20 Kid-Friendly Trails in The Triangle: Where to walk or bike in Raleigh

They don’t call Raleigh the City of Oaks for nothing, so if you want to get out into nature, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails in Raleigh where you can see why the city gets this namesake.

Raleigh is awash with greenery. It’s one of the things we love about living in Raleigh with kids. Having access to so many Greenway trails, lakes, nature reserves, and state parks, there is no shortage of walking trails in Raleigh that are kid-friendly and accessible for families.

If you have kids, from toddler age to pre-teen, then these are our favorite kid-friendly trails in Raleigh that we like to do as a family. Each of these trails we have completed when our daughters were very small, so we can vouch for them. If you want to go a little further outside of Raleigh and Wake County, we have included some more trails in the Triangle Area that are recommended for kids and within a short drive from downtown.

1. Sal’s Branch Trail (Umstead State Park)

We are extremely lucky in Raleigh to have an awesome State Park just a 15-minute drive from downtown Raleigh. If you love nature trails through the forest, don’t miss the 5,000-acre Umstead State Park, which has many excellent trails. 

And one of the best kid-friendly trails in Raleigh is one of Umstead State Park’s most popular, the Sal’s Branch Trail. This is an easy-to-moderate 2.8-mile loop trail that is suitable for all levels through the woods with lake views about halfway along

We’ve hiked this trail with our two kids, which takes about an hour at a leisurely pace, and we stop several times for photos and a brief rest at the lake. Keep in mind that the trail surface is natural and uneven in parts with tree roots, so it would be difficult with a stroller!

Located on the northeastern side of Umstead Park, to get to Sal’s Branch Trail, drive to the Crabtree Creek Park access and visitor center off US-70.

NOTE: Dogs can also use the trails in Umstead State Park, but must be kept on leash. Read our full guide to Umstead.

• Address: 8801 Glenwood Ave
• Umstead State Park Map

2. Lake Johnson Loop Trail

If you’re searching for paved hiking trails in Raleigh, it doesn’t get any better than the Lake Johnson loop trail in Lake Johnson Park. Located 10-minutes from downtown Raleigh, the Lake Johnson loop is one of our absolute favorite things to do in Raleigh with kids (or without).

We’ve been walking around our favorite lake in Raleigh with our kids since 2008, when our eldest was just 10-months old, pushing her in a stroller, and we’ve walked the loop so many times I’ve lost count. 

The 3-mile loop trail is fully paved and has mile markers, so you have a good idea of where you are at all times. It’s definitely the easiest short hike in Raleigh because it’s practically all flat, except for two areas that have a gradual elevation gain.

It’s mostly wooded with various overlooks of the lake along the path, and plenty of shaded spots in the warmer months. There’s a 700-foot-long boardwalk that crosses the lake, plus a boathouse, a small beach area, and picnic shelters. 

Because the path is paved, it’s common to see people cycling, skating, or riding their scooters along the trail, so do keep an eye out for cyclists. We ride our bikes along this trail often, too, and it’s one of our favorite leisurely rides.

If you head clockwise from the boat house, the first half of the trail is flat. This trail usually takes us about one hour with our kids to leisurely stroll the full loop. 

• There are three parking lots:
  • Main boatshed lot: 4601 Avent Ferry Rd
  • On the far east side, off Lake Dam Rd
  • Drive further south on Avent Ferry Rd past the boatshed towards Tryon Rd, there is a lot on the left.
• Website

Read our full review: Why Lake Johnson is our favorite lake and why it’s one of the best trails in Raleigh

3. Lake Lynn Trail

Probably our second favorite lake trail in Raleigh (especially with kids) is this one around Lake Lynn. At just under three miles, this 2.6-mile paved loop trail is perfect for families.

We love all the wooden boardwalks across the lake, and the mixture of paved trail, forest setting, and lake views. It’s mostly flat with a few small inclines, it’s the perfect length with kids, and we always see plenty of families pushing strollers. If you get tired, there are some nice areas to rest and take in the views, especially along the boardwalk areas!

The trail follows the perimeter of the lake, offering lovely views. In the warmer months, most of the trail is shaded with gorgeous trees offering some relief, but there’s a good mix of open sunshine too!

If you’re looking for some solitude on one of the most beautiful trails in Raleigh, we thoroughly enjoy walking (or biking) the Lake Lynn Trail in Northwest Raleigh, just 8 miles from downtown.

