OHV Trail Riding

OHVs and campers at site

North Carolina’s national forests offer four trail systems for riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), 4-wheel-drives (4WDs), and trail bikes. These trail systems have signed routes marked with symbols showing what types of vehicles are allowed on the trails. Choose trails that are designated for the type of vehicle you’re driving and stay on signed routes. Do not drive off designated trails or create new trails or shortcuts. Most areas have maps that show trail difficulty so you can select a trail that matches your skill level.

Please follow these enforced forest regulations for treading lightly on the land:

Under NC Law:
- Children under the age of 8, are not permitted to operate an ATV or UTV in North Carolina.
- Children under the age of 13, are not permitted to operate an ATV or UTV with an engine larger than 70 cc.
- Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to operate an ATV or UTV with an engine larger than 90 cc.
- Children under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult anytime the youth is operating an ATV or UTV.
ATV and motorcycle operators must wear DOT-approved helmets and eye protection.
No passengers are allowed on ATVs, unless vehicles are deigned to carry passengers.
Unlicensed vehicles are not allowed on designated Forest Service roads or in developed campgrounds
Spark arresters, mufflers, and brakes are required, as well as working headlights and tail lights for night riding.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on all trail systems or in recreation areas.
Travel only on OHV designated routes. Cross-country travel is prohibited.

OHV Trail Riding Areas

Croatan National Forest
Welcome to the Croatan National Forest, one of four National Forests in North Carolina and the only true coastal forest in the East. The Croatan National Forest's 160,000 acres have pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps called pocosins. Bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water.

All this water provides a variety of recreation and diversity of wildlife- from deer, black bears and turkeys to wading birds, ospreys and alligators. Canoeing and fishing are popular on blackwater creeks and saltwater marshes. The Croatan is also home to the carnivorous Venus fly-trap, sunder and pitcherplant.

The Croatan National Forest has one Ranger District, the Croatan Ranger District. Please contact the District for more information.

Camping and Day-use Information

Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Croatan National Forest can be found here.

Recreation Maps

Croatan National Forest Maps

Be Safe

The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.
Black Swamp OHV Trailhead
Nantahala National Forest
Welcome to the Nantahala National Forest! The Nantahala National Forest lies in the mountain and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. The largest of North Carolina's four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River. The Forest is divided into three Districts, Cheoah in Robbinsville, NC, Tusquitee in Murphy, NC, and the Nantahala in Franklin, NC. All district names come from the Cherokee language. "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "land of the noon day sun," a fitting name for the Nantahala Gorge, where the sun only reaches to the valley floor at midday.The Nantahala National Forest was established in 1920 under authority of the 1911 Weeks Act. This act provided authority to acquire lands for national forests to protect watersheds, to provide timber, and to regulate the flow of navigable streams. In the Nantahala National Forest, visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities from whitewater rafting to camping. With over 600 miles of trails, opportunities exist for hikers, mountain bikers, horse-back riders and off-highway vehicle riders.

Camping and Day-use Information

Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Nantahala National Forest can be found here.

Recreation Maps

Nantahala & Pisgah National Forest Maps

Be Safe

The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.

Waterfall Safety for the Summer.
Nantahala Ranger District
The Nantahala Ranger District stretches 250,000 acres across Macon, Jackson and Swain counties offering a variety of recreational opportunities from camping to off-highway vehicle riding. This District is a diverse, rugged, and mountainous area with raging rivers, granite walls, and waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy the remoteness of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness, a scenic drive along the Mountain Waters Byway or a view Whitewater Falls, the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains. The Nantahala is also home to four long distance trails, the Appalachian, Bartram, Foothills, and Mountains-to-Sea Trails. Come experience the outdoors and explore the Nantahala! Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734, (828) 524-6441
Wayehutta OHV Trail System
Pisgah National Forest
The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprised of over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls and hundreds of miles of trails. This national forest is home of the first tract of land purchased under the Weeks Act of 1911 which led to the creation of the national forests in the eastern United States. It is also home of the first school of forestry in the United States, now preserved at the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site, and boasts two of the first designated wilderness areas in the east. The Pisgah, Grandfather and Appalachian Ranger Districts are scattered along the eastern edge of the mountains of western North Carolina and offer visitors a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation and enjoying the natural beauty of the mountains.

