N.C. Forest Service - State Forests in North Carolina

Location: Elizabethtown (Bladen County)

Bladen Lakes State Forest (BLSF) covers more than 33,000 acres, making it one of the largest state-owned forests in North Carolina. BLSF is designated as a self-sustaining demonstration forest, a “show me” forest, designed to demonstrate operational techniques in reforestation, prescribed fire, road construction, logging, forest product utilization, etc. BLSF is also a working forest, actively managed and creating its own income.

Location: Cedar Mountain (Transylvania County)

DuPont State Recreational Forest, the state’s first recreational forest, is managed primarily for natural resource preservation, scenic enjoyment and a variety
of recreational purposes including hunting and fishing. DSRF spans more than 12,000 acres and includes wooded slopes and granitic domes ranging in elevations from 2,240 feet at Hooker Falls to 3,620 feet at Stone Mountain. Unique ecological communities, lakes, waterfalls along Little River and Grassy Creek, and a multiuse trail system are also found within this forest.

Location: Near Brevard (Transylvania County)

Opened in 2018, Headwaters State Forest is one of the newest state forests in North Carolina. It combines natural resource conservation objectives while providing low-impact, dispersed recreational opportunities for residents. The nearly 7,000-acre property is rugged and remote without public facilities. Visitors should have contingency plans prepared before starting any foot travel activity in Headwaters State Forest.

The N.C. Forest Service operates six educational state forests (ESFs) designed to teach the public, especially school children, about the forest environment.

Each ESF features self-guided trails, tree identification signs, a forest education center and a “Talking Tree” trail. Educational forest rangers are available to conduct classes compatible with teaching objectives listed in the N.C. Department of Public Instruction science curriculum for school and other youth groups.

• Clemmons Educational State Forest
  Location: Clayton (Johnston County)
• Holmes Educational State Forest
  Location: Hendersonville (Henderson County)
• Jordan Lake Educational State Forest
  Location: Chapel Hill (Chatham County)
• Mountain Island Educational State Forest
  Location: Stanley (Gaston County)
• Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest
  Location: Elizabethtown (Bladen County)
• Tuttle Educational State Forest
  Location: Lenoir (Caldwell County)