Distance: 3.1 miles out-and-back (see Trail Updates)
Degree of difficulty: Easy
Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail
Hike 29 of the MST 40 Hike Challenge introduces the hiker to the interesting ecological phenomena of the Carolina bay. These elliptical depressions are typically water filled and provide a prime location for an abundance of flora and wildlife. The name “bay” is in recognition of the Red, Sweet and Loblolly bay trees that surround these bodies of water. The Jones Lake bay, located in Bladen County, encompasses over 224 acres.
This hike has been updated (2021) since the 40 Hike Challenge guide was originally published in 2020. Due to a missing bridge, the recommended trail for this day hike no longer begins at the Turnbull Education Forest- instead, it begins at Jones Lake State Park Visitor Center.
Please always check the Mountains to Sea Trail website for trail updates before setting out. Whether it’s a day hike, section or thru hike, you can be confident that the Friends of the Mountains to sea trail keep their website guides up to date. For this day hike, most people will be walking an out -and-back.
The trail starts at the Jones Lake State Park Visitor’s Center where there is ample parking, water and restrooms. The trail begins to the left of a large picnic pavilion and boat ramp and continues into the woods as it follows the Bay Trail in a clockwise direction around the lake.
In the first section of trail, there are a couple of access points providing excellent views of the lake, including an impressive fishing pier. Due to the acidity of the lake, fish species are limited and shore fishing is restricted to the fishing piers.
The MST continues on the Bay trail and shortly after passing the campground area, it joins with an old dirt road. This area has all the hallmarks of a walk through a coastal forest including sandy roads, pine trees and dense thickets.
As the trail continues, it veers further away from the lake and begins to border the Bladen Lakes Game Lands. The trail in this area, rejoins an old dirt road. The MST continues to the left through an iron gate and into Bladen Lakes State Forest Game Land on the J.C. Butler Trail. Check the North Carolina hunting season calendar and be sure to wear blaze orange. I chose to turn around at this point and see what the Visitor’s Center had to offer.
The lake is very active in the summer with plenty of activities available including swimming, picnicking and canoe rentals. A boat launch is available as well with a limit of 10hp. The Visitor’s Center contains a self-guided exhibit explaining the different theories about the bay formations as well as information regarding plant and animal life in the area.
Overall, this is a very easy hike on a soft surface with little to no elevation changes. You can customize the length depending on how adventurous you are.
A complete list of the 40 Hikes and their Blog Posts can be found here
40 Hike Challenge Blue Ridge Parkway Conserving Carolina Falls Lake Hickory Nut Gorge Hiking Lake Lure Linville Gorge Mountains to Sea Mount Mitchell North Carolina Trails