State Trails Map of the State Trails System North Carolina’s state trails provide an abundance of opportunities to experience some of the state's most magnificent landscapes. As units of the North Carolina state parks system, they are distinguished from other regional and local trails, while still offering regional connectivity and public access. While a state park is operated and managed by the Division of Parks and Recreation, a state trail is composed of multiple, connected sections and, as a whole, epitomizes partnerships. Each section of the trail is sponsored by a federal, state or local government agency, nonprofit organization or private landowner. Section sponsors build, maintain and manage their section of trail — deciding on location, design, surface, permitted uses and amenities. The North Carolina Trails Program is responsible for the overall corridor planning and coordination. The staff provides guidance and assistance to all section sponsors. Select a trail to learn more Dan River State Trail A paddle trail that includes the 90 miles of the Dan River in North Carolina; the river itself crosses crisscrosses N.C. and Virginia eight times as it journeys from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Kerr Lake Deep River State Trail A hiking and paddling trail from Jamestown in Guilford County, following the river through Randolph and Moore counties, and ending at the river's confluence with the Cape Fear River near Moncure in Lee County East Coast Greenway State Trail A hiking and biking trail, with one branch passing through Raleigh and the other following the coast, both merging at Wilmington and making up the N.C. portion of the 3,000-mile greenway connecting 15 states Fonta Flora State Trail A hiking and biking trail linking Morganton and Asheville with a loop around Lake James, traversing Pisgah National Forest and will also be connecting to the Mountains-to-Sea and Overmountain Victory state trails French Broad River State Trail A paddling trail on the third oldest river in the world, following 117 miles north from Rosman to the Tennessee border, crossing through Asheville and traversing Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe, and Madison counties Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail A hiking and biking trail across Henderson, Rutherford, and Buncombe counties, linking Bearwallow and Weed Patch mountains, Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, Bat Cave, and Florence Nature Preserve Mountains-to-Sea State Trail A hiking trail, with some sections open to biking and horseback riding, stretching from Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey's Ridge State Park in the Outer Banks Northern Peaks State Trail A trail with a planning corridor of approximately 40 miles, beginning in Boone, passing Elk Knob State Park, and ending at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area in Ashe County; trail use yet to be determined Overmountain Victory State Trail A trail that will follow N.C.'s 225-mile portion of the National Historic Trail that marks a militia footpath from South Carolina to Virginia that was pivotal during the Revolutionary War; trail use yet to be determined Roanoke River State Trail The newest state paddling trail, located in northeastern N.C. and crosses Halifax, Northampton, Bertie, Martin, and Washington counties, as it travels from Roanoke Rapids to the Albemarle Sound Wilderness Gateway State Trail A hiking trail, with some sections open to biking, horseback riding, and paddling, connecting Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and South Mountains State Park with the towns of Valdese and Hickory Yadkin River State Trail A paddle trail that follows one of the state's longest rivers, extending for 130 miles through the nine counties of Wilkes, Surry, Yadkin, Forsyth, Davie, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly, and Montgomery About the State Trails What is a state trail? A state trail is a linear corridor on land or water, separated from vehicular traffic, providing public access for non-motorized recreation or transportation. All state trails must be authorized by the General Assembly. All state trails share legal status as components of the state parks system. This distinguishes them from other regional and local trails and pathways. These trails offer opportunities for regional connectivity and public access to some of North Carolina's most significant and scenic landscapes. Who manages state trails? State trails epitomize partnerships. While a state park is operated and managed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, a state trail is composed of multiple connected sections, and each section of the trail is sponsored by a state or federal agency, local government, or private landowner. Section sponsors build, maintain, and manage their section of the trail. This includes location, design, surface, permitted uses, and amenities. Section sponsors retain authority on lands under their jurisdiction. They are encouraged to showcase places of natural, scenic, historic, and cultural significance; to feature the diversity of natural communities and landscapes in the state; to consider the needs of both long- and short-distance hikers; and to employ recognized standards of sustainable trail design and construction. Often, and ideally, section sponsors are supported by dedicated volunteers. The overall trail