Your source for Mountain Biking in the Triangle
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill
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Your source for Mountain Biking in the Triangle Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill |
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Current Trail Status
| Status | When Updated | Who Updated | More Info |  | Help keep this info accurate by clicking the red bicycle | |
| open | 08/26 1:31 pm | fala |  |
| Category | Average Rating |
| Overall : |  4.2 / 5.0 based on 28 votes |
| Technical : |  3.1 / 5.0 based on 28 votes |
| Climbing : | 3.2 / 5.0 based on 28 votes |
| Freeride : |  1.7 / 5.0 based on 28 votes |
| Scenery/Wildlife : |  3.5 / 5.0 based on 28 votes |
| Flow : | 3.5 / 5.0 based on 19 votes |
Description
Location: North Raleigh,
near Falls Lake
Miles: 15 miles
Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate
Contact:
Park office (919) 676-1027 (call to see if trails are
open)
Map
Park
Hours and Fees
Directions
Rules
of the Trail
The trails at Beaverdam State Recreation Area on Falls Lake are a lot of fun. In my opinion, they are easier than New Light--less steep hills, rocks, and sharp turns--but harder than Crabtree. Beginners who feel comfortable at Crabtree should definitely give Beaverdam a try. There will only be a few obstacles they'll want to walk. Intermediate and advanced riders will find Beaverdam a fast, uncrowded ride but still enjoy a good workout.
Here's the details:
The trails are rated beginner to
intermediate and include three loops: a 2.6-mile outer
loop, a 1.6-mile inner loop, a 2.4-mile west loop and
more advanced 8.5-mile loop called South Loop.
In addition to the trails, there are two
parking lots, restrooms, picnic shelters, grills and a
lakefront beach! Great if you want to bring your kayak,
fishing pole, burgers, or the rest of the family and make
a day of it.
At certain times, there is a fee of $5/vehicle to
enter the Recreation Area. The fee applies to bicycles
too if you ride in. You can call to see if the trails are
closed due to rain.
The trails may be closed due to rain, hazardous
conditions, and maintenance. The trails are closed for
rider safety, so please stay off them when they are
closed.
Dogs must be kept on leashes at all times.
alcoholic beverages are PROHIBITED
You must enter the trails from the trail entrance
within the park. Entering the trails from anywhere else
is illegal.
This is the first time that the Division has partnered with an outside organization to build and maintain a trail system and the first time the Division has allowed mountain bikes on singletrack trails in a state park! Both of those items are major victories--thanks to the North Raleigh Mountain Biking Association volunteers (same folks that gave us New Light) .
Contact NRMBA to find out how you can help with future trail building and maintenance.
November-February 8:00AM-5:30PM
March, October 8:00AM-6:30PM
April, September 8:00AM-7:30PM
May, June, July, August 8:00AM-8:30PM
Fees
There is a $6.00 per
vehicle (including bikes if you ride in) charge to enter
the Beaverdam Recreation facility during certain dates.
Memorial Day to Labor Day:
fee charged daily
April, May & September:
fee charged only on weekends
October to March:
no fee
A yearly pass may also be purchased good both
Falls Lake SRA and Jordan Lake SRA. The price is set for
the yearly pass at $40.00. Season Passes will be sold at the Park Office this year during the hours of 8-12 and 1-5pm Monday - Friday.
The pass will get a vehicle into the day-use areas of Falls Lake SRA,
Kerr Lake SRA, and Jordan Lake SRA.
Note that there are no longer any dates where the
fee is charged before 5 PM, but not charged after 5 PM.
(NRMBA is working with the
Division to come up with some kind of pass for volunteers
based on the hours they work, but it might be a while
before such an agreement comes through.)
Directions
The trails are at the Beaverdam
State Recreation Area at Falls Lake State Park. To get
there, go north on NC 50 (Creedmoor Road) in north
Raleigh. Continue north past NC 98 and you will cross
Falls Lake. The entrance is a mile ahead on the right. Go
through the gatehouse and follow the signs.
Rules of the
Trail
1. All mountain bike
trails and parking areas close 30 minutes prior to park
gates. All trail users must be off the trails and out of
the parking area by such time.
2. Trails are to be ridden in one direction as signed unless
otherwise marked.
3. Help keep these trails open by riding only on
open, marked trails and respecting the natural resources.
4. Riders must wear helmets.
5. Riders shall remain in control of their bikes at
all times.
6. Report trail problems to Park Rangers.
7. Hikers are allowed on all trails but should use
caution.
8. Misuse, vandalism, excessive use or use during
wet weather will cause trail damage and will result in
trail closures.
9. Dogs must be kept on leashes at all times.
Night riding is available at this trail on
a restricted basis. All night rides must be
approved by Park Staff and are generally an organized
event coordinated between the park and cycling clubs.
Stay tuned to this site for upcoming night rides. You
must be out of the park by 8:30 PM for night rides, wear
a helmet, and have a light system.
