This is a great place to go for a walk. It's a loop so you don't have to worry about getting lost. The path is well maintained and you can take a stroller on it with no problem. There is some bits of history that will surprise you along the way. Lots of free and easy access parking. read more

This is one of those random things that you find after you try driving through a region a different way a bunch of times. There is a gravel parking area with shade, and a trail that leads to an abandoned dirt road that was once used to race cars. Some linkages exist with other parks and I ended up taking a detour to the nearby creek. There were no bridges across the creek (a map promised that one was planned) and no bathroom facilities that I was able to locate. The vibe is interesting, with some preserved and apparently reconstructed buildings around an area that once held spectators. A few historic vehicles are sitting there as well. As a walking or running area, the road itself is excellent and you could certainly just do laps if you want to exercise. Trying to picture the place as a working NASCAR arena in the 1950's is a leap of imagination, but for those with the openness to try, an interesting exercise. read more

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Just under 1.5 mile hike from the parking area. Easy trail with signs and well maintained. This original track was a half mile horse track built by Julian Carr for okonochee farms. It was later expanded and used by NASCAR, active from 1948 -1968. It is the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season! Such a fun adventure to explore this site and see what remains! read more

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Family walk was great! Lots of parking, well kept walking trail and it's a circle. We enjoyed our time here and liked looking at the cars they have displayed. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Historic Occoneechee Speedway - Parks Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

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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. read more

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It's a great park just make sure you have someone riding shotgun or you are paying close attention as it's really easy to miss the entrance. Parking, once you are in doesn't seem to be a problem. I'm not a Nascar fan but if I was this place would be a religious experience. I am however an outdoors fan and this is great. If you were looking for a place to run this is perfect. The track is 1 mile. We have a Beagle with a bad back and this is a perfect flat track to take him out to. The park is very peaceful and I've found the runners and other dog walkers to be exceptionally friendly. The park seems to be run by a grassroots organization but I could be wrong on they really don't want bikes in there. There are some really interesting historic markers and hand painted signs. read more

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It is a long walk in but very interesting. Be sure to stop and read the park poster board. It has great facts about what the speedway once was and photos of how it actually looked. There were no trees like there is now. The track is 1 mile around and an easy walk or run. We met a couple on the track , the man remembered going here when he was a boy when it was a speedway. He said many early NASCAR drivers started their careers here, and that it was the only one around with banked curves. He remembers seeing cars go flying over the curves! read more

The best place to walk and relax. I take my dog's there everyday. Loads of people walking and running trails in the woods surrounding the track and by the Eno River. Well maintained and beautiful year round. Fun to see north Carolina history maintained for all to visit and enjoy read more

Loved this place, I walked my dogs there on a regular (almost daily) basis But....now they are allowing local high school teams to have track practice there. They are intrusive loud and take over the place, disrupting all flora and fauna, kicking in the doors of the old original buildings and ruining the quiet walks I had grown to love so well. When I called the manager (Bill) to let him know what was going on he said he gave them permission to practice there. Why, this is a historic site, where animals are often seen and the serenity is part of the whole charm??!! Very disappointing that another place has succumbed to the public ruining it's tranquility. read more

The track is a great place for a walk, run and relaxing break from city noise. It's about a 1/4 mile walk from the parking lot to the track. Well maintained. read more

I've been walking the area trails for 20 years. This is a really interesting spot -- a true slice of Southern history -- and the trails are wide and well-maintained. Unfortunately it's the only walking place I've ever felt unsafe. Yesterday I encountered several workmen in cars and trucks, going far too fast down the trails, yelling at visitors. I actually felt pretty threatened by one who blasted by me, hollering about how he had a "right" to be there. (No one questioned that, as far as I know.) It was like being caught in some weird hillbilly sitcom. I did call the office about it. They knew exactly who I was talking about and said it had happened before. So I assume it could happen again. Beware. read more

Amazing piece of history preserved. We are lucky to have this in our backyard! One small issue I just cannot grasp and cannot seem to find an answer to. An apparent self appointed BIKE Nazi is stalking the area. An old goat as a 7yr old put it scared the daylight and embarrassed my daughter here over the weekend? Resting on the bleachers enjoying this treasure the woman comes out yelling. NO BIKES ALLOWED.. Proceeds, to continue her rant and escort my daughter and friend from the site. Advising passer by families to look at them and what they are doing? (walking their bikes to the exit with an overly enthusiastic hater of all things which can move faster than her hovaround chair?) What is the reason for this? Please advise on the apparent crime committed here? Next time we will try strapping on a case of shine and practice avoiding the enforcer.. It could lead to a revolution of tricked out kiddie bikes and a world famous sport..... Stay tuned for upcoming event details that will be entertainment for the entire family! Grannies in motorized wheel chairs chasing kids on bikes could be a great fun day at the speedway... Amazing read more