Combine the great weather with Durham's more than 68 parks, 20 miles of trails and greenways, and acres of forests, and you have the perfect environment for outdoor fun! The Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau has information about even more recreational opportunities in and around Durham.

Duke Forest

Durham, Alamance, and Orange Counties, 919-613-8013
Duke Forest, stretching over 7,000 acres in three counties, is owned and managed by Duke University for teaching and research purposes. Fortunately for those of us in Durham, it's also open to the public for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and picnicking.

Eno River State Park

6101 Cole Mill Rd., Durham, 919-683-1686
Covering over 3,900 acres, this state park has fishing, hiking, camping, canoeing, and picnicking.

Rollingview State Recreation Area

13304 Creedmoor Rd., Wake Forest, 919-676-1027
This recreation area is at the edge of a peninsula that extends into Falls Lake and offers camping, swimming, cycling, playgrounds, fishing, hiking and picnicking.

Lake Michie Recreation Area

2802 Bahama Rd., Bahama, 919-477-3906
There is great fishing at scenic Lake Michie.  It also has primitive camping areas as well as campsites with grills and picnic tables.  Boat rentals are available.

Frog Hollow Outdoors

Frog Hollow offers kayak and canoe classes and rentals, rock climbing, and adventure camps.

Capital Area Greenway System

Raleigh's Greenway is network of over 100 miles of trails great for running, biking, or just checking out the scenery. Most trails feature picnic areas and all are easily accessible.

American Tobacco Trail

The American Tobacco Trail (ATT) is a rails-to-trails project more than 22 miles long. A link in the East Coast Greenway, the ATT crosses the city of Durham and through Durham, Wake, and Chatham Counties. The trail's 10-foot wide asphalt paved surface and relatively even grade make it excellent for walking, running, and bicycling, and is wheelchair accessible. It's also popular with commuters during the week. Get on the trail in Durham and travel to Jordan Lake!

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

The NC Division of Parks and Recreation operates nine recreation areas on Jordan Lake. With almost 14,000 acres of water, this is a great spot for fishing, boating, swimming, and windsurfing, as well as hiking and camping. Keep your eyes on the skies -- Jordan Lake is home to the largest concentration of bald eagles in the eastern United States.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens on Duke's West Campus offers 55 acres of landscaped and woodland gardens; five miles of alleys, walks, and pathways; picnic areas, grottos, ponds, and pavilions; and classes for adults, children and families as well as special events and performances.

Golf

• Duke University Golf Club, 3001 Cameron Blvd., Durham, 919-681-2288
• Hillandale Golf Course, 1600 Hillandale Rd., Durham, 919-286-4211

The university's own public course at the Washington Duke Inn was designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones and is considered one of the most challenging and picturesque courses in the state. Hillandale, also a public golf course, offers an inexpensive alternative. Durham is home to several other courses as well.

Disc Golf (or Frisbee Golf)

• Cornwallis Road Park, 2830 Wade Rd., Durham, 919-560-4355
• Valley Springs Park, 3805 Valley Springs Rd., Durham, 919-560-4355

Disc Golf enthusiasts will find numerous options in the Triangle area, including the permanent courses in these two Durham parks.