Choose Nature

Day Trips

One great thing about the outdoors is that it goes on forever! Understandably, exploring these vast distant places can take some time. Listed below are some recommendations that would be within a 3-4 hour drive of Orange County.

North of Orange County

Appalachian Trail, Runs from Georgia to Maine.
Closest access for day travelers is between Roanoke and Wintergreen, VA..

New River Trail, 39 miles from Galax to Pulaski, VA.
Former rail bed along the New River. Hiking, biking, horseback.

North Carolina State Parks, 41 Parks and Growing. 919-733-4181.
Hiking, biking, fishing, boating, camping, and more.

Virginia Creeper Trail, 34 miles from Damascus to Abingdon, VA.
Former rail bed along the Whitetop Laurel River. Hiking, biking, horseback.

Virginia State Parks, A dozen parks within a few hours. 800-933-7275.
Hiking, biking, fishing, boating, camping, and more.

Wintergreen Area, A 2-3 hour drive from Orange County.
Hiking, biking, golfing, horseback, skiing, and more - on or off the mountain.

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East of Orange County

American Tobacco Trail, 22 miles through Durham and Chatham counties.
Former rail bed. Hiking, biking. Not entirely connected as of 2011.

Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson Street, Durham, NC. 919-684-3698.
Extraordinary public gardens in the center of town.

Hemlock Bluffs, Cary
Unusual to see Hemlocks this far south. They survive in the shade of a ravine.

Lake Crabtree Park, Cary
Hiking, biking, picnicking and playgrounds, boating, fishing and wildlife.

Merchants Millpond State Park, 176 Millpond Road, Gatesville, NC.
Kayak or canoe among bald cypress and hundreds of turtles. Rentals available.

Umstead Park, 8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC
Plenty of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Enter also off I-40.

Wrightsville Beach, A bit far for a day trip, but can be done.
Kayak rentals, Airlie Gardens. Walk around historic Wilmington on rainy days.

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West of Orange County

Blue Ridge Parkway, From southern NC to northern VA.
Many hiking, biking, and camping opportunities along this beautiful roadway.

Cedarock Park, 4242 R. Dean Coleman Road, Burlington, NC
Shelters, picnic, playgrounds, hiking, biking, camping, equestrian.

Hanging Rock, 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury, NC
Picnic areas, creeks, waterfalls, nature center, miles of trails, great views.

Moses Cone Memorial Park, 667 Service Road, Blowing Rock, NC
Twenty-five miles of carriage trails wind through the fields and forests of a 3,500-acre estate.

New River State Park, 358 New River State Park Road, Laurel Springs, NC
Camping, canoeing, picnicking and fishing. 2,300 acres.

Pilot Mountain State Park, 1792 Pilot Knob Park Road, Pinnacle, NC
Equestrian and hiking trails, canoeing, picnicking. Great Views.

Reynolda House , 2250 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 919-695-9171
House museum, public gardens, art exhibits. Gardens are free admission.

Stone Mountain State Park, 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC
Equestrian and hiking trails, fishing, rock climbing, waterfalls. Great views.

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South of Orange County

Fearrington Village, 2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro NC
Charming area for strolling, just south of town. Shops, dining, barn.

Jordan Lake, Chatham County
Hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boat launches, sandy beach.

White Pines Nature Preserve, Chatham County, south of Pittsboro
Located at the confluence of the Rocky and Deep Rivers and contains an ecology typical of more mountainous regions.

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Even More Outdoor Opportunities!

Trails of NC
Here you'll find a guide to many NC trails with maps, directions and more.

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