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    Historic Occoneechee Speedway

    4.3 (14 reviews)

    Historic Occoneechee Speedway Photos

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    Nicky S.

    We really enjoyed exploring these trails and experiencing the history on our walk. The trails are well maintained as they are flat, wide, packed dirt. Even in the heat of summer the shade from the surrounding trees provides nice relief. The remnants from the Speedway add a cool aspect to the trails. So glad we stopped here during our travels.

    Lori D.

    Beautiful walk and cool history that I had no idea about. Highly recommend this as a place to explore, have a picnic and enjoy with yourself dog.

    Lauren M.

    Cool spot to go for a walk! It's very wide so pretty easy to social distance even if fairly busy. There are some fun things to see along the way like the old cars and stands where spectators sat.

    Aerial view of the old track. Eno River is on the bottom right. (photo courtesy of HOST)
    Pat F.

    It's funny how many people don't know about this place. The 1-mile Occoneechee Speedway was an active NASCAR track from 1949 to 1968, and it's the only surviving speedway from NASCAR's first season. (Sir Richard Petty won the last race held here, of course!) Nature's been working hard to reclaim the land ever since. The site was bought from the original owners' family in 1997, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in May 2002. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (HOST) site now has 44 acres of trails, both along the track itself and in the surrounding woods, which border the Eno River just across from Ayr Mount (the same company owns both properties). If you're looking for a moderate to strenuous hike, go to Occoneechee Mountain. But if you're looking for a good walk or jog on a level dirt surface, or want to bring your (leashed) dog along, the Speedway is the place to go. Both are free, and both are mostly shaded. The Historic Speedway Group holds a "Celebration of the Automobile" racer reunion and car show here every year, which includes parade laps around the track, an open car show, and a general party atmosphere...sounds like fun! Oh, and the Speedway is part of North Carolina's Mountains to the Sea trail system, which aims to run across NC from the Smokies to the Cedar Island Ferry. Someday I'm going to walk this.

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    Review Highlights - Historic Occoneechee Speedway

    Loads of people walking and running trails in the woods surrounding the track and by the Eno River.

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    Gold Park

    Gold Park

    3.2
    (5 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Visited Gold Park on a chilly Saturday in March and was astounded by how crowded it was! Every…read morecovered picnic area was filled and kids were running crazy (but in a "good" way) across the playground equipment. The multi-purpose field had a group playing soccer and I'm sure that the fenced dog park had it's fair share of action as well. The park is located right outside of downtown Hillsborough, drivable from downtown but walkable from the Riverwalk (paved trails that meander through "forested" areas along the Eno River; perfect for strollers and/or runners alike!) The park includes 0.3 miles of this Riverwalk greenway and links to downtown (by Weaver Street Market). The park stands on about 20 acres and also includes a ball park and bathrooms. Two separated playgrounds for children ages 2-5 year olds and one for the 5-12 year olds. The playgrounds sit on mulch and receive little to no sun. But you're in luck because you might be able to beat the sun with the parks hours, opening daily from 8 a.m. to a half hour after sunset.

    Came here with our bicycles and, on the advice of a park-regular, we followed the paved trail that…read morewinds around this 24 acre park, along the Enos River, and then becomes the 1.5 mile long RiverWalk. Had we had mountain bikes, would have continued on to the dirt path that goes on for another 5 miles onto private property but that area is open to walkers and mountain bikes (read the signs at the far end of the RiverWalk to access this area). Gold Park has something for nearly everyone and is "thoughtful" in some of its design, such as the Bee Hotel, which is made up of natural materials with spaces for bees to hunker down and feel safe. There is a good sized dog park, baseball field, playground, large, grassy area, rest rooms, soda/water machines, water fountains, and what is especially nice are the numerous entrances from/to the town of Hillsborough for those without cars. Come take a walk along the Enos River and find the gorgeous gazebo-like structure made entirely of saplings that looks like it grew up from below the ground, and erected by 150+ volunteers. It's a beauty!

    Photos
    The Bee Hotel, made of materials with crevasses/holes that invite bees in
    The Bee Hotel, made of materials with crevasses/holes that invite bees in
    Remember to gaze up at the canopy of trees above the gazebo
    Remember to gaze up at the canopy of trees above the gazebo
    Large play structure.

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    Large play structure.

    Historic Occoneechee Speedway - parks - Updated July 2026

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