Backwoods Orienteering Klub

Have Fun in the Woods Orienteering… with the best maps in the world

Orienteering Raleigh NC

Backwoods Orienteering Klub, founded November 15, 1978 sponsors events and teaches orienteering in the North Carolina piedmont, around Raleigh, NC.

We invite you to try orienteering with us. Everyone is welcome at all our events. We always offer beginning, intermediate, advanced and expert courses (routes through the woods) at every Regular event.

Park Information

The person listed after the park is the primary contact with the park and is responsible for getting the permit and permissions to use the park.  The event director is still responsible for sending courses to the park ranger and any event specific issues.

Orienteering USA insurance Certificates

Refer to the OUSA insurance information page for more information on OUSA insurance, including a link to the Certificate Request Form that should be filled out and sent via e-mail to the insurer if the venue requires a certificate (not all do). Instructions and contact information are all on the form.

Umstead State Park

BOK Liaison: Joseph Huberman

Main office 919-571-4170 enter “0” for operator
Emergency 24 hrs. 919-218-9106

8801 Glenwood Ave
Raleigh, NC 27617

Ranger Bill Duke – Our primary Orienteering Contact
bill.duke@ncparks.gov

Scott Letchworth – Superintendent

Checks made out to: Treasurer of North Carolina

Notes:

  • Courses should be sent in ONE MONTH in advance, and must be approved by the park 2 weeks in advance
    • Send courses to: Bill Duke <bill.duke@ncdenr.gov>
  • Schedule must be approved as early as possible.  Events can be scheduled a year in advance.
  • There will be one permit for the Open events and a separate permit for the Member events.
  • Only the dates requested below will be included in the permits.  Any additional requests for events must be submitted with a separate SAP.  There is a fee of $35.00 per permit.
  • I will put a provision on the SAP for the Member events stating that the permit will be reviewed two weeks before the date of each event and that the permit is subject to revision by the Park Superintendent or designee.  The maximum number of participants for Open events is 120.
  •   Either  Crabtree  shelter 1 or Reedy Creek shelter 1 must be reserved for Open events.
  • Member events will be capped at 25 participants. All course maps must be submitted at least two weeks before the date of the event.
  • Your meet directors have been doing a great job with control placement.  I hope that continues. (11/5/2015)
  • We must get an activity permit from the park.
  • We must rent the large shelter.
    • Crabtree side #1 =120   Reedy Creek  #1=120
  • We must have insurance for the events with the park as a named insured.
  • Check “Umstead Restricted Area Map” for restricted areas.  Route choices must also avoid restricted areas.
  • Don’t set controls or ribbons visible from trails before the day of the event.
  • Buses are not permitted to park in the park.  They may drop off and pick up participants, but must park outside the park during the event. (Small buses that can fit in a parking space are OK.)

Lake Johnson Park

This park has been designated a “Natural Area” and our continued use is in jeopardy. Mark will keep us informed as the new regulations are being formulated.  As of October 6, 2014 we are no longer allowed to have night events at the park.

We were given permission for an “Open” event in January 2016 and asked to avoid impact to the central area west of the waterfall.  Use the Lake Johnson Sensitive Area pdf to see the restricted area.  Controls and route choice should only be on trails in this area.

Phone: (919) 233-2121
Fax: (919) 233-2127

Mark Elmore
Lake Johnson Park Manager
Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department
4601 Avent Ferry Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27606
E-mail: mark.elmore@raleighnc.gov
Phone: (919) 996-3141 (Woodland Center)
Fax: (919) 233-2127

Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department

Notes:

  • Contact in advance for permission to use the park.
  • We have not had to submit courses in advance
  • Mark usually requests insurance
  • Be sure to warn people not to park on the road because they will likely be ticketed
  • Keep controls out for the minimum amount of time, we have had controls stollen.

Birkhead Wilderness

BOK Liaison: Joseph Huberman

Phone: (910) 576-6391

Primary Contact – Don Simon – dwsimon@fs.fed.us

Forest Superintendent – Deborah Walker  extension #100DEBORAHWALKER@fsfed.us

Uwharrie Ranger District

789 NC hwy. 24/27 East
Troy, NC 27371-9332
(Ranger Station: 2 miles east of Troy on NC 24/27)

Directions:

Birkhead Wilderness Location:  Randolph County, about 5 miles west of Asheboro

Access: From US 220 in Asheboro, take NC 49 south (you’ll actually be heading west) for 5.5 miles. Turn right on Science Hill Rd. (SR 1163) and go 4/10 of a mile. Then turn left (south) on Lassiter Mill Rd. (SR 1107) After about three miles you will see the parking lot for the Thornburg Farm entrance on your left. Note that it is about a two mile hike (one-way) to get to the main wilderness area from Thornburg Farm.

