Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve (Raleigh)

Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve is a 146-acre City of Raleigh park on an oxbow or horseshoe-shaped bend in the Neuse River.  The site consists of upland pastures and floodplain forest along the river.  The land was farmed prior to the city's purchase in 1974.  The park was developed using sustainable practices so no water and only composting restrooms.  There are two short trails at the park as well as a connector to the Neuse River Trail, part of the Capital Area Greenway and Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Contact Information:

2900 Horseshoe Farm Road

Wake Forest, NC 27587

Phone: (919) 878-9116

Directions:

From I-540 in North Raleigh, take exit 18 for US-401 north towards Louisburg.  Turn onto US-401 north and go about 2.2 miles and turn left on Ligon Mill Road.  Drive 0.2 miles then turn left on Horseshoe Farm Road.  Go about 0.5 miles to the parking at the end.

Map:

Trails:

There are two short loop trails in the preserve, one around the open meadow and one through the bottomland flood plain forest.

Meadow Loop Trail:

The Meadow Loop Trail is a one-mile loop around the meadows, running along the woods line.

River Walk Trail:

River Walk Trail is a half-mile spur loop from Meadow Loop Trail that runs through the bottomland flood plain forest along the Neuse River.

Points of Interest:

Farmhouse:

The farmhouse is located just south of the picnic shelter.  It is open for limited hours on Thursdays and Sundays.

Wildlife:

American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

External Links:

Raleigh Parks and Recreation website: https://raleighnc.gov/places/horseshoe-farm-nature-preserve