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.

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve

View Website

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

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

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.

Ladies Fitness and Wellness Center

752 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 969-8663.

Lake Michael Park

View Website

East Lebanon Rd
Mebane, NC 27302

phone (919) 563-4573

Open daily, 7am-dusk (Mar.); 6am-dark (Apr.-Nov.).

Little River Regional Park and Natural Area

View Website

301 Little River Parkway
Rougemont, NC 27572

phone (919) 732-5505

Park is open seven days a week, 8am-5pm, plus extended seasonal hours.

Natural area of 391 acres has 7 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of separate mountain-bike trails, picnic shelters, playground, 1/4-mile ADA trail and restrooms. Straddling Orange and Durham Counties, the park entrance is off Guess Road northbound between St. Mary’s Rd and New Sharon Church Rd, 1.1 miles into Orange County on the right.

Meadowmont Club of Chapel Hill

View Website

301 Old Barn Ln
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

phone (919) 945-0640

Pool open daily (mid-May to Sep.), 10am-9pm.

Outdoor facility includes a six-lane competition pool and fun pool featuring a 98-ft. waterslide, with raindrop and shoreline entry. Offers year-round programming and activities for all ages and interests. Children’s playground. Call for clubhouse hours, daily entrance and activity fees. Parking.

Morgan Creek

View Website

Off South Columbia St
Chapel Hill, NC

(919) 968-2784

Open dawn to dusk.

Starts at US Highway 15-501 and runs west to Smith Level Rd. The trail runs through Southern Village and links with a trail in neighboring Carrboro.

North Carolina High School Athletic Association

View Website

Finley Golf Course Rd,
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 962-2345.

Open Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm.

Founded in 1913. A voluntary, non-profit organization that administers the state’s interscholastic athletic program. Each year, 350 member schools certify the eligibility of more than 130,000 athletes, and the association conducts championships in 21 sports around the state, including several in Chapel Hill. The office displays memorabilia from many of its greatest coaches and players, including photographs, uniforms, jerseys, caps, trophies and various other sports mementoes. Parking.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

View Website

1722 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1722

toll-free (888) 248-6834

State fishing laws apply on all public lands and reservoirs. For details, contact the wardens at the separate facilities or call the Commission for regulations, forms and fees.

O2 Fitness

View Website

300 Market Street, #110 (Southern Village),
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

phone (919) 942-6002

Page 3 of 5 pages

« FirstP  <  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.