Camping and Day-use Information

Enjoy camping or a picnic at one of the many day-use areas. A list of camping and day-use areas in the Pisgah National Forest can be found here

Recreation Maps

Nantahala & Pisgah National Forest Maps

Directions to Frequently Requested Places

NC Arobretum and Bent Creek Area

Blue Ridge Parkway South

Blue Ridge Parkway North

Pisgah Ranger District

Cradle of Forestry

Cradle of Forestry (Scenic Route)

The Biltmore House

Mt. Mitchell

Be Safe

The national forests in North Carolina offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. From the mountains to the sea, there are many exciting adventures awaiting your visit to these national forests. Please keep in mind that all outdoor recreational activities on the Croatan, Pisgah, Nantahala and Uwharrie national forests, including activities at recreation sites, have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Always remember, your safety is your responsibility.

Waterfall Safety for the Summer.
Grandfather Ranger District
The lands that make up the Grandfather Ranger District are those public lands that run from the McDowell/Buncombe county line on Black Mountain just east of Asheville over to US 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock. The Blue Ridge Parkway forms the northern boundary of the district. The Grandfather Ranger District began under the Weeks Act with the purchase of an 8,100acre tract in 1912. Now, the district covers over 192,000 acres. Enjoy your visit!
Brown Mountain OHV Trail System
Uwharrie National Forest
Uwharrie National Forest is 51,546 acres in Montgomery, Randolph & Davidson Counties. Uwharrie National Forest map

Ranger District Office, 789 Biscoe Road, Troy, NC 27371, (910) 576-6391, uwharrie@usda.gov. America the Beautiful Passes and USGS Topo maps for sale at https://store.usgs.gov/.

Firewood permits available by phone and mail starting October 5 for $20. Call (910) 576-6391 and provide Name, Address, Mailing Address for permit, Phone Number, Driver's License or National ID Number, Payment (Money Order or check payable to: USDA Forest Service). After purchase is complete, we will mail permit, restricted areas map, and policies. This process is temporary until operations return to normal.

Hunting

Uwharrie NF is designated Game Lands and part of 2 million acres of public lands for public hunting, trapping and fishing managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The appropriate basic annual hunting license and Game Lands Privilege license is needed to hunt on Uwharrie NF. Seasons, bag limits, and special restrictions are in the annual N.C. Inlands Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest.

Camping & Day-use

Picnic at a day-use area. Camp at developed campgrounds for a fee. See list here. You can only camp for 14 days in a 30-day period at a developed campground or dispersed camping. Primitive dispersed camping is allowed except in those areas posted "No Camping" or a developed campground or day-use area. Find sites along most Forest Service roads and trails. Be careful with campfires and only use dead and down wood. Do not bring wood from outside the area to protect from invasive plants and insects.

Enjoy this story on a QR guided trail in the national forest.

OHV Trail Vendors.
- Badin Lake OHV Trails close December 15 at 8:00 am
- OHV Trails will reopen April 1 in the morning
- OHV annual passes are available from the Eldorado Outpost
Flintlock Valley Shooting Range

25-yard pistol and 100-yard rifle ranges open year-round Tuesdays through Saturdays including all Holidays on those days except Thanksgiving & Christmas. Passes required but not sold on site and must be purchased in advance. Contact the office or vendors: Shooting Range Vendors.

Be Safe

We offer a wide variety of outdoor recreation. All outdoor recreational activities have inherent risks due to the natural setting in which they occur. Your safety is your responsibility.

Trail Strategy Documents, Presentations and Maps

Badin Lake Area map, Morris Mountain Area map, North Eastern Portion map, South Eastern Portion map, Wood Run Area map

Documents...

Presentations...
Badin Lake Recreation Area
Badin Lake Recreation Area offers swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, hiking trails, equestrian trails, four-wheel drive trails, mountain biking trails & camping opportunities. Please pick up your trash! Trash cans are at all recreation sites.

Camping in Badin Lake Recreation Area

There are 4 developed campgrounds for tents, camping trailers, & RVs with flush toilets and showers & 1 tent only campground within the Badin Lake Recreation Area. There are 2 campgrounds with electricity, flush toilets, showers & a dump station. Arrowhead Campground has 48 sites with electrical hookups at sites 12-45. These sites have 50 amp, 30 amp & 110 volt outlets. Sites 1-11 & 46-50 do not have power. Canebrake Horse Camp has 28 sites available to the public. All sites have electrical hookups with 50 amp, 30 amp & 110 volt outlets. This campground has amenities for horse use but is not exclusive to horseback riders. Some of these horse amenities are a horse washing station, hitching posts, tack tables & direct access to the trails.

