Overlook Loop

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views

This two-mile loop hike provides visitors with a relatively short but complete sample of what R. B. Winter State Park has to offer. The true gem of this loop is the overlook around the 0.3-mile mark off the McCall Dam Road/Central Mountains Trail just north and uphill from the snowmobile, mountain bike, and equestrian trailhead parking area, where this hike starts.

For visitors short on time, the overlook is worth a short out-and-back.

This loop continues up the road past the continuation of the Overlook Trail to find the Boiling Spring Trail, which gradually traverses east through the woods toward the entrance for the Old Tram Trail, Rocky Corner Trail, and Old Boundary Trail.

Though the trails in this area can be traveled in either direction, this clockwise loop heads up the steep climb to the overlook first so that visitors can head back down the same way for a much shorter out-and-back.

From the overlook, however, this hike continues north along the road, passing the turnoff for the Overlook Trail to find the Boiling Spring Trail just past the 0.5-mile mark.

Turn right (east) to follow the Boiling Spring Trail toward a powerline cut where you'll pass entrances for the Old Tram Trail and Overlook Trail. As the Boiling Spring Trail bends to the right (south), you'll pass the Rocky Corner Trail and then arrive at the same powerline cut again, where the Old Boundary Trail heads left. Stay to the right on the Boiling Spring Trail until you arrive at the Sand Mountain Road.

Turn right (west) onto the Sand Mountain Road for an easy and flat return to the parking area.

Oak, pine, songbirds, woodpeckers, squirrels.