Choose Nature

 

Recreation

"It is the time you have spent with your rose that makes your rose so important."

-- Antoine de St. Exupery

Get Grounded

Ayr Mount & Poet's Walk
Plantation house and beautiful walking paths through woods and meadows.

Battle Park
Feel like you are getting away without leaving town on a 1.5 mile hiking trail from UNC campus near Forest Theater to the Community Center on Estes Drive.

Carolina North Forest/Bolin Creek
Over 1,000 acres of hiking and mountain biking trails in the heart of town.

Chapel Hill Greenways
An abundance of greenways for hiking, running, biking and more.

Eno River State Park
Various trails and a waterway running throughout Orange and Durham counties.


Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail
Hiking/ walking loop on a NASCAR speedway now reclaimed by the forest, with some views of the Eno River.

Little River Park
Hiking and mountain biking trails, a meadow, and picnic tables.

Meadowmont Village
Shops, trails (paved and dirt), outdoor cafe seating and events.

North Carolina Botanical Garden
Wooded hiking trails, formal and herb gardens, native plant conservation and education, volunteer opportunities.

Occoneechee Mountain
Highest point in Orange County (867 ft). 190 acres with hiking trails, a meadow, pond, and views.

Southern Village
Shops, trails (paved and dirt), outdoor music and movies on the lawn.

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Make a Splash

Cane Creek Reservoir
540 acre for small crafts and fishing. Rentals available.

Falls Lake
12,000 acre lake for swimming and boating. 26,000 wooded acres for hiking.

Jordan Lake
14,000 acre lake for swimming and boating. Hiking trails, camping.

Kerr Lake
50,000 acre lake for swimming and boating. Camping.

Mayo Park
120 acre park with lake for swimming, boating, camping.

University Lake
213 acre reservoir lake for small crafts & fishing. Grassy area for reading and sunbathing. If you are lucky, you might see the UNC rowing team paddling on peaceful waters.

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Outdoor Seating

Caffe' Driade
1215-A East Franklin St., Chapel Hill 919-942-2333
Speciality coffees, tea, pastries, wine, beer, cigars, local art, music, outdoor garden seating. Free wifi.

Looking Glass Cafe & Boutique
601 West Main St., Carrboro 866-287-0912
Fair Trade organic coffee, pastries, vegan & gluten-free options, burritos, wine, beer, local art, outdoor seating, free wifi.

Maple View Farm
6900 Rocky Ridge Road, Hillsborough. 919-960-5535
Enjoy homemade ice cream at this flagship location, while seated in a wooden rocker on a shaded porch, gazing out at portions of the farm and surrounding pastures! Ice cream and other dairy products are also available at Maple View Farm stores in Hillsborough and Carrboro, and at grocers throughout the NC Piedmont.

Weaver Street Market
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro (flagship location). 919-929-0100
228 South Churton Street, Hillsborough. 919-245-5050
716 Market Street, Chapel Hill. 919-929-2009
Local cooperative health foods and grocery supporting local farmers. Live music on Thursday evenings. Free wifi. Open 7-days a week.

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Be Prepared

Field Guides
Search and browse more than 5,500 plants and animals on eNature Field Guides.

Great Outdoors Provision Company
1800 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill. 919-933-6148
Outdoor clothing and gear shop with several locations in NC. Equipment rentals.

Mobile Phone / Smart Phone Resources
Resources for when you are on the go. Find the smart phone app that works best for you. Note that these apps require an internet connection so may not work in some remote areas. (This page is optimized for viewing on smart phones)

REI
26911 Fayetteville Road, Durham. 919-806-3442
Outdoor clothing and gear shop with locations throughout the US. Equipment rentals, outings, and classes. Climbing wall.

Townsend Bertram & Company
200 North Greensboro St., Carrboro. 919-933-9712
Locally owned, outdoor clothing and gear shop. Equipment rentals.

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