Sports & Recreation

Sports in Orange County revolve mostly around the Tar Heel basketball, football and other teams for obvious reasons, but outdoor activities are very big here, too, because the county and towns have a long-standing commitment to the preservation, development and promotion of parkland—25% of the county's nearly 400 square miles is undeveloped—including nature preserves, parks and playgrounds, walking trails and bicycle routes and paths, not to mention state parks and lakes and reservoirs. In addition, there are numerous opportunities for personal athletic activities, e.g. biking, fitness, golf, swimming and even ice-skating year-round.

Curves for Women

View Website

610 North Churton St
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 245-1500

Cycle 9

View Website

601 West Main St
Carrboro, NC 27510

Directions

phone (919) 636-5909

Open Tue-Fri, 11am-6pm; Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, noon-5pm.

Dean E. Smith Center

View Website

Skipper Bowles Dr (UNC campus),
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8500

Directions

phone (919) 962-7777.

Open Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm, and for special events.


NEWS FLASH - The Dean Smith Center will be closed to the public from July 12 until September 7.  The arena will be closed while the playing court is sanded and refinished and due to the continuing basketball office construction project. The men’s basketball offices in the Smith Center have been under renovation since March. The project is scheduled to be completed this Fall.

Opened in January 1986, this is the third largest on-campus arena in the country, with a seating capacity of 21,750 for basketball games and 21,500 for concerts. The facility also houses the offices of the UNC Men’s Basketball Program. Cost varies by event. Parking. (Photo by UNC Athletic Communications)

Eno River State Park

View Website

6101 Cole Mill Rd
Durham, NC 27705

Directions

phone (919) 383-1686

Open 8am-9pm (May-Aug); 8am-8pm (Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct); 8am-6pm (Nov, Feb); closed Christmas Day.


More than 4,000 acres of natural beauty along 14 miles of winding riverbanks. Wilderness areas feature hiking, back-country camping, fishing, canoe access, picnicking and nature programs. Three areas in Orange County are Cabelands (on Howe St off Sparger Rd), Fews Ford (Cole Mill Rd) and Pleasant Green (on Pleasant Green Rd). Parking. Pets allowed on leashes.

Eurosport Soccer Center

View Website

4701 West Ten Road
Efland, NC 27243

Directions

(919) 245-2660

Open April - October

Soccer center features five full size fields and one practice area.  Also included is a half-mile walking track, shade shelter and a concession/restroom building. All of the facilities are lighted and ready for day and night time activity.

Finley Golf Course

View Website

Finley Golf Course Rd (off Raleigh Rd, NC Highway 54 East)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8500

Directions

phone (919) 962-2349

Open daily.


Following an $8-million facelift by famed golf course architect Tom Fazio, the course now features each hole with five tee boxes, allowing the course to be played from 4,981 yards to a tournament-level 7,187 yards (although it has the standard four par-5s and four par-3s). It also offers a driving range, putting green and lessons. Call for green fees and reservations.

Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail

View Website

320 Elizabeth Brady Rd (at US Highway 70 and NC Highway 86)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 732-6886

Open daily, 8am-5pm (Jan.-Feb. & Nov.-Dec.); 8am-6pm (Mar. & Oct.); 7am-7pm (Apr.-Sep.).


Free four-mile trail around this 44-acre site— listed on the National Register of Historic Places—where Native-Americans and later settlers hunted and farmed, Gen. Julian S. Carr trained his horses, and the original NASCAR stock-car racers tested their driving skills from 1948-1968 around a one-mile oval track (shown in photo).

Homestead Aquatics Center

View Website

300 Northern Park Drive (off Homestead Rd)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

phone (919) 968-2799

Open Mon-Fri, 5:30am-8:30pm; Sat 9am-7:30; Sun 12:30pm-7:30pm.

This 27,400-sq.ft. facility at the northwest corner of Homestead Park features a 25-meter by 25-yard lap pool, a warm water pool, accessible locker rooms, bleachers, a reception area, office space, public art, family changing areas and a meeting room. Call for open swim times.

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve

View Website

Mount Sinai Rd (off NC Highway 86)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

phone (919) 833-3662

Open daily, dawn to dusk.

Located 1.1 miles east of NC Highway 86, with a parking area on the right just before New Hope Creek. Three miles of intimate hiking trails traverse this 296-acre sanctuary. Explore mature forests, discover historic mill sites and splash in bubbling creeks. Enjoy the wonders of nature just minutes from downtown Chapel Hill.

Kenan Memorial Stadium

View Website

Stadium Dr (UNC campus),
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8500

Directions

phone (919) 966-2575.


One of the most beautiful grass-turf sports venues in the nation, where Tar Heel football teams have played since 1927. Having undergone several major additions over the years, the stadium now seats 60,000. Cost varies by event. (Photo by UNC Athletic Communications)

Page 3 of 5 pages

 <  1 2 3 4 5 >


Did You Know?

Orange County offers a wide range of spectator and recreational sports and leisure activities, and is home to the fastest 3/8-mile oval stock car race track in the U.S.