Trails Information
Unrivaled ecological diversity
Trek through Village Creek State Park and encounter life in rare variety. Yucca and prickly pear cactus grow only a short walk from swamps of cypress and tupelo. Wood ducks feed in backwater sloughs as a hooded warbler sings from a nearby tree. From towering longleaf pines to small carnivorous sundews, park life presents a wondrous array of contrasts.
Trails
All trails are hiking and biking unless otherwise indicated.
This list may not include all trails in the park.
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Description |
| Beechwood Trail | 0.1 mi. | Easy | Travel from the picnic area to the Loblolly and Water Oak trails. |
| Bike/Fitness Trail | 0.5 mi. | Moderate | Interactive fitness stations are located along the trail for stretching and strength training. |
| Lil' Paws Nature Trail | 0.1 mi. | Easy | Right off the playground, this short trail is designed with children in mind. |
| Loblolly Trail | 0.1 mi. | Easy | Cut through to the Water Oak Trail from the main parking lot. |
| River Birch Trail | 0.2 mi. | Easy | Use this spur to connect the Village Creek Trail with the Water Oak Trail and see more of the park. |
| Tupelo Trail | 0.8 mi. | Moderate | Access from the Village Creek Trail. You'll leave the shore of the creek and see the bottomland forest and backwater sloughs. |
| Village Creek Trail | 2.2 mi. | Challenging | Follow beautiful Village Creek and end up at our famous sandbar for a picnic or a dip in the cool water. |
| Village Slough Outer Loop | 1.0 mi. | Moderate | This trail offers a peaceful stroll along Village Slough then curves into sandy lands featuring longleaf pines and grasses. |
| Village Slough Inner Loop | 0.5 mi. | Moderate | Access from the Village Slough Outer Loop. This trail provides a shorter path along Village Slough. |
| Water Oak Trail | 2.4 mi. | Moderate | View everything from prickly pear cactus and yucca in the pine savanna to cypress and tupelo in the bottomland swamps. |
| Longleaf Loop | 0.9 mi. | Moderate | New trail that offers up-close view of 37-acre longleaf pine savanna restoration in progress. |
| Yaupon Loop | 0.9 mi. | Easy | Access from the Water Oak Trail. This loop adds an additional mile of scenery through an established longleaf pine savanna restoration area. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | Description |
| Canoe Launch | 30.2553° | -94.1710° | The canoe launch provides excellent access to the creek for your canoe or kayak. |
| Sapsucker Tree | 30.2550° | -94.1694° | Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, birds in the woodpecker family, made the holes in this tree. The holes ooze sap that attracts insects eaten by the birds. |
| Longleaf Pine Savanna Restoration | 30.2520° | -94.1748° | This 37-acre area is being restored to its original longleaf pine with understory of grasses and forbs. |
| Beaver Swamp | 30.2609° | -94.1638° | Swamps act as natural filters for water and provide homes for a wide variety of wildlife, including the American beaver which can occasionally be spotted here. |
Staying Safe
- Know your limits. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body loses fluid quickly when you're on the trail. Bring a quart of water per hour of activity.
- Tell others where you'll be. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Wear a helmet. When mountain biking, check with park headquarters to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- Check for trail closures. Certain trails may be closed during prescribed burns or for other resource management work.
- Potentially harmful plants and animals live here. You'll see them more easily if you stay on trails.
Trail Etiquette
- Trash your trash. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace.
- Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick. Please do not feed them.
- Take only memories and pictures. Please don't disturb or remove any of the park's plants, animals or artifacts.
- Keep pets on leashes to keep them safe, and to protect wildlife.
- We need to know about your caches. Please check with park headquarters before placing geocaches within the park.
- Use only your muscles. To protect park resources, no motor vehicles are allowed on the trail.
