When I look back on my most cherished memories, from childhood to adulthood, so many of them were spent outside, immersed in nature. Adam and I have always loved to get out and explore new places, both locally and in our travels.
Our family dynamic has evolved with the addition of our three sons, who are now 10, 8, and 4 years old. What hasn’t changed is our love to get outside in nature and explore.
Bringing kids along can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I assure you, with patience and persistence, they’ll develop a love for the outdoors and enjoy exploring new trails with you.
Hiking, biking, scootering (this is a word, right?), and running different trails local to our area has lead us to find our favorite places that we frequently visit.
Here are our top 5 family-friendly trails that you should definitely add to your adventure list! Along with each trail, I’ve included a guide to help you determine if it’s ideal for walking, running, biking, or scootering—so you can pick the perfect path for your next outing.
Bass Lake Park – 🚶♀️ 🏃♀️ 🚴♀️ 🛴 (Greenway Path only)
This is a 2.02 mile loop, mostly mulched, that also has connecting access to the Carl Dean Greenway and Sugg Farm.
This is a beautiful trail year-round. In the summer and spring, everything is lush and green. In the Fall, the foliage is vibrant. Be on the lookout for wildlife year-round. We almost always see deer in the woods. We have also seen river otters, cormorants, and snakes in the summer but this is rare.
The main club house also has concessions available for purchase like various chips, cracker packs, ice creams, water and sports drinks. (Very inexpensive too) This is a fun fact you can keep in your back pocket if you need to encourage little ones to make it around the lake.
The kids will also love viewing the various reptiles and small animals they have inside the clubhouse.
If you are up for a longer distance, 4 miles out and back from the main parking lot, I highly recommend getting on the connecting greenway path. The kids take their scooters or bikes when this is our planned adventure. We often take the greenway all the way to Main Street Square where you’ll find a few shops but our favorite stop is Thanks A Latte. I can get a little pick-me-up and the kids share a baked good.
The greenway also connects to Womble Park in Holly Springs which is a great park for kids of all ages.
There are various workout stations along the greenway path that the boys love to rush ahead to find and try out. (Pull up bars, core bench, step-up boxes, ect.)
If you’re feeling really adventurous and are biking the greenway path, you can continue past Main Street Square and follow the sidewalk into downtown Holly Springs for shopping, lunch, and ice cream. I did this with all 3 of our sons one Saturday when daddy was out of town on a guys trip. We had the best day and felt like we were exploring somewhere far away from our home. We parked at Bass Lake, biked to Main Street Square (had a snack), biked to Smash Burger, biked to Fresh Homemade Ice cream, biked to Womble Park and played, then biked back on the greenway path to the car. Total mileage was around 8-9 miles. The older two did it with ease while the littlest was along for the ride in the carrier attached to my bike.
Fuquay Varina Greenway – 🚶♀️ 🏃♀️ 🚴♀️ 🛴
2-6 Miles
This is a mostly flat and paved path with a few gentle hills. Since it’s an out-and-back trail, you can easily adjust the distance depending on where you park and how far you choose to go along the greenway.
If you are to park in the main lot off of Hwy 55 in Fuquay Varina, you can follow the path all the way to the main lake which is 1 mile. There are benches and two swings at this point. If you continue past the lake and follow the pathway to the right, you will reach the High School. Continue around the school to the connecting sidewalk. Circling back around the school to the greenway path is 4 miles back to the parking lot. You can also park at the lot by ClubWorx gym but it will require you to cross Hwy 55 via the crosswalk. Parking here and following the path all the way around the high school will be 6 miles in distance.
Our boys love to take their scooters or bikes for this outing. Our youngest will often ride his balance bike but I still bring the stroller from time to time if I know he will teeter out and need to rest. Isn’t this how most walks go with toddlers? You end up carrying the gear of the tired little ones.
The boys sometimes fish at the kayak launch that is located on the lake.
Raven Rock State Park – 🚶♀️ 🏃♀️
You can choose trails of varying lengths, depending on how far you’d like to hike. Our favorites, which are probably the most popular, offer scenic views and unique rest spots along the way. We usually stick to the Little Creek Loop Trail and Raven Rock Loop Trail, which conveniently connect for a seamless hike.
To access the trailhead for Little Creek Loop Trail, park at the first lot on the right after you enter the park entrance. There, you will see an oversized picnic shelter. The trailhead is just to the right of it.
The boys love Little Creek Loop as it follows alongside the creek with several pathways that run off the main trail that connect to the creek which they explore. They enjoy jumping onto the larger boulders that are in some areas, skipping rocks, and looking for crayfish.
(Insert picture of boys on the rocks at the creek)
Don’t miss out on the stairs that lead down to the banks of the Cape Fear River. The rock walls and exposed roots of the trees are worth exploring.
Explore the various trails at Raven Rock here.
Hilltop Needmore Town Park – 🚶♀️ 🏃♀️ 🚴♀️ 🛴
This was a former golf course within a neighborhood community. The trails are paved and were once the pathway for golf carts. There are some steeper hills which can pose to be more challenging for the littles on wheels. It’s never stopped our boys from trying to make it to the top peddeling. Going downhill is no issue apart from my own anxiety as they fly down.
There are 5 miles of paved trails with varying elevations on each. Due to some construction of a new community center and elementary school, there is one trail section that is closed to pedestrian traffic. Stay current with closures on their website, here.
This is a beautiful park year-round. The large oak trees, rolling hills and ponds throughout provide for many scenic spots for picnics, leisurely walks, and wildlife watching. Whether you’re exploring the trails or simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, it’s a perfect place to connect with nature.
Lake Benson + White Deer Parks – 🚶♀️ 🏃♀️ 🚴♀️ 🛴
2-4 Miles
Lake Benson Park and White Deer Park in Garner, NC, offer a perfect family-friendly outdoor escape. The trails at Lake Benson wind along the shores of the scenic lake, providing peaceful views and ample opportunities for spotting local wildlife. We have seen several deer on our visits. The wide, mostly flat trails are ideal for leisurely walks, jogs, or bike rides with kids.
There is one gravel section that goes into the woods that I’d recommend doing if you are on foot.
You can also explore shaded picnic areas and enjoy any three of the playgrounds making it a fun outing for all ages.
While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by Holl & Stone. It’s located between Lake Benson and White Deer park. There, you can feed the llama, alpacas and other farm animals, shop fresh produce and plants then get a ice cream from their food truck.
As a family, we’ve found that these hikes not only help us get outside and move but also create opportunities for bonding, problem-solving, and even a little adventure. Whether it’s a peaceful stroll or a more challenging trek, there’s something for every energy level. I hope you’re inspired to lace up your shoes and hit the trails with your family.
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