corridor planning and coordination are the responsibility of the Division. The Division will provide guidance, coordination, and assistance for the multiple section sponsors, whose individual and diverse sections link together to form the state trail. Working together on connecting sections of a state trail is a way for communities to leverage their investments in trails to maximize the value for their citizens. How is a state trail created? Enlarging the state parks system is important, but potential new park units — including state trails — must be selected carefully to ensure that they fulfill the purposes of the system and justify the considerable public investment in planning, coordination, acquisition, and management. Before the General Assembly authorizes the creation of a new state trail, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation may develop a feasibility plan or a conceptual plan. The conceptual plan basically identifies the planning area and potential partners, stakeholders, and section sponsors; determines whether the proposal meets the criteria for the establishment of a new unit; and evaluates the feasibility of implementing the proposed trail. The Division has developed criteria to evaluate potential new state trails. This provides a system for evaluation, as well as a mechanism to remove unsuitable trails from consideration. Three minimum criteria are used for the initial evaluation of proposed state trails: Statewide significant natural, cultural, scenic, and recreation value; Sufficient potential length and beauty to attract varied and significant use from regions outside the local area; and Minimal and surmountable incompatible features, such as roads, intrusive development or large water bodies. If a potential state trail meets these basic requirements, then the feasibility of inclusion as a state trail is based on: Local public support for the general concept of a public trail and the availability of trail volunteers; Presence of viable section sponsors committed to the design, construction, maintenance, and management of the trail; and Environmental and economic sustainability of the trail route. Constructed trail within the planned corridor is not part of the state trail until it is designated by the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Section sponsors may apply for designation once the trail is completed. Criteria for designation include public access, developing an emergency management plan, outlining amenities provided to the public, and inspection by a regional trails specialist. View the State Trail Designation Applications available for public review SVG State Trail Designation Applications SVG Complete the Trails Fund
State Trails Map of the State Trails System North Carolina’s state trails provide an abundance of opportunities to experience some of the state's most magnificent landscapes. As units of the North Carolina state parks system, they are distinguished from other regional and local trails, while still offering regional connectivity and public access. While a state park is operated and managed by the Division of Parks and Recreation, a state trail is composed of multiple, connected sections and, as a whole, epitomizes partnerships. Each section of the trail is sponsored by a federal, state or local government agency, nonprofit organization or private landowner. Section sponsors build, maintain and manage their section of trail — deciding on location, design, surface, permitted uses and amenities. The North Carolina Trails Program is responsible for the overall corridor planning and coordination. The staff provides guidance and assistance to all section sponsors. Select a trail to learn more Dan River State Trail A paddle trail that includes the 90 miles of the Dan River in North Carolina; the river itself crosses crisscrosses N.C. and Virginia eight times as it journeys from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Kerr Lake Deep River State Trail A hiking and paddling trail from Jamestown in Guilford County, following the river through Randolph and Moore counties, and ending at the river's confluence with the Cape Fear River near Moncure in Lee County East Coast Greenway State Trail A hiking and biking trail, with one branch passing through Raleigh and the other following the coast, both merging at Wilmington and making up the N.C. portion of the 3,000-mile greenway connecting 15 states Fonta Flora State Trail A hiking and biking trail linking Morganton and Asheville with a loop around Lake James, traversing Pisgah National Forest and will also be connecting to the Mountains-to-Sea and Overmountain Victory state trails French Broad River State Trail A paddling trail on the third oldest river in the world, following 117 miles north from Rosman to the Tennessee border, crossing through Asheville and traversing Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe, and Madison counties Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail A hiking and biking trail across Henderson, Rutherford, and Buncombe counties, linking Bearwallow and Weed Patch mountains, Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, Bat Cave, and Florence Nature Preserve Mountains-to-Sea State Trail A hiking trail, with some sections open to biking and horseback riding, stretching from Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey's Ridge State Park in the Outer Banks Northern Peaks