CLAYTON – Clemmons Educational State Forest (ESF) located in Clayton will operate on its winter schedule beginning Nov. 1. With this transition, Clemmons ESF will be closed on weekends while public restrooms will remain open until Dec. 1. Clemmons ESF will be open weekly and the winter hours will remain in effect through the end of February. Forest hours of operation are:
- Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The forest is closed Saturday through Monday.
The forest will also be closed during designated state holidays which include Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The Watershed Extension Loop, one of four hiking trails at Clemmons ESF, reopened to the public in early October. The trail had previously been closed for clearing, excavation and construction of a gas line followed by ground cover rehabilitation to prevent erosion. Additional work along the trail will be done throughout the winter by forest staff but is not expected to impact hikers.
Clemmons ESF continues to receive program requests from public and private schools for the fall and upcoming spring season. There is still fall program availability for homeschools, scout groups and other education groups with spring program scheduling becoming available Jan. 1, 2024. Programs vary from amphitheater presentations to hikes along the Talking Tree Trail or Talking Rocks Trail, also known as the Geology Trail. There is no admission or program cost and Clemmons ESF is equipped with restrooms, independent picnic sites and a large picnic shelter.
Visitors can find more information about program options, trail and other public use area availability by visiting https://www.ncesf.org/clemmons.html or by contacting Clemmons ESF rangers at 919-553-5651.