• There are two entrances, both with parking.
  • The biggest car park is at the Lake Lynn Community Center entrance: 7921 Ray Rd, Raleigh.
  • The other car park is directly off Lynn Rd, near the intersection of Leesville Rd. This entrance is where the mile marker starts, but it is a smaller car park, so it will fill up quickly in peak times.

Read our full review of the Lake Lynn Trail.

4. Bike the Art to Heart Trail

Besides walking trails, if you’re looking for Raleigh bike trails, you’re in luck. We love how bike-friendly Raleigh is becoming, as we love riding our bikes, and the 6-mile Art to Heart Trail is fantastic. This is NOT a loop, but a point-to-point trail that connects the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) to the heart of Downtown Raleigh, passing through natural settings and urban areas!

This trail begins at the Museum of Art, which is the state’s premier collection of art, and this 6-mile trail is a short, easy hike that’s just a segment of the larger East Coast Greenway, a developing trail system linking major cities of the eastern Seaboard between Canada and Key West – totaling 2,900 miles!

The trail starts by winding its way through the museum’s 164-acre park, passes behind Meredith College, cuts through the main campus at NC State University, passes by Pullen Park, through Boylan Heights, then finishes in the city just outside of the Martin Marietta Energy Center for the Performing Arts –or wherever your heart desires!

You can, of course, bike one way downtown and then back again. But we decided to stay downtown for lunch, so I caught an Uber back to pick up our car from the museum.

There is a large car park at the North Carolina Museum of Art at 2110 Blue Ridge Rd.

Be sure to read our full review of the Art to Heart Trail. And download a map of the Art to Heart trail here.

5. Ann & Jim Goodnight Museum Park (at NCMA)

Speaking of the Museum of Art, within the park is the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, which features temporary and permanent public art installations by international artists, cool landscapes, colorful gardens, and a terraced pond. 

There is a 1.7-mile paved loop trail you can walk that takes in the outdoor art and nature exhibits. The majority of the trail is a gentle grade, but some steeper sections. Note that some of this trail may be closed due to renovations currently underway at the museum.

The trail is accessible year-round. Dogs are able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. And it’s from here you can hook up to the previously mentioned Art-to-Heart trail. NOTE: It does get hot here in the middle of the day during the summer months!

• Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh
• Website: ncartmuseum.org

6. Shelley Lake Trail

Another one of the popular Raleigh walking trails with the locals is around Shelley Lake in North Raleigh – just 7 miles northwest of downtown and just north of I-440. This is a 2-mile paved loop trail around the 53-acre lake. The trail is mostly flat with one small incline at the start (or end, depending on which direction you walk) and is good for all fitness levels and for those with kids pushing a stroller.

Ample shade is available along the trail, but I would say at least a quarter of it is open to the sun in the warmer months, so keep that in mind.

The car park entrance is off W Millbrook Road and is easily accessible; it can be found at 1400 W Millbrook Rd, Raleigh. Starting at the main car park, you will see a sign with a map as the beginning point, then head down the hill past the kids’ playground on the right towards the lake.

Read our guide to Shelley Lake for more information

7. Trails at Historic Yates Mill Pond

The Historic Yates Mill is worth a look, not only to learn about some cool local history, but also for the kid-friendly trails around the pond and through the forest. When you come here, you feel like you’re a million miles away, but you’re only a 10-minute drive from downtown Raleigh.

The Yates Mill Pond Trail is a 0.8-mile moderately trafficked loop and perfect for families and all fitness levels, and is accessible year-round. There are several viewpoints along the way, and benches for resting on.

The 1 mile Creekside Trail is an extension of the Millpond Trail starting at the Wetlands boardwalk bridge (about three miles in total to combine both trails). The Creekside Trail takes you deeper into the forest and over wooden planks through the “swampy” area along the Steep Hill Creek floodplain, and past the open fields of NC State’s 329 acre dairy farm. 

Creekside trail is a lightly trafficked out and back trail with a short loop at the end and is also accessible year-round. Getting here is easy, just off I-40 along Lake Wheeler Road and only 4.8 miles from downtown.

FUN FACT: reward your kids after this trail with an ice cream nearby at Howling Cow Ice Cream (NC State’s own ice creamery). Read our review of the Historic Yates Mill.

• Address: 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd, Raleigh
• Website

8. Neuse River Greenway Trail

The Neuse River Greenway Trail is one of the most well-known of the Raleigh trails and is an overall 27-mile paved trail stretching from Falls Lake in North Raleigh to the Wake County border in southeast Raleigh. But you can break it up into short sections, which makes it great for families, and along the way are winding boardwalk areas, views of historical sites, and suspension bridges. 

