This seems like a lovely area to hike and spend spend time in nature! I didn't have much time to…read morespend there today, but I'm looking forward to going back and exploring some more. The gravel parking lot was pretty crowded by the time I got there today (midday on a Saturday), no surprise! The last mile to the parking lot is dirt road, not a problem at all today, but could be after a lot of rain.

Great place to go for a hike. There aren't many free things left in this dog eat dog world. So, I…read moreget pretty excited to find things that cost nothing except for your time. Nice and easy trails that loop into each other. We only did the first loop due to time constraints, but it was a very easy to navigate trail. Located in Durham, it's only about a 30 min ride from Wake Forest.

Awesome trails, well marked, a great workout, lots of beautiful nature! I love hiking near water,…read moreand this has a gently and rocky creek. There's parking along the side of Mt Sinai rd. It was very quiet on a Saturday morning. A lovely hike that was a loop.

I've been on this trail plenty of times. However this was my first time hiking to piney mountain…read more It was a moderate hike with lots of deep roots and rocks. You have to look where you're going or you could fall and get hurt.

Little River Regional Park is a nice little spot that is actually a cooperative project between…read moreDurham and Orange counties and situated a bit outside of the hustle and bustle of the triangle area. The park is not huge, but it does offer roughly 7-8 miles each of hiking trails and mountain biking trails (not too shabby!). There is also a butterfly garden, group campsite, playground, and picnic area on site so most of your bases are covered if you want to have either a leisurely or intense afternoon out in the park. My first time at the park I was pretty shocked that such a natural area could exist just off of Guess Road (yes, the character of Guess Road here differs greatly from that near the I-85 exit in Durham). This park is quiet, uncrowded, well-maintained and very serene. I have never taken on the mountain biking trails myself, but I've heard that they're in tip-top shape, single track, and pretty challenging the further you get away from the trailheads. Presumably like these mountain bike trails, the hiking trails are very well-maintained, well marked, and at least a step up from an easy stroll in the park at most parts. The trails offer nice views of both the North and South Rivers, and they're loop trails which is always a plus! Per the park's brochures, hikers can also hike the mountain bike trails but must yield to cyclists and be aware of their surroundings. For the runners out there, there is also a Little River trail run each year (7K and 10 mile distances) with proceeds benefiting the park itself. Maybe knowing that you're helping to sustain a beautiful natural area will make running 10 miles in January less painful? I have my doubts... If you're willing to take a trek a bit down Guess Road, this is definitely a park worth checking out!

Lovely park with gorgeous trails. Quieter than Eno with good maintenance, frequent benches, and…read moreaccessible bridges.

A good place to bike, walk your dog or just plain walk/ jog. I've been through pumpkin loop and…read morecrow branch overlook and I prefer the crow branch since we never realized there was a whole retention pond to walk alongside!! Beautiful and able to see a mix of wildlife if you look closely enough and slow down. We've seen crayfish, mushrooms, even owls and deer out there. Really love this spot and glad it's close to home! It doesn't have water like drinking fountains or legitimate bathrooms is the only reason it's not a full 5 star. Otherwise I'd consider it a 4.5. There is also a small pollinator garden area that comes up on the left when starting from MLK side. Love this place.

Near the university campus, this offers a retreat for runners. The entry road is of dubious…read morequality, but it isn't that long. Some gravel roads continue to run through the area but are pedestrian only most of the time, and a series of hiking and bike trails interlace each other throughout the area. The aesthetic of Carolinian forests is distinctive and it was a peaceful environment. The trail marking could stand to be clearer and I got turned around a bit. It's definitely worth checking out the area.

Easy trail around the island with nice river views. Good for beginners but lots of rocks and tree…read moreroots on the path.

