Beaver Pond Trail and Pan Handle Loop Trail

Enter Occoneechee State Park. Note there will be an entrance fee in operation. Turn left at the main gate and follow the park road to take the first left following signs for the Horse parking area. Park in the day use area on the left hand side of horse parking area. The trailhead for Beaver Pond trail is at the far left of the parking area. Follow the green blazes taking the loop to the left. Upon closing the loop, retrace steps to the Beaver Pond trailhead. The Pan Handle trailhead is just past 2 picnic benches on the left. Follow the white blazes of the Pan Handle which starts by skirting the horse parking area and exiting by a gate and the end of the horse parking area. Take the wide horse trail to the left for about 0.5 mile. The first signpost is marked for the Pan Handle loop trail on the right hand side of the trail. Take the loop trail which loops around 4 inlets before finishing at the main trail. Although the Pan Handle main trail can be continued to its terminus, turn left on the Pan Handle main trail to return back to the horse parking area.