State Forests In North Carolina

Updated May 2025.

Bladen Lakes State Forest
4470 N.C. 242 North
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
(910) 588-4964
E-mail
Locator Map / Forest Map

Bladen Lakes State Forest covers more than 33,000 acres surrounding White Lake, Jones Lake State Park and Singletary Lake State Park, as well as Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest. The state forest, with 130 miles of dirt roads, is mainly a research and preservation area, but is open for hunting, primitive camping, hiking, horseback riding, birding and stargazing. Hunting and camping require permits. Camp Chamblee provides a fire pit and portalet for campers.

DuPont State Recreational Forest
P.O. Box 300
Cedar Mountain, NC 28718
(828) 877-6527
E-mail
Friends of DuPont State Forest
Locator Map / Forest and Waterfall Maps

The 10,473 acres on the Transylvania/Henderson county border between Hendersonville and Brevard feature four major waterfalls on Little River and several more on Grassy Creek; five lakes, including the 99-acre Lake Julia; and about 90 miles of trails and roads. The visitor center is located at the High Falls Access Area at 89 Buck Forest Road in Cedar Mountain. The forest is open to fishing, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and picnicking. Vehicle passes are available by reservation for disabled people unable to hike to the waterfalls or other destinations. There are several access sites off of U.S. 64, and a visitors center at the High Falls Access Area. The nonprofit Friends of DuPont State Forest maintains a detailed Web site at the link above. Click on the photo for more info.

Headwaters State Forest
N.C. Forest Service Region 3 Office
14 Gaston Mountain Road
Asheville NC 28806
(828) 665-8688
E-mail
Locator Map / Forest Map

The 6,730-acre Headwaters State Forest surround the upper reaches of the East Fork French Broad River.  The forest is open for hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing, but has no public facilities, such as bathrooms or a visitor’s center, and has limited parking. The 18-foot East Fork Falls is a short walk from the road. The N.C. Forest Service will make resources available to assist with educational efforts by schools, colleges, and other natural resource management organizations in the forest. Headwaters State Forest is located about 10 miles south of Brevard, close to the towns of Cedar Mountain and Rosman, in southern Transylvania County. Part of the forest borders South Carolina.

NCSU College of Natural Resources – Forests and Facilities
2820 Faucette Drive
Campus Box 8001
Raleigh, NC 27695
(919) 515-2883

G.W. Hill Forest
Durham, NC
(Locator Map)
The G. W. Hill Forest is a 2,690-acre forest north of  Durham County and the site of Camp Slocum, a summer camp for Forest Management and Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences majors. Like NCSU’s other forests, Hill Forest is economically self-sustaining through timber sales and usage fees. Still-hunting, fox-hunting, horseback riding, biking, hiking and fishing activities are allowed with a license or permit.

Carl A. Schenck Memorial Forest
Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
(Locator Map)
Visitors can enjoy several trails, picnic facilities, birdwatching and wildlife in a 245-acre managed forest along a stretch of Richland Creek and adjacent to William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh. A picnic shelter can be reserved for events. More than 50 species of trees representing more than 18 plant families exist within the forest and QR codes on tree tags provide infomration about each species. Bikes, dogs, horses and hunting are not allowed in Schenck Forest. Click on the photo for more information.

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