For all the Triad parks we visited in 2020 (earning the Yelpie for Explorer of the Year,) this one…read moreis our favorite yet by far! It took a bit of travel for us, slightly over an hour each way, but it was worth it! The grounds here, the trail, the surrounding river, and the playground all make for the perfect day for kids and their parents, too! The nature trail is packed well and overall very stroller-friendly, with shortcuts in case you need to cut your walk short. There are also lots of great vantage points to sit for a moment and take in the scenery, if your kids will afford you that luxury. As for the playground, this is one to remember. It is so unique, constructed out of wood and fitting right in with the natural vibe of the surrounding woods. And the added bonus is listening to the flowing current nearby while your young ones enjoy going down the fish slide, swinging, and building a fort with bamboo. Also a lot of good spots for bird watching here! Be sure not to miss the part of the trail by the gravel parking lot. That takes you to the waterfall area, and there's a spot with 4 hammocks rigged up for kicking back and enjoying! Make a plan to come visit this place on a warm, sunny day. If you like nature, you and your family will love this! And if you are a history buff, interested in environmental conservatism, or a homeschool parent, this area is a good experience and opportunity to learn about the Saxapahaw/Sissipahaw natives' life on the Haw River and the development of the hydro mill as a source of energy. This area checks boxes for spiritual wellness, educational opportunity, and physical exercise as well. Aside of that, just fun and enjoyable!

Another wonderful experience here! The hike is just strenuous enough to get your legs working and…read moreheart pumping without being too overwhelming. The rangers also do a great job of keeping the path clean.

This is a great hike! It has wide paths that go around the mountain and a beautiful view at the…read moreoverlook point.

Beautiful, easy to walk up piece of lake it's usually pretty busy when it's hot they have a lot of…read morewildlife and places to sit They're not too far from a couple of places to eat (pizza, Chinese, grocery store) Great location for a picnic

Love the hiking paths at West Point in the eno! There is a few shelters and a bathroom!…read more During the summer you will find families swimming in the river The old mill is open some days with a guide to answer any questions!

I love this place. It's close to my house and quiet. Great for occasional morning runs before work…read moreor a short hike on a lazy weekend. Beautiful property with a rocky creek and wonderfully frog saturated still ponds.

Short camping trip to this hidden gem with the family (about 4 hours). This is our third time here…read moreand has camped in multiple sites but this site is definitely my favorite. Private beach front. Quite location. This time of the year not buggy. Unfortunately, the leaves haven't turned yet. There's local store about a mile or two from the site where you can purchase firewood, gas and whatever else you may have forgotten to pack. Across the street is a new Mexican place before that it was a pizza place - hopefully they stay open till our next visit. We tend to meal prep when we camp. Overall, an amazing camping experience and it is the closest you can get to water with a full electrical (50 amp) and water hookup. Till next time!!

This is a great place to camp. so much to do. Very clean. Great for families. Staff are very…read morepleasant. If you like water this is the place to be. Boating, fishing, beaches. you name it it's the place for you.

This is a relatively easy trail with some fairly consistent inclines. From the parking lot to the…read morequarry and back is about 1.9 miles, so a decent hike that shouldn't take too long. We went in the winter when there were no leaves on the trees and only one other car in the parking lot. We also went in the late afternoon and didn't realize that they closed a 5:30. We got to the car at 5:31 and there was a ranger waiting. We apologized profusely and promised to pay better attention next time. The hike is nice but the quarry is absolutely gorgeous and definitely worth the walk. I know that this is a popular spot in the summer but I truly cannot imagine swimming here as it doesn't exactly look safe. I need to go again soon because I bet it's lovely right now with all of the leaves changing colors. You will not regret making this hike!

Starting at Eno River Pleasant Green access, you can access the Laurel Bluffs trail which will take…read moreyou out and around the Eno Quarry. The trail is 3.2 miles total and there is good shade throughout, with the quarry as the perfect spot to cool off midway point on the hike. The trail was relatively easy with some minor inclines and tree roots to keep an eye out for. If you go on a weekday you'll have the trail to yourself, though I have yet to have a problem finding parking at the trailhead on weekends.