Trails & Public Access

 

2023 is the Year of the Trail across North Carolina!

2023 NC Year of the Trail celebrates North Carolina’s vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase our diverse landscapes – grand mountain vistas, quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests, and the rolling hills of the piedmont.

NC Year of the Trail is the largest statewide celebration of trails and outdoor recreation in North Carolina history.

Foothills Conservancy is a proud member of the Great Trails State Coalition, a broad-based group of diverse organizations, agencies, and supporters advocating for increased state investment in all types of trails statewide: hiking, paddle, mountain biking, equestrian, and paved.

Learn more about 2023 Year of the Trail!

We believe that ensuring future generations of conservationists starts with getting people outdoors.
Check out some of our public access projects to plan your next adventure!

Possum Rock River Access

Public access site for the Henry Fork river. Designed in partnership with NC Forest Service, State Parks, and Fish and Wildlife. Managed by Foothills Conservancy.

Location: 2789 River Rd, Morganton, NC 28655
Open: Dawn - Dusk (seasonally)
Approved Uses: non-motorized boat put in, fishing, and picnics

Copper Ridge - section of Fonta Flora State Trail

3 miles of multi-use moderate flow trail for mountain bikers and hikers. Designed and constructed by Long Cane Trails. Managed by Foothills Conservancy.

Location: .6 miles past Camp Grier Rd in Old Fort, NC
Open: Dawn - Dusk (year round)
Approved Uses: mountain biking/hiking

Explore some of Foothills Conservancy’s partner projects…

Trails

Site Seeing

Gamelands

  • Pisgah Game Land

  • Buffalo Cove Game Land

  • Johns River Game Land

  • Wilderness Gateway State Trail

    Authorized by the N.C. General Assembly in 2019, the trail will connect the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and South Mountains State Park to Valdese and Hickory. Foothills Conservancy has acquired more than 1,000 acres along the route and is managing construction of the initial 40 miles in McDowell County.

    Estimated completion of the first section by 2023.

  • Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVNHT)

    This trail is a combination of walking paths and roadways. Foothills Conservancy purchased 8 acres in McDowell County for a formal trailhead in 2019. We protected 77 acres behind Fonta Flora Brewery’s Whippoorwill Farm within the designated corridor of OVNHT. Foothills Conservancy has also protected hundreds of acres along the corridor in Happy Valley, Caldwell County and continues to seek opportunities.

  • Catawba Meadows Bike Trail

    Foothills Conservancy is working with Overmountain Cycles, a local bike shop, and the City of Morganton to build 3.5 miles of new beginner mountain biking trails at the Catawba Meadows public park. Foothills Conservancy received a grant from NC’s Recreational Trails Program for this project.

    Estimated completion by the end of 2022.

  • Fonta Flora State Trail (FFST)

    Authorized in 2015 by the N.C. General Assembly. Foothills Conservancy has purchased 141 acres in McDowell County for public use as part of the FFST, as well as managed construction of 3 miles of the FFST in Old Fort. Foothills Conservancy continues to collaborate with partners, including the Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail and N.C. State Parks, to complete additional FFST projects.