Trails
Long Valley Farm access map (PDF)
Trails at Carvers Creek State Park wind through diverse habitats, including meadows of wildflowers, longleaf pine forests, and small ponds. Though varying in length, all the trails are the relatively flat and easy trails typical of the Sandhills region.
Sharing the Trail
Cypress Point Loop Trail and Rockefeller Trail at Long Valley Farm are open to hikers and bicyclists. All seven trails at the Sandhills access are multi-use and shared by hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. Sandhills access offers a horse trailer parking, in addition to a pedestrian vehicle parking lot. There are no trails accessible to wheelchairs at the park at this time.
Pets
Pets are permitted on all park trails. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times. Please pick up after your pet when you are at the park; pet waste is not fertilizer and can put plants, other animals, and visitors at risk for disease. Please dispose of pet waste in garbage bins and do not throw waste bags in the woods or leave them on the ground. When sharing a trail, hikers with pets must yield to all other trail users, including bicyclists and horseback riders.
Don't Forget:
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Trail map: Avoid getting lost and pay attention to trail markers.
- Download and print a map of Long Valley Farm access (PDF) or stop by the park office and pick one up
- Download and print a map of Sandhills access (PDF) or check the main trailhead at the parking lot
- Plenty of water
- Sturdy walking or hiking shoes: Most trails have a natural surface and may have roots, rocks and/or sand. There are creek crossings at Sandhills access.
- Boots or shoes for your horse: The parking lot at Sandhills access and some sections of trail have crush and run rock where trail tends to be wet.
- Leave No Trace principles: Sandhills access is "pack in, pack out." Please take your trash back to the parking lot with you.
Please do not wander off the trail when hiking, biking, horseback riding, or walking with your pet. This can damage fragile longleaf pine ecosystems and wildlife.
Trails List and Descriptions
Note: The table below can be sorted by length, difficulty, trail use, and accessibility. Click the corresponding header category to change the order of the trails. You can also use the search function to narrow down the list. This table can also be downloaded as an Excel file.
| Trail name | Blaze | Length | Difficulty | Trail use | Accessible | Descriptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Valley Farm access: Rockefeller Loop Trail | white circles |
2-mile loop |
Easy | Biking, Hiking |
No | This easy, 2-mile trail travels between a field and longleaf pine forest, goes past the Rockefeller House, and loops back through a forest to the parking lot. The Rockefeller Loop Trail begins at the opening in the fence near the welcome center. This trail has a natural surface and sand. Bicyclists, please yield to hikers on this trail. |
| Long Valley Farm access: Cypress Point Loop Trail | blue circles |
0.75-mile loop |
Easy | Biking, Hiking |
No | This easy, 0.75-mile loop trail leads to a peninsula overlooking the millpond and back to the Rockefeller Loop Trail. Along the way, you'll encounter historic structures, a fishing access footpath, and a scenic lake view from the 91-foot observation deck. This trail begins at the intersection of the access' two trails near the Rockefeller House. This trail has a natural surface and sand. Bicyclists, please yield to hikers on this trail. |
| Sandhills access: Longleaf Pine Trail | white triangles |
4-mile one way |
Easy | Biking, Bridle, Hiking |
No | This trail starts at the trailhead and all other trails spur off this main trail. The trail crosses over Carvers Creek, and there is a small footbridge that hikers can use to cross. This trail has a natural surface and sand. Hikers, please yield to equestrians on this trail; bicyclists, please yield to hikers and equestrians. |
| Sandhills access: Wire Grass Loop Trail | blue hexagons |
1.4-mile loop |
Easy | Biking, Bridle, Hiking |
No | On this trail, visitors can observe the scenic longleaf pine with wiregrass understory, which is a glimpse of what the Sandhills of North Carolina is supposed to look like with prescribed fire. This trail starts at the intersection where the equestrian access trail and the Longleaf Pine Trail meet, goes past the parking lot, and loops back around to the Longleaf Pine Trail. This trail has a natural surface and sand. Hikers, please yield to equestrians on this trail; bicyclists, please yield to hikers and equestrians. |
| Sandhills access: Little Pond Spur Trail | blue triangles |
0.1-mile one way |
Easy | Biking, Bridle, Hiking |
No | This trail spurs off the Longleaf Pine Trail and leads to a small pond. The pond is home to bluegill, amphibians, and freshwater macroinvertebrates. Visitors might also spot evidence of beaver activity. This trail has a natural surface and sand. Hikers, please yield to equestrians on this trail; bicyclists, please yield to hikers and equestrians. |
| Sandhills access: Fox Squirrel Loop Trail | yellow hexagons |
1.1-mile loop |
Easy | Biking, Bridle, Hiking |
No | This trail starts just after crossing the culverts of Carvers Creek. Along the trail is a small hill composed of paint rock, a rock type that is unique to the Sandhills. This trail has a natural surface and sand. Hikers, please yield to equestrians on this trail; bicyclists, please yield to hikers and equestrians. |
| Sandhills access: Dead End Spur Trail | yellow triangles |
0.6-mile one way |
Easy | Biking, Bridle, Hiking |
No | This trail spurs off the Fox Squirrel Loop Trail and follows a small ridge before coming to a dead end at the state park boundary. This trail has a natural surface and sand. Hikers, please yield to equestrians on this trail; bicyclists, please yield to hikers and equestrians. |
| Sandhills access: RCW Loop Trail | orange hexagons |
1.5-mile loop |
Easy | Biking, Bridle, Hiking |
No | This trail branches off from the main trail after crossing Carvers Creek via the footbridge. It meanders around numerous trees that have red-cockaded woodpecker cavities and are marked with a single band of white paint. This trail has a natural surface and sand. Hikers, please yield to equestrians on this trail; bicyclists, please yield to hikers and equestrians. |
| Sandhills access: Turkey Oak Loop Trail | white hexagons |
1.7-mile loop |
Easy | Biking, Bridle, Hiking |
No | This trail starts and ends where the Longleaf Pine Trail ends. From this point, it is 4 miles back to the parking lot if you follow the Longleaf Pine Trail. Another pond, larger than the pond at the Little Pond Spur, is accessible from this trail. This trail has a natural surface and sand. Hikers, please yield to equestrians on this trail; bicyclists, please yield to hikers and equestrians. |