As one might expect at a school with “forest” in its name, Wake Forest students have an abundance of choices when it comes to outdoor spaces on the Reynolda Campus.
Opportunities for outdoor recreation can be found effortlessly amongst the magnolias. The Campus Garden, Hearn Plaza (the quad) and the cross-country trails are just a few places where Demon Deacons can be found lounging, exercising and working on sunny days.
Outside the gates of campus, Winston-Salem and the surrounding area offer an abundance of natural wonders. As a native of the Winston-Salem area, I’m here to offer some insights on greenspaces nearby, ranging from right off campus to a little over an hour away by car.
Reynolda Gardens and Trails
By far the closest of my “off-campus” recommendations, Reynolda is just a short five to 10-minute walk across the waterfall bridge from the southwestern corner of campus just behind Winston Hall.
Stay left after crossing the bridge and follow the paved trail left up the hill before making a right at the gate to reach the entrance to Reynolda Gardens. There, you’ll find hundreds of plant species, including a particularly impressive variety of roses. The greenhouse at the front of the garden is currently undergoing restoration but is scheduled to reopen on Oct. 8.
Back down the hill is the entrance to the main Perimeter Trail, which takes walkers and runners around a 1.5-mile loop into the woods, past the filled-in pool and around the meadow.
Tanglewood Park
Located a 20-minute drive west along I-40, Tanglewood Park in Clemmons offers space for many forms of outdoor recreation, including trails for running, golf courses, mountain bike trails, horse stables, tennis courts and a public pool.
Golfing, swimming, horseback riding and tennis all require an entrance payment at the gatehouse, as well as individual activity-specific fees, but access to the greenway and trails is free. Upon arrival, take the first turn on your left to access the trails and dog park, or go straight to pay at the gatehouse for everything else.
My favorite place within the park is the network of wooded, unpaved trails that serve double duty for mountain biking and trail running. The trail that runs along the Yadkin River is also lovely; it’s on the park’s edge and can be accessed by driving past the main entrance on Clemmons Road and taking a left just before the bridge.
Pilot Mountain State Park
Pilot Mountain State Park is a short 25-minute drive away from Wake Forest and offers the perfect opportunity for a secluded getaway without driving far. The park is known for the trail that encircles its rocky, knob-like mountain top and offers views of the flatter surrounding area.
Visitors can take a quick hike around the mountain along the 0.9-mile Pilot Knob route or, for a more challenging option, opt for the 2.7-mile route that combines the Grindstone, Ledge Spring and Pilot Knob trails.
Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park offers space for a variety of activities 45 minutes north of Winston-Salem in Stokes County. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, paddling, swimming (open seasonally), fishing, picnicking and rock climbing spaces are all available in the park.
The most popular route in the park is Hanging Rock Trail, which is a moderately technical, aerobically strenuous 2.6-mile round trip hike up to the main viewpoint. Expect lots of stairs and steep hills on this route. If you’re up for a few more steps after descending from the mountaintop, be sure to walk down to Hidden Falls from the visitor center.
Stone Mountain State Park
The farthest of the parks listed here, Stone Mountain State Park is a worthwhile one hour and 15-minute drive off-campus. Climb to the top of the mountain along the Stone Mountain Loop Trail on a clear day, and you’ll find true Blue Ridge vistas to the west and miles of rolling hills to the east.
Stone Mountain is my favorite place to venture for a weekend day trip without having to wake up early, and the geology of the main attraction — the rock that makes up the mountain itself — offers a particularly unique sight.
