Hard Times Trailhead — Attraction in North Carolina

Really fun gravel bike ride up and down some twisty forest paths. If you're looking for a fun trail to ride on a gravel bike, make sure to give this one a try. It's a pretty well maintained gravel path that twists up the tree line path to the blue ridge parkway, then you can cruise back down the same way or down towards the arboretum (make sure it's open because the gates close at certain times). Even during and after rain the trail is in great shape, without much deep mud, but you and you're bike will get dirty for sure, while having a smile across your face. Many great bike trails...

This is a good spot to start a mountain bike or hike to Lake Powhatan about 3/4 mile, the Blue Ridge Parkway 3-1/4 miles, or free parking (I just saved you $12 if you don't mind the walking) into the NC Arboretum 1-1/2 miles. You better take note as to the trails you want to be on because they are not marked well. Most trails are service roads so they are wide. This is good if you come across some mountain bikes. Parking is hard to find at busy time but there is a overflow lot along the road. The out house (gag me) needs to be demolished...

This is a great parking area for biking or hiking in Bent Creek State Park. There are many different trails and gravel roads that connect to this trailhead. Bent Creek is easy to navigate and normally has a lot of people biking and hiking. The parking lot at the Hard Times Trailhead has a bathroom that does not smell good but is a concrete building/room. The parking is small and can be very crowded. There are a lot of trails that connect back to the Trailhead that lead back to this parking lot so it is a good starting point...