Rules, guidelines, and definitions for our TriangleMTB.com trail reviews
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I am a newcomer to mountain biking. As of the writing of this review I have been riding Crabtree two times a week on average for the last couple of months. There are still parts of Crabtree where I ride the breaks going downhill and a few hills that I still come off the bike due to roots/steepness while climbing. With that in mind I went with a group to Beaverdam this past weekend where we did the inner and outer loops only. I would consider those loops to be more difficult than 80% of what I have experienced at Crabtree. The climbs are steeper/longer and some of the downhill stretches are much bumpier than Crabtree. The trails are narrower than Crabtree but with them signed for one way only that was a non issue. The scenery is quite enjoyable and there are several places where you're going flat or downhill for a good distance at a decent pace. I felt like there were fewer switchbacks than Crabtree and those that were there were less severe than Crabtree. These two loops also seemed to have fewer people on them than Crabtree as well. Overall I enjoyed these two loops quite a bit though I'll still be going to Crabtree as my "go to" trail and going to Beaverdam less frequently until I get stronger and my biking skills improve. I would suggest that if you're not comfortable at Crabtree yet then don't bother with these loops at Beaverdam but if you're getting the hang of Crabtree and feeling like it's getting old or easy then head out to Beaverdam and give it a try. |
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All of the trails are in pretty good shape right now. Note a very big tree down in the middle of the South Loop. | ||||||||||||||||||
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It had been about 3 yrs since I rode here last so yesterday was really nice. I rode every bit of trail there is with the two beginner northeast loops last. The drop zone isn't really "all that", meaning no real difficult sections, but it is fun and might as well be included on any trip through the south trail section. My snazzy gps enabled polar hrm says it's only about 13.7 miles. Climbing total about 1100 ft. It's too bad it isn't routed to make a couple of the climbs longer as there isn't much in the triangle area for sustained hills practice. I've ridden the entire 14 mi system in 90 minutes but 1:45 is about right for cruising/tempo and just not using the brakes much/maintaining flow. RE other post here, I don't recall any log jumps that slow the flow, in fact, the ones that are actual "jumps" are fun to just get a little air and get comfortable with the tires off the ground here and there. I suppose a person should be able to ride 100% of Lake Crabtree in 45-60 minutes and still be wanting a lot more before they go do south Beaver Dam. Although the trail across I40 from LCCP would prepare a person better for Beaver Dam's little "climbs". I don't see how people here can be listing Beaver Dam as 4 or 5 for climbing!!! It's a nice trail for music in your ears because there's no worry about on-coming riders due to the "one way" rules. |
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I love monkey butter | ||||||||||||||||||
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I am a beginner to mountain biking. Have only been riding for about 2 months. This trail kicked my a**. I dont consider myself in the best of shape but not the worst either. I can usually hang on most trails but the south trail uphills will have you begging for a break. It will really make you question if you really enjoy mountain biking. LOL The drop zone can be pretty scary. I had a good teacher with me and if not for that I doubt I would have gone down the things I did. | ||||||||||||||||||
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Fun trail. Inner (1.1mi), Outer (2.2mi), and West(2.3mi) are good beginner trails with some descents and climbs with a few roots along the way. All 3 loop back to parking lot.
If you cross the road after the west loop, you venture into the more advanced South Loop (7.3mi) South is more of an intermediate trail in terms of elevation change and distance (no bailouts). Most who ride it seem to think it usually feels longer than 7.3mi due to number of elevation changes.. But, it's not too technical (except for Advanced Drop Zone (0.9mi). Some fun drop action here, but best to avoid if you are a beginner and are not comfortable with sudden bike body position changes on technical drops). South Loop provides a nice climbing workout (for Triangle area) with elevation changes as it meanders down into several mostly dry stream runoffs that feed Falls Lake before climbing up the next hill. Regular stream areas have bridges to traverse. In some spots there are some bumpy decents, half a dozen 2"-6" logs and several 2-3ft log pyramids (pyramids have ride arounds). Overall a very fun trail, and a good workout with nice views along the lake, and sometimes reasonable chances of wildlife scenery. Due to proximity to lake and numerous streambeds, this trail often stays closed longer than other area trails after a rain. Check Beaverdam park office and Triangle MTB for latest status. |
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No detailed review given. | ||||||||||||||||||
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Great fun trail, Would flow better without the log jumps. | ||||||||||||||||||
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I really enjoyed the trail today. The wet leaves on roots definitely kept the hair up on the neck. I was looking to just do the outer or inner loop, but of course I read the sign the wrong way and ended up doing the West loop. It was fun, and I enjoyed it. More challenging than Crabtree. But both trails are a lot of fun. I am glad that some group has done all this work. I recommend it. | ||||||||||||||||||
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No detailed review given. | ||||||||||||||||||
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common chromosome."
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