By TMoM Team Member Sandy Harper
One of the many wonderful things about raising a family in the Triad is all the parks available to us! We recently updated our list with new park and playground suggestions from readers. Additionally, we’ve included pics and notes about walking trails! It’s our hope you’ll discover new places to take your family – whether it’s right down the road or on the other side of the Triad. If you have a favorite park not listed below, then please email us and we’ll get it added!
To search for parks, simply click the city name below to jump to parks in that general area. Each park listing is also linked the park’s website for more information and directions.
Please visit our other Parks & Playground directories here:
Greensboro & Surrounding Areas
High Point, Kernersville & Surrounding Areas
Winston-Salem & Surrounding Areas
Beth Schmidt Park
Website: townofelon.com/our-community/community-parks
Address: 2150 Elon Park Dr, Elon, NC 27244
Features: A beautiful walking trail, dog park, disc golf course, and large fenced-in playground area with lots of fun equipment. Special needs accessible. A 9-hole disc golf course as well as a story walk along the trails. A large grassy area with a small garden as well as a covered picnic shelter and community building both available for rentals.
Walking Path: Yes, a one-mile dirt path through the woods
Playground? Yes, with swings. One for ages 2-5 and one for 5+ with swings
Bathroom on Site? Yes
Burlington City Park
Website: burlingtonnc.gov/233/City-Park
Address: 1388 Main Street, Burlington 27215
Features: Playground, sheltered picnic area, kiddie rides including a fully restored 3-Row Dentzel Menagerie Carousel and train, among others. Rides are for young children and tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth.
Walking Path: Yes. Trails that will take you to Little Alamance Creek, a great place to see local wildlife.
Playground: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Cedarock Park
Website: alamance-nc.com/recreation
Address: 4242 R Dean Coleman Rd, Burlington, NC 27215
Features: The park offers six miles of hiking trails, six miles of equestrian trails, two disc golf courses with a total of 36 holes for play, a historical farm restored to the late 1800s time period with sheep, goats and horses, two fishing ponds, a picturesque waterfall over an old mill dam, picnic shelters and gazebos, a basketball court, a volleyball court, a playground, canoe and kayak rentals, camping, ample field space for open play, as well as several covered picnic shelters.
Walking path: Yes, six miles of walking trails. Some are paved (to the waterfall), some are stroller friendly gravel and others are more rugged hiking through the woods.
Playground: Yes, no swings
Bathrooms: Yes
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Davidson Park
Website: burlingtonnc.gov/831/Davidson-Park
Address: 3715 Rural Retreat Road, Burlington, NC 27215
Features: One of the newer parks in Burlington, it features soccer and baseball fields, as well as a handicap-accessible playground, tennis & pickleball courts and large picnic shelter for rent.
Walking Trail? Yes, natural trail and 3/4 walking track.
Playground? Yes, with swings.
Bathroom on Site? Yes, one near playground.
Fairchild Park
Website: burlingtonnc.gov/237/Fairchild-Park
Address: 827 S Graham Hopedale Rd, Burlington, NC 27215
Features: The minor league baseball team, the Burlington Royals, has their stadium here. It’s fully fenced-off, but kiddos may think it’s fun to walk around the area and look in at the field. The park spans 10 acres, includes 2 playgrounds, softball/baseball fields, a BMX track, tennis/pickleball courts, and walking trails through the park. There is also a community center on site that holds a large gym and a multi-purpose room (available for rent).
Walking Trails: Gravel surfacing, but decently maintained. It winds throughout much of the park.
Playground: Yes, one larger and one smaller playground; swings available. Larger playground has one portion fenced in (and covered by a sunshade!) that is reserved for the preschool run out of the community center but is only used for an hour or two each weekday; it is otherwise available for public use.
Bathroom on site? Public bathrooms available inside the community center during open hours. One other public restroom on site, however, it’s quite a walk from where the playgrounds are located.
Glencoe Village Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE)
Website: alamancechildren.org/outdoor-learning-environment
Address: 2322 River Rd, Burlington, NC 27217
Features: A small, adorable learning environmental play area in the historic Glencoe Village. Dirt digging area & sand area as well as a mud kitchen with water faucet. Big tire swing, sea-saw and mini rope spiderweb structure.
Walking path: Trails and paddle access to Haw River at entrance of village. Gazebo and picnic tables.
Playground: No. One tire swing and small rope structure
Bathrooms: No. There is a port-a-potty near paddle access area.
Graham Regional Park
Website: cityofgraham.com/parks-facilities
Address: 1575 N Jim Minor Rd, Haw River, NC 27258
Features: A youth challenge obstacle course, zip line, multipurpose trail, swing set, slides, climbing boulders, water feature (play creek), workout equipment and plenty of open play for all types of recreational activities, as well as a covered picnic shelter.
Walking path: Yes, paved with 2 lanes (one for walking and one for biking)
Playground: Yes with 2 swings
Bathrooms: Yes
Guilford-Mackintosh Park & Marina
Website: ci.burlington.nc.us/index.aspx?NID=240
Address: 1345 NC-61, Whitsett, NC 27377
Features: Fishing, boating and paddling allowed; kayaks, canoes and paddleboat rentals available. Two multi-use hiking and biking trails—a moderate 3-mile loop and a 1-mile loop. Sand volleyball court and horseshoe pit.
