Long Creek is the easy walk to keep in your pocket when a longer loop will not suit the day. The paved path runs about a quarter mile through bottomland woods, with the creek and its wildlife close enough to make a short stop worthwhile.
Distance: 0.26 mile
Allow: roughly 20 minutes, longer if you stop
Use: foot traffic only
Surface: paved and described by the Forest Service as accessible
Find it on the map
Long Creek is in the Woodlands Nature Watch trail system near Woodlands Nature Station. Open the official Nature Station trail map before driving; it shows the Long Creek route and its access point separately from the other Nature Watch loops. Do not use the Honker or Hematite trailhead simply because those walks share a map.
Why choose it
This is the choice for a quick nature break or a group with mixed walking abilities. The paved tread passes sycamores and other bottomland trees. Accessibility describes the trail surface, not a guarantee that every visitor will find every approach, parking space or temporary condition suitable. Check current access if that distinction matters to your party.
For a longer walk in the same part of LBL, compare the Hematite Lake loop or Honker Lake loop. Neither is a substitute for this paved route.
Download the official Nature Station trails map (PDF) · Check current Forest Service alerts · Browse all LBL maps