Hillsborough, North Carolina
Hillsborough, North Carolina is a great place to explore the great outdoors. With its scenic trails, outdoor adventures, and must-visit attractions, there’s something for everyone. Popular attractions in the area include the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Eno River State Park, and the New Hope Valley Railway. For those looking to take part in outdoor activities, there’s camping, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. For a more leisurely experience, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the trail or take a scenic drive. There’s also plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options nearby. With so much to do in and near Hillsborough, it’s easy to find the perfect spot for your next outdoor adventure.
Top Spots in and near Hillsborough
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Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Battle Branch Trail
4.02.94 mi / 230 ft gainBattle Branch Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Chapel Hill, North Carolina.Read more -
Durham, North Carolina
Museum of Life and Science Trail Loop
4.00.69 mi / 98 ft gainMuseum of Life and Science Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Durham, North Carolina.Read more -
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
North Carolina Botanical Garden
1.46 mi / 157 ft gainNorth Carolina Botanical Garden is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Chapel Hill, North Carolina.Read more -
Durham, North Carolina
Penny's Bend
5.0Penny's Bend is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Durham, North Carolina.Read more -
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaWoodland and Mason Farm Trail Loop
5.01.76 mi / 265.26 ft gainThe Woodland Trail and Mason Farm Trail together create a roughly 1.8-mile (approximately 2.9 km) loop through portions of Parker Preserve and the Mason Farm Biological Reserve, offering visitors a peaceful journey through upland forests and bottomland meadows. The Woodland Trail (~0.8 mi) win...Read more -
Bahama, North CarolinaHorton Grove
5.07.04 mi / 722 ft gainThe Horton Grove Nature Preserve spans 708 acres and features about eight miles of interconnected trails, including a family-friendly interpretive path (“That Makes Sense”) and longer loop options that approach 7 miles. The full loop traverses diverse habitats—upland oak-hickory and mixed h...Read more -
Graham, North Carolina
Saxapahaw Island Park
1.3 mi / 30 ft gainSaxapahaw Island Park is an urban park along the Haw River. The Saxapahaw Island Loop Trail is a well-maintained 1.3-mile loop. The trail parallels a section of the Haw River Trail/Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Many park visitors run laps around the loop while others fish along the river's edge, chil...Read more -
Graham, North Carolina
Kayak Swepsonville River Park to Saxapahaw Lake Paddle Access
This 5.5-mile stretch of the Haw River, often called "Sweps to Sax", is perfect for beginners or a relaxing paddle. This section of the river sits between two dams and creates waters calm enough for an out-and-back paddle if you want to double the mileage. When you put in at Swepsonville River ...Read more -
Burlington, North Carolina
Fish the Haw River in Great Bend Park
2.00.4 miAfter parking at Great Bend Park, follow the trail about 100 yards to a bridge which provides you access to a 5-acre island that overlooks the dam's waterfall. While the Haw River is easy to wade, the island offers a number of bank fishing spots for those who would prefer to keep their feet on so...Read more -
Snow Camp, North Carolina
Cane Creek Mountains Northern Approach Loop
2.32 mi / 351 ft gainThe Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area is a nature park in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina. Pine Hill Trailhead is the first phase of the park and includes 3.5 miles of trails. All the trails are color-coded and marked with matching blazes every tenth of a mile. The 2.5-mile Northern Approac...Read more -
Burlington, North Carolina
Rock Creek Trail
1.75 mi / 167 ft gainCedarock Park is a 500-acre park named for the abundance of cedar trees and rock outcroppings. The park features a network of hiking and equestrian trails, disc golf and footgolf courses, primitive camping, a fishing pond, canoe and kayak rentals, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic shelters...Read more -
Morrisville, North Carolina
Hatcher Creek Greenway
5.05.25 mi / 112 ft gainHatcher Creek Greenway is an excellent paved walking, running, and biking path in Morrisville, NC. This greenway connects to Crabtree Lake Greenway. You can also use this greenway to travel to the Morrisville community library, Morrisville Community Park, and access shopping and restaurants in th...Read more -
Raleigh, North Carolina
Sal's Branch Trail
5.02.55 mi / 331 ft gainSal's Branch Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Morrisville, North Carolina.Read more -
Morrisville, North Carolina
Day Trip to Lake Crabtree
5.0Lake Crabtree is a 215 acre park that sits right next to a 520 acre flood control lake, known as Lake Crabtree. The park is open year round and offers a plethora of different activities. Hiking trails are accessible to hikers and runners while bikes are also permitted on multi-use trails. The par...Read more -
Apex, North Carolina
Camp at Jordan Lake State Park
4.0We passed by Jordan Lake on the way home from a soccer match, and the kids asked if we could camp there before summer's end. We lucked out and found a spot available online to reserve Labor Day weekend, so we packed up and headed out for a couple of relaxing days by the lake.The camping offerings...Read more -
Cary, North Carolina
Black Creek Greenway to Lake Crabtree
5.02.04 mi / 213 ft gainBlack Creek Greenway to Lake Crabtree is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Morrisville, North Carolina.Read more
