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Smith Lake Mountain Bike Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 3.5 (27)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …Central N. Carolina
  4. …Raeford
  5. Fort Bragg Military Reservation
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“A great workout riding 12 miles through sand. ”

Preston Sparks
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10.1

Miles

16.2

KM

90%

Singletrack

258' 79 m

High

182' 55 m

Low

388' 118 m

Up

390' 119 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Family Friendly Lots of sand! But little tikes can ride most all of the trail.

Fort Bragg Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare & Recreation (DFMWR) has up to date information.

Trails open 30 min after sunrise until 30 min before sunset. Parts of Trails will be closed from April to August due to Federally Endangered Species. Night riding/hiking/running/walking is PROHIBITED. No Military ID Required for Access.

In accordance with all federal and state statutes, policy, and regulations (Ref. Endangered Species Act Penalty Schedule, Revised 12/08).

Overview

This trail combines all 4 loops in the Smith Lake Recreation Area for an 11.6 mile ride.

Description

The trails are classified as easy (green), intermediate (blue), and difficult (black/brown). In reality, green, blue, and black are all easy beginner trails. The only difficult part is tons of sand, pine cones, and pine needles that are guaranteed to throw you off your bike at some point on the ride. The green, blue, and black trails are not that much fun but are a great workout because of all the sand. Watch out for the sand!

At the bottom of most downhill sections is a deep sandy hairpin turn! The brown trail is different! The brown trail has climbs, drops, and descents with relatively less hazards than the other trails. There's even some steep technical rocky climbs. The brown trail is the only part of this ride I would do for fun and not just getting a good workout in.

From the parking area, start out on the green trail about 25 yards right of the sign. The green trails is mostly flat and firm with a couple sandy sections. Its pretty fast and smooth for the most part. There is one downhill section with deep sand at the bottom that could throw you over your handlebars if you hit it hard enough.

At the end of the green trail, follow the sign to the blue trail and this will take you across the paved road you came in on. The blue trail is pretty much like the green trail except with more ups and downs and more sand to throw you off your bike. The blue trail ends when you cross a larger firebreak and dirt road and you see signs for the black trail and theres a few crappy jumps.

The black trail is pretty much like the blue trail except for more ups and down and more sand. After a half mile or so of the black trail, you see signs for the brown trail veering off to the right.

The brown trail is the money here! This trails starts out winding through the trees on flat ground but eventually hits some hilly terrain near Smith Lake and you get techy rocky climbs, drops big enough to put a little grin on your face, a couple good jumps, and some fast descents. This is also the longest section of trail at 4 miles and there relatively less sand and hazard compared to the rest of this trail.

The brown trail ends at the black trails close to where it broke off. Finish the sandy black trail back at the paved road and head left back to the parking area.

Contacts

Land Manager: Fort Bragg DFMWR

Shared By:

Preston Sparks with improvements by Josh McKay and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 27 votes

#1

in Fort Bragg Military Reservation

#1905

Overall
  3.5 from 27 votes
5 Star
15%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
44%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
4%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Fort Bragg Military Re…

#90

in North Carolina

#1,905

Overall
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8,030 Since Aug 25, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Jump at the end of green trail on a rigid.
Mar 21, 2018 near Spring…, NC
Tall Pine, Woodpecker habitat
Jul 21, 2018 near Fort Bragg, NC
Blue Trail
Jul 21, 2018 near Spring…, NC
Creek crossing on Blue Trail
Jul 21, 2018 near Spring…, NC
The best trail at Smith Lake.
Oct 16, 2017 near Fort Bragg, NC
Fun section at the end of the Brown Trail.
Oct 16, 2017 near Fort Bragg, NC

3 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 63 days ago
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Check-Ins

Oct 18, 2024
Marcel Marta
Trail has dried up so mud is no longer an issue. Large sand pits along most of the trails make for some difficult terrain 4.5mi — 0h 45m
Oct 3, 2024
Marcel Marta
Washed out areas on red trail have been filled in, area is still very muddy 5.3mi — 0h 42m
Oct 1, 2024
Marcel Marta
Washed out trails from recent rain added a fun challenge. Brush is somewhat overgrown so bring glasses to keep branches out of your eyes. 5mi — 0h 42m
May 31, 2021
Dawson Bruce
First time ever riding since I was young and this was the best trail for it, almost every level of rider can find something here! — 16h 30m
Dec 22, 2020
Don Childrey
Also rode the Red Trail. 13.2mi
Jul 25, 2020
Cadre Rickyv
7.5mi — 0h 56m
Mar 30, 2020
Hunter Whitten
Jan 19, 2020
Mike D

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