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 | |
| closed | 01/21 9:27 am | fala |  |
| Category | Average Rating |
| Overall : |  4.1 / 5.0 based on 37 votes |
| Technical : |  3.2 / 5.0 based on 37 votes |
| Climbing : |  3.4 / 5.0 based on 37 votes |
| Freeride : |  1.6 / 5.0 based on 37 votes |
| Scenery/Wildlife : | 3.7 / 5.0 based on 37 votes |
| Flow : | 3.5 / 5.0 based on 28 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 $6/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 $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 $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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This trail is by far my favorite trail that I have ridden in the Raleigh area; other trails I have ridden are Harris Lake, Crabtree, Legend, and New Light. I rated the trail in respect to the other trails in the area. I wouldn't give Beaverdam perfect scores on nearly all categories if this was a national website. However, Beaverdam is a great place to go to get a solid workout in. Unlike Crabtree you won't run into large amounts of people; unlike New Light you won't get lost; and unlike all the other previously mentioned trails you'll be able to easily put in 15 miles without backtracking. Best trail in the area hands down. | ||||||||||||||||||
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I must be the only person that doesn't like this trail. Perhaps its because I ride a ss hardtail (rigid these days). There are just too many sections that are fast AND rooty at the same time that makes for an uncomfortable ride. I would probably like it more with a 4 or 5 inch full suspension. Perhaps as I get better I will enjoy it more. I dont know. Maybe its just not for everyone. I like New Light a whole lot better. Similar terrain but without as much beat up. The climbing is great compared to the other trails in the Triangle (hence the 4). It is also without a doubt the most scenic. |
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This was my first time riding Beaver Dam. It's a great trail. Much more technical then Crabtree. The Drop Zone is awesome with some nice technical areas. It's going to replace my Crabtree rides. | ||||||||||||||||||
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I love these trails. The south loop and drop zone kicks a** (literally). Intermediate riders need their A game for these sections. Its great exercise and test of skills. At over 8 miles (over 10 including the west loop)and substantial climbs your cardio will be tested. But you can crauise down to the beach afterwards and cool off w/ a dip in the lake.:) | ||||||||||||||||||
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One of the best trails in this area. This trail is very well maintained and broken in which gives it really good flow. The climbing is some of the best around this area. | ||||||||||||||||||
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I love beaver dam, I rode the south & west loops 3 to 4 times per week from june to sept. of 2010. It has a great mix of climbing and flowing downhill. I'd say about 80% of the uphill can be run with a previous downhills momentum if you don't brake, which makes it much more bearable than what you'd expect from a trail you might consider hilly for the RTP area. There is plenty of pleasant scenery along the way to view, most notably being about 1/3 into the trail along the banks of the lake. I've routinely seen deer and other animals on my rides. If you get a good pace up the south loop will take about 50 or so min to complete, which for me was perfect for a workout after work. The trails are very well maintained, only real negative is if you're there early and happen to hit it before another rider you will be covered in spider webs. |
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more climbing than expected for Raleigh, NC. We have ridden Crabtree, harris, some "umstead trails", and wilkesboro, and I think beaverdam is more on par with wilkesboro than the trails in raleigh. It is tougher and more tecnical than harris and crabtree and more climbing than "umstead trails". Overall a good trail experience. I would ride it more often if there was no gate fee during the summer | ||||||||||||||||||
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Good place to ride, flow is especially good. Layout makes the most of the location & terrain. Trails are well built and reasonably well maintained. Great for a workout. Not as technical as New Light, that's neither good nor bad, just different. There is one root drop on Drop Zone that needs some work, everything else is fine. Kudos to the trail builder(s). | ||||||||||||||||||
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No detailed review given. | ||||||||||||||||||
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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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"Messengers and mountain bikers share a
common chromosome."
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