The Rudolph Howell & Son Environmental Learning Center, or Howell Woods, is a unique 2,800-acre natural resource designed to provide excellent educational experiences while fostering environmental stewardship.
I have taught geocaching in conjunction through their summer education program for several years.
Located around the Learning Center building is a diverse network of short and long trails called the Learning Center Habitat Diversity Hiking Trails. The 15 separate trails that make up this trail system are some of the best trails for bird watching on the property and are a feature of the North Carolina Birding Trail. We have now added geocaches. The shortest trail is a mere tenth of a mile, while the longest is 3/4 mile in length.
All trails at Howell Woods are flat and six feet wide. Some are improved dirt or gravel trails while others are mostly mowed natural vegetation. Many may be extremely damp/wet or "soft" depending on weather conditions. Bikes are permitted on most of the trails – follow the signs that will provide information if a bike is allowed as some of the short spurs only permit walking,
No user fee is charged for trail access. The Habitat Diversity Trail system is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. Other walking trails may be closed during scheduled hunts. Trail status is posted on the information board at the Learning Center where you will need to sign in to be on the trails. YOU must sign the sheet to notify management that you are on the property – for geocaching – circle other for reason to be on the trails and write geocaching.