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 | 03/11 8:09 am | fala |  |
| Category | Average Rating |
| Overall : |  4.3 / 5.0 based on 22 votes |
| Technical : |  3.2 / 5.0 based on 22 votes |
| Climbing : | 3.1 / 5.0 based on 22 votes |
| Freeride : |  1.7 / 5.0 based on 22 votes |
| Scenery/Wildlife : |  3.4 / 5.0 based on 22 votes |
| Flow : | 3.5 / 5.0 based on 13 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 $5.00 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. These passes can be purchased
at the park office Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM or beginning April 1
at the entrance stations during the day. 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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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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I've ridden most all of the trails in the Triangle and the South Loop of Beaver Dam is incredible! After a short ride - 10 minutes or so - I entered into the Drop Zone and it really kicked my a##. The descents were fast and technical and there were plenty of roots, rocks/crags to make me work that uch harder. The up side of the Drop Zone was relentless. Just when I thought I could rest after a hard, root/rock filled curvy climb...there came another one. And anoter one. And another one. I'm in good shape but found myself wondering if the climbs were ever going to end! By far my favorite trail around and well worth the $5 to get in to the park. | ||||||||||||||||||
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After riding the majority of places in the Triangle, I would say that Beaver is the second best that you get. The trails are well maintained, but not super technical. There of course is the drop zone, which is just insanely fun. There are just enough hills and snake backs to give you a great workout. I wouldn’t recommend it for the complete newbie, but after a couple rides a newbie would be fine at Beaver. | ||||||||||||||||||
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South loop is tough workout for average rider, especially after the drop zone area a couple miles in. *Beginners Beware* South loop can be brutal 1st time out, or if you're not in pretty good shape. Lots of roots and low flow make climbs tougher & can really take it out of you fast if you're not prepared. | ||||||||||||||||||
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Nice trails. You can link together a the loops to make a continuous loop of 12 miles or so.
Several short steep climbs. Some loops are flowing and fast, toward the last half of the south loop is slower and less flowing (rocky/rooty and tighter). Good place to train for cross country. All water crossings have bridges so you don't get wet when training in the colder weather. Trails are closed a little too much when wet (crabtree open more often). A big plus over crabtree is that there are generally never hikers on the trails, they are almost exclusively used by mountain bikers. |
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"Messengers and mountain bikers share a
common chromosome."
-James Bethea
