Saturday is the first day of Summer, and although we’re in for some rainy weather this weekend, there are sure to be some great days to hike this season! This week, we’ll be going over some of the best spots to hike near Sanford!
First is San-Lee Park — a popular 117+ acre park that sports trails, campgrounds and two lakes for Fishing! San-Lee is a great place to go if you’re looking to get away from the stress of the week and retreat into nature. There are over 4 miles of hiking trails where you can find beautiful views of the lakes, unique wildflowers and peaceful fishing spots! Click here or here for printable trail maps to bring with you or save on your phone.
If you’re looking for something a little shorter and less rough to hike with your family, you could check out the Kiwanis Family Park, which has a half-mile paved trail plus the new inclusive playground installed earlier this year! Right nearby is the “Big Buffalo Creek” trail which starts just down the road from Kiwanis Family Park near the intersection of Carbonton Rd. and US1 (see the map on the left) and follows the the Big Buffalo Creek. Note: This trail is not a loop, so you would need to walk both ways to return to your car.
Finally, in the Northern part of Sanford we’ve got the White Pines Nature Preserve. The unique White Pines the area was created to preserve are typically found in cooler climates. Once common in this region, the tree became more rare as the climate warmed following the last ice age. The tree stayed here because the conditions of the land naturally created a small cooler area — meaning it can be up to 10 degrees lower than the rest of Sanford at times! Truly a blessing in the Summer months! The White Pines Nature Preserve is perfect for those who want to experience the untamed beauty and biological diversity Central North Carolina has to offer. Print a trail map by clicking here and set your pace by choosing any one of the number of short trails, or hike them all in one day!
We’re lucky to live in an area with so much natural beauty, just one of the great things about living in Sanford! What are your favorite natural spots in Sanford to visit in the Summer? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook post!
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