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.

Occoneechee Golf Club

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1500 Lawrence Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 732-3435

Open daily.

18-hole, par-71 golf course. Electric and pull carts are available for rent. Driving range and golf lessons also available. Call for green fees and reservations.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

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Virginia Cates Rd (off Orange Grove Rd)
Hillsborough, NC

Directions

(919) 383-1686

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


Features 190 acres of natural beauty, three miles of trails and a couple of ponds for fishing. Overlooking the Eno River, the mountain has an elevation of 867 ft., which is the highest point in Orange County. Parking. Pets allowed on leashes. Picnicking.

Orange County Parks & Recreation Dept

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300 West Tryon St
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 245-2660

Office open Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm.

The department operates four recreational facilities with various features and activities: the Central Recreation Facility, Efland-Cheeks Park and Community Center, Homestead Community Center and the Northern Recreation Center. Plus the new Little River Regional Park (listed separately). In the Town of Hillsborough is Fairview Park with a playground and picnic area. Call the office for facility and program information.

Orange County Speedway

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9740 NC Highway 57 North
Rougemont, NC 27572

Directions

phone (336) 364-1222

Open on race days (Mar.-Nov.), noon to midnight; race times, 2pm & 7pm.


The fastest 3/8-mile paved oval in the nation. The high-banked, wide turns make for fast, close competitive racing action. Come enjoy grassroots racing at its best. Admission: Adults, $10; students & seniors, $8; children up to 10; free. Parking.

Performance Bicycle

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1800 East Franklin St (Eastgate)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

phone (919) 933-1491

Open Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun, noon-6pm.

The Wellness Center at Meadowmont

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100 Sprunt St
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Directions

phone (919) 966-5500

Triangle SportsPlex

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101 Meadowland Dr (off US Highway 70)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 644-0339

Open Mon.-Sat., 5:30am-10pm; Sun., noon-7pm.


Recently remodeled, the facility now offers a new fitness center with a bird’s-eye view of the ice skating rink (NHL-size open year-round), aquatic center (with three pools), meeting room, tanning, pro shop and snack bar. Walk-in and member pricing, costs vary by activity. Senior discounts. Parking. Picnicking.

University Lake

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130 University Lake Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

phone (919) 942-8007

Open from March 27 to Nov 14 during 2010 Season; Fri.-Sun., 6:30am-6pm.


This lake will reopen for boating, fishing and other recreation on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
University Lake will also be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, Independence Day, Sunday July 4 and Labor Day, Monday September 6.  The 213-acre lake was built by the University in 1932 as a source of drinking water for the University and the communities of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, as well as an outdoor recreation facility. Free picnic and sunbathing areas. Rowboats, canoes and motors are available for rent. Call for rates and reservations.

Upper Bolin Creek

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Off East Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC

Directions

(919) 968-2784

Open dawn to dusk.

Starts at the Chapel Hill Community Center off South Estes Dr and runs west for 1.5 miles to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, formerly Airport Rd. A extension runs about a mile further, connecting with a trail in neighboring Carrboro.

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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.