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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 Recreation Area 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.

Map
JPG of Lake Raleigh Woods map

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.

Website

Address

SOUTHERN PARKING LOT – MOUNTAIN BIKE PARKING

3055 New Hope Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC

NORTHERN PARKING LOT – HIKING PARKING

3620 Old State Hwy 10, Chapel Hill, NC

NOTE: Open for hiking and biking when trails are dry (visit Triangle MTB for most up-to-date information).

Features

  • 613 acre preserve.
  • 9 miles of beginner mountain bike and multi-use trails.
  • 5.5 miles of hiking only trails.
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS
  • Kids Loop (0.4 miles)
  • Wood Duck Way (1.2 miles)
  • Walnut Grove Loop (0.7 miles)
  • Springhouse Loop (3.5 miles)
  • Conversation Corps (0.5 miles)
  • Manor Connector (0.2 miles)
  • Buckeye Loop (2.1 miles) – most advanced
HIKING TRAILS
  • Stony Creek Bluff Trail (1.0 miles)
  • Cemetery Connector (0.2 miles)
  • Dairy Farm trail (0.9 miles)
  • Cedar Grove Trail (0.5 miles)
  • A Train Trail (0.3 miles)
  • Chimney Swift Circle (0.8 miles)
  • Grand Oak Loop (0.3 miles)
  • Flat Tail Trail (0.6 miles) 
  • Running Cedar Trail (0.9 miles)

Website

Features

Schenck Memorial Forest – Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC

  • NC State owned memorial forest with access to the NC State Challenge Course and many hiking and running trails
  • Trails include:
    • Francis L. Liles Trail Loop (1.3 miles)
    • Richland Creek Trail (3.7 miles)

Website

Address

6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC

Features

  • Offers 30 miles of trails along a stream used by anglers, photographers and sightseers.
  • Canoeing and kayaking are allowed but can be difficult to accomplish due to the depth of the water.
  • Great locations available for fishing.
HIKING TRAILS
  • Bobbitt Hole Trail (1.65 miles)
  • Buckquarter Creek Trail (1.5 miles)
  • Cabe Lands Trail (1.2 miles)
  • Cole Mill Trail (1 mile)
  • Cox Mountain Trail (3.75 miles)
  • Dunnagan Trail (1.8 miles)
  • Eno Trace Trail (0.5 miles)
  • Fanny’s Ford Trail (1.01 miles)
  • Holden Mill Trail (2.6 miles)
  • Knight & Piedmont Trails (0.52 miles)
  • Laurel Bluffs Trail (6.1 miles)
  • Pea Creek Trail (1.3 miles)
  • Pump Station Trail (1.5 miles)
  • Quarry Trail (0.8 miles)
  • Ridge Trail (1.27 miles)
  • Shakori Trail (1.04 miles)

Website

Address

13300 Creedmoor Rd, Wake Forest, NC

Features

  • Recreation Area surrounds undeveloped 12,000 acre reservoir.
  • Boating, fishing, and swimming all allowed at specific locations in recreation area.
  • 14.3 miles of single-track mountain bike trails from easy to advanced.
    • Drop Zone (advanced 0.9 miles)
    • Inner Loop (intermediate 1.1 miles)
    • Outer Loop (intermediate 2.2 miles)
    • South Loop (advanced 7.3 miles)
    • West Loop (intermediate 2.3 miles)
  • More than 50 miles of hiking trails including Mountains-to-Sea State Trail.
    • B.W. Wells Long Loop Trail (1.4 miles)
    • B.W. Wells Short Loop Trail (0.8 miles)
    • Beaverdam Track Trail (0.6 miles)
    • Fox Trot Trail (1.5 miles)
    • Holly Point Trail (1.1 miles)
    • Rolling View Track Trail (0.75 miles)
    • Rolling View Trail (2 miles)
    • Sandling Beach Lake Trail (1.5 miles)
    • Shinleaf Point Trail (1 mile)
    • Woodland Nature Trail (0.75 miles)

Website

NOTE: Open for hiking, and biking when trails are dry (visit Triangle MTB for most up-to-date information).

