Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Pinetops, North Carolina

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

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

The Chowan Swamp Gamelands are a state-administered game area in Gates County, North Carolina. The trail system is seasonal, and one can expect various areas to be open or closed depending on what hunting season it is. The area offers excellent fishing along the Chowan River, along with scenic areas...
Learn more about Chowan Swamp Gamelands

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

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

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

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

Bear Spotter is a seasonal section of trails in the Chowan Swamp Game Lands. It's a scenic area of the game lands that are generally only open during deer season. The trail starts at the Gatlington Boat Ramp and proceeds down season paths that are primarily hunter access roads and are also designate...
Learn more about Chowan Game Lands - Bear Spotter

This area of the Chowan Swamp Gamelands is a seasonal trail that is open primarily during deer season. As the name suggests, one can expect to see a great many deer. Care should be taken not to strike deer with your vehicle. A wide array of other animals can be seen as well, including bears. Be mind...
Learn more about Chowan Gamelands - Deer Spotter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dixon Fields is an upper White Oak River access point in Croatan National Forest. To access this small patch of public property, you will pass through mostly private property to get there. Once turning off into Croatan National Forest, the trail becomes much narrower and riddled with deep potholes. ...
Learn more about Dixon Fields

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

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

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

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 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

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