State Trail A trail with a planning corridor of approximately 40 miles, beginning in Boone, passing Elk Knob State Park, and ending at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area in Ashe County; trail use yet to be determined Overmountain Victory State Trail A trail that will follow N.C.'s 225-mile portion of the National Historic Trail that marks a militia footpath from South Carolina to Virginia that was pivotal during the Revolutionary War; trail use yet to be determined Roanoke River State Trail The newest state paddling trail, located in northeastern N.C. and crosses Halifax, Northampton, Bertie, Martin, and Washington counties, as it travels from Roanoke Rapids to the Albemarle Sound Wilderness Gateway State Trail A hiking trail, with some sections open to biking, horseback riding, and paddling, connecting Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and South Mountains State Park with the towns of Valdese and Hickory Yadkin River State Trail A paddle trail that follows one of the state's longest rivers, extending for 130 miles through the nine counties of Wilkes, Surry, Yadkin, Forsyth, Davie, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly, and Montgomery About the State Trails What is a state trail? A state trail is a linear corridor on land or water, separated from vehicular traffic, providing public access for non-motorized recreation or transportation. All state trails must be authorized by the General Assembly. All state trails share legal status as components of the state parks system. This distinguishes them from other regional and local trails and pathways. These trails offer opportunities for regional connectivity and public access to some of North Carolina's most significant and scenic landscapes. Who manages state trails? State trails epitomize partnerships. While a state park is operated and managed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, a state trail is composed of multiple connected sections, and each section of the trail is sponsored by a state or federal agency, local government, or private landowner. Section sponsors build, maintain, and manage their section of the trail. This includes location, design, surface, permitted uses, and amenities. Section sponsors retain authority on lands under their jurisdiction. They are encouraged to showcase places of natural, scenic, historic, and cultural significance; to feature the diversity of natural communities and landscapes in the state; to consider the needs of both long- and short-distance hikers; and to employ recognized standards of sustainable trail design and construction. Often, and ideally, section sponsors are supported by dedicated volunteers. The overall trail corridor planning and coordination are the responsibility of the Division. The Division will provide guidance, coordination, and assistance for the multiple section sponsors, whose individual and diverse sections link together to form the state trail. Working together on connecting sections of a state trail is a way for communities to leverage their investments in trails to maximize the value for their citizens. How is a state trail created? Enlarging the state parks system is important, but potential new park units — including state trails — must be selected carefully to ensure that they fulfill the purposes of the system and justify the considerable public investment in planning, coordination, acquisition, and management. Before the General Assembly authorizes the creation of a new state trail, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation may develop a feasibility plan or a conceptual plan. The conceptual plan basically identifies the planning area and potential partners, stakeholders, and section sponsors; determines whether the proposal meets the criteria for the establishment of a new unit; and evaluates the feasibility of implementing the proposed trail. The Division has developed criteria to evaluate potential new state trails. This provides a system for evaluation, as well as a mechanism to remove unsuitable trails from consideration. Three minimum criteria are used for the initial evaluation of proposed state trails: Statewide significant natural, cultural, scenic, and recreation value; Sufficient potential length and beauty to attract varied and significant use from regions outside the local area; and Minimal and surmountable incompatible features, such as roads, intrusive development or large water bodies. If a potential state trail meets these basic requirements, then the feasibility of inclusion as a state trail is based on: Local public support for the general concept of a public trail and the availability of trail volunteers; Presence of viable section sponsors committed to the design, construction, maintenance, and management of the trail; and Environmental and economic sustainability of the trail route. Constructed trail within the planned corridor is not part of the state trail until it is designated by the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Section sponsors may apply for designation once the trail is completed. Criteria for designation include public access, developing an emergency management plan, outlining amenities provided to the public, and inspection by a regional trails specialist. View the State Trail Designation Applications available for public review SVG State Trail Designation Applications SVG Complete the Trails Fund
