Triangle Land Conservancy Nature Preserves

_{Horton Grove Nature Preserve}

The Triangle Land Conservancy has eight public nature preserves in the area, seven featuring hiking or running trails of varying distances. If you're not up for a full day trip, these preserves offer many shorter trails perfect for beginning trail runners or families looking for kid-friendly hikes. Here are a few of our favorites, but you can find a full list here.

Packing List:

These destinations feature shorter trails than most of the other recommendations on our list, so you probably will not need to pack as extensively. We always recommend carrying water on a run or hike in warm weather, and you can't go wrong with an emergency snack just in case, but these trails are safe options for those who prefer to run unencumbered. In most cases you can easily return to your car for food or water.

Horton Grove Nature Preserve

7360 Jock Road, Bahama NC  27503
Map to entrance

Driving time: 50-60 minutes from Raleigh

Trail distances: .5 mile to 1.8 miles, 8 miles total

Horton Grove Nature Preserve is TLC's largest preserve with a planned expansion to over 10 total miles. The land was once part of Stagville Plantation, and all of Horton Grove's trails are named for local Black families whose ancestors were enslaved at Stagville: Holman, Peaks, Hart, Justice, Latta, Walker, Jordan, and Sowell. Information about each family is posted on the trails, sharing their stories and highlighting their resilience in the struggle for freedom. You can read those stories here, and view a trail map here.

Trails are relatively flat and even with only a few hills, making this a great location for beginner trail runners or people looking for a relaxing run or hike. Most trails are shaded but part of the Holman Loop is exposed grassland, so a hat/sun protection will still come in handy. Note: There is no public restroom available.

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve

2713 Mt. Sinai Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Map to entrance

_{Photo courtesy of Triangle Land Conservancy}

Driving time: 35 minutes from Raleigh

Trail distances: .3 mile - 1.8 miles, 3.5 miles total

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve is similar in scenery and terrain to nearby Eno River State Park and Duke Forest, but without the crowds. In addition to diverse plant life and mature forest, you'll find the ruins of two gristmills along New Hope Creek and scattered chimney and hearth stones. See the full trail map here.

White Pines Nature Preserve

548 South Rocky River Road, Sanford NC 27330
Map to entrance

Driving Time: 50 minutes from Raleigh

Trail distances: .5 mile - 1.1 miles, 6 miles total

White Pines Nature Preserve is the perfect summer trail destination. Two bordering rivers on the north and east sides and north-facing bluffs create a cooler microclimate in the preserve, with temperatures up to ten degrees cooler than surrounding areas. You'll find a variety of habitats hosting diverse flora and fauna, including 55 bird species and he world’s largest known population of the Cape Fear shiner, a federally endangered minnow. See trail map here.