Of course this is NOT a loop trail, and a good place to start with kids to do a small section of it is Anderson Point Park, which has plenty of parking, restrooms, and a playground! You may like this ebike tour on the Neuse River Greenway trail.

9. Bond Lake Trail, Cary

Bond Lake is a beautiful lake within Bond Park in Cary, and just an 8-minute drive from downtown Cary which is definitely worth a look when you do this trail. We love this nature trail as it hugs a picturesque lake, and the trail is a mix of ½ paved, and ½ unpaved natural woodland setting.

The paved section is easy with a stroller, the unpaved section is NOT suitable for strollers, but young kids who can walk would enjoy the nature aspect through the forest. 

The 2-mile Bond Park Lake Loop Trail hugs the picturesque lake, is moderately trafficked and rated as easy and good for most skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, biking and bird watching! Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail. 

Overall, Bond Park includes the 42-acre lake, small beach area for launching kayaks, a 200-foot boardwalk, 4.2 miles of trails, and a variety of athletic fields becoming like an oasis in the middle of Cary.

• Address: 801 High House Rd, Cary
• Website

Read our review of the Bond Lake Trail and the Spring Daze Arts & Craft Festival held at Bond Park

10. Lake Pine Trail (Apex Lake)

Yet another lovely lake trail in the Raleigh area, this one close to the charming and historic downtown Apex. The 2-mile Lake Pine Trail is a loop trail around beautiful Apex Lake.

It is fully paved and mostly flat, with plenty of shade for the warmer months, easy for all ages including those in a stroller, and accessible year-round. It’s one of the most colorful Fall hikes and has beautiful leaf colors here in the Autumn.

There is a small car park at the beginning of this trail, off Lake Pine Dr at 1808 Lake Pine Dr, Cary. Another access point is from Apex Community Park Playground off Laura Duncan Rd. 

11. Trails at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

For family-friendly nature trails, Hemlock Bluffs in Cary is a popular 140-acre park to explore. Here you can do the 0.8 mile Beech Tree Cove Trail, and then for a longer walk connect with the Chestnut Oak Loop Trail (1.2 miles), and the Swift Creek Loop Trail (0.8 miles).

Located just off Kildaire Farm Road close to the Whole Foods store in Cary, this 140-acre preserve along Swift Creek is home to a unique community of eastern hemlock trees and other plant species.

There’s also a small playground here and you can pop into the 3,700-square-foot Stevens Nature Center to see the interactive educational exhibits from the Piedmont/Orange County area of North Carolina.

• Address: 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary
• Website

Read our review of hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve.

12. Lake Raleigh Trail

Lake Raleigh is a hidden gem located in the heart of the Centennial Campus of NC State University, and less than a 10-minute drive from downtown. The paved Walnut Creek Trail follows the northern perimeter of Lake Raleigh for about 1.5 miles (about half the lake) and extends in both directions.

It does not loop around the lake (see map) but it’s fully paved and flat and is just a nice place to go for a leisurely walk, or run/bike ride and escape city life. 

• Parking options:
  • The small parking lot down near the jetty (near corner of Campus Shore dr & Main Campus Dr) does require a NC State parking permit (Mon-Fri), so go on a weekend. 
  • Main Campus Drive – from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday-Friday, paid parking is available at the nearby Poulton lot on Partners Way. 
  • At any other time, free parking on campus is open to the public. 

Read our full review of Lake Raleigh

13. Pullen Park

First of all, if you haven’t taken your kids to Pullen Park yet, it’s one of the classic Raleigh attractions and one of the best things to do in Raleigh with kids, especially with younger kids. Located 5-minutes’ drive from downtown, the park sits on 66 acres of land and opened way back in 1887 as the first public park in North Carolina and when I think of parks in Raleigh, it doesn’t get more historical than this. 

Well known for gentle rides like the historic carousel, the iconic miniature train, paddle boats, and playgrounds, there is also a nice easy gentle stroll around the small lake, Lake Howell, across some pretty bridges. 

The main car park is at 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh.

Read our full review of Pullen Park.

14. Border Trail and Secret Creek Trail, Durant Nature Preserve

Another great trail nearby is the Border Trail and Secret Creek Trail in Durant Nature Preserve. We love this trail as it’s mostly flat, but it’s also natural surface, with many rocky outcrops and boulders on the ground. The trail follows the creek and is shaded by hardwood trees. Kids will love jumping in puddles and playing in the sand next to the creek. It’s not just a hiking trail, but a natural playground!

