Jordan Lake State Recreation Area – Old Oak Trail

For one of the most beloved family-friendly hikes at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, the Old Oak Trail is a real treasure. Set at the Ebenezer Church Access — the same trailhead as its sister Ebenezer Church Trail — this beloved 1-mile loop runs between Apex, NC and Pittsboro, NC through a mature hardwood forest with views of the broader 14,000-acre Jordan Lake reservoir.

The trail’s combination of easy terrain, mature forest character, an old farm pond, and built-in flexibility makes it one of the most accessible nature experiences in Wake County. Be sure to check out the YouTube video, pictures, and related content below to get a feel for the Old Oak Trail before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A 1-Mile Loop Through Mature Hardwood Forest

The Old Oak Trail starts from the Area A parking lot near picnic shelter #8 at the Ebenezer Church Access. The 1-mile loop winds through relatively easy terrain, making it suitable for families, casual walkers, and visitors of all ages.

True to the trail’s name, the route moves through stands of established oaks and other hardwoods that have developed a substantial canopy over decades. The shaded forest, well-maintained surface, and clear signage make it one of the more approachable hikes anywhere in the broader Jordan Lake trail system.

Lake Glimpses, an Old Farm Pond, and Wildlife

Despite its short distance, the Old Oak Trail offers a layered look at the broader Jordan Lake ecosystem. Views of the 14,000-acre reservoir open through the trees at several points along the route, and the trail also passes a quiet old farm pond — a remnant of the area’s pre-reservoir agricultural past that predates Jordan Lake’s 1982 creation.

The mature hardwood habitat supports year-round bald eagle sightings that make Jordan Lake widely noted among birders, along with white-tailed deer, songbirds, waterfowl, and other piedmont wildlife throughout the surrounding forest.

Built-in Flexibility — Shortcut and Ebenezer Church Trail Connector

The Old Oak Trail’s most distinctive practical feature is its built-in flexibility. A shortcut path lets hikers complete a shorter version of the loop, while a connector path links to the neighboring Ebenezer Church Trail — a 1-mile loop with historic church remnants from the late 1820s. The combined Old Oak + Ebenezer Church experience totals approximately 2 miles, with additional historical context from the pre-1982 Ebenezer Church site.

For a complete walkthrough of all the trails available at Jordan Lake, check out our blog post Exploring Nature: The Best Hiking Trails at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.

Good to Know

• Distance: 1-mile loop (with shortcut option for a shorter hike)
• Difficulty: Easy — gentle, family-friendly terrain
• Location: Within Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, between Apex, NC and Pittsboro
• Trailhead: Ebenezer Church Access — Area A parking lot near picnic shelter #8
• Terrain: Mature hardwood forest with shaded canopy
• Distinctive features: Glimpses of Jordan Lake’s 14,000-acre reservoir; an old farm pond from the pre-reservoir era
• Wildlife: Year-round bald eagles, white-tailed deer, songbirds, waterfowl, small mammals
• Signage: Clearly marked throughout
• Trail flexibility: Built-in shortcut path for a quicker hike; connector path to Ebenezer Church Trail for an extended experience
• Best for: Families with young children, casual hikers, birdwatchers, and visitors looking for a short, accessible outdoor experience near the Triangle
• For more details: See our blog post Exploring Nature: The Best Hiking Trails at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area and the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Trail List
• Pair with: A longer day at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, a walk through downtown Apex, or a broader Wake County day combining the trail with Raleigh cultural stops like the North Carolina Museum of Art

An Apex Highlight

The Old Oak Trail is the kind of stop that stays with you for the trees. Walking beneath the mature hardwood canopy — with an old farm pond quietly persisting from a landscape that existed before Jordan Lake was here at all — the trail carries a quiet historical layering that gives even the shortest visit a sense of depth.

The built-in flexibility is what makes the trail so easy to fit into a broader day. A shortcut path for very young walkers, a connector to the Ebenezer Church Trail for hikers who want more — the Old Oak Trail rewards visitors at whatever length they choose.

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Resources

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Website

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Location

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Social Media

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