Educational State Forests In North Carolina

Updated June 2025.

Educational State Forests in North Carolina:

Clemmons Educational State Forest
2411 Old U.S. 70 West
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-5651
ClemmonsESF.ncfs@ncagr.gov
Locator Map / Forest Map
Clemmons’ pine stands and hardwoods are set on a pleasant rolling terrain that features streams, a pond and rock formations. More than six miles of well-marked trails are accented by exhibits and displays depicting the ecology of a managed forest. The Water Quality Classroom, located on a hill overlooking the pond, is an open air facility used for classes offered at the forest. Click on the photo for more information.

Holmes Educational State Forest
1299 Crab Creek Road
Hendersonville, NC 28739
(828) 692-0100
holmesESF.ncfs@ncagr.gov
Locator Map / Forest Map
With rugged terrain, numerous rock outcroppings and scenic vistas, Holmes offers a rich mixture of mountain hardwoods, rhododendron, flame azaleas and wildflowers. There are four miles of easy and moderate trails and a group campground available to youth organizations.

Jordan Lake Educational State Forest
2832 Big Woods Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 542-1154
JordanLakeESF.ncfs@ncagr.gov
Locator Map / Forest Map
The Jordan Lake forest showcases a wide variety of pines and hardwoods found in a wetland ecosystem. Trails lead to the shore of the lake.

Mountain Island Educational State Forest
534 Killian Road
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 822-9518
mountainislandESF.ncfs@ncagr.gov
Locator Map / Forest Map
Mountain Island is under development and not yet open to the public, but ranger-conducted classes can be scheduled at schools or special events, the Mountain Island ESF page said as of February 2025. Officials broke ground on the forest’s first facilities at the end of October 2018.

Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest
4803 Sweet Home Church Road
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
(910) 588-4161
turnbullcreekESF.ncfs@ncagr.gov
Locator Map / Forest Map
Turnbill Creek is located among Bladen County’s numerous Carolina bays – mysterious land formations particular to this section of the state’s Coastal Plain – and native longleaf pine ecosystems. The forest features about 10 miles of trails and displays and authentic relics of colonial North Carolina’s naval stores (i.e., tar, pitch, turpentine, and rosin production) history.

Tuttle Educational State Forest
3420 Playmore Beach Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 757-5608
tuttleESF.ncfs@ncagr.gov
Locator Map / Forest Map
Tuttle boasts about 6 miles of trails on rolling terrain among wide variety of pines and hardwoods and clear streams in the foothills of the Blue Ridge.

Note: Rendevous Mountain Educational State Forest became a state park in 2022.

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