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North Carolina's national forests offer four trail systems for riding off-highway vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles, 4-wheel-drive and trail bikes.
Within these areas, you must stay on signed routes marked with symbols showing the kind of vehicle you're driving. Some routes are badly eroded and are closed. Help nature restore these trails by not riding on them. For the most fun, choose trails that match operating limitations of you and your vehicle. Most areas have maps that show trail difficulty.
Please follow these enforced forest regulations for treading lightly... North Carolina's national forests offer four trail systems for riding off-highway vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles, 4-wheel-drive and trail bikes.
Within these areas, you must stay on signed routes marked with symbols showing the kind of vehicle you're driving. Some routes are badly eroded and are closed. Help nature restore these trails by not riding on them. For the most fun, choose trails that match operating limitations of you and your vehicle. Most areas have maps that show trail difficulty.
Please follow these enforced forest regulations for treading lightly on the land:
- ATV and motorcycle operators must wear DOT-approved helmets and eye protection.
- Children under 8 may not operate ATV, UTV, or motocycles. Children under 12 may not operate any ATV, UTV 70cc or larger. Children under 15 may not operate any off-highway vehicle. Children under 16 must be under the continuous visual supervision of an adult over 18 when operating any ATV, UTV, motorcycle, or off-highway vehicle.
- 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.
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OHV Trail Riding Areas
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Croatan National Forest
District Office, recreation sites, and select roads closed due to Hurricane Florence. Call (252)638-5628 for more information.
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.
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Black Swamp OHV Trailhead
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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.
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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 By-way 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
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Wayehutta OHV Trail System
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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.
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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!
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Brown Mountain OHV Trail System
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Uwharrie National Forest
There are approximately 51,000 acres of National Forest System lands in Montgomery, Randolph and Davidson Counties. The Uwharrie National Forest includes the Uwharrie Ranger District Office, located at 789 NC Highway 24/27 East, Troy, NC 27371.
At the district office you can obtain information about the area, get brouchures, camping information, trail passes, and permits. You can also obtain a Senior pass, Disabled Pass. We also have USGS Topo maps for sale.
Primitive dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Forest, except in those areas that are posted "No Camping". These sites can be found along most of Forest Service roads and trails. Please remember when using these sites to be careful with camp fires and carry out your trash and debris. Please leave your campsite in good clean condition so that others who follow you may also enjoy the Forest.
The Uwharrie National Forest is part of the 2 million acres of public lands managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for public hunting, trapping and fishing, and are designated as Game Lands. In addition to the appropriate basic annual hunting license, a Game Lands Privilege license must be obtained to hunt on the Uwharrie National Forest. Information concerning seasons, bag limits, and special Game Lands Restrictions are found in the annual N.C. Inlands Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest, available where licenses are sold.
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 Uwharrie National Forest can be found here.
You may enjoy this story on a QR guided trail in the national forest.
OHV Trail Vendors.
Shooting Range Vendors.
Recreation Maps
Uwharrie National Forest map
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...
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.
- Badin Lake OHV Trails close December 18th at 8:00 am
- OHV Trails will reopen April 1st in the morning
- OHV annual passes will be available from the Uwharrie Ranger District office or the Eldorado Outpost
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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. For people that want electricity, flush toilets, showers & a dump station there are 2 campgrounds with these amenities. Arrowhead Campground has 48 sites for the public to use 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 their website: 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 a myriad of 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, follow 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.
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Art Lilley Campground
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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 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 1st to December 15th annually. It has 6 trailheads to access the 16 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 and must be trailered to a trailhead and then ridden on the OHV trails.
The trails range from easy to extremely difficult. Currently there are 8 trails with plans for more trails in the future. The designated motorized trails are marked with orange diamond markers and are for two-way traffic. When the trails open annually on April 1st 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 where 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:
- 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, dirtbikes and stock 4WD vehicles or beginners. Go to the Dutch John Trailhead or Falls Dam Trailhead or Art Lilley Campground and begin your trail ride there.
- Know which trailhead you started at and where you need to return to if you have trailered your motorized vehicle to the site.
Riders need to carry a map, supplies, first aid gear, recovery gear and have a plan for vehicle removal should it become disabled. The Forest Service does not tow vehicles off the trail. You’re responsible for that if your vehicle gets stuck or breaks down on the trails.
Please click on the links to the pdfs to get the information on how to plan your trip, follow the rules and regulations for the motorized trails so you have a great day on the trails. Know before you go!
ATV Dirtbike Brochure
OHV Brochure
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Daniel TR 390
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Dickey Bell TR 91
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Dutch John TR 90
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Falls Dam TR 96
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Rocky Mountain Loop TR 92
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Sawmill TR 93
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Slab Pile TR 79
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Wolf Den TR 89
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