Attractions

Hiking Trails for Families

Hiking trails in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill offering scenic, safe, and adventurous paths for children and families to explore nature.

Hanging Rock State Park

4.8
(7,051 reviews)

1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury, NC, 27016

Hanging Rock State Park, just north of Winston-Salem, boasts picturesque trails leading to waterfalls, mountain views, and even caves. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and paddling, or relax at the lake. It’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a full range of activities.

🚘 Distance: 287.6 miles away

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

4.8
(7,630 reviews)

Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. It is renowned for its rich biodiversity, ancient mountains, and cultural history, making it the most visited national park in the U.S. The park offers stunning scenic views, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and opportunities to explore Southern Appalachian culture. Visitors can experience attractions like Cades Cove, waterfalls, backcountry camping, and the famous synchronous fireflies event.

🚘 Distance: 307.8 miles away

Lake Michie Park and Marina

2802 Bahama Road Bahama, NC 27503

Lake Michie Boathouse is located within Lake Michie Park and Marina in Bahama, NC, offering a range of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, and picnic areas. Visitors can enjoy largemouth bass fishing and rent motorboats, canoes, and kayaks to explore the scenic lake. The facility features ADA-accessible amenities, such as a boathouse, dock, and canoe/kayak launch. The lake is open seasonally from mid-March to early November and provides a peaceful environment for outdoor recreation. Additionally, campsites are available in the nearby Spruce Pine Lodge and Holly Grove areas for those seeking a more immersive nature experience.

🚘 Distance: 345.4 miles away

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

4.7
(1,737 reviews)

6254 Satterwhite Point Road, Henderson, NC, 27537

Experience the natural beauty of Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, spanning two counties along the Virginia border. This 50,000-acre reservoir paradise features eight access areas with multiple boat ramps and hundreds of campsites. Enjoy premium fishing in one of the East Coast's top lakes, along with modern amenities including community buildings and beach access. Camping options range from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, with fees from $15 to $145 nightly.

🚘 Distance: 349.8 miles away

Triangle Land Conservancy

520 S Duke St, Durham, NC 27701

Explore scenic nature preserves featuring shaded forest trails, peaceful creeks, wetlands, wildlife habitats, open meadows, and beautiful seasonal landscapes across the Triangle. Triangle Land Conservancy preserves offer free year-round access to some of the region’s most relaxing and less-crowded outdoor spaces for hiking, nature walks, and exploration.

🚘 Distance: 353.1 miles away

Forest Hills Park

4.5
(566 reviews)

1639 University Drive, Durham, NC, 27707

Forest Hills Park is a 45.86-acre park in East Central Durham, offering a variety of recreational amenities for all ages. The park features tennis courts, including one with pickleball lines, a playground for children, and a sprayground for cooling off in the summer. There are also picnic shelters, picnic tables, and swings for families to enjoy. The park is home to a seasonal outdoor pool and has access to greenways and trails. Additionally, Forest Hills Park is rich in history, originally developed in the 1920s as a prestigious neighborhood with a golf course and clubhouse, later evolving into a community park.

🚘 Distance: 353.7 miles away

North Carolina Botanical Garden

4.7
(1,302 reviews)

100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27517

The North Carolina Botanical Garden inspires conservation and appreciation of plants through its gardens and programs, promoting sustainable relationships between people and nature.

🚘 Distance: 354.2 miles away

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9
(67 reviews)

364 Leigh Farm Rd., Durham, NC, 27707

The Piedmont Wildlife Center in Durham features outdoor raptor exhibits and offers educational programs focused on wildlife conservation in its natural park setting.

🚘 Distance: 354.5 miles away

Solite Park

4.3
(328 reviews)

4704 Fayetteville Rd, Durham, NC 27713

Solite Park is a community park located along the American Tobacco Trail in Durham, North Carolina. The park offers a range of amenities, including a playground for children ages 5-12, a basketball court, a pump track for biking enthusiasts, and several picnic shelters equipped with grills for outdoor dining. Additional features include restrooms, swings (standard and toddler), and water fountains. The park also hosts a public art mural created by local artist Cornelio Campos. Solite Park is a great spot for outdoor activities, recreation, and enjoying nature, with easy access to local trails.

🚘 Distance: 356.3 miles away

C. M. Herndon Park

4.6
(575 reviews)

511 Scott King Rd, Durham, NC 27713

C.M. Herndon Park spans over 25 acres and offers a variety of recreational facilities for visitors of all ages. The park features a soccer field, baseball/softball field, and batting cages, along with a playground for children aged 2-12. There are also picnic shelters with tables, grills, and a water fountain for relaxation. The park is equipped with restrooms and has access to greenways and trails for walking or biking. It’s an ideal location for family gatherings, sports, and community events. The Championship Soccer Field is available for rent, and athletic fields are open for community play.

🚘 Distance: 358.7 miles away

Falls Lake State Recreation Area

13304 Creedmoor Rd., Wake Forest, NC, 27587

Escape to tranquility at Falls Lake State Recreation Area, spanning 26,000 acres of pristine woodland surrounding a 12,000-acre lake. This outdoor paradise offers seven distinct recreation areas perfect for camping, boating, swimming, and hiking. The park features segments of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and provides excellent opportunities for environmental education. Modern campground facilities accommodate various camping styles, with nightly rates starting at $26.

🚘 Distance: 359.6 miles away

Dead Broke Farm

4.5
(1,455 reviews)

6921 Wildlife Trail, Raleigh, NC, 27613

Experience authentic horseback riding at Dead Broke Farm, where passion meets expertise. Our facility offers guided trail rides, Western-style lessons, and unique programs including summer camps and birthday celebrations. We specialize in creating accessible riding experiences for enthusiasts who can't own horses, while maintaining our mission of horse rescue and rehabilitation. Our diverse services extend to horse boarding, sales, and special events.

🚘 Distance: 361.0 miles away