Educational State Forests In North Carolina

Carolina Outdoors Guide – Parks & Forests – Camping – Hiking – Adventures

Educational State Forests in North Carolina

The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources operates a system of Educational State Forests designed to teach the public – especially school children – about the forest environment. Each forest features self-guided trails that include exhibits, tree identification signs, a forest education center and a talking tree trail, plus picnic tables and shelters that may be reserved. Contact the forest offices to arrange programs for schools or other youth groups.

Educational State Forests are open seasonally, generally March through November.

Educational State Forest Links

Educational State Forests in North Carolina:

Clemmons Educational State Forest
2411 Old U.S. 70 West
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-5651
Locator Map
Clemmons’ pine stands and hardwoods are set on a pleasant rolling terrain highlighted by streams, a pond and rock formations. Click on the photo for more information.

Holmes Educational State Forest
1299 Crab Creek Road
Hendersonville, NC 28739
(828) 692-0100
Locator Map
With rugged terrain, numerous rock outcroppings and scenic vistas, Holmes offers a rich mixture of mountain hardwoods, rhododendron, flame azaleas and wildflowers. There is also a group campground available to youth organizations.

Jordan Lake Educational State Forest
2832 Big Woods Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 542-1154
Locator 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. Jordan also has a fire control exhibit.

Mountain Island Educational State Forest
1933 Mountain Island Highway
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 813-3563
Locator Map
Mountain Island is under development and not yet open to the public, but can schedule small groups. Officials broke ground on the forest’s first facilities at the end of October 2018 and said the forest would open when they are completed, potentially in 2020.

Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest
4803 Sweet Home Church Road
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
(910) 588-4161
Locator 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.

Tuttle Educational State Forest
3420 Playmore Beach Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 757-5608
Locator Map
Tuttle boasts a wide variety of pines and hardwoods plus rolling terrain and clear streams in the foothills of the Blue Ridge.

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