Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Pantego, North Carolina

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is a series of scenic gravel roads in Tyrrell County, North Carolina. It's located west of Nags Head in the North Carolina Outer Banks. The Refuge offers amazing scenery and views of the local wildlife. One can expect to see alligators, black bears, red wolves,...
Learn more about Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

This road within the Pocosin National Wildlife Refuge area is rather similar to all the others however is very cool as it can connect to a lake within the refuge. With that being said, depending on the time of the year the connecting road was closed due to wildlife habitats. This connecting road is ...
Learn more about Western Road Pocosin National Wildlife Refuge

This road within the Pocosin National Wildlife Refuge area starts very similar to other roads driving through farmland, with rivers, but eventually switches into a wetter forest road. The first half of the road is well-kept, and very easy to drive on, however, the second half of the road can get a l...
Learn more about Middle Road - Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a series of dirt and gravel roads located in Dare County, North Carolina, approximately 45 minutes west of Nags Head in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The roads offer a relaxing view of the wildlife and surrounding forest and swampland. One can expect ...
Learn more about Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

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 surface, eliminating rough patches and large rocks randomly scatt...
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 managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, will be located here. Going forward, the trai...
Learn more about Farrior Farm - FS 121A

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 trail is pretty straightforward when dry, lots of large potholes punctuate an other...
Learn more about Middle Little

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 for two-way traffic and allows vehicles traveling in opposite directions to pas...
Learn more about North Little - FS 121-1

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 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 signs of washouts or ruts.
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. It is smaller in width than most of the trails in the Croatan area, but you will still have room to pull to th...
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 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

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, this trail offers a couple of different options for whoever is passing through.
Learn more about Catfish Lake Farm - FS 158

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 being smooth and fun to drive on. Be cautious, as wildlife do occupy the area, including deer, bears, and bi...
Learn more about Black Swamp - FS 152

Tootle Road can allow access about to two miles of trail and an abundance of hunting grounds. Most of Tootle Rd is a wide dirt double-track road that provides access to hunting grounds within the Croatan National Forest. The first two miles of the trail are this wide road, which can be driven quickl...
Learn more about Tootle Road

Portsmouth Island requires a private vehicle ferry from Morris Marina to access and reservation in advance is necessary. A permit is required to drive on the beach and can be obtained through the Cape Lookout National Seashore, National Parks website. Once you get to the island, you have 20 miles of...
Learn more about North Core Banks - Portsmouth Island

Crooked Road is primarily a hard-packed double-track road that provides access to the Croatan National Forest game lands. Coming from Tootle Road and taking a left at the intersection, will lead to the highway, although there is a fence blocking the way. This is about a half-mile section and is a li...
Learn more about Crooked Road

Mirey branch is a hard-packed road that allows access to a vast amount of Croatan National Forest game land. The road connects to several side trails that lead to different areas of the forest. Wildlife can be spotted periodically depending on the timing and traffic levels. The road can be driven ra...
Learn more about Mirey Branch

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

Morton Field Trail is a hard-packed road that provides access to game land in the Croatan National Forest, potential shooting ranges, and a wooden bridge over a stream. Because of the national forest, wildlife can be seen depending on the time. Morton Field seems to be a trailhead for a small 50" tr...
Learn more about Morton Field

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

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

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

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

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. It is smaller in width than most of the trails in the Croatan area, but you will still have room to pull to th...
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 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

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