Features

  • 587 acre park adjacent to Falls Lake
  • 3 miles of beginner mountain bike trails
  • Fishing
  • Wildlife Garden
  • 1.25 miles of unpaved multi-use trails
  • 4 miles of natural surfaced hiking trails
  • Paved Trails
  • Disc Golf Course

Website

Address

2112 County Park Drive, New Hill, NC

NOTE: Open for hiking and biking when trails are dry (visit Triangle MTB for most up-to-date information).

Features

  • 680 acre county park.
  • 8 miles of beginner and intermediate mountain biking trails.
  • 5 miles of hiking trails.
HIKING TRAILS

Peninsula Trails (5.0 miles)

MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS
  • Beginner Trails (0.7 miles)
  • Intermediate Trails (2.9 miles)
  • Advanced Trails (7.1 miles)
  • Double Track (1.1 miles)

Website

Address

280 State Park Rd, Apex, NC

Features

  • Recreation area encompasses area around undeveloped 14,000 acre reservoir.
  • More than 1,000 campsites
  • Seven beaches available for swimming.
  • Boating also available in appropriate locations.
  • Access to 14 miles of hiking trails.
  • Locations available for fishing.
  • Bald Eagle sightings common over the lake.
HIKING TRAILS
  • Children’s Nature Trail (0.5 miles)
  • Ebenezer Church Old Oak Trail (1 mile)
  • Ebenezer Church Trail (1.01 miles)
  • Jordan Lake Track Trail/Seaforth Pond Trail  (1.4 miles)
  • New Hope Trail (5.4 miles)
  • Poplar Point Campground Trail (2 miles)
  • Vista Point Blue Trail (1 mile)
  • Vista Point Red Trail (3 miles)

Website

Address

MAIN PARKING LOT – BEST FOR HIKING

1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC

OLD REEDY CREEK PARKING LOT – BEST FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING

2139 Old Reedy Creek Rd, Cary, NC

NOTE: Open for hiking, and biking when trails are dry (visit Triangle MTB for most up-to-date information).

Features

  • 215-acre county park.
  • Lake Crabtree – boating and fishing.
  • 8 miles of beginner mountain biking and multi-use trails.
  • 6.6 miles of hiking-only trails.
HIKING TRAILS
  • Old Beech Nature Trail (0.6 miles)
  • Lake Trail (6.0 miles)
MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS
  • Skills Area
  • Pump Track
  • Advanced trails
  • Beginner trails
  • Outer loop trail
  • Interior trails
  • Connector trails

Website

Address:

4601 Avent Ferry Rd Raleigh, NC 27606

Features

  • A 500-acre park surrounding a 150-acre lake.
  • Access to boating and fishing.
  • Connects to Raleigh Greenway System, including 2.8 miles in Lake Johnson Park
  • Biking and hiking trails are available on the northside of the park with more hiking trails on the southside.

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

2505 Long Valley Road Spring Lake, NC

Features

  • Based around the Long Valley Farm, a historic Rockefeller home.
HIKING TRAILS
  • Cypress Point Loop Trail (0.8 mi)
  • Rockefeller Loop Trail (2 mi)

Website

Address

431 Main St Chimney Rock, NC

Features

  • Hiking is permitted at Rumbling Bald Climbing Access and Eagle Rock.
  • Individual climbing is permitted without a permit at Rumbling Bald Climbing Access and Eagle Rock. Guided or group climbing is not permitted.
  • The Chimney Rock attraction is closed until further notice.
  • Climbing opportunities.
HIKING TRAILS
  • Four Seasons Trail (0.7 mi) 
  • Great Woodland Adventure Trail (0.4 mi  loop)
  • Hickory Nut Falls Trail (0.7 mi)
  • Rumbling Bald Trail (1.5 mi loop)

