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Clemmons Educational State Forest, Clayton

4.8
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Must see · Forest · Nature / Park
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Clemmons Educational State Forest (CESF) is a 825-acre (3.34 km2) North Carolina State Forest in Clayton. It is North Carolina's first educational state forest, and it is operated by the North Carolina Forest Service. The site features self-guided nature trails with audio exhibit stations, the Forestry Exhibit Center with interactive exhibits about the ecology of forests, soil, water, wildlife and the state's cultural history.

There are 4 main trails with 8 miles of hiking available. The two audio trails ("Talking Trees" trail and the "Talking Rocks" trail) feature recorded messages about the history of the forest and trees as well as geology of North Carolina. The Forest Demonstration trail shows actual forestry practices, while the Watershed Extension loop features streams, hills, and other interesting sites. There are picnic sites as well as a large covered picnic shelter available for the public to use. Another interesting feature is a large 40 feet by 24 feet deck overlooking a 3-acre pond with a large map of North Carolina showing all of the river basins in the state. Children and adults enjoy feeding the fish from the deck also. Forest rangers offer education programs for school groups.
Clemmons Educational State Forest is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , custom trip planner Edition.
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Clemmons Educational State Forest reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
81 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • It is a very educational park. It is a small park in comparison to a state park, bbut it is really cool. Good trails. Nice pinic areas. Verywell maintain and clean.it is so nice to have a place like.....  more
    It is a very educational park. It is a small park in comparison to a state park, bbut it is really cool. Good trails. Nice pinic areas. Verywell maintain and clean.it is so nice to have a place like.....  more »
  • Beautiful hideaway that every family should enjoy, with or without kids. We happened upon it during our first day in NC (just moved here) and returned for a few hours. Not very busy, but you will... 
    Beautiful hideaway that every family should enjoy, with or without kids. We happened upon it during our first day in NC (just moved here) and returned for a few hours. Not very busy, but you will...  more »
Google
  • Great park. There is a neat picnic shelter, plenty of tables, a fire tower, and a lake with ducks, turtles and fish! The picnic shelter can be rented and there is a 2-sided fireplace. Bathrooms are close to the shelter.
  • We took our dogs here, on a leash, and they had a blast. It was such a beautiful and peaceful trail! There are a variety of trails to choose from. We did the Demo trail. Bring plenty of water and bug spray. It was a little humid but the trees provide plenty of shade. Make sure to keep your pets on a leash though.

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