The Robbins Branch Trailhead is about 2.5 miles further south on Lassiter Mill Rd. Look for the Wilderness Area sign at FR 6532. Turn left and go about 1/2 mile to the parking area.

Notes:

  • Permit required if event is over about 75 people or if fees are involved.
  • There is not much parking at the start locations.  We should check to see if we can park along an access road.
  • We do not need permission or approvial of courses or  insurance if we have less people than required for a permit.

Schenck Forest NCSU

BOK Liaison: Joseph Huberman

Elizabeth Snider, Forest Manager
College of Natural Resources Administrators and Staff
Biltmore Hall (Robertson Wing) 3001

eclee2@ncsu.edu
919-515-3988

Notes:

    • Updated 11/28/2019
  • We need to ask permission in advance by email
  • We do not need approval of courses
  • We need an insurance certificate  NC State should be listed as co-insured.
  • We don’t ask to have the gates open
  • Be sure to announce that dogs are not permitted even on a leash
  • Check for $25 should be written to NCSU and sent to the following address for the shelter reservation:
    • This address must be confirmed
    • Attn: Laxmi Parajuli
      NCSU box 8001
      Biltmore Hall
      2820 Faucette Dr
      Raleigh NC 27695
    • “Laxmi T.Parajuli” <ltimils@ncsu.edu>

Lake Crabtree Park

BOK Liaison: Ian Shields

Drew Cade,  park manager  (919)460-3396

Drew.Cade@wakegov.com

Office Phone: (919) 460-3390 9:00am – 1:00pm (Mon-Thur)
Boathouse Phone: (919)460-2723

Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
Lake Crabtree County Park
1400 Aviation Parkway
Morrisville, NC 27560

Park Hours: 8:00 am to sunset, seven days a week. We are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Notes:

  • We need to get permission in advance for the date, send an email to the park manager Drew.Cade@wakegov.com
  • Sometimes we have had to sign a Memorandum of Agreement
  • We have not needed to submit courses or get insurance
  • Be sure to announce that if it is raining or the trails are wet the event may have to be canceled.  Information on trail closings will be on the park website.

Bond Park

BOK Liaison: Mihai

Boathouse Phone: (919)469-4100
Community Center: 919-462-3970

Director:
Andrew Marsden: (919) 380-4266
Andrew.Marsden@townofcary.org

Town of Cary
PO Box 8005
Cary NC 27512-800

Notes:

  • They have a permanent orienteering course
  • Call Andrew for permission.
  • Send insurance information to Andrew.Marsden@townofcary.org

Falls Lake

Isaac Harrold 707-0053

Notes:

  • Much of the area is rather thick
  • The downed trees on the map have mostly rotted away
  • The trails that are on the map are not there
  • The trails that are there are not on the map
  • Parking is available on Old Weaver Trail (in Creedmoor to your GPS).

Raven Rock State Park

BOK Liaison: Ian Shields

Main office 910-893-4888

3009 Raven Rock Road
Lillington, NC 27546
GPS: 35.4597, -78.9127

Park Ranger David Brown – Our primary Orienteering Contact
david.brown@ncparks.gov Also copy raven.rock@ncparks.gov which currently goes to Jessie Summers.

Checks made out to: Treasurer of North Carolina

Notes:

  • We must get an activity permit from the park
  • We must have insurance for the events with the park as a named insured.
    • Courses and a Special Activity Permit Application should be sent at minimum two weeks in advance, and must be approved by the park. Expect a week or so turnaround on approvals. Send courses and special activity permit application to: David Brown <david.brown@ncparks.gov>. Also copy Raven Rock State Park <raven.rock@ncparks.gov>,
  • We should rent the picnic shelter for regular events.. See Raven Rock State Park » Facilities and Fees to reserve online.
  • Schedule must be approved as early as possible. Expect a week or so turnaround on approvals. Events can be scheduled a year in advance.
  • Don’t set controls or ribbons visible from trails before the day of the event.
  • Weekend parking is at a premium. The park may direct you to overflow parking on Moccasin Branch Rd, a few hundred meters from the park entracne.

Pullen Park

BOK Liaison: Joseph Huberman

Scott Mott
Scott.Mott@raleighnc.gov
Program Manager – Historic Attractions
City of Raleigh
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department
Pullen Amusements Park
520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: 919.996.6468

Notes:

  • Reservation form required for shelter.  Contact office for form
  • Insurance may be required for larger event
  • Good place for Trivia “O”

Eno River State Park

BOK Liaison: Dave Waller

Kimberly Radewicz acting Superintendent

kimberly.radewicz@ncparks.gov

(919) 383-1686

  • We need:
  • Permit
  • Insurance certificate
  • Course approval 3 weeks in advance