Last updated: October 28, 2026

Quick answer: Burlington’s top family parks include Burlington City Park (1388 Main St.) for its restored carousel and train, Cedarock Park (4242 R Dean Coleman Rd.) for six miles of equestrian trails and a historic farm, Northeast Park (3421 Northeast Park Dr., Gibsonville) for its seasonal carousel, mini golf, and train, and Glencoe Village Outdoor Learning Environment (2322 River Rd.) for its mud kitchen and Haw River access. Most parks are open from sunrise to sunset, and the city’s rides and pool follow seasonal schedules.

Burlington and the Alamance County towns around it have more to offer than most families realize. This guide covers playgrounds, lake parks, trails, and a few destinations worth the drive. Addresses are from the city and county listings. Check hours and seasonal schedules before you go.

At a Glance

Park	Best for	Playground	Water	Trails
Burlington City Park	Carousel and train	Yes, with carousel	Creek trails	Little Alamance Creek trails
Cedarock Park	Big-day outing	Yes, no swings	Two fishing ponds, waterfall	Six miles hiking, six miles equestrian
Northeast Park	Seasonal rides and pool	Large play structure	Pool, canoe and kayak launch	Extensive trails
Glencoe Village OLE	Nature play	Mud kitchen, tire swing	Haw River access	Yes
Guilford-Mackintosh Park & Marina	Paddling and rentals	Yes	Kayak and paddleboat rentals	3-mile and 1-mile trails
Lake Cammack Park & Marina	Lake and fishing	Yes	Boat ramps and fishing	Two-mile trail

Burlington
Elon
Haw River & Gibsonville
Lake Parks and Paddling

Best Parks & Playgrounds in Burlington, NC

Burlington City Park

Website: burlingtonnc.gov/233/City-Park
Address: 1388 Main St., Burlington, NC 27215
Features: A playground, a sheltered picnic area, a restored carousel and train, and trails to Little Alamance Creek. The rides are geared to young children. Tickets are sold at the booth, and prices are $1 per ridefor 2026. Restrooms are on site.
Check out our post A Fun and Easy Burlington City Park Day Trip for more info!

Cedarock Park

Website: alamance-nc.com/recreation
Address: 4242 R Dean Coleman Rd., Burlington, NC 27215
Features: Six miles of hiking trails, six miles of equestrian trails, two disc golf courses, a historic farm with animals, two fishing ponds, a waterfall, picnic shelters, a playground (no swings), canoe and kayak rentals, and camping. Restrooms are available. Admission is free.

Springwood Park

Website: https://www.burlingtonnc.gov/2326/Springwood-Park
Address: 1450 Springwood Church Rd., Burlington, NC 27215
Features: Two playgrounds without swings, ball and soccer fields, picnic shelters for rent, an 18-hole disc golf course, and expanded walking trails. A restroom is near each playground.

Fairchild Park

Website: https://www.burlingtonnc.gov/237/Fairchild-Park
Address: 827 S. Graham Hopedale Rd., Burlington, NC 27215
Features: Two playgrounds, ball fields, a BMX track, tennis and pickleball courts, gravel walking trails, and a community center. Restrooms are inside the center during open hours.

Davidson Park

Website: burlingtonnc.gov/831/Davidson-Park
Address: 3715 Rural Retreat Road, Burlington, NC 27215
Features: Soccer and baseball fields, tennis and pickleball courts, an accessible playground with swings, a natural trail, a 3/4-mile track, and a shelter for rent. A bathroom is near the playground.

Glencoe Village Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE)

Website: https://naturalearning.org/glencoe-village/
Address: 2322 River Rd., Burlington, NC 27217
Features: Dirt and sand digging areas, a mud kitchen, a tire swing, a seesaw, a rope structure, trails, and Haw River paddle access. A portable toilet is near the paddle access area.

Best Parks & playgrounds in elon, NC

Beth Schmidt Park

Website: https://www.townofelon.com/services/recreation_and_parks/beth_schmidt_park/index.php
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. Disability 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

Lawrence Slade Park

Website: https://www.townofelon.com/services/recreation_and_parks/lawrence_slade_park/index.php
Address: 404 Ball Park Ave., Elon, NC 27244
Features: A playground for ages 2 and up with swings, Harmony Park musical instruments, basketball, cornhole, bocce, a quarter-mile gravel track, and two covered picnic shelters. A bathroom is available.
Walking path: Yes.
Playground? Yes.
Bathroom on site? Yes.

