Home > North Carolina > Brown Mountain |
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Other Names | Pisgah National Forest, Parks Creek, Carroll Creek, Pearcey Creek, Lenoir, Grandfather Ranger District |
Last Known Status | Temporarily 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.
Permit Required | Yes | Trail Pass |
Dates Open | April 1 - January 1 | |
Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Unknown | |
Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
Noise Limit | Yes (99 dB) | |
Whip Flags | Not Required | |
Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
Four Wheelers | Some Areas | permitted on designated ATV and 4x4 trails |
UTV & SXS | Some Areas | permitted on designated ATV and 4x4 trails |
SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Some Areas | permitted on Trail 8 and section of Trail 1 |
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Some Areas | permitted on Trail 8 and section of Trail 1 |
2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
MX Helmet Required | Yes | |
Camping | Some Areas | permitted alongside trail but not at trailhead |
Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
Night Riding | Unknown | |
Trail Blazing | Prohibited | vehicles must stay on trail |
Alcohol | Prohibited | |
Rule Enforcement |
Approx Size | 8,320 acres (13 sq mi) | |
Miles Of Trail | 34 | |
Climate Type | Forest | |
Elevation | 1100 to 2500 ft. | |
Trail Maintenance | Marked, Rated, Lightly Maintained | trails are marked for one-way traffic |
Loose Dirt | Some | |
Hard Pack | Some | |
Sand | Little | |
Mud | Little | |
Dust | Little | |
Rocks | Some | some very technical rock climbs |
Trees | Many | |
Steep Hills | Few | |
Water Crossings | Few | |
Small Jumps | Few | |
Large Jumps | None | |
Berms | Some | |
Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
Single Track | Some | |
Roads | Some | |
Intersections | Few | |
Rider Traffic | Some | |
Shade | Many | |
Ranges/Gunfire | None | |
Hazards | Few | (hazards are marked) |
Novice | Some | |
Amateur | Mostly | |
Expert | Some | some very technical and rocky 4x4 trails |
Area | Motorized Trails |
Land | National Forest |
Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (S) | Oak Hill Grocery Store (828) 437-3810 |
Diesel | 5-20 Miles (S) | Exxon (828) 437-1053 |
Water | 5-20 Miles (N) | Mortimer Campground (828) 652-2144 |
RV Hookup | 1-5 Miles (W) | Steel Creek Park and Campground (828) 433-5660 |
RV Disposal | 1-5 Miles (W) | Steel Creek Park and Campground (828) 433-5660 |
Campground | 5-20 Miles (N) | Mortimer Campground (828) 652-2144 |
Conv Store | 1-5 Miles (SW) | Craig Mountain Farm (828) 437-5003 |
Parking | (None) |
Entry | (None) |
Riding | Yes ($5.00 per rider) Season pass - $30 |
Camping | (None) |
Our Rating | |
Recommended Stay | Full Day |
Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
Nearest City | Collettsville, NC | ||
| 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. |
Contact Info | Pisgah 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 Info | Craig Mountain Farm 1547 Brown Mountain Beach Road Morganton, NC 28655 (828) 437-5003 siskbeth@bellsouth.net |
Comment | sells trail pass |
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