Adventure Awaits: Outdoor Fun in the Sandhills

While the Home of American Golf is best known for its legendary courses, there’s so much more to explore beyond the fairways.

From parks and greenways to hiking trails, farms, and wide-open spaces, the Sandhills offers countless ways to stretch your legs and soak up the fresh Carolina air. Here’s a super-sampling of local favorites where you can enjoy a perfect day with Mother Nature.

Aberdeen Lake Park

Aberdeen

Enjoy a picturesque, 2-mile lake trail, with a train-themed playground and views galore. Ideal spot for family picnics, boating (no gas engines) … and everything in between, including a gazebo, picnic shelter and recreation center — each available for rental.

Pack a Picnic

All American Trail

Southern Pines

Mountain bikes and trail runners are welcome on this 21-mile, public access trail that borders Ft. Bragg. Just a 5-minute drive from downtown Southern Pines, past beautiful horse farms on the way to the trailhead parking on the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Fort Bragg Road. Closed during fall and winter hunting season.

Take a Hike

Bear Creek

Robbins

Serves up more than 8 miles of trails along scenic Bear and Cabin Creeks. Map kiosks at intersections and the main trail heads provide information about different loop hikes, distances and difficulty. There are also disc golf and canoeing opportunities.

Trail Information

Karefree Farms

Carthage

Fun for “kids” of all ages. Pick your own strawberries, blueberries and grapes. Scheduled tours for a variety of groups. Market has fresh-picked fruits and vegetables, farm-raised pork, local honey and local eggs. Also, homemade ice cream, jams, jellies, and a wide variety of baked goods made fresh daily in the on-site farm kitchen. Be sure to try the famous Tomato Pies. Don’t feel like picking berries? Grab a Nehi or other cold drink plus a bag of cookies, then have a seat in a rocking chair on our large front porch and visit for a while.

Pick a Peck

Martin Park

Southern Pines

A more than 50-acre off leash park for dogs. Wooded areas, open spaces with seating, nature trails and a creek make this a perfect place for canines to play and socialize with other dogs, while their owners enjoy the outdoors or spend time with other dog owners. Parking is available in the cul-de-sac.

Walk the Dog

Misty Morning Ranch

Robbins

Misty Morning Ranch is a working ostrich farm offering tours, farm-fresh products, and a unique glimpse into raising the world’s largest bird. It’s an agritourism experience that blends education, fun, and a taste of something unexpected in the Sandhills.

Learn More About Ostriches

National Athletic Village

Southern Pines

Southern Pines’ premier athletic venue. The NAV is home to nearly 80 acres of adventure. With multiple Bermuda grass fields, indoor multi-sport court, 3-D archery range, airsoft field, performance gym and a spartan-like obstacle course, there is something for everyone. There is also a Beer Garden and Beach, complete with sand volleyball courts.

Join the Fun

Nick’s Creek Trail

Southern Pines

Enjoy hard-packed gravel and sand trails that run 4 miles, until they meet up with the reservoir loop. As an after-hike treat, visit seventh generation Highlander Farms on NC Hwy. 22 for Sam’s Famous Ice Cream.

Get a Map

Pinehurst Greenway

Pinehurst

Meandering for nearly 6 miles through the community and its historic business district, through Rassie Wicker Park, the Pinehurst Arboretum and all the way out to Linden Road. Trails are pedestrian and bicycling access only, and include several places for users to hop on the greenway system. Plenty of other amenities close to the trail, including shops and restaurants, and of course, golf.

Greenway Map

Pinehurst Harness Track

Pinehurst

The Pinehurst Harness Track is a 111-acre equestrian facility where Standardbred horses have trained since 1915. Visitors can watch morning workouts, explore the historic barns, and experience a unique piece of Pinehurst’s sporting heritage.

Explore

Rassie Wicker Park

Pinehurst

A 103-acre community park with a splash pad, an outdoor in-line hockey rink, a playground, tennis courts, bocce court and a soccer field, as well as 3 miles of paved walking and biking trails, and an inexpensive concession stand. Also, home to a 33-acre arboretum. The Magnolia Lawn, Meadow Lawn and Pergola Garden may all be reserved for weddings, receptions, concerts and other events.

Play More

Reservoir Park

Southern Pines

Enjoy fishing and boating on this 95-acre lake. One of the area’s fun frisbee golf course designs, with simple navigation: tee box signs with yardage and very short walks between holes. Beautiful views of the reservoir, as the course meanders under a canopy of pine, oak and hickory trees along the gently rolling hills of the Sandhills. Also enjoy bicycling, jogging, or just walking on flat paths through the woods. Two covered picnic shelters with grills and a number of picnic tables.

Explore

Sandhills Horticultural Gardens

Pinehurst

Stroll through 10 historic and iconic gardens — a total of 27 acres of richly varied gardens. Enjoy English gardens, a conifer garden, a rose garden, a Japanese garden, a garden featuring wetland flora, and fruit and vegetables gardens, among others, all of which are maintained by the horticultural students at the Sandhills Community College. Also houses sculptures from local artists and some beautifully maintained areas in which to sit and enjoy nature. Admission is free.

Take a Stroll

Southern Pines Greenway

Southern Pines

Boasts more than 11 miles of walking and biking trails. Trail systems include the David R White (approximately 2 miles wandering the scenic 95-acre lake), Longleaf (about 1 mile connecting the Pine Grove Village, Talamore and Longleaf neighborhoods to the Reservoir Park and Forest Creek Greenways), Forest Creek (more than 4 miles connecting Longleaf Greenway to the Forest Creek Development, to the O’Neal School, and to Highway 22 at Nicks Creek), Mill Creek (1 mile connecting Reservoir Park to the Warrior Woods residential area. Future plans add another three miles of trail through Warrior Woods and to the Carolina golf community) and Nick’s Creek (nearly 4 miles connecting Reservoir Park to Highway 22).

Get a Map

Village of Pinehurst Disc Golf Course

Pinehurst

Fun, 18-hole course located at 861 Chicken Plant Road. Parking is available at West Pinehurst Community Park. The course is first come, first serve unless reserved for private play. Discs are available to check out from the Parks & Recreation Department.

Play More

Walthour-Moss Foundation

Southern Pines

A woodland, where time stands still. More than 4,000 acres of unspoiled land that exists as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and enjoyment for mankind. Originally known for its equestrian use, which continues to attract world-class riders and drivers to its sandy lanes and trails. However, the implementation of proper Silva culture and ecological practices have made this a true environmental preserve.

Learn More

Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve

Southern Pines

A distinctive, 900-acre state park located near Southern Pines in the Sandhills, which is characterized by a series of sandy ridges, and with a goal to preserve and portray the natural features unique to this region. Learn more about the fascinating species and plants indigenous to the south-central North Carolina environment. Also offers a network of nature trails and a “Discovery Room,” with things for kids to touch and explore, weekly events and a Sandhills Museum offering educational events on a weekly basis. A unique window onto the longleaf pine forests that once covered millions of acres in the southeastern U.S.

Explore the Longleaf Ecosystem