Badin Lake Campground offers 34 sites for tent, camping trailer or RV camping. There are several campsites on the lakeshore of Badin Lake which can be accessed via boat, canoe, or kayak. This campground offers flush toilets, showers & drinking water hydrants. There is no electricity and no dump station at this campground. Badin Lake Group Camp offers 3 sites for up to 50 people each. There are flush toilets, vault toilets, showers & 3 drinking water hydrants. There are no electrical hookups and there is no dump station. This campground is available by reservation only.

To make reservations for any of the above listed campgrounds please call Recreation.Gov at 877-444-6777; TDD: 877-833-6777; International: 518-885-3639; or go to www.recreation.gov.

The last campground in the Badin Lake Recreation Area is called Uwharrie Hunt Camp. This campground is rustic. It has 8 tent only campsites that can be accessed by a very short walk from the parking lot. There are 2 vault toilets & drinking water hydrants. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, grill, & lantern post.

Recreating in the Badin Lake Recreation Area

The Badin Lake Recreation Area offers many recreational opportunities. There are 17 miles of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) or motorized trails available for dirt bikes, ATVs, and full-sized 4-WD vehicles with the purchase of a trail pass. Primitive camping or dispersed camping can be done along the trails & at the Art Lilley Campground that is located in the Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex.

Additionally, there are approximately 40 miles of non-motorized trails available for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. These trails range from easy to difficult as they traverse beautifully wooded areas, rocky outcrops, the Uwharrie River & many of its tributaries.

The Cove Boat Launch is located on Cove Road near Arrowhead Campground & offers access to Badin Lake for trailered boats. There is a vault toilet. There are 2 day use areas for picnicking & fishing. The King's Mt. Point Day Use Area offers 34 picnic sites, a picnic pavilion, 4 accessible fishing piers and 4 vault toilets & 2 flush toilets. Holt's Picnic Area is more rustic with a vault toilet, fishing from the shore, grills & picnic tables available.
Art Lilley Campground
Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex
The Uwharrie National Forest provides the only public off-highway vehicle (OHV) or motorized trail system in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina. The motorized trails are located in the Badin Lake Recreation Area of the national Forest. The Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex is open for motorized recreation for mountain bikes, e-bikes, dirtbikes, ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides, and full-sized 4-wheel drive vehicles with the purchase of a day or annual pass/permit to be displayed on the vehicle. The trail system is open from April 1^st to December 15^th annually, however, the actual date may vary depending on what day of the week April 1st and December 15th fall on that year. It has 6 trailheads to access the 17 miles of trails. Additionally, it is within 1 to 2 miles of developed campgrounds – Arrowhead Campground, Badin Lake Campground, and Badin Lake Group Camp where flush toilets, vault toilets and showers are available for campers. Unlicensed and unregistered vehicles cannot be driven on the Forest Roads, State Roads, or through the campgrounds; they must be trailered to a trailhead to be ridden on the OHV trails. Horseback riding is not allowed on these trails except at designated trail crossings or where both equestrian and motorized use is designated on the trail.

The trails range from easy to extremely difficult. Currently there are 9 trails for approximately 17 miles to ride. The designated motorized trails are marked with orange diamond markers and are for two-way traffic. When the trails open annually on April 1^st they remain open 24 hours per day for 7 days a week and can be ridden at night if vehicle has working head lights and tail lights. Riders of ATVs and dirt bikes are required to wear a DOT approved helmet for motorized use and eye protection.

If you have never been to the Badin Lake OHV Trail Complex please heed this advice:
1. Do Not start at Cotton Place Trailhead on the eastern end of the Daniel Trail (TR390). This is the extremely difficult section that is not recommended for ATV’s, UTV’s/ side-by-sides, dirtbikes and stock 4WD vehicles or beginners. Go to the Art Lilley Campground/Trailhead, Falls Dam Trailhead or Dutch John Trailhead and begin your trail ride there.
2. Know which trailhead you started at and where you need to return to if you have trailered your motorized vehicle to the site.
3. Get a Badin Lake Recreation Area map from vendor before you ride the trails.
4. Follow the Tread Lightly! Principles of Responsible Recreation at all times. Stay on the designated trails.
Riders need to carry a map, supplies, first aid, and recovery gear and have a plan for vehicle removal if it becomes disabled. The Forest Service does not tow vehicles off the trail. You’re responsible for your vehicle if it gets stuck or breaks down on the trails. You must get it removed from the Uwharrie National Forest.
Daniel TR 390
Dickey Bell TR 91
Dutch John TR 90
Falls Dam TR 96
Rocky Mountain Loop TR 92
Sawmill TR 93
Slab Pile TR 79
Wolf Den TR 89