrior Farm (FS 121A). Recent grading and bulldozing have significantly improved the road…
Learn more about Mill Branch - FS 170

Upon arrival at Farrior Farm Road, you will be greeted by the Croatan National Forest sign with a noticeably smooth gravel terrain. Approximately 0.5 mile on the left, the Southern New Bern Depot, which is…
Learn more about Farrior Farm - FS 121A

Black Swamp is nicely maintained and is the main road that leads to the parking area of Black Swamp OHV trailhead. This trail provides plenty of room for two vehicles to pass each other while…
Learn more about Black Swamp - FS 152

Pringle Road Spur 3 is one of the longer trails in the area, offering a mix of terrain with potential mud pits, whoops, twists and turns, and several campsites. The mud pits are generally dry…
Learn more about Pringle Road Spur 3

This trail offers a fun and flexible driving experience, leading to a cleared area where drivers can explore freely. While the tree line subtly suggests a main path, alternate routes with twists, turns, whoops, and…
Learn more about Pringle Road Spur 2

Pringle Road is a forest service road that provides access to numerous trails and areas within Croatan National Forest. The road itself is well-maintained, with only a few scattered potholes and ruts. Alongside the road…
Learn more about Pringle Road - FS 123

Branch 7 is a continuation of Pettiford Creek Trail 6 and the Pettiford Creek Eastern Entrance. It's slightly tighter and muddier than Trail 6, offering a bit more of a challenge. A mud hole mid-trail…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 7

Pettiford Creek Trail 8 acts as a link between the Pettiford Creek Main Trail and Trail 6. This trail is mostly composed of packed sand and follows a double-track layout, offering scenic views of the…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 8

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…
Learn more about Holston Hunter Trail

This offshoot from the Pettiford Creek Main Trail connects to the Pettiford Creek Eastern Entrance. The trail consists primarily of sandy double-track, with a few scattered mud pits that add some challenge but are smaller…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 6

Branch 5 serves as a connection between Pettiford Creek Main Branch and Pettiford Creek Branch 4. This short trail consists primarily of packed sand and pine needles, with occasional patches of loose sand and potential…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Branch 5

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…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Branch 4

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…
Learn more about Bogue road spur 2

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…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 3

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…
Learn more about Bogue Road Spur

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…
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…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Main Trail

Great Lake Road travels through Croatan National Forest, ending at Great Lake. This route is well-maintained and passable by any vehicle. While traveling the route, drivers will cross several small wooden bridges that cross small…
Learn more about Great Lake Road (126)

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…
Learn more about Millis Road (128)

Coming up onto the trail, the trail consists of dirt and sand packed down, but it makes for a smooth, comfortable ride. The path makes enough room for passable vehicles to pass each other without…
Learn more about Belangia - FS 163

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…
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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…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek - FS 206

This loop consists of several National Forest Service roads within the southwestern portion of the Croatan National Forest. Following Service Roads 199, 166, 3014, 176, 175, and 144, you will encounter well-maintained gravel roads accessible…
Learn more about Southwest Croatan National Forest Loop