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Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
Wellness and Recreation

Destinations and Resources

While we have exciting trips planned each semester, we always encourage the Wolfpack to get out and explore on their own! To assist you on your adventures, our team has assembled a variety of resources to help you get started.

Resources

Explore Lake Raleigh

Lake Raleigh Woods is a 96-acre section of forest on the western edge of Lake Raleigh. The area is a designated hallowed place on NC State’s campus. Recreational trails are available for use in the woods, but education and research also take place in this forest. The Lake Raleigh Woods General Management Plan guides decisions by the University on the usage and maintenance of this important natural resource on campus.

Maps

Sustainable Trails

Group of students cleaning up the Lake Raleigh Woods trails

In 2018 and 2019, a grant from the university’s Sustainability Fund led to the installation of trailhead kiosks and trail design at Lake Raleigh Woods. Part of this grant funding included the design of a sustainable trail network, which was completed by Destination by Design in collaboration with numerous campus departments and student organizations. A source of funding has not yet been identified to implement this trail design, but please contact us if you would like to contribute to this initiative.

There are numerous service opportunities available for NC State students and the community at Lake Raleigh Woods. If you are interested in setting up a two- to four-hour service day for your group, complete our custom outdoor programs request form.

Raleigh Destinations

Raleigh has several outdoor recreation options for hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, bouldering and fishing. This list highlights some of our favorites organized by their distance from campus.

North Carolina Destinations

If you want to venture outside of Raleigh, North Carolina has every type of outdoor recreation from the mountains to the coast and everything in between. 

Website

Address

3009 Raven Rock Rd, Lillington, NC

Features

  • Encompassing a part of the Cape Fear River, providing mountainous terrain in the Piedmont region.
HIKING TRAILS
  • American Beech Trail (0.5 miles)
  • Bridle Trail – East Loop (4 miles)
  • Bridle Trail – West Loop (4 miles)
  • Campbell Creek Loop Trail (4.5 miles)
  • Cottonwood Trail (0.4 miles)
  • Fish Traps Trail (0.6 miles)
  • Lanier Falls Trail (0.2 miles)
  • Little Creek Loop Trail (1.5 miles)
  • Longleaf Loop Trail (0.2 miles)
  • Mountain Laurel Loop Trail (4.3 miles)**
  • Mountain Laurel Loop Trail (beginner, 6.6 miles)*  **
  • Mountain Laurel Loop Trail (intermediate, 2.6 miles)*  **
  • Northington Ferry Trail (0.9 miles)
  • Raven Rock Loop Trail (2.6 miles)

*Biking trail