There is a parking lot by The Secret Creek Trailhead next to the Park office at 8305 Camp Durant Rd, Raleigh

15. American Tobacco Trail

The American Tobacco Trail is one of the most famous trails near Raleigh, and in total has 23-miles of multi-use paths of various terrains and gradients. This trail is often used for hiking, riding mountain bikes, horseback riding and jogging, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the people around you as you hike along this trail. Of course, 23-miles would be too much for most Raleigh kids, but you can easily walk sections of the trail.

Our personal favorite sections are from the trailheads near New Hill Olive Chapel Rd, Seawell School Rd, and New Hope Church Rd, as the trail is made of asphalt and perfect for biking. We also love the Cloer Family Vineyards which is right near the trail in Apex. It’s family friendly with lovely outside seating and a small playground. You can view the full map of the trail here.

16. Green Hills County Park

Walkers and runners love Green Hills County Park, a 36-acre park in Wake County. As well as having a paved trail that loops around the park, there are also play areas and traditional and natural playgrounds for kids. Combine a walk with some kids activities, a picnic, and kicking a ball around in an open space.

• Address: Green Hills County Park, 9300 Deponie Drive, Raleigh
• Website

17. Brumley Nature Preserve

This preserve is located in western Orange County, about 2 miles southeast of the town of Hillsborough, and has several miles of unpaved trails suitable for families. Bromley North is where you’ll find hiking-only trails less than a mile long (but you can connect trails for longer hikes). The south has multi-use trails if you want to walk or bike. There is a short 0.4-mile Kids Loop trail.

Kids are sure to love the “Healing Labyrinth” in the North, which is a place for reflection, meditation, and restoration. Forget that! Adults will love it too. Caz loves her labyrinth meditative walks. There are two trails from the parking lot that lead past it at the intersection of Stoney Creek and Cemetery Connector trails. 

• Parking: There are parking lots at the three different entrances:
  • Brumley South New Hope Church entrance: 3055 New Hope Church Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514
  • Brumley South University Station entrance: 3801 University Station Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
  • Brumley North entrance: 3620 Old State Hwy 10, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

18. Eno River State Park

Eno River State Park is one of the most beautiful places in the Durham area. It features a small section of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, which is an iconic 1,175-mile trail from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. While obviously kids wouldn’t be excited about hiking 1,175 miles, the 7.5-mile out-and-back trail in Eno River State Park would be doable. This trail you follow the white circles.

However, if you want a short and nice hike, consider the Bobbitt Hole Trail (1.65-mile loop) and Cole Mill Trail Loop (1.2-mile loop), which follow the red and yellow circles. These are hiking-only trails, so you don’t have to worry about bikers or horse riders. We love the Eno Quarry Trail, which takes you to an old quarry that is now a local’s secret swimming hole! Our kids loved it.

• Address: 4390 Old Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC 27712
• Website

19. Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail

Looking for something a little bit different? Family hikers may enjoy walking around the former Occoneechee Speedway Trail, a former NASCAR track. The original track was built by Julian S. Carr for Occoneechee Farms as a horse track and was expanded into a NASCAR track. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in May 2002. The trail is only 1.3 miles and can be completed in about 30 minutes, if your kids walk at a normal pace. It’s quite a quiet trail, and you’ll likely only encounter a few people on your walk around. It’s open year-round.

You can find parking on the street from this location.

20. Hillsborough Riverwalk

Another greenway trail popular with kids is the Riverwalk in Hillsborough, which is just a 2-mile out-and-back trail that runs along the Eno River. It connects Hillsborough town to Gold Park, and is also part of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail – one of the few portions of the trail to be within an urban setting.

The trail is a mix of natural surface, boardwalk, pavement, and a woodland setting. The greenway is open from 8 am until 30 minutes after sunset, every day.

Parking can be found by the entrance to the Eno River Parking Deck at the end of Nash and Kollock Street. See the trailhead here.

In summary

We’ve always been a family that likes to be active outdoors, and whether it’s a paved trail around a lake or a natural path through the forest, a short day hike in sunshine and fresh air is always fun and does wonders for our physical and mental health. We hope this list of trails in Raleigh, or in the nearby Triangle, helps you pick a route to take with your kids. Let us know which one you chose in the comments! Want more? Check out this list of best biking trails in Wake County.

Join our free VIP email community so you don’t miss updates from us. And share in the comments below any Raleigh trials not on this list you recommend? If you like maps, download the current Raleigh Greenway map.

Thirsty after all that hiking? Here are some family-friendly breweries in Raleigh for a break!