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MILL SPRING—To connect the community with the great outdoors, the Friends of Little White Oak Mountain, a dedicated volunteer-led nonprofit organization, is working to raise funds and gain public support for Phase 2 of the Little White Oak Mountain trail complex located at 260 Wolverine Trail. 

Friends of Little White Oak Mountain is made up of hikers, bikers, neighbors, and nature enthusiasts. This initiative aims to create an enduring space for recreation, connection, and conservation for generations to come. They seek to continue building, maintaining, and protecting the vibrant trail system, which recently debuted a new bike trail.

Since its inception, the Friends of Little White Oak Mountain has established a mission that emphasizes the importance of sustainable trail development. This organization is dedicated to promoting community well-being and preserving the stunning natural beauty of Little White Oak Mountain, ensuring that outdoor experiences are accessible to all.

In 2016, Conserving Carolina purchased 1,000 acres of Little White Oak Mountain, safeguarding it from potential development. By 2019, it had transferred 600 acres to the State of North Carolina and 300 acres to Polk County, marking the beginning of a local park’s creation. Between 2020 and 2023, Polk County Parks and Recreation conducted planning sessions to develop a vision for the area, resulting in the acquisition of an additional 140 acres, which brought the total land area to nearly 600 acres. Community feedback led to the hiring of Community Trail Design, LLC, to create a bike-optimized shared-use recreational trail system. 

Phase 2 of the project aims to extend the trail system further up the mountain. While Phase 1 introduced five miles of multi-use trails, Phase 2 envisions exciting additions, including mid-mountain intermediate loops, an advanced, higher-elevation mountain loop, a hiking-only waterfall spur, and an MTB skills area with a pump track.

Public donations will play a critical role in making this next chapter of land use development possible. Friends of Little White Oak Mountain also encourage the community to attend Board of Commissioners meetings and express their support for Phase 2, and to get involved by becoming members, volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word. 

For more information on how to participate, visit littlewhiteoakmountain.org.