I Was Pleasantly Surprised By This Scenic Trail in North Carolina

I’m a big believer that you should always get outside once a day. I know life can get in the way, and sometimes it’s just easier to bump your outdoor adventure for one of the many other priorities in life, but I urge you to make hiking a priority! You don’t need to drive up to the mountains to trek some intense trail to get your outdoors time in. There are so many beautiful trails in North Carolina—and many of them are right in your town! Take the E. Carroll Joyner Park, for example. This beautiful park in Wake County offers an opportunity to take a stroll through some beautiful scenery with some fascinating history peppered in. 

Tucked away in Wake Forest, North Carolina, E. Carroll Joyner Park is a 117-acre park that’s truly got a little bit of everything. Majestic pecan groves, historic buildings, gardens, an amphitheater, and so much more. 

The park has three miles of paved walking trails, which are a great way to get some steps in and see the park's surroundings. It’s a fairly popular local park, so expect to see others during your visit. 

Some of the coolest things you’ll see are the restored farm buildings. These original farm structures include a mule barn, a tobacco barn, and even a restored log cabin. 

While this is a nice little area to throw on some tunes (or a podcast) and wander about, the park is a perfect family-friendly spot to spend a weekend afternoon. There are charcoal grills and picnic tables for grilling, and there’s even a stocked pond within the park where you can do a little bank fishing. 

E. Carroll Joyner Park often hosts free concerts, too. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic or purchase food and refreshments on-site from approved food trucks. See the concert schedule to start planning your fall lineup. 

Returning for a concert is certainly on my bucket list, but even just taking an hour to stroll through the park is a refreshing experience. The historic buildings keep you engaged, and the pecan grove, gardens, and sprawling green space give you the scenic nature fix that brought you outdoors in the first place. I like that the paths are paved and stroller-friendly—it’s a great trail system to bring the kids to! Dogs are welcome to join in on the fun, just make sure they are kept on a leash. 

E. Carroll Joyner Park is open daily from dawn to dusk, so swing by whenever you have a free moment and spend some time strolling through the 117-acre park. You won’t regret it!

Of course, if you’re looking to challenge yourself on some epic inclines and vista views, we have plenty of incredible hiking trails in North Carolina to keep you busy. North Carolina’s state parks are a great place to start!