The Rudolph Howell & Son Environmental Learning Center, or Howell Woods, is a unique 2,800-acre natural resource owned and operated by Johnston Community College designed to provide excellent educational experiences while fostering environmental stewardship. At Howell Woods, you can experience a variety of environmental education programs and recreational activities. Go hiking, dog walking, camping, canoeing, bird watching, hunting, fishing, and more!

Watch the recent NC Weekend episode titled "Get Outside" that aired from Howell Woods.

What Makes Us Different?

Howell Woods incorporates hunting, outdoor recreation, wildlife, and forestry management, as well as ongoing environmental research across its professionally maintained hardwood wetlands habitat. Children, adults, and families can explore and discover native birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, freshwater fishes and numerous plant species in the natural wetlands atmosphere. At Howell Woods, you can find a number of trails for hiking, horseback riding, dog walking, and biking; ponds and creeks for canoeing and fishing; sites for camping; as well as controlled hunting areas for feral pig, deer, waterfowl, squirrel, and wild turkey.

Natural Communities

Howell Woods contains a great diversity of habitats and wildlife species within 2,800+ acres situated between the Neuse River and Hannah and Mill Creeks. The property consists of over 1,600 acres of bottomland hardwood forests, over 600 acres of mixed hardwood/pine, nearly 400 acres of pine forest (both longleaf and loblolly type), and nearly 100 acres of early successional habitat. Plus a new 60+ acre wildlife and outdoor recreation lake surrounded by roughly 20 acres of upland early successional and marsh/wetland habitats.

What to Know Before You Go - updated 5/24/24

Map Info: during hours that staff are on-site you can park and check-in at the Educational Center up by the main gate for more information and a map. If you'd like to view/print the map before you arrive you can find it here: Habitat Diversity Trail System, Horse and Biking Trail Map.

About the Trail: there are no trail markers but some signage at trailheads, all of Howell Woods trails have a natural/rough terrain. Some trails are wide and some are more narrow, trails vary from flat to mildly elevated - some areas may be very wet after weather events. Dogs are allowed on-leash, keep in mind that there are no trash receptacles along the trails. No ATVs or motorized bikes. Don't forget to bring water, bug spray, and sunscreen.

The Educational Center: there is handicap parking available at the center but it is gravel with no concrete pad, the center is ADA accessible with a handicap bathroom. The picnic shelter at the center is ADA accessible with some permanent picnic tables modified for wheelchair roll-up-access; there is a water fountain and a drink machine.

Water Activities: Howell Woods is currently working on ADA accessible fishing options at the pond and lake but they do not have them yet. Sand Hole Lake and Swan Pond have boat ramps. The property's Neuse River access is a canoe launch only and not always accessible depending on the water level. 

Getting There: Howell Woods is located at 6601 Devils Racetrack Road in the Bentonville community of southeastern Johnston County. The environmental learning center is in close proximity to interstates 95 and 40 in central North Carolina and is less than 45 miles from Raleigh, 20 miles from Goldsboro, and 15 miles from Smithfield and Newton Grove. *Please note that cell service can be spotty at Howell Woods.