Published by Christina Riley. Last Updated on January 14, 2024.
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Whenever the weather cooperates, you won’t find us inside, especially if we’re in Cumberland County. The outdoor attractions in Fayetteville and around the city alone are enough to bring us to this area, even though we’re pretty spoiled by the awesome restaurants and other fun here.
Anyone who knows these places will agree. That includes folks living in the area, people visiting throughout the year, during the holidays, and even those taking a quick break from I-95.
And it’s not just the parks in Fayetteville, NC, even though there are many there for you. We’re sharing farms, places to fish and shoot, ax throwing, and treetop adventuring in this guide to the outdoors in Fayetteville and beyond.
Whether you’re a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, we’re leaving no detail behind. If you live in the Fayetteville area and are wondering, “What are the best outdoor things to do near me?” we think this NC travel guide will help you out!
Read More: Places to Visit in Eastern North Carolina
Outdoor Attractions in Fayetteville and Cumberland County
If you’re ready to go NOW, check out our map that includes all of these places.
Read More: The NC Tripping North Carolina Travel Map
Black Ops Paintball
Address: 2112 River Rd, Fayetteville, NC
Just 15 minutes off of I-95, Black Ops Paintball is where you can really embrace that adrenaline rush! The 150-acre facility was opened by combat veterans in 2012 and offers paintball and airsoft fields.
You can play in the woods, in their hyperball field, or inside the new 27,000-square-foot Airsoft Arena. Gear can be rented from Black Ops so you can focus on hitting your next target!
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Address: 536 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, NC
Cape Fear Botanical Garden is easily one of our favorite outdoor attractions in the Fayetteville area. It’s also among the most beautiful botanical gardens in North Carolina.
More than 80 acres of beautiful flowers, plants, and dirt trails are ready to be investigated. You can wander through the gardens and soak up various colors, no matter when you visit.
We’ve been here through each season (even winter) and can vouch for that!
Read More: Christmas Lights in North Carolina
Cape Fear River Trail
Sherman Dr, Fayetteville, NC
The Cape Fear River Trail is a great place to escape from it all or catch up with friends as you walk! This 10-foot wide paved path runs for 5.3 miles through Cumberland County.
We mentioned walking, but it’s also perfect for running and biking. The trail passes through shaded trees, a covered bridge, and various plants to further aid your getaway into nature.
Read More: The MacPherson House in Fayetteville (and 5 Reasons Why We Love It!)
Carter Blueberry Farm
4120 Clinton Rd, Fayetteville, NC
The folks at Carter Blueberry Farm have been growing blueberries for over 40 years, and their 3,500 blueberry plants remain ripe for the picking! You can bring your bucket and enjoy spending time outside among the bushes.
A day at Carter Blueberry Farm ranks high among our favorite kid-friendly things to do in Fayetteville and also for blueberry picking in North Carolina!
Carvers Creek State Park
Addresses:
Long Valley Farm Access: 2505 Long Valley Rd, Spring Lake, NC
Sandhills Access: 995 McCloskey Rd, Fayetteville, NC
Carvers Creek State Park is an awesome patch of trails with two accesses separated by a five-minute drive. The flat trails snake through various scenes, including the former historic retreat of the Rockefeller Family and the 100-acre millpond at Long Valley Farm.
Walk along the Longleaf Pine Trail at the Sandhills access for a look at an isolated pond, pines galore, and even some wildlife along the way.
Note: closed-toe shoes are recommended, and please do not veer off the trail at this state park.
Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville (Great Getaways!)
Deep Creek ATV Park
Address: 2601 Slocomb Rd, Linden, NC
The 2,500 acres of Deep Creek ATV Park will keep the adrenaline pumping. This is the place to relax for a weekend of camping between sessions of off-road ATV and dirt bike riding on first-class trails and facilities.
We might be bold, but will say it anyway. Deep Creek ATV Park is the ultimate outdoor activity in Fayetteville!
Fayetteville Rose Garden
Address: 2201 Hull St, Fayetteville, NC
If you’re ready to stop and get a breath of fresh air, a walk through the Fayetteville Rose Garden is the perfect remedy for that. With over 1,000 rose bushes that bloom from April until the first frost, this spot at the Fayetteville Technical Community College is a lovely place for a quick stroll.
Read More: Botanical Gardens in North Carolina
Fishing
There are 30 incredible fishing holes throughout Cumberland County. Aptly named the Fish & Game Trail, these are perfect for you to cast a reel and soak up the silence of nature.
Popular spots on this trail include Lake Rim Park, the Cape Fear River, and the family-owned Cedar Creek Fish Farm.
