Off-Road Trails in North Carolina

Discover off-road trails in North Carolina

Learn more about North Carolina Outward Bound School Road
North Carolina Outward Bound School Road

North Carolina Outward Bound School Road

This trail branches off from Rich Cove Road and provides access to the North Carolina Outward Bound School, which offers experiential learning for those interested in forestry and outdoor leadership. The school features activities such…
Learn more about North Carolina Outward Bound School Road
Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
1Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about North River Rd to Upper Santeetlah - 81
North River Rd to Upper Santeetlah - 81

North River Rd to Upper Santeetlah - 81

This trek starts at North River which is a well-maintained gravel road and then transitions to the Upper Santeetlah(81) trail which is less maintained. The Upper Santeetlah is not too bad and can be navigated…
Learn more about North River Rd to Upper Santeetlah - 81
Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Nursery Lane
Nursery Lane

Nursery Lane

Nursery Lane is a longer Forest Service road within Sandhills Game Lands that offers a generally easy drive with only minimal challenges, most of which depend on weather conditions. A short section of the trail…
Learn more about Nursery Lane
Total Miles
5.8
Tech Rating
2
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Ocean Pearl Road - The Gauntlet
Ocean Pearl Road - The Gauntlet

Ocean Pearl Road - The Gauntlet

The Gauntlet is a short section of Ocean Pearl Road in Carova/The Outer Banks that's a notorious stretch of water and mud pits. The depth and difficulty of the gauntlet depend largely on recent rainfall.…
Learn more about Ocean Pearl Road - The Gauntlet
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
5Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Old Bald Ridge - FS 4652
Old Bald Ridge - FS 4652

Old Bald Ridge - FS 4652

Old Bald Ridge Trail is a mildly used out-and-back two-track through the Nantahala National Forest. The trail is accessed from Moses Creek Road, which is asphalt up to the entry into the National Forest, where…
Learn more about Old Bald Ridge - FS 4652
Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
3
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Old Buzzard Roost Road
Old Buzzard Roost Road

Old Buzzard Roost Road

Old Buzzard Roost Road is a nice adventure just a few miles from the interstate. You'll travel under the shadow of Mt. Sterling as you cross a few creeks and traverse switchbacks until you reach…
Learn more about Old Buzzard Roost Road
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Fall, Summer
Learn more about Old NC 105
Old NC 105

Old NC 105

Old NC-105 is a popular trail and is most well-known for its outstanding views of the Linville Gorge. It offers unparalleled views of the gorge and Table Rock Mountain. Numerous overlooks and campsites offer scenery…
Learn more about Old NC 105
Total Miles
14.0
Tech Rating
1Easy
Best Time
Summer, Fall, Spring
Learn more about Panther Top FS-85
Panther Top FS-85

Panther Top FS-85

FS-85 Panther Top is an out-and-back, easy, and well-maintained service trail that is located within the Nantahala National Forest just minutes from Murphy, North Carolina. The area is bordered by Persimmon Lake, and the trail…
Learn more about Panther Top FS-85
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
1
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek - FS 206
Pettiford Creek - FS 206

Pettiford Creek - FS 206

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
Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
1Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Branch 4
Pettiford Creek Branch 4

Pettiford Creek Branch 4

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
Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Branch 5
Pettiford Creek Branch 5

Pettiford Creek Branch 5

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
Total Miles
0.3
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Eastern Entrances
Pettiford Creek Eastern Entrances

Pettiford Creek Eastern Entrances

This is one of the entrances into Pettiford Creek State Forest and is a continuation of Bogue Road. This is one of the longer trails in the area, so the environment changes throughout the trail,…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Eastern Entrances
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
5Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Main Trail
Pettiford Creek Main Trail

Pettiford Creek Main Trail

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
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 1
Pettiford Creek Trail 1

Pettiford Creek Trail 1

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
Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 10
Pettiford Creek Trail 10

Pettiford Creek Trail 10

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…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 10
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 11
Pettiford Creek Trail 11

Pettiford Creek Trail 11

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…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 11
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 13
Pettiford Creek Trail 13

Pettiford Creek Trail 13

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,…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 13
Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 14
Pettiford Creek Trail 14

Pettiford Creek Trail 14

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…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 14
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Fall, Summer, Spring
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 2
Pettiford Creek Trail 2

Pettiford Creek Trail 2

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…
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 2
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Pettiford Creek Trail 3
Pettiford Creek Trail 3

Pettiford Creek Trail 3

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
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
12345678910

ATV trails in North Carolina

Learn more about 10C
10C

10C

Trail 10C at Brushy Mountain Motorsports Park is a 0.5-mile, one-way route traveling east to west, beginning with a steep climb followed by a more gradual descent. The initial ascent includes a more difficult, steep…
Learn more about 10C
Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter
Learn more about 1A
1A

1A

Trail 1A is a difficult and narrow ATV trail open to vehicles 50" or less. The trail winds through a lush forest, crossing small creeks and constantly weaving against the mountainside, often with blind corners.…
Learn more about 1A
Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
6Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer
Learn more about 1B
1B

1B

Trail 1B travels one-way east to west, starting at the intersection with 1B Upper. After about a quarter mile, riders reach the "Roller Coaster Drop," a steep, blunt bedrock shelf approximately two feet high, with…
Learn more about 1B
Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
5Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter
Learn more about 1B Shortcut
1B Shortcut

1B Shortcut

The 1B Shortcut is a short, less-than-quarter-mile connector trail linking two segments of Trail 1B. It cuts approximately two miles off the main 1B loop. The trail features a mostly smooth, gradual surface with one…
Learn more about 1B Shortcut
Total Miles
0.2
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter
12345678910...17

UTV/side-by-side trails in North Carolina

Learn more about 10C
10C

10C

Trail 10C at Brushy Mountain Motorsports Park is a 0.5-mile, one-way route traveling east to west, beginning with a steep climb followed by a more gradual descent. The initial ascent includes a more difficult, steep…
Learn more about 10C
Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter
Learn more about 1B
1B

1B

Trail 1B travels one-way east to west, starting at the intersection with 1B Upper. After about a quarter mile, riders reach the "Roller Coaster Drop," a steep, blunt bedrock shelf approximately two feet high, with…
Learn more about 1B
Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
5Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter
Learn more about 1B Shortcut
1B Shortcut

1B Shortcut

The 1B Shortcut is a short, less-than-quarter-mile connector trail linking two segments of Trail 1B. It cuts approximately two miles off the main 1B loop. The trail features a mostly smooth, gradual surface with one…
Learn more about 1B Shortcut
Total Miles
0.2
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter
Learn more about 1B Upper
1B Upper

1B Upper

Trail 1B Upper is a short, one-way counterclockwise loop under half a mile long, branching off Trail 2C. The first half features a steep uphill climb with minor embedded rock layers and sharp corners, followed…
Learn more about 1B Upper
Total Miles
0.3
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter
12345678910...17

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