Website

Address

240 Park Entrance Road, Seven Spring, NC

Features

  • Fishing spots.
  • 11-acre swimming lake.
HIKING TRAILS
  • 350 Yard Trail (0.2 mi)
  • Bird Trail (0.5 mi loop)
  • Galax Trail (0.5 mi loop)
  • Longleaf Trail (0.4 mi)
  • Spanish Moss Trail (0.5 mi loop)

Website

Address

522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain NC

Features

  • Many hikes, range of skill levels.
  • 9 – acre lake,
    • Canoeing
    • Fishing
  • Rock climbing and bouldering spots
HIKING TRAILS
  • Lake Trail (0.8 mi)
  • Backside Trail (0.8 mi)
  • Crowders Trail (2.8 mi)
  • Family Camping Trail (1 mi)
  • Fern Trail (0.8 mi)
  • Group Camping Trail (1.1 mi)
  • Pinnacle Trail (2 mi)
  • Ridgeline Trail (6.2 mi)
  • Rocktop Trail (1.5 mi)
  • Tower Trail (1.8 mi)
  • Turnback Trail (1.2 mi)

Website

Address

5564 Meat Camp Road, Todd, NC

Features

  • Peak at 5,520 ft.
HIKING TRAILS
  • Beech Tree Trail (1 mi)
  • Backcountry Trail (2 mi)
  • Maple Run Trail (0.5 mi)
  • Summit Trail (1.9 mi)

Website

Address

2214 Tar Kiln Drive, Fayetteville NC

Features

  • 1 mile trail through wetlands along Bone Creek.
  • Gardens.
  • Pets allowed, must a have leash.
  • Located on the Cumberland County’s All American Adventure Trail.

Website

Address

2819 Princess Ann Road, Orrum NC

Features

  • Paddling.
  • Fishing, Pier and riverbank.
    • Black crappie
    • Largemouth bass
    • Catfish
    • panfish
  • Short hiking trails.

Website

Address

49104 Morrow Mountain Road, Albemarle, NC

Features

  • Fishing spots.
  • 11-acre swimming lake.
HIKING TRAILS
  • 350 Yard Trail (0.2 mi)
  • Bird Trail (0.5 mi loop)
  • Galax Trail (0.5 mi loop)
  • Longleaf Trail (0.4 mi)
  • Spanish Moss Trail (0.5 mi loop)

Website

Address

625 Virginia Cates Rd, Hillsborough, NC

Features

  • Small park hosting three miles of hiking trails.
  • Offers convenient location to campus and access to highest point in the area.
  • Offers fishing and species that are rare in the region.
HIKING TRAILS
  • Brown Elfin Knob Trail (0.1 miles)
  • Chestnut Oak Trail (0.9 miles)
  • Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail (2.2 trail )
  • Overlook Trail (0.1 miles)

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

Website

Address

3001 South Mountain Park Ave, Connelly Springs, NC

Features

  • Jacob Fork River.
  • More than 4o miles of trails (mountain biking, equestrian, and hiking).
  • Elevation of up to 3,000 ft.
  • 80 ft. waterfall.
HIKING TRAILS
  • River Trail (0.5 mi)
  • 17 Mile Biking Loop

Website

Address

3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC

Features

  • Fishing.
  • Climbing.
HIKING TRAILS
  • Black Jack Ridge trail (1.5 miles one way)
  •  Bridle Loop Trail (2 miles)
  • Bridle Out-and-Back Trail (4 miles one way)
  • Cedar Rock Trail (1 mile one way)
  • Middle Falls/Lower Falls Trail (0.5 miles one way)
  • Stone Mountain Loop Trail (4.5 miles)
  • Widow’s Creek Trail (2.5 miles one way)
  • Wolf Rock Trail (1.5 miles one way)
  • Mountains-to-Sea Trail (6 mile section)