Trails at Singletary Lake State Park
The flat terrain at Singletary Lake State Park and at Bay Tree Lake State Natural Area allow for easy exploration of the unique Carolina bay environment along park trails.
Pets
Pets are permitted on 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.
Don't Forget
- Insect repellent and sunscreen. The lakeshore Carolina bay environment can make mosquitos plentiful when the weather is warm.
- Trail map: Avoid getting lost. Pay attention to trail markers. Download and print a park map (PDF) at home, or stop by the park office to pick up a map.
- Plenty of water: Know the signs of heat-related illness and how to respond.
- Sturdy walking or hiking shoes: Trails have a natural surface with roots, rocks, gravel, and sand.
Please do not wander off the trail when hiking or walking with your pet. Going off trail increases the chances of encountering ticks, venomous snakes, and poisonous plants.
List of Trails
| Trail Name | Blaze | Length | Difficulty | Trail Use | ADA Accessible | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCC Loop Trail | orange triangles | 1-mile loop | Easy | Hiking only | No | Journey through a forest of bay shrubs, cedar, cypress, gum, and poplar on the park's only trail. The trail takes visitors out by the park pier for beautiful views of the lake. The return segment of the trail takes visitors through a forest of longleaf pine and bay vegetation. The CCC Loop Trail is also designated as a self-guided interpretive trail for kids, as part of the nationwide network of Kids in Parks Track Trails. Visitors can download activity brochures, track all of their adventures online, and get prizes on the Kids in Parks website. The trailhead is located near the Education Building. This trail has a natural surface with paved and gravel areas. It also has two footbridges over water crossings. |
| Bay Tree Lake State Natural Area Trails | white hiking markers / trail signs | 4.9-mile one way | Moderate | Hiking only | No | Bay Tree Lake State Natural Area encompasses 620 acres of longleaf pine forest, Carolina bay, and xeric sandhill upland. The area features trees such as turkey oak, bluejack oak, and southern magnolia, as well as sizeable populations of eastern fox squirrel and American black bear. Gray squirrel, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbit, bobcat, coyote, river otter, and beaver are common. Birders can find a variety of species indigenous to both the forest and the lakeshore. An undeveloped parking area is located off of N.C. 41, approximately 3.5 miles east of N.C. 701 at White Lake. These trails have a natural surface and sand. Caution: Venomous snakes may be found on the trails. Species include eastern copperhead, cottonmouth, and pygmy and canebrake rattlesnakes. Be familiar with what these snakes look like and watch your step. Do not go off trail. |