Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center Trail is a 3.2 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Four Oaks, North Carolina that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from October until March. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
birding
camping
fishing
hiking
road biking
walking
horseback riding
forest
views
wild flowers
wildlife
Howell Woods is located in Four Oaks, NC and is owned by Johnston Community College. The trails are great for hiking and bird watching and normally take 1-3 hours or more. There are many short trails that can be combined to make a nice loop. This is a fine place to take children as all of the trails are well marked and flat. There are lots of birds for bird watchers and several viewing platforms for watching the birds. It is not a good place for someone looking for a challenge, but it is a nice relaxing place to spend an afternoon. The visitor center has a small garden with native plants and a small area with injured hawks and owls.
We got there and no one was around to help. turns out you have to call ahead if you want to ride horses there. And it's $10 per horse. So if you want a spur of the moment ride, this isn't the place.
birds behind the visitor center worth the trip, trails not maintained, damaged walkways unable to complete some trails because of muddy or flooded areas . Trails available for horseback riding, pond for fishing, cabin rentals, firing range, hunting , summer education. cool place for all those activities not so much if u want a good hike....
While the trails are easy to walk, the map is inadequate, many smaller cross trails are not sign posted and do not appear on the map. It is therefore difficult to figure out the main trail and easy to get lost.
There was a sign at the entrance that said the park was closed due to flooding, ice, winter, etc....We probably would've hiked it anyway, but they never unlocked the game, so I'm sure they meant business. Cool birds of prey behind the building though!
First, the snakes and birds in the Learning Center were awesome! The best reason to go back. But we originally went to this trail because we hoped it wouldn't be closed post-hurricane. Some of the trails were closed without any posting and no guidance from the office staff. Not really sure if there was much to see, but can't really say either.
Several large, dirt paths with smaller tails that branch off. Good for an easy hike.
Not bad for the kids.
Planning to try this soon.
Well planned trails for a good learning environment. Great hike with the kids.
Nice relaxing walk
Very nice and well maintained.
easy trail with multiple habitats. multiple trails at Howell Woods, some more rugged than others. Watch out for wild pigs further back in.