Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Watha, North Carolina

This is a State Forest road that takes you directly to Camp Chamblee, a dispersed camping area within the State Forest. The road is a well-maintained dirt road suitable for any vehicle. Camping is free, however, you are required to call the ranger station to let them know you are camping. They can b...
Learn more about Camp Chamblee

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

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

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

A nice scenic drive onto a well-maintained gravel road, this area is located in the Croatan National Forest and has gamelands for hunting and fishing. This road leads to a parking area where you can release kayaks or boats into the White Oak River, with public restrooms available.
Learn more about Haywood Landing - FS 146

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

Holston Creek is a hard-pack gravel road in the Croatan National Forest. It provides access to large amounts of game land, additional roads in the national forest, and potential for wildlife depending on timing. The road can be accessed by nearly any type of street-legal vehicle, however, be cautiou...
Learn more about Holston Creek

Turning off of Hill Field, you will access Collins Road, which is mainly flat from end to end. You may have to pull off for others to pass, but this road is part of the Croatan Gamelands. This is where hunters might be seen occasionally from the road or woods.
Learn more about Collins Road - FS 146A

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

A well-maintained gravel road that leads to the Haywood Landing. This is located in the Croatan National Forest with a gameland surrounding the area. This section may get busy with the boat access down the road, but with enough room to pull to the side, others can safely get through. No hard bumps o...
Learn more about Loopy - FS 157

Long Point is a wide and well-maintained access road to Long Point campsite along the White Oak River. This road can easily be driven in 2wd, but very large potholes need to be watched for as you start to gain speed along the road. The campsite at the end is only suited for tents or class B or small...
Learn more about Long Point

The sand at Fort Fisher is soft, deep, and quite rutted, requiring four-wheel drive. Airing tires down to 18 to 20 psi is recommended, especially when sand conditions are hot and dry. Annual or day passes are available at the park entrance from the Park Rangers. This trail has fantastic ocean views ...
Learn more about Fort Fisher State Recreation Area 4x4 Beach

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

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...
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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 stopping and moving over. Plenty of wildlife can be seen while approaching a recently timbered off area ...
Learn more about Belangia - FS 163

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 by any vehicle with minimal to no obstacles to encounter. ...
Learn more about Southwest Croatan National Forest Loop

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 water streams that show age but are stable. Where the road ends, there...
Learn more about Great Lake Road (126)

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 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

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)

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

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

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

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