Walking Path: Yes. A moderate-level trail next to Lake Mackintosh with natural terrain and some hills, rocks and roots. Not stroller friendly.
Playground: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Lake Cammack Park & Marina
Website: ci.burlington.nc.us/index.aspx
Address: 4790 Union Ridge Road, Burlington, NC 27217
Features: Boat ramps, fishing, playground, 2-mile hiking trail, shelter, pool (for rentals only), and Camp Green Leaves which is a camp for the developmentally disabled.
Walking Path: Yes. There is a two-mile hiking trail that offers views of the lake as well as local wildlife including deer and even bald eagles!
Playground: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina
Website: ci.burlington.nc.us/245/Lake-Mackintosh-Park-Marina
Address: 2704 Huffman Mill Rd, Burlington
Features: Huge lake for fishing, sailing, boating (kayaks, rowboats and paddleboats). On shore, there is a beach area, 2 fish feeders, picnic sites and shelters, a playground and a clubhouse available to rent.
Playground? Yes, no swings
Bathroom on Site? Yes
Lawrence Slade Park
Website: townofelon.com/our-community/community-parks
Address: 404 Ball Park Ave., Elon NC 27244
Features: A good sized playground with structures for ages 2+, Harmony Park (features musical instrument structures for kids to play with), basketball courts, corn hole, bocce ball court, a walking track, and there are also two covered picnic shelter.
Walking path: Yes, 1/4-mile gravel track that circles the park
Playground: Yes, with swings
Bathroom: Yes
Moricle Park
Website: gibsonville.net/index.asp
Address: 601 Piedmont Ave, Gibsonville, NC 27249
Features: A big playground with separate swings, three family picnic shelters, two lighted tennis courts, baseball/softball field, and a sand volleyball court. Very quiet park with not a lot of traffic.
Walking path: There is a small walking path from one side of the park to the ball fields.
Playground: A big playground with separate swings
Bathrooms: Yes
Northeast Park
Website: northeastpark.info
Address: 3421 Northeast Park Drive, Gibsonville, NC 27249
or (use 4010 High Rock Road for GPS purposes)
Features: Exceptional Park, with 374 acres to explore! This park is situated in a somewhat rural area, but it’s definitely worth the trip. Carousel, mini golf, and train available seasonally, limited hours (Memorial Day – Labor Day). Plentiful water recreation opportunities: pool, fishing, and a space to launch your own canoe or kayak. Also, disc golf, athletic fields, picnic shelters, and event center available for rent.
Walking Trails: Extensive system of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback-riding. Well-maintained and a wide array of terrain and scenery. See Park map for a visual of the trail options.
Playground: Huge 4-part play structure (including swings) tucked away from other park amenities; smaller play structures spread through the park.
Bathroom on site? Yes. However, the bathroom closest to the playground is about a 4-minute walk. Additional restrooms throughout park.
Shallow Ford Natural Area
Website: alamance-nc.com/recreation
Address: 1955 Gerringer Mill Road, Elon, NC 27244
Features: Four trails including: Basin Creek Trail (easy-0.75 miles), Hidden Hill Trail (moderate-2.2 miles), Homestead Trail (moderate-2.2 miles), Shallow Ford Loop Trail (moderate-3.3 miles).
Walking Path: Yes. If you are hiking with kids, check out the Kids in Parks Track Trail tab on the Alamance County Parks and Recreation page.
Playground: No
Bathrooms: Yes
Sky’s the Limit Playground
Website: Carolina Parks and Play – Sky’s the Limit
Adress: 230 W. Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC 27320
Features: “Airplane-Themed” Inclusive Playground with a custom Playground Climber has a plethora of inclusive play opportunities for all: We-Go-Swing, Global Motion, Sway Fun, OmniSpin Spinner, Roller Slide and Cozy Dome. Skyways Shade is incorporated throughout the playground for sun protection.
Walking Trails: No
Playground: “Airplane-Themed” Inclusive Playground with a custom Playground Climber has a plethora of inclusive play opportunities for all: We-Go-Swing, Global Motion, Sway Fun, OmniSpin Spinner, Roller Slide and Cozy Dome.
Bathrooms: Yes. These restrooms will also serve the north end of downtown.
Springwood Park
Website: www.burlingtonnc.gov/2326/Springwood-Park
Address: 1450 Springwood Church Rd, Burlington, NC 27215
Features: Two playgrounds; baseball, softball, and soccer fields; picnic shelters available to rent. This park is also home to an 18-hole championship-level disc golf course (including six holes for beginners).
Walking Trails: Walking trails have been recently expanded, adding several sections of asphalt trails. These newer trails connect with the older concrete/sidewalk walking trail, creating an impressive space for a long, smooth walk, winding all throughout the park.
Playground: Yes, there are two, but no swings. The smaller of the two playgrounds is set back within the softball/baseball fields (covered by a sunshade). The bigger playground is at the far corner of the large parking lot by the soccer fields. The big playground has an impressive structure with several slides. Bring a ball for kids to play around on the soccer fields if there aren’t soccer games or practices going on!
Bathroom on Site? Yes, one nearby to each playground.
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