10 Favorite Local Spots, Brought to You by Elon Students
Do you ever go on social media and feel like everyone knows these cool secret spots that you can never seem to find? Yeah, we get that. Don’t worry, we know that things are pretty boring around here right now, so we asked some Elon students what their favorite outdoor spots are, and we’re sharing them with you!
Hiking, biking, tanning and more. What more could you ask for? Photo by Lizzy Weber
Shallowford Trails.
Drive time: 7 minutes from Elon
Key words: Hiking
These trails are so close to campus that they’re considered to be in Elon. The Shallowford Trails are super flexible, whether you’re looking for a short or long hike, and the riverside view is pretty incredible. (Pictured on right.)
Guilford-Mackintosh Park.
Drive time: 14 minutes from Elon
Key words: Hiking, biking, kayaking
Guilford-Mackintosh Park is a short drive from campus and is a great place to take a walk, have a picnic or just admire the beautifully still water.
The path from hiking to paddling. Photo by Lauren Schur
The Haw River Trail.
Drive time: 24 minutes from Elon
Key words: Hiking, kayaking
The Haw River Trail has over 20 miles of hiking trails as well as 14 access points to the river for those of us who prefer paddling over walking. It’s the perfect place for a sunny day spent outdoors. (Pictured on left.)
Eno River State Park.
Drive time: 39 minutes from Elon
Key words: hiking, swimming
Eno River State Park is another beautiful hike. Not to mention, it’s a weekend favorite for Elon students. While walking along the river, it’s super easy to jump off the trail if you find a good swimming spot!
Food, drinks, Instagram-able photo ops and… flowers?? Yes, please. Photo by Lauren Schur
The Honeysuckle Teahouse.
Drive time: 40 minutes from Elon
Key words: Food, drinks, picture spot
Although this charming place doesn’t completely fit in with the rest of our list, we couldn’t leave it out. The Honeysuckle Tea House is a magical place to grab a drink (21+ or tea), take some photos and spend an afternoon. (Pictured on right.)
William B. Umstead Park.
Drive time: 53 minutes from Elon
Key words: Hiking, biking, kayaking
We recommend setting this road trip aside for the fall, because this park is well known for how beautiful it is when it gets cooler… and more colorful.
Just canoeing and enjoying the water, how about you? Photo by Rachel Fultonberg
Jordan Lake.
Drive time: 56 minutes from Elon
Key words: Swimming, hiking, kayaking
Finally… a place meant for swimming! This beautiful lake is a great place to walk around or settle in at the man-made beach and soak up some sun. (You can also check out Lake Brandt, Lake Johnson or Lake Mackintosh for a similar vibe).
NC Museum of Art.
Drive time: 58 minutes from Elon
Key words: art, picture spot
If you’re looking to spend time outside but may not be the biggest nature fan, this museum is the place for you. It’s home to many outdoor exhibits and is the perfect road trip destination for you and your best friends.
Wait, do all the trails look this good? Count me in. Photo by Lizzy Weber
Historic Yates Mill.
Drive time: 1 hour and 3 minutes from Elon
Key words: Hiking
This is one of the cooler trails we have on this list. These historic trails double as a wildlife preserve, and the hike is just so flipping cool. (Pictured on right.)
Hanging Rock.
Drive time: 1 hour and 25 minutes from Elon
Key words: Hiking, amazing views, picture spot
Ever seen an Instagram post picturing someone gripping a seemingly impossible rock to climb for dear life with a beautiful panoramic in the background? Chances are, it was taken at Hanging Rock. The Hanging Rock hike is a favorite in the Elon community. Even if hiking isn’t really your thing, we still recommend checking it out. Spoiler alert: the views are insane. (Pictured below.)
How about those views though? Photo by Lauren Schur
These are just some of our favorite local spots, but there are so many more outdoor areas to explore near campus! Be sure to visit the Elon Outdoors page if you check out these places and want more!