🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Ancient Longleaf Forest — 898-acre old-growth longleaf pine forest — the finest remaining example in the NC Sandhills with trees over 300 years old
Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve protects 898 acres of old-growth longleaf pine forest in the Sandhills region of Moore County — the finest remaining example of this once-dominant ecosystem. Some longleaf pines here are over 300 years old — towering 100+ feet above a fire-maintained understory of wiregrass, wildflowers, and rare plants. The Sandhills region is a band of ancient sand dunes deposited when the Atlantic Ocean shoreline was 30 miles further inland (3 million years ago!). The preserve is home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker — which nests exclusively in living longleaf pines.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Moore County, NC (Sandhills!) |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Size | 898 acres old-growth! |
| Trees | 300+ year old longleaf pines! |
| Sand | 3 MILLION year old dunes! |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do longleaf pines need fire?
Longleaf pines evolved with frequent fire — lightning strikes naturally ignited the wiregrass understory every 2–5 years. Fire eliminates competing hardwood seedlings (which can’t survive fire), maintaining the open, park-like forest. Without fire, hardwoods crowd out the longleaf and the entire ecosystem collapses. The preserve conducts regular prescribed burns.
Why do longleaf pines need fire?
Longleaf pine evolved with fire — lightning-sparked fires swept through Southeastern forests every 1-3 years for millennia. Young longleaf pines survive fire in a “grass stage” (growing roots underground for years before shooting up rapidly). Fire kills competing hardwoods but not fire-resistant longleaf. Without fire, oaks and other hardwoods shade out longleaf seedlings. Prescribed burning is now essential for maintaining these ecosystems.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Weymouth Woods-Sandhills NP is a short drive away, and Carvers Creek State Park is within about an hour’s drive.
Insider Tips
Old-growth longleaf: Weymouth Woods preserves one of the finest remaining stands of old-growth longleaf pine in NC — some trees are 300+ years old. Pro tip: The longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem is one of the most fire-dependent on Earth — without regular fire, hardwoods overtake the pines. Red-cockaded woodpecker: Weymouth is home to active red-cockaded woodpecker colonies.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Post-burn wildflower explosion. Year-round: Nature center and trails. Fall: Wiregrass golden. Winter: Open understory views.
Wildlife & Nature
Weymouth Woods SNP — 898 acres — preserves old-growth longleaf pine forest in the Sandhills. Some pines are over 300 years old. The preserve is home to red-cockaded woodpeckers (endangered) — one of the most accessible places in NC to observe them. Fox squirrels and pine snakes inhabit the open forest.
Nearby Attractions
Southern Pines — adjacent. Pinehurst — 5 miles west — the “Home of American Golf”. Fort Bragg (Fort Liberty) — 20 miles north.
Park Location
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