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Brown Mountain OHV Trails

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Other Names

Pisgah National Forest, Parks Creek, Carroll Creek, Pearcey Creek, Lenoir, Grandfather Ranger District

Last Known StatusTemporarily Closed

This popular off-road trail system offers about 34 miles of marked and maintained ATV and single track motorcycle trails with challenges ranging from easy to difficult with seasonal mud pits.

The main entrance road is RV accessible and the staging area offers ample parking opportunities. A trail pass is required but must be obtained in advance prior to entry. Nearby Craig Mountain Farm is located just past the main entrance and they sell the trail pass plus fresh produce, canned goods and local honey. Visitors can also contact the Grandfather Ranger District to get a current list of vendors that sell the pass.

Primitive camping is permitted but the area is very busy during the weekends.

Interestingly, nearby Brown Mountain has a mysterious reputation for unexplained light orbs which have been reported on moonless nights.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesTrail Pass
Dates OpenApril 1 - January 1
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedUnknown
Spark ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (99 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthNo Restriction
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermitted
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers Four WheelersSome Areaspermitted on designated ATV and 4x4 trails
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSSome Areaspermitted on designated ATV and 4x4 trails
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Some Areaspermitted on Trail 8 and section of Trail 1
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Some Areaspermitted on Trail 8 and section of Trail 1
2 Stroke EnginesNo Restriction
MX Helmet RequiredYes
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingSome Areaspermitted alongside trail but not at trailhead
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night RidingUnknown
Trail BlazingProhibitedvehicles must stay on trail
AlcoholProhibited
Rule Enforcement
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TERRAIN

Approx Size8,320 acres (13 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail34
Climate TypeForest
Elevation1100 to 2500 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Rated, Lightly Maintainedtrails are marked for one-way traffic
Loose DirtThis trail has some loose dirt.Some
Hard PackThe trail has some hard pack terrain.Some
SandThis trail has little sandy areas.Little
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has little dust on typical days.Little
RocksThis trail has some rocks.Somesome very technical rock climbs
TreesThe trail has many trees.Many
Steep HillsThis trail has few steep hills.Few
Water CrossingsThe trail has few water crossings.Few
Small JumpsThis trail has few small jumps.Few
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has some berms.Some
Sand/Gravel PitsThis national forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis national forest has some single track trails.Some
RoadsThis national forest has some roads.Some
IntersectionsThis trail has few intersections.Few
Rider TrafficThe national forest has some rider traffic on typical days.Some
ShadeThis national forest has many shaded areas.Many
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has no shooting ranges or gunfire.None
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards are marked)
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has some beginner terrain.Some
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has some expert terrain.Somesome very technical and rocky 4x4 trails

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (S)Oak Hill Grocery Store (828) 437-3810
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (S)Exxon (828) 437-1053
Potable Water Water5-20 Miles (N)Mortimer Campground (828) 652-2144
RV Hookups RV Hookup1-5 Miles (W)Steel Creek Park and Campground (828) 433-5660
RV Dump Station RV Disposal1-5 Miles (W)Steel Creek Park and Campground (828) 433-5660
Primitive Camping Campground5-20 Miles (N)Mortimer Campground (828) 652-2144
Convenience Store Conv Store1-5 Miles (SW)Craig Mountain Farm (828) 437-5003

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
RidingYes ($5.00 per rider)
Season pass - $30
Camping(None)

RATINGS

Our RatingRating
Recommended StayFull Day
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityCollettsville, NC
Go Back To North Carolina List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Hickory, NC
1) Take US-321 North towards the town of Lenoir, about 17 miles
2) Turn left (south) on N. Main Street, continue .3 miles
3) Turn right (west) on SR-90, continue about about 9 miles
4) Turn left (south) on Adako Road, continue about 4 miles
5) Turn right on FS 299. Continue towards the staging area.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoPisgah National Forest - Grandfather Ranger District
109 East Lawing Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
(828) 652-2144
(828) 257-4200
mailroom_r8_north_carolina@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov
Contact InfoCraig Mountain Farm
1547 Brown Mountain Beach Road
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 437-5003
siskbeth@bellsouth.net
Commentsells trail pass

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

Brown Mountain OHV Trails

Ride your ATV or UTV to the top of the mountain and you will be rewarded with some great scenic views.

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

Man going through deep mud pit on dirt bike.

Just like anywhere, when it is wet there can be some deep puddles and mud holes as seen here.

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

Blue four wheeler with camping gear parked on large flat rock.

There are trails open to ATVs, others for motorcycles or trails bikes and some for UTVs up to 65 inches, and a couple that support 4x4 vehicles also.

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

Swimming hole fed by shallow stream.

There is a small stream accessible from the ATV trail that forms a natural swimming hole.

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

Section of hardpacked OHV trail.

This trail is wide enough for UTVs up to 65 inches or more as well as 4x4s, but not all trails are this wide.

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

A map of the Brown Mountain trail system for motorcycles, ATVs, and SXS vehicles.

This is a rough map of the Brown Mountain trail system with some info about trail width and permitted vehicle types and widths.

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

Young man on blue four wheeler catching some air.

Found a spot on the trail to catch some air.  Not bad.

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

Tree leaves turning color during autumn months.

A view from the top of the mountain late in the season.

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

Scenic view of valley and surrounding mountains.

A view from a similar spot on the mountain taken during the summer.

Brown Mountain Trail Photo

Pickup trucks and trailers parked at staging area.

This is an aerial view of the staging area.  It is paved and parking is tight and crowded. Recommended for pickup trucks and utility trailers but not large RVs.

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