Today I’m posting a little throwback to the first outing I did since moving to North Carolina. This is a hike I did when I first got here and was still living in a hotel room. We rented a car for errands and maximized it by throwing in a family hike. Oh the relief to be out in nature again! It’s just the best feeling, especially when paired with exploring a new home base. I’m here to help you plan a visit too, so here’s my guide on hiking in Weymouth Woods with everything you need to know to plan your day out. It’s an easy day trip idea if you’re living in the Fayetteville area.
How To Plan A Day Out Hiking in Weymouth Woods, Southern Pines
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 in Weymouth Woods
Where is it located?
Southern Pines.
How long does it take?
Depends on how many trails you choose to do, but you can do them all in a couple of hours.
What skill level is required?
Beginner.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, but they must be on a leash.
Is there a cost?
No, it’s free to enter.
What are the opening hours for the park?
November – February: 8am – 6pm.
March – October: 8am – 8pm.
There is a park office at the entrance which is open from 8am – 5pm daily, except Christmas Day.
What facilities are available?
Parking and a small museum at the visitor center.
They also run guided group hikes from time to time. Stay tuned for upcoming tours on the NC State Parks website.
What should you bring with you?
- Good walking shoes (these are my fav beginner hiking shoes
if you’re just starting out) - Water bottle
- Camera (This is my fav adventure camera)
- Snacks and/or picnic lunch
- Sun protection
if you’re just starting out)
Before we get started
If you want to make the most of your time living in Fayetteville, check out my Ultimate Fort Bragg Bucket List.
It’s full of adventure ideas, unique events, and long weekend destinations to fully prepare you to experience this chapter to the fullest.
Where to park for Weymouth Woods
Use ‘Weymouth Woods – Sandhills Nature Preserve’ in Google Maps and it will take you to the parking area off N Fort Bragg Road.
It’s well signed from the street and easy to spot.
The parking area is quite large and there’s no fee for parking. Right by the parking lot you will find the visitor’s center and an information board.
Parking area and visitor center
Different trails at Weymouth Woods
There are 8 trails at Weymouth Woods. They’re all well marked with different colored shapes representing the different trails so it is easy to keep follow them. There are also maps along the way.
All the trails are flat and easy in terms of the hiking skill needed to do them.
These are the different trails in the order that I did them and their icon you’ll see on the maps:
- Bower’s Bog (red circle)
- Lighter Stump (orange triangle)
- Pine Island (blue circle)
- Equestrian (white square)
- Holly Road (red triangle)
- Moccasin Crossing (blue square)
- Gum Swamp (orange circle)
- Pine Barrens (blue triangle)
You could also do this order in reverse if you start at the Pine Barrens Trail. No matter which you choose to start with, it’s easy to find the start when you’re there because they’re well signed.
The great thing about this spot is that you can do as little or as many of them as you like.
If you only want to do one of the trails, you can just do one and head back to the parking lot. If you want to connect them all, then you can do that too.
One of the trails from the edge of the parking lot – easy to find your way while you’re hiking in Weymouth Woods
What to expect while hiking in Weymouth Woods
Of course, you’ll experience a fun outing in some gorgeous nature as you hike through this longleaf pine forest.
It feels like you’re out in a peaceful natural area, then every now and then you’ll get a glimpse of the road or hear a car go by as if to give you a reminder that you’re still close to civilization.
This makes it a great hiking area for beginners, because you don’t venture too far out into the middle of nowhere.
What I think it cool about this one is the different landscapes you see as you go throughout the whole thing. The burnt grounds with new life growing through, the forest vibes, waterhole area all kept it interesting. It’s a good option if you want a day out in nature but don’t want a super long drive or anything.
In terms of wildlife, keep an eye out for squirrels, birds and I even saw two deer while I was hiking which was really cool!
Trail markings on one of the trails
Look closely for the cute deer!
Nature’s art
Where to go after your hike
Since it won’t take all day to get through the trails, I recommend Betsy’s Crepes for brunch after your hike. There are so many different and equally awesome looking breakfast options there.
Swank Coffee Shoppe is another nice spot if you just want to grab a quick coffee and snack.
Otherwise, you could pack your lunch or some snacks and have it at a park bench at Weymouth Woods.
Other posts you might enjoy:
- What To Bring On A Short Hike – Essentials To Always Have On You
- Adventuring With Endometriosis – Because It Doesn’t Have To Stop You!
- Travel Photography Tips For Beginners – Improve Your Shots In 6 Easy Steps
- Where To Get The Best Apple Cider Donuts Near Fayetteville
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We lived in Southern Pines for three years and loved the area. Be sure to visit the downtown area and Pinehurst, too:)
Thank you! I’ll add it to my list!