Carvins Cove Natural Reserve Description
Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is the second largest municipal park in the country.
Within its 12,700 acres, are opportunities for a wide
variety of outdoor activities. Boating, fishing, and canoeing are available on the picturesque 800 acre lake. Canoe and paddleboat rentals are available at
the Boat Dock offices. Also, a large picnic area overlooking the lake is located at the Boat Dock.
The hilly terrain surrounding the lake offers over 40 miles of biking, hiking and equestrian trails.
Carvins Cove has a wide variety of singletrack trails, ranging from fast, smooth flowing trails to technical, rocky terrain.
In addition, there are miles and miles of fire roads offering long steady cardio climbs.
The Appalachian Trail follows the park boundary along the nortern half of the park.
NOTE: When mountain biking bench-cut trails along some of the steeper hillsides, stay along the inner edge of the trail.
The outer edge is soft along many sections and has the potential of giving way.
We noticed these conditions on the following trails: Buck, The Trough, and The Gauntlet.
NOTE: Pick up a day pass before driving to the Carvins Cove Rd parking lot. Passes can be purchased at the Boat Dock offices and at some of the
bike shops in the area. Please check the county website for more information.
Quick Facts