Fort Liberty Clay Target Center
Address: 651 East Manchester Rd, Spring Lake, NC
Aim and fire at the largest shotgun shooting facility in North Carolina! Located outside Fort Liberty, the Clay Target Center is perfect for all levels, from beginners to experts.
Rentals are available if you didn’t bring your own and they even offer hands-on instruction and support from on-site experts.
You can also make a weekend out of your Clay Target Center experience since RV facilities are on the property.
Gallberry Farm
Address: 5991 Braxton Rd, Hope Mills, NC
Gallberry Farm is open from mid-September through early November and is packed with many fun activities. With six acres of corn mazes, hayrides, pumpkin patches, and tube slides, you’d have to try hard NOT have a wonderful time.
Tickets and concessions are cash only, so prepare in advance before enjoying one of the best things to do outside in Fayetteville, NC.
Read More: Pumpkin Patches in North Carolina
Gillis Hill Farm
Address: 2701 Gillis Hill Rd, Fayetteville, NC
Is there anything better than a giant ice cream cone and roaming a working farm? Gillis Hill Farm has been working the land of Cumberland County since the 1700s and offers visitors an up-close interaction with the animals and land.
After you sit on their porch with a refreshing cone, wander the grounds and say hello to the animals. There are many to chat with, so don’t spend too much time in one place!
Golf
There are plenty of perfect places to tee off, with 13 golf courses within 20 miles of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. The oldest is Fort Liberty Stryker Golf Course, open since 1946 and featuring 18 holes over 6,800 yards.
However, the most popular golf course in Cumberland County is Anderson Creek. This 18-hole semi-private golf course in Spring Lake allows for a challenging, quiet day on the green.
Lake Rim Park
Address: 2214 Tar Kiln Dr, Fayetteville, NC
At Lake Rim Park, You can kayak, fish, and stroll through the wetlands. This place offers all those outdoor activities in Fayetteville and more. You can throw a round of horseshoes, play tennis and volleyball, or participate in some of their wonderful outreach programs.
Lake Rim also has a Fishing Tackle Loaner Program, where you can rent a rod and reel for 24 hours if you forgot your own. This is especially convenient if you are traveling and don’t want to haul your fishing gear with you!
Lake Pines Swim Club
Address: 1252 Lake Pine Dr, Fayetteville, NC
Bright blue water awaits at the Lake Pines Swim Club. The perfect swimming water is fed from an underground spring and is spread over 2 acres, allowing plenty of room for splashing around!
You should plan to spend the entire day by the water and pack a picnic, too.
Mazarick Park
Address: 1400 Belvedere Ave, Fayetteville, NC
Pack a picnic and revel in Cumberland County’s parks and recreation facilities, also known as Mazarick Park. You can play frisbee golf, take a walk or run around the track, and have a get-together at the picnic shelters.
Of course, you can also fish in at the Glenville Lake pier. Boat rentals are also available if want to really get on the water.
Segra Stadium
Address: 460 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC
There’s nothing more American than a baseball game in America’s Hometown, aka Fayetteville! Segra Stadium is a new facility in downtown’s heart and seats up to 4,700 people.
And rounding the bases when the season starts are the Houston Astros-affiliated Fayetteville Woodpeckers. With an intimate game atmosphere, the prices are more reasonable, and the players are more accessible.
Stay alert for line drives, pop-ups, and a very early look at a future Astros all-star!
Read More: Minor League Baseball in NC (15+ Interesting Teams to Watch)
Yakalacky Outfitters
Address: 5552 Trade St, Hope Mills, NC
We’ve mentioned quite a few ways to get out on the water in Cumberland County, and for many people, Yakalacky Outfitters is the easiest way to do just that. They shuttle paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks to Hope Mills Lake and Lake Rim Park, offering people a convenient way to savor beautiful days paddling through area waterways.
ZipQuestWaterfall & Treetop Adventure
Address: 533 Carvers Falls Rd, Fayetteville, NC
It’s fitting that we’d close this post out with ZipQuest, as it’s one of the most exciting and popular outdoor attractions in Fayetteville. With two different expeditions, visitors can expect a safe and fun time zipping between the trees.
And, of course, we must mention that one of the expeditions flies right past Cumberland County’s only private waterfall!
Ready to Explore these Outdoor Attractions in Fayetteville?
If you’re not ready to explore the outdoors in this wonderful part of our state, we suggest you read through this list of places at least one more time. Because there’s something for you and anyone else you bring along for the day (or more).
We’ll keep updating this post as we find new ways to explore the outdoors in Fayetteville and beyond in Cumberland County.
As we do, we’d love to know your favorites if you’ve got them. Let us know in the comments section, and continue the conversation!
