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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| Category | Average Rating |
| Overall : |  4.0 / 5.0 based on 73 votes |
| Technical : |  3.2 / 5.0 based on 73 votes |
| Climbing : |  3.4 / 5.0 based on 73 votes |
| Freeride : |  1.8 / 5.0 based on 73 votes |
| Scenery/Wildlife : | 3.8 / 5.0 based on 73 votes |
| Flow : | 3.4 / 5.0 based on 64 votes |
Description
Location: North Raleigh,
near Falls Lake
Miles: 15 miles
Skill Level:
Beginner to Intermediate
Contact:
Park office (984) 867-8000 (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 $7/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, April, September and October 8:00AM-7:30PM
May, June, July, August 8:00AM-8:30PM
Fees
There is a $7.00 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 $50.00. 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 love this trail because it is right next to Falls Lake, and you can see the lake during parts of the ride. The outer and west loops are fun but challenging enough for a late beginner/intermediate rider. I think this trail has a good amount of flow but not as much as Brumley or Crabtree. The flow is interrupted more with some rocks and roots. | ||||||||||||||||||
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This trail is definitely not for beginners. There are tons of roots everywhere and hardly any flow. Inner and outer loop are not well kept and very treacherous. West and South loops are the ones you want to hit. Bring a full suspension bike and some triceps. Don't bring a beginner or come here until you/they have conquered Crabtree and/or Williamson Preserve. This trail will work you hard even if you're an advanced rider. I would say that 11 miles here is the equivalent of 20+ at Umstead. Make sure your bike has a more aggressive thread to punch through the pine needles and leaves. Bald or low profile threads will make you waste a lot of energy and you will gas out pretty quickly. Overall this is a fun challenging trail but be prepared to work hard. |
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This review was written by someone who thinks that Warrior creek is the most gnarly trail on the planet, so please keep that in mind. OK. Did north and south loops, which was about 12 miles/1200' climbing. South loop is why you will come here again, so I'll probably not waste my time with north anymore. South loop is rootier than Harris, with much more climbing. This is not a tech trail by any measure, but there are switchback climbs and just a buttload of roots that will probably challenge everyone. There are so many flowy, albeit short downhill sections that made me smile, even though I was totally gassed. Pro tip: don't eat a bunch of sausage and other heavy stuff before tackling this trail. Also: bring a power bar or other energy food of your choice. There's a section called "Drop Zone" with some cool whoops and a couple of drops. There's a really good one that you could air out, but the trees in the landing area are pretty damn close, so watch out. So I'll look forward to coming here again. It was really fun, and would be even better if I brought my A-game. Saw a guy with a rigid SS who did South loop. I almost asked for his autograph. I mean wow. New Light fans will find this trail a bit pedestrian for their liking. Crabtree graduates will surely be wowed. |
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I rode the West, South and Trails this morning at Beaver Dam. These trails are almost 11 miles of more advanced single track than the Inner and Outer Loops. There's over 1,200 feet of climbing and lots of dips and fast down hills, but no serious obstacles. The Drop Zone is basically a lot of steep drops into a deep gully and crazy hard climb outs via headwalls and root ladders. This was a good work out for this 71 year old. | ||||||||||||||||||
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This was such a good ride. I rode the South Loop which is pretty long! But riding it at a pretty quick pace made for an exciting ride. Several sudden drops and dips at speed forced me to stay alert. Quite a bit of climbing, so be prepared for a workout... although not quite as much compared to the full loop at New Light or OC. It's not clear on this page, but you cannot park at the entrance to the South Loop. You either need to ride the street surface within Beaverdam State Rec Area or ride half of the West Loop to get to it. My skill/fitness level is advanced intermediate (not setting any KOMs, though... generally upper 20% on Strava segments), and it took me 1hr 18 mins to ride part of the West Loop, full South Loop (skipped Drop Zone), and then streets back to parking (skipped 2nd half of West Loop because of time). Definitely plan for 1.5-2hrs to do full West and South Loops! |
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Great set of trails but you may have to pace yourself if intending to ride all trails. I usually ride outer, inner, and west loops and then head to South loop, sometimes regretting riding the first 3 trails. South Loop is long. Lots of up and down hill on South Loop also. Takes about 30 minutes to drive out from downtown Raleigh. The fall foliage when driving out Creedmoor Road is beautiful if you can time it right (mid-afternoon is best) at the time the leaves are peaking around other parts of the Triangle. | ||||||||||||||||||
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More of a beginner trail with no real features or tech and more just climbing. Not a ton of downhill either so very bland. Great if you want to build your stamina or are a beginner trying to get your footing in the sport | ||||||||||||||||||
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this trail was really pretty fun. If you like some distance to work with this is a good trail for you. The only real technical part are some uphill roots ( understand I did not get to the full southside because of time) there are some flowy parts but also a lot of roots to navigate on straight aways. there is some climbing but nothing overly intense. lots of fun quick drops and everyone must go in same direction which is really nice. The view by the lake is really nice. | ||||||||||||||||||
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Beaver Dam is beautiful with great views of the lake. Flow would be better if more people rode it to get rid of the pinestraw. Some punchy climbs and mileage. | ||||||||||||||||||
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What a great place to ride your mtb bike really nice single track... | ||||||||||||||||||
"Messengers and mountain bikers share a
common chromosome."
-James Bethea
