The Shelters......

There are 3 shelters along the trail.

Check the forum for the most up todate information on trail condtions, shelters and water availability at the shelters.

  • Copperhead Landing Shelter is 3.5 miles from the start of the trail at Pine Cliffs Recreation Area (Northern terminus) and is a great place to take a break. If you are hiking south the shelter will be off to your right about 50 ft from the trail. Look for the tree with the blue blaze. It has an excellent view of Cahoogue Creek.

  • Dogwood Camp is located 0.75 miles South from Hwy 101. This shelter is off the trail and just about impossible to see from the trail due to the undergrowth. Look for the sign stating you are .75 miles from Hwy 101. Turn around and you will see a tree with 2 blue circular blazes next to a side trail. The shelter is a couple of hundred feet down the trail.

  • Black Jack Lodge is located 0.75 miles north from Mill Creek Road and located a few hundred feet off of trail. The shelter is to the left of the trail if you are hiking north and is visible from the trail. the pump.

  • The shelters are similar to the Appalachian Trail shelters, 3 sides, roof and open front and large enough for about 3 adults. The official brochure says the shelter will hold 5 people. 5 people could fit but it would a very tight squeeze especially when you consider the gear each will be carrying. The floor space inside the shelters is way to small to set up a tent inside the shelter or hang a hammock (hikers along the Applachian Trail have been known to set up tents and or hang hammocks inside the AT shelters).

  • The shelters are on a raised wood floor. The design should protect you from all but the most severe rain storms.

  • Each shelter has a hand operated water pump and a fire grill. I recommend that to be on the safe side you should bring your own water. You will also find some water jugs at the shelters that you can use to prime the water pumps if they are dry. Please refill the jugs if you use them. I drink the water from the pumps as is and do not treat it.

  • There are not any picnic tables or restrooms at the shelters.

  • Each shelter has a log book so you can leave your comments and read what other hikers have written.

  • There are no trash cans at the shelters so please pack out your trash.

  • Plenty of room to spread a tent or hang a hammock next to the shelters or along much of the trail. You can camp anywhere along the trail you want although the underbrush and bogs will limit the areas you can actually camp at. This trail is well suited for hammock campers. I like to hang along the Neuse River for the views.

Click on images for larger picture

Cooperhead Landing Coperhead Landing Copperhead Landing

Dogwood Camp Dogwood Camp Dogwood Camp

Black Jack Lodge Black Jack Lodge Blackjack Lodge

Black Jack Lodge Water Pump Approaching Black Jack Lodge and a water pump