Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation

There’s no place quite like Harnett County to embrace the thrill and beauty of the great outdoors! With an abundance of natural resources and park land, our county welcomes visitors with exciting hiking, biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting and many more awesome experiences.
Experiences
Cape Fear River Adventures
Head over for some outdoor fun on the water! Cape Fear River Adventures offers lazy river tubing, rentals of canoes, kayaks and paddle boards as well as guided flat and white water trips. There’s also classes for all levels as well as paddle board yoga, sunset paddles and river clean up events
The Cozy Heron Glamping Resort
Enjoy stunning nature and modern luxury in the area’s first glamorous camping experience. Introducing a one-of-a-kind “glamping adventure” at the Cape Fear River. Rest in comfortable sleeping quarters with electricity and heat/AC, in a beautifully hand-hewn wooden Conestoga wagon. Use glamping-designated community bathhouse, walk to nearby restaurant and tavern, and meet fellow Glampers at the community fire pit.
Drake Landing Sporting Clays
North Carolina’s premier sporting clay, pistol/rifle ranges and hunting center, Drake Landing offers a full array of safe outdoor shooting activities that cater to both the seasoned sportsman and novice alike.
Municipal Parks
Al Woodall Municipal Park
This 37-acre green space supports baseball, football and soccer games. The park has two tennis courts, a skateboarding park, a basketball gymnasium and a half-mile jogging track. A picnic shelter and gazebo are also available to rent for special occasions.
Cape Fear Shiner Park
Cape Fear Shiner Park is home to a Storybook Trail and the Harnett County Public Library and is next to the Cape Fear River and is located in the Cape Fear River Basin.
Jack Marley Park
This 33.3-acre park with a six-acre pond also has tennis and volleyball courts, horseshoes, shuffleboard, a playground and a nine-hole disc golf course.
Lillington Riverfront Park
Amenities include a playground, a walking trail and a picnic shelter. Situated along the Cape Fear River the park provides a nice, relaxing spot to walk, run, fish and more.
County Parks
Anderson Creek County Park
In southwestern Harnett County, you’ll find 1,014 acres of park land with walking trails, a picnic pavilion, a disc golf course and a playground.
Boone Trial Community Center
The community center houses many recreational programs such as yoga, tai chi, martial arts, summer camps, etc. It also serves as a satellite location for the Harnett County Public Library. In addition, the park site has two softball fields, a playground, swing set and gravel walking trail.
Cape Fear River Trail Park
Opened in May of 2008, this park offers 16 acres of walking trails, overlooks, canoe access and a picnic shelter with restrooms.
State Parks
Raven Rock State Park
At a whopping 4,684 acres Raven Rock is a natural wonder you have to see to believe. The centerpiece of the park is Raven Rock rising 150 feet above the Cape Fear River and offering fantastic views. The park’s visitor center features an interactive display detailing the ecology and geology of the area as well as trail maps. Visitors can get into all kinds of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, canoeing, fishing and so much more.
Carver’s Creek State Park
Carvers Creek State Park amenities center on Long Valley Farm, the historic retreat of a Rockefeller family member. The farm offers scenic, contemplative hiking through longleaf pine forests. Park rangers also lead regular interpretive programs, including occasional tours through the vacation home of the late James Stillman Rockefeller, who bequeathed the property for conservation. The park continues to restructure and develop recreation opportunities with a long-range master plan that encompasses more than 4,000 acres of land.
Trails
Dunn-Erwin Rail-Trail
This 5.3-mile gently inclined stretch along the Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad corridor crosses the Black River and wetlands, connecting the downtown areas of Dunn and Erwin.
Cape Fear River Track Trail
Enjoy a 1-mile walk through a mature forest of hardwood trees taking in fantastic views of the Cape Fear River.
Cape Fear River Park Connect Trail
This 2.5-mile extension links the Dunn-Erwin Rail-Trail with the Cape Fear River Trail, effectively connecting downtown Erwin with the river.
Cape Fear River Canoe Trail
A 56-mile stretch of river is designated specifically for recreational water travel. Glimpse bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons and vultures in flight, or observe turtles lazily sunning themselves on logs.
Cape Fear Shiner Park
Cape Fear Shiner Park is home to a Storybook Trail and the Harnett County Public Library and is next to the Cape Fear River. The park also has 3.25 miles of natural trails and 0.4 miles of paved walking trail.