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
Wellness and Recreation Resources
Introduction to Climbing Resources
Outdoor Activity Resources
Explore Lake Raleigh
Sustainable 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.
Brumbley Forest Nature Preserve
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
Features
- 9 miles of beginner mountain bike and multi-use trails.
- 5.5 miles of hiking only trails.
Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest
Address
Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC
Features
- NC State owned memorial forest with access to the NC State Challenge Course and many hiking and running trails.
Eno River State Park
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.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
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.
Forest Ridge Park
Address
2100 Old North Carolina 98 HWY, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Features
- 587 acre park adjacent to Falls Lake.
- 3 miles of beginner mountain bike trails.
- Fishing
- Wildlife Garden
- Disc Golf Course
Harris Lake County Park
Address
2112 County Park Drive, New Hill, NC
Features
- 680 acre county park.
- 8 miles of beginner and intermediate mountain biking trails.
- 5 miles of hiking trails.
Jordan Lake Recreation Area
Address
280 State Park Rd, Apex, NC
Features
- Recreation area encompasses area around undeveloped 14,000 acre reservoir.
- More than 1,000 campsites.
- 14 miles of hiking trails.
- Seven beaches available for swimming.
- Boating also available in appropriate locations.
- Locations available for fishing.
Lake Crabtree County Park
Address
Main Parking Lot (Hiking parking): 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC
Old Reedy Creek Parking Lot (Mountain Bike parking): 2139 Old Reedy Creek Rd, Cary, NC
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.
Lake Johnson Park
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.
Carvers Creek
Address
2505 Long Valley Road Spring Lake, NC
Features
- Based around the Long Valley Farm, a historic Rockefeller home.
Chimney Rock State Park
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.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
Address
240 Park Entrance Road, Seven Spring, NC
Features
- Fishing
- 11-acre swimming lake.
Crowder’s Mountain State Park
Address
522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain NC
Features
- Rock climbing and bouldering spots.
- 9 acre lake
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Lake Rim Park
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.
Lumber River State Park
Address
2819 Princess Ann Road, Orrum NC
Features
- Paddling
- Fishing (pier and riverbank)
- Short hiking trails.
Morrow Mountain State Park
Address
49104 Morrow Mountain Road, Albemarle, NC
Features
- Fishing
- 11-acre swimming lake.
Occoneechee Mountain State Park
Address
625 Virginia Cates Rd, Hillsborough, NC
Features
- Small park hosting three miles of hiking trails.
- Fishing and species that are rare in the region.
Raven Rock State Park
Address
3009 Raven Rock Rd, Lillington, NC
Features
- Encompassing a part of the Cape Fear River, providing mountainous terrain in the Piedmont region.
South Mountains State Park
Address
3001 South Mountain Park Ave, Connelly Springs, NC
Features
- Jacob Fork River.
- More than 40 miles of trails (mountain biking, equestrian, and hiking).
- Elevation of up to 3,000 ft.
- 80 ft. waterfall.
Stone Mountain State Park
Address
3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC
Features
- Fishing
- Climbing