Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve Adventures

Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve spans approximately 915 acres in the Sandhills region of southern North Carolina near Southern Pines. This preserve safeguards one of the state's best remaining examples of an old-growth longleaf pine forest, a habitat once widespread across the Southeast but now rare due to development and logging. Featuring sandy, drought-prone soils typical of the Sandhills, the preserve supports an array of specialized plants and animals adapted to this environment, including wiregrass, turkey oak, and pine barren wildlife. Ecologically significant, the area functions as an outdoor classroom and research site, managed by the NC Botanical Garden. Historically, the preserve's pines are remnants of forests that once covered much of the region, maintained by periodic natural fires and controlled burns today to sustain ecosystem health. Visitors can enjoy nine miles of well-marked hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty that wind through pine stands, mixed hardwoods, and open sand ridges. Birdwatchers may spot species like the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, a rare resident relying on mature pine trees. The preserve also attracts naturalists, photographers, and those seeking peaceful forest walks. Educational displays at the trailhead highlight ecological features and management efforts. Weymouth Woods stands out for its preservation of a declining ecosystem and offers a quiet, immersive experience in North Carolina's unique Sandhills region.