Take the Kids: Explore these six nature preserves across the Triangle

Across the Triangle, the Triangle Land Conservancy is conserving thousands of acres of land and has six public nature preserves that are open for the public to explore. (A seventh preserve is scheduled to open in Wake County soon.)

The conservancy's six preserves all have remained open during the pandemic, and the nonprofit has even launched a hiking challenge to encourage people to meander through their land. For kids and families, the group also has developed the Triangle Explorer program, which offers outdoor lessons and activities for kids in kindergarten to fifth grade.

Horton Grove's 708 acres in Durham County is home to native grassland and upland oak-hickory forests, beech slopes, and several stands of mixed pine and hardwoods. The That Makes Sense Trail is perfect for families wanting to learn more about the habitat and wildlife found at Horton Grove. It starts at the parking lot and meanders through the grassland and forests. Signage at the preserve also shares an important history. Horton Grove is adjacent to the Stagville State Historic Site, which shares the history of one of the largest former plantations in North Carolina. Trails here are named after the descendants of enslaved Africans who were forced to work on the land.

Entrance: 7360 Jock Road, Bahama NC 27503

White Pines is a perfect summer refuge! The 275-acre property is the first nature preserve TLC opened to the public. Cooler, north-facing bluffs and the cooling influence of the Rocky and Deep rivers have created a microclimate at this preserve, which is often 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding areas. There is also a kayak and canoe launch site at the preserve.

Entrance: 548 South Rocky River Road, Sanford NC 27330

Brumley Forest's two entrances offer lots of trails for exploring! Totaling 613 acres, this Orange County preserve is TLC’s most recently opened. Brumley South is currently the only TLC preserve with mountain biking trails. There’s also a large pond with nearby tables that are perfect for a summer picnic. Be sure to check the status of Brumley South trails after rain, as TLC sometimes needs to close these trails to prevent erosion. At Brumley North, there are gorgeous views of Stony Creek from the Stony Creek Bluff Trail. You can also make your way to three different ponds and pass by some train tracks on the A Train Trail.

Johnston Mill is a 296-acre preserve in Orange County, where two miles of New Hope Creek’s rocky waters and placid stretches are reminiscent of mountain streams. It’s a great place to explore in the water, especially from the Robin’s Trail, which runs almost the entire length of the creek. You’ll also find evidence of the ruins of old mills that used to operate on the land.

Swift Creek Bluffs is a 23-acre preserve in Wake County. It offers a challenge on the Stairway to Heaven, where centuries-old beech trees cling to 100-foot bluffs. Once you reach the top, you’re treated to beautiful views of Cary and Raleigh. There are also plenty of benches for resting! This preserve is one of the seven WakeWonders.

Entrance: 7800 Holly Springs Rd., Raleigh, NC 27606

Flower Hill is small at 25 acres in Johnston County, but it’s unique and beautiful. While the Catawba rhododendron has passed its peak, you might still spot a few blooms along the bluffs. This geographic anomaly, a microclimate similar to the North Carolina mountains, was once a source of national curiosity when thousands traveled from up and down the East Coast to see the Catawba rhododendron in bloom in the spring of 1937.

Entrance: 9038 Flower Hill Rd., Middlesex, NC 27557