Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge Borrow Pit Technical Loop

The Borrow Pit Loop takes you deep into the Carolina Sandhills’ most challenging terrain, following abandoned roads used during the refuge’s construction in the 1930s. These routes cut through 40-foot sand dunes and longleaf pine savannas where the Civilian Conservation Corps once extracted sand for dam construction. The trail includes steep sand climbs at Pool 5 and technical descents into pond bottoms that’ll have you aired down and in 4-Low throughout the 14-mile circuit.

Expert-level difficulty due to deep sand and steep grades that catch experienced drivers off-guard. You’ll need aggressive tread, proper airing down technique, and recovery gear — getting buried here means a long walk for help. Fall through early spring offers the best conditions when sand is more compact. Special Use Permit required from refuge headquarters, and the route is only open October through March to protect nesting wildlife. No camping allowed, but the technical challenges and rare ecosystem make it worth the day trip for serious sand runners.