Learn and Enjoy

Outdoor Recreation

Howell Woods provides a number of outdoor recreation outlets for use by the general public - hiking, horseback, and bike trails; fishing; and camping.  Some require you to pay a small user’s fee which is used to maintain and improve the facility.

Have a Safe and Rewarding Experience

It is important for you to follow a few rules and regulations to accommodate the multiple uses of the property. In addition, some road/trails or specific outdoor activities may have certain temporary restrictions depending on other activities that may be occurring.

You should call ahead at least 24 hours to determine if the area or outdoor activity you wish to enjoy is open or available. Should you be unable to reach a staff member, current restrictions or additional information will be posted on the information board at the Learning Center building.

Hiking Trails

Habitat Diversity Trail System Brochure and Map  (PDF: 195KB/2pp)

Located around the Learning Center building is a diverse network of short and long trails called the Learning Center Habitat Diversity Hiking Trails. The 15 separate trails that make up this trail system are some of the best trails for bird watching on the property and are a feature of the North Carolina Birding Trail.  The shortest trail is a mere tenth of a mile, while the longest is 3/4 mile in length.

A diverse group of ecosystems such as, bottomland hardwood forest, open fallow fields, mixed pine/hardwood, longleaf and loblolly pine forests, pond, and creek may be visited by walking several of the trails. A 10-foot high observation platform/picnic shelter located on Muir trail offers excellent viewing or a variety of habitats.  This trail system is open seven days a week during daylight hours only unless otherwise posted. Maps are located under the porch of the Learning Center building.

There are many miles of more remote and less maintained trails that are available for exploring but require prior staff approval to access. One of these areas is the new Fort Island Birding Trail system.  This new trail system consists of only two trails, but offers excellent viewing access to wet early successional, swamp, forested pond, and rarely visited mixed hardwood/pine forest ecosystems.  The total length is less than one mile.  To take advantage of these lesser used "pathways to wildlife," contact the Howell Woods Director or Operations Supervisor for a map of these secluded areas.

All trails at Howell Woods are flat and average 6-8 feet wide. Some are improved dirt or gravel trails while others are mostly mowed natural vegetation. Many may be extremely damp/wet or "soft" depending on weather conditions.

Horseback and Bike Trails

Horse and Bike Riding Trails Brochure and Map (PDF: 199KB/2pp)

Available to the horseback and bike riders are more than 15 miles of very scenic roads that meander through mature bottomland hardwood forest, open fallow and managed wildlife fields, loblolly and longleaf pine forest, mixed pine/hardwood forest, wet early successional and hardwood forest edge habitat, and a 3/4 mile stretch adjacent to the Neuse River. All equine six months of age and older must have proof of a current negative EIA test to ride on the property. All horseback and bike riders are highly encouraged to wear the appropriate safety head gear while on the property. There are currently two water spigots located in the parking lot to water horses.

All horseback and bike trails are maintained dirt or gravel single lane roads. Some road surfaces are "crush and run" type gravel. Several water fords with larger stones are located on several of the major roads. There are also two wooden plank bridges on two of the major roads.

Fishing

Camping

Howell Woods currently provides six campsites. Three sites are available for single tents (maximum size four - five person tents), two sites that will accommodate two tents, and one site that will accommodate three - five large tents. Each site has a fire ring with flip down grill top and a six-foot high lantern hanger. Restroom facilities are located within an easy walk from all sites. Most sites are visually occluded from the others by natural vegetation.

Campers must provide their own firewood as wood collection is not allowed on the property.  Wood may be available at times, but ask a staff member for availability before gathering. Generators or other AC/DC appliances that are heard outside of the immediate camping area are not allowed. Potable water is currently not available at the campground area.

Semi-primitive sites are located in a mixed pine/hardwood forest. There is limited parking at campsites. The campground is located along the Learning Center Habitat Diversity Trail system.