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.

Ladies Fitness & Wellness Center

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1728 Fordham Blvd, #127 (Rams Plaza)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

phone (919) 929-7474

Lake Michael Park

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7300 Lebanon Rd
Mebane, NC 27302

Directions

phone (919) 563-4573

Open Thu-Mon, 7am-7pm (or dark); Sun 1-7pm (or dark), (Mar.); 6am-8pm (or dark), Sun 1-8pm (or dark), (Apr.-Nov.).


Located in Orange County, one mile east of Mebane. A beautiful 59-acre lake with two piers and a surrounding 200-acre park that has nature trails, playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoes, picnic areas, boat rental and fishing. Special areas for children, and three covered shelters available. Call for reservations, licenses and fees.

Little River Regional Park and Natural Area

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301 Little River Parkway
Rougemont, NC 27572

Directions

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

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301 Old Barn Ln; Meadowmont Village
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Directions

phone (919) 945-0640

Pool hours vary by day and season.

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 (individual, couple and family). Parking.

Morgan Creek

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Off South Columbia St
Chapel Hill, NC

Directions

(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.

New Millenium Fitness

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121 Boone Square St (Shops at Daniel Boone)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 644-2632

North Carolina Botanical Garden

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100 Old Mason Farm Rd (off US Highway 15-501)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375

Directions

phone (919) 962-0522

Open year-round Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm; Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., 1-5pm; and Apr.-Oct., one hour later on weekends.


The largest natural botanical garden in the southeast, consisting of nearly 800 acres of preserved land with nature trails, carnivorous plant collections, aquatics and herb gardens. Also offers revolving exhibits of paintings, quilts and other media, plus sculpture in various sections of the botanical collection. Free guided tours of the display gardens every Sat (Mar-Nov), 10am. Parking. In October 2009, the garden opened the new 29,000 square foot “green” Education Center which includes an auditorium, classrooms and gift shop with outdoor patio space and native plant landscaping. Ask about guided tours of the Education Center.

North Carolina High School Athletic Association

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Finley Golf Course Rd,
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

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

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1722 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1722

Directions

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

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

Directions

phone (919) 942-6002

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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.