Martin Marietta Park – Island Pond Trail

For one of the most distinctive trails in Craven County, the Island Pond Trail at Martin Marietta Park in New Bern, NC is a real gem. This 1.75-mile loop meanders through the former limestone quarry that has been transformed into one of the most rewarding parks in eastern North Carolina, with scenic views of two of the park’s lakes and a quiet wooded section that sets it apart from the rest of the trail network. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the trail before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A 1.75-Mile Loop Through Pines and Past Two Lakes

The Island Pond Trail offers an easy, flat 1.75-mile loop that takes hikers, bikers, and trail runners through a particularly varied section of Martin Marietta Park. The route delivers stunning views of two of the park’s lakes — making it one of the most rewarding shorter trails in the park for scenery alone.

What truly sets Island Pond apart is its wooded section lined with pine trees — a quiet, shaded corridor that’s unique among the park’s trails. The change in scenery from open lake views to the cool, fragrant feel of a pine forest gives the loop a satisfying variety in just under two miles.

Accessibility and Trail Surface

Most of the Island Pond Trail features a gravel-and-sand surface that’s accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The wooded sections, however, transition into a more natural surface of leaves and pine needles — a charming and atmospheric stretch, but one that may pose a challenge for visitors using wheels.

Benches are placed along the trail for rest stops, and the trail is dog-friendly, welcoming leashed pets. Like most of the park’s trails, the Island Pond trail offers limited shade outside the pine corridor, so sunscreen, a hat, and water are recommended on sunny days.

A Standout for Wildlife Watching

The combination of two lake views, pine forest cover, and quiet stretches makes the Island Pond Trail one of the best wildlife-watching trails in Martin Marietta Park. During our own visit, we spotted a bald eagle along the trail — a remarkable reminder of just how rich the park’s wildlife habitat has become since the quarry’s transformation. Wading birds, ospreys, herons, and songbirds are also common sights along the route, particularly in the early morning and evening hours.

Connecting with the Park’s Wider Trail Network

For visitors looking to extend their outing, the Island Pond Trail easily connects with the Dragonfly Trail for a longer hike around the park. The two trails together offer one of the best combined experiences in Martin Marietta Park.

Good to Know

Length: 1.75-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy, flat terrain
Surface: Mostly gravel and sand (wheelchair- and stroller-friendly); wooded sections have a natural surface of leaves and pine needles
Distinctive feature: Wooded section lined with pine trees — unique among the park’s trails
Views: Two of the park’s lakes
Activities: Hiking, biking, trail running, birdwatching
Pets: Leashed dogs welcome
Amenities: Benches positioned along the trail
Shade: Limited outside the pine corridor — sunscreen, a hat, and water recommended
Wildlife spotted on our visit: Bald eagle
Pair with: A connecting walk on the Dragonfly Trail for a longer outing. See our hiker’s guide to Martin Marietta Park for the full trail network
Located inside Martin Marietta Park in New Bern, NC

A Martin Marietta Park Highlight

The Island Pond Trail is the kind of trail that rewards visitors who appreciate variety. The two lake views, the unique pine corridor, the easy walking distance, and the genuine richness of the wildlife along the way all add up to one of the most consistently rewarding shorter trails anywhere in the park. Whether you’re walking with family, biking with friends, scanning for bald eagles, or stringing it together with the Dragonfly Trail for a longer day out, this is one of the most distinctive trails you can walk in Martin Marietta Park.