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!

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

Miles and miles or beautiful trails that can be utilized for walking, hiking, biking and running by…read moreall levels of skill sets. Lots of beautiful scenery , wildlife, and views. Local ice cream shop and coffee shop near by. Picnic tables available as well as a porta-potty.

First timers here. Found the location here on yelp. We weren't able to explore the trails entirely…read more Should have worn my boots, and the trails are very confusing. They do have markers and a map, but it's still confusing with the disc golf course trails, and some only seem one way. Only issue. This place was beautiful. Trails were amazing. Sights were definitely soothing. Very secluded area. We will be coming back in better preparation and explore every inch lol. A great place to pack a lunch for a scenic picnic. Parking is secluded. Almost like you're driving to no where. There is a port-a-pot at parking. Didn't see anything in the trails. Newer benches, woodwork throughout. Disc golf course seems to be a highlight here of how well kept it is. No one here today as it was chilly and gloomy. Wear hiking/waterproof boots.

This is one of my favorite hiking spots in the area. I've been here about 10 times with my dog and…read morewe discover a new part of the forest every time. One of my favorite aspects of this place is the peacefulness of these trails. It isn't a high frequented place and the trails are always in good condition. I discovered on my last trip that there is a bike trail near the Horace Williams airport entrance. This is a nice place to come and hike in the woods without traveling very far from the Chapel Hill area.

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.

It was my first time doing this trail and we absolutely loved it. We decided to do the 7mile round…read morehike.

Bald Eagle Trail is a fairly easy stroll through the woods, with near zero elevation changes…read morethroughout.  The entire trail spans from Brass Eagle Loop, along Lake Higgins, to Hamburg Mill Rd.  The total trip is about 7.5ish miles round trip, with an optional 3 mile loop (Bald eagle Loop).  Certain sections can be muddy after a heavy rain, but most of the low-ground has a sturdy boardwalk built, which adds flare to an otherwise boring walk.  There are a few stream crossings, but easy to keep dry if you're careful.  There were some downed trees, but we easily navigated around without any difficulty.  Dogs and bikes are welcome.  Plenty of parking at the Brass Eagle entrance; I'm not sure about the Hamburg side.  Bring bug spray, and don't forget to hydrate!

Only a .2 mile walk to the cave. British supporters used this cave during the Revolutionary War…read more Quiet and peaceful stroll thru the woods.

Come here with my dad and dog on occasion. Very calming, fun and relaxing! My dog is pictured his…read morename is spot!

The river trail is 5.5 miles in total length, 4 miles between the two parking lots on the trail…read more The best parking/access is on the north side near the Jordan soccer complex. The trail is enclosed by trees so you don't really get much views of the river, but it's a nice trail in the forest. It's paved and wheel chair accessible. Bikes and scooters etc are allowed. There is also access to several mountain biking trails along the path. The trail is mostly shaded, but doesn't get much breeze because of the forest so can be muggy during hot weather. This is one of the best options for walking in the area since the city is not pedestrian friendly. There are emergency beacons along the trail about every 1 mile for safety, and it's a fairly busy trail so I would consider it to be safe to solo joggers or hikers.

Pretty good place to go relax and take the kids out to enjoy nature. I normally go here to destress…read moreand go on walks.

If Greensboro and High Point can claim somewhere as a "central park" it would have to be the parks…read moreand rec complex created by the fusion of City Lake Park, Jamestown Park and Golf Course, the High Point Greenway, and the Piedmont Environmental Center converging together on this point. If you can't figure out a way to spend a day outside somewhere in all that, you might just not like the outdoors! The Piedmont Environmental Center serves as kind of a trailhead for the High Point Greenway, as well as a system of lakeside trails that run along city lake and the golf course. The welcome center is attractive on the outside, though decisively could use a facelift indoors. Still, it has what you need. Restrooms, vending, information and brochures, and even a small exhibit featuring native snakes and amphibians from the Piedmont. I never pass up a chance to check out some snakes, preferably behind glass like these. The trails make a great place for a light intensity hike, a simple nature walk, or just a place to walk the dog. On my visit, it was an overcast and cool day in early spring, so it's not quite time for peak visitors yet. I prefer this time of year, things are quiet and serene, and the trees are just starting to bloom. There is no shortage of signage along the trails, and ample places to make sure you clean up after your dog. Another note, if you're a Pokemon Go player, there are no less than 12(!) easy to access gyms at both the major hub around the visitor center, and then several along the trails, not to mention a litany of Pokestops. Please only read this information and follow it if you're on team Mystic. The rest of you can feel free to forget you read it. All of this is free, so get out and enjoy nature as North Carolina provides in abundance!

This is a great recreation area in the Uwharrie National Forest along Badin Lake…read more You do have gravel roads to get through to it, but it's well worth it. There are also full campgrounds nearby. This area is on a spit of land in Badin Lake. It is very spacious with plenty of parking, fishing piers and even some "beach" areas. There is a large shelter with a large greenspace in front of of it at the back end of the park. There is also toilet facilities, picnic tables and charcoal grills around the area. Very clean and it makes for a nice day outdoors.

Saw this hiking trail on instagram and couldn't wait to explore it! Plenty of parking, and a nasty…read morebathroom without a sink. Use the bathroom before you come. The hike is hard! There are so many rocks and a steep incline. It took us about 1.5 hours to complete the hike and we had small children with us. Once you make it to the lookout it's stunning! You have to climb a ton of stairs but it's worth it.

Trails are amazing. The original trails at the Pine Hill Trailhead were awesome enough, but the…read morenew trails just down the road at the Oak Hill Trailhead are just has great. The map doesn't how it, but the trails do connect to give the option of hiking from one tailhead to the other. There are 4 campsites at the Pine Hill Trailhead area. I car-camped for one night recently and really enjoyed it. Before you camp here, you should know ahead of time that there are no showers or plumbing restrooms or vending machines. The restroom is non-plumbing as has no running water. However, there is a very nice water-pump on the other side of the parking lot from where the restroom is. This is a very rough-in-it campground, at least for now. There are nice tent-pads, fire pits, and picnic tables at all spots except #4. At this spot there is only parking and the tent would go directly on the ground. Sites 1, 2, and 4 have room for smaller camping vehicles. Site 3 has a pretty small parking area with room for 1, or maybe 2 vehicles if they are both small. A camper-van would fit but nothing bigger. Each campsite has a little distance of woods between them so there is some privacy. A walk from the campsites to the restroom at the parking area is necessary, but you can drive to it during the night easy enough. I just had to take the front windshield privacy visor out. There are no lights anywhere except what you bring for yourself, so it is pitch-dark at night. If you are OK with this type of camping and are looking for great hiking and quiet and relaxation, you should love it. If you need plumbing and lights or other amenities, this site is not for you. So don't forget to bring water or a container for the pump, a cooler for drinks and snacks, and a flashlight!

First and only visit took a bit of a drive from where I lived but did not disappoint. The hiking…read morewas fairly level with a great meditative and uncrowded nature walk. Deserving of good hiking boots to navigate the trail's obstacles.

Nice park with many trails of varying difficulty. A couple trails were closed due to a past storm,…read morebut we still enjoyed our hike along the river