Best Parks & playgrounds in Haw River & Gibsonville, NC

Graham Regional Park

Address: 1575 N. Jim Minor Rd., Haw River, NC 27258
Features: A youth obstacle course, a zip line, climbing boulders, a play creek, a playground with two swings, paved walking and biking lanes, and a covered picnic shelter. Restrooms are available.

Moricle Park

Website: https://nctriadoutdoors.com/places/william-f-moricle-recreational-complex/
Address: 601 Piedmont Ave., Gibsonville, NC 27249
Features: A large playground with separate swings, three picnic shelters, two lighted tennis courts, a baseball and softball field, sand volleyball, and a short walking path. Restrooms are available.

Northeast Park

Website: https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/government/departments-and-agencies/parks-and-recreation
Address: 3421 Northeast Park Dr., Gibsonville, NC 27249.
Features: 374 acres with a carousel, mini golf, and train. The rides run seasonally, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with limited hours. The park also has a pool, fishing, a canoe and kayak launch, disc golf, extensive trails, and a large play structure with swings. Restrooms are throughout the park.

Lake Parks & Paddling In burlington & surrounding area

Guilford-Mackintosh Park & Marina

Address: 1345 NC-61, Whitsett, NC 27377
Features: Fishing, boating, and paddling, with kayak, canoe, and paddleboat rentals. There are 3-mile and 1-mile trails. The city notes the longer trail is not stroller friendly. There is also sand volleyball, horseshoes, a playground, and restrooms.

Lake Cammack Park & Marina

Address: 4790 Union Ridge Road, Burlington, NC 27217
Features: Boat ramps, fishing, a playground, a two-mile hiking trail, a shelter, and a pool for rentals only. Restrooms are available.

Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina

Address: 2704 Huffman Mill Rd., Burlington, NC
Features: A lake for fishing, sailing, and boating, with kayak, rowboat, and paddleboat options. There is a beach area, picnic shelters, a playground without swings, and a clubhouse for rent. A restroom is on site.

Tips for Visiting

Hours: Most city parks are open from sunrise to sunset. Check prior to visit for current holiday changes.
Seasonal rides: Northeast Park’s carousel, mini golf, and train run from Memorial Day to Labor Day, according to the city.
Reservations: Field reservations generally run March through October. Picnic shelters can be reserved April through October.
Bring water shoes for Glencoe’s creek and paddle areas.

Rental and Field Reservations

Field Reservations

Athletic fields available for reservation (baseball, softball, soccer) at Springwood Park, Fairchild, etc.
Contact Burlington Rec & Parks via main office at (336) 222‑5030 or via their online reservation portal.
Seasonal window generally runs March–October, similar to Winston‑Salem (exact dates via reservation site).

Picnic Shelter Rentals

Available at City Park, Fairchild, Davidson, lake parks, and others.
Can be reserved April–October; some available first‑come, first‑serve in neighborhood parks.
Larger events may require liability insurance—details on the reservation portal .

Equipment Rentals

Canoes, kayaks, paddleboats available at marinas.
Sports gear (e.g. balls, nets) can be rented via community centers—check reservation portal .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best park in Burlington for toddlers?

Burlington City Park has a playground, a carousel, and a train designed for young children. Check the play equipment on arrival, since age ranges were not verified for each park.

Where can I ride a carousel in Burlington?

Burlington City Park has a restored carousel. Northeast Park, in Gibsonville, also has a carousel that runs seasonally.

Is there a mud kitchen in Burlington?

Yes. Glencoe Village Outdoor Learning Environment, at 2322 River Rd., has a mud kitchen and digging areas.

Can I rent a kayak in Burlington?

Yes. Guilford-Mackintosh Park & Marina has kayak and canoe rentals, and Cedarock Park also offers canoe and kayak rentals.

Which Burlington park has the most trails?

Cedarock Park has six miles of hiking trails and six miles of equestrian trails.

Are there lake parks near Burlington?

Yes. Lake Cammack and Lake Mackintosh both have boat access and fishing. Guilford-Mackintosh Park & Marina has paddling and rentals.

Final Thoughts

Burlington offers a wide range of parks and amazing playgrounds where kids can climb, swing, play on the monkey bars and explore while the entire family enjoys time outside.

From simple neighborhood play areas to larger parks with walking trails, picnic tables, and updated playground design, there’s something here for every kind of outing. As new parks are added and existing ones are improved, this guide will continue to help you find the best places to play in Burlington.

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