Let’s say you’re new to living in the Fayetteville area and want to start getting out and about to explore. Where do you even start? Today’s post is for you and the place I’m sharing is a great place to start. It’s easy to get to, not too far from Fort Bragg, and very beginner-friendly. Also, if you’re nervous about getting out during the week with the kids or by yourself, it’s a good one to ease you into the solo outdoor adventures. Here’s my guide on how to plan a day trip to Carvers Creek State Park.
How To Plan A Day Trip To Carvers Creek State Park
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
FAQ for hiking at Carvers Creek
Where is Carvers Creek?
Spring Lake, just over 20 minutes from downtown Fayetteville.
Which access point should I do?
There are two different hiking sections at Carvers Creek State Park – the Long Valley Farm and Sandhills. This blog post is covering the shorter of the two, Long Valley Farm.
A full hiking guide for the Sandhills Access will be coming soon.
How much does it cost?
Free to enter and free parking.
What are the opening hours?
There are different opening hours depending on the time of year.
November – February: 8am – 6pm
March to May: 8am – 8pm
June to August: 8am – 9pm
September to October: 8am – 8pm
What skill level is required?
Beginner.
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes. As with anything to do with parenting, you know your kids better than anyone writing a blog post on the Internet. Use this guide to decide if it’s suitable for your kids.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on a leash.
What should you bring with you?
- Comfortable walking shoes (these are lightweight, beginner shoes
that gave me confidence on trails when I started hiking) - Snacks and/or lunch
- Water
- Sun protection
- Camera (this is my favorite action camera for hikes and I use it with this compact selfie stick and tripod)
that gave me confidence on trails when I started hiking)
)
Before we get started
If you want an easy way to make the most of your time living in Fayetteville, check out my Ultimate Fort Bragg Bucket List.
It’s got a huge list of adventure ideas, unique events, and long weekend ideas to fully prepare you to experience this chapter to the fullest.
How to get to Carvers Creek
Use ‘Carvers Creek State Park’ in Google Maps and choose the option on Long Valley Road. Remember there are two different sections for this park so make sure you’re heading to the one you want to go to. It will take you straight to the parking area.
It’s easy to see as you are driving in, you can’t miss the parking area on the right side of the road.
The drive is easy and it’s not far from the downtown Fayetteville area, so it’s perfect for a quick mid-week outdoor adventure.
How to find the trailhead and maps
The parking is next to the small visitor center so you can stop in there before you start to get more information. There’s also a large sign with a map at the start of the trail. The sign made it really easy to get a feel for the trails and where to go.
To start the hike, simply walk straight ahead from the road after it ends.
From there, you are following trail markers to get your way around the trails.
Map at the start of the trail
Start of the trail
How to get around on the Long Valley Farm access trails
There are two trails in this section of the park – the Rockefeller Loop and Cyprus Point Loop.
The Rockefeller Loop has white trail markers and the Cyprus Point Loop has blue trail markers.
You have to start on the Rockefeller Loop either way.
When you look at the map it will make sense, but I recommend following the Rockefeller Loop straight ahead, connecting to complete the Cyprus Point Loop, then return via the other half of the Rockefeller Loop.
Another option would be to return the same way you came after you finish the Cyprus Point Loop.
Example of the white trail markers
Example of the blue trail markers
What to expect at Carvers Creek
The trails are easy, on flat ground, and well marked. The ground is mostly sandy and soft and there aren’t super slippery rocks or anything like that to hike through. Again, this is what makes it a great trail for beginners.
There is a shelter with an outdoor grill which is a cool facility to have. Even if you don’t use the grill, it’d be a nice spot to sit and have a picnic lunch or read for a bit.
The scenery around the dam is very picturesque, especially the reflections from the trees which are quite mesmerizing. On the back end of the Rockefeller Loop, the forest like setting makes it feel further out into the woods than you really are which is nice.
One cool thing about this hike that makes it unique is that you can see the vacation home of James Stillman Rockefeller. You can take a tour of the home, though when I visited the tours were postponed so I can’t speak to those. Either way, you can see the home, tour the grounds, and learn more about it all through the plaques out the front.
Overall thoughts on Carvers Creek State Park
Overall, it’s a fun place to go to get out of the house and enjoy some time in nature without needing to drive far. Definitely worth planning a day trip to Carvers Creek while you live in the Fort Bragg area.
Other travel guides you might enjoy:
- Where To Get The Best Apple Cider Donuts Near Fayetteville
- How To Plan A Day Out Hiking in Weymouth Woods, Southern Pines
- A Practical Guide On How To Pick The Best Camera For Traveling
- What To Bring On A Short Hike – Essentials To Always Have On You
For more information:
Visit the official Carvers Creek State Park website.
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