Want to get outside this weekend? Check out these spots. They're some of our favorites to explore with friends and family or solo. From swimming holes to panoramic views, these adventures are great to slow down and reconnect.
Eno River State Park
Located in Durham, NC, this spot is perfect for a day trip from Raleigh or Chapel Hill. We recommend the Cabe Lands, Buckquarter, and Ridge trails [1].
[2]
Sliding Rock
Set in Pisgah National Forest, minutes outside Brevard, NC, this is a great spot for the whole family. You can visit town and head into the forest to slide down the smooth waterfall into the pool below. Located at 7851 Pisgah Highway, Sliding Rock is open from 9AM-6PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day [3].
Make sure to visit Dolly’s Dairy Bar, a local staple where the ice cream flavors are named after local summer camps. Fun fact: one of those camps is where Forest Found started!
[4]
Linville Gorge
A local favorite, the Linville Gorge offers easy to difficult hikes through the valley. If you’re feeling intrepid, you can hike all the way to the river at the bottom. For waterfall views, check out Erwins View Trail (difficulty: easy). For a more difficult hike with great views of the Gorge, check out the Babel Tower hike. Below is a picture from the top of Babel Tower, a stone tower that you can climb. Pull-out campsites along Kisler Memorial Highway, the gravel road to access the gorge, also offer free camping. Please note that past Erwins View, Kisler Highway is infamous for its potholes, so drive carefully.
Note: following Hurricane Helene, call park rangers to check for trail availability before going.
These are some of our favorite spots and we hope you enjoy your adventures!
Sources
[1] “Trails.” Eno River: Trails | NC State Parks, www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/eno-river-state-park/trails. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.
[2] Zanter. Eno Park Footbridge. Wikipedia.
[3] “National Forests in North Carolina : Recreation Site - Sliding Rock Recreation Area.” Forest Service, 24 June 2026, www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation/sliding-rock-recreation-area.
[4] M., Anne. Picture of Sliding Rock. Tripadvisor.
