Where Are the Best Parks in Fayetteville, NC?

Fayetteville, NC, is a family-friendly city known for its recreational opportunities and history, among other advantages. Whether you’re looking for a place for outdoor adventures or just to sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and weather, you might be wondering, where are the best parks in Fayetteville, NC? 

Dream Finders Homes has put together a handy guide to help you learn about the fun and interesting things to do in Fayetteville’s parks.

The 10 Best Parks in Fayetteville for Outdoor Fun! 

Mazarick Park 

Mazarick Park is located by Glenville Lake, with 80 acres of space for a variety of recreation, including a disc golf course, tennis courts, baseball field, basketball court, playground, 1-mile walking trail, and fishing in the lake

Mazarick Park also supports learning through a variety of educational programs, such as the Homeschool Discovery Series. In addition, kids in grades K through 8 can take part in the park’s innovative, incentive-based, citizen science program, called ecoEXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education). It’s a fun way to learn about the environment, using kid-friendly technology.

Clark Park & Nature Center

The natural woodlands at Clark Park & Nature Center provide the perfect setting for recreation and education. Hike, bike, or jog along the Cape Fear River Trail, and bring along your leashed dog to share in the exercise. There’s even a waterfall for an awe-inspiring view. Semi-primitive camping (no electricity, cold showers) is available from March through October.

Get up close and personal with wildlife at The Clark Nature Center, where alligators, turtles, and reptiles can be seen in their protected natural habitats.

Throughout the year, Clark Park & Nature Center hosts events, activities, and exhibits. Scavenger hunts, Kid in Parks activities, ecoEXPLORE, and campfire fun make learning fun.

Arnette Park

If you love sports, you’ll want to regularly visit Arnette Park. At this 100-acre park, you can take your pick of the disc golf course, ball fields, playground, tennis courts, walking and jogging track, volleyball court, hiking trails, and horseshoe pit. 

Every December, Christmas in the Park presents a drive-through spectacle of holiday-themed displays and a festival of lights through Arnette Park, along the Cape Fear River. 

Kiwanis Recreation Center & Honeycutt Park

From yoga and martial arts to a splash pad and state-of-the-art fitness center, the Kiwanis Recreation Center and Honeycutt Park in Fayetteville cater to a great variety of recreational choices, making a visit here one of the fun things to do in Fayetteville, NC.

Get in your workout at the Kiwanis Recreation Center. The facility includes a fitness room, gymnasium, outdoor track, and meeting rooms, where classes are offered in tai chi, kung fu, taekwondo, karate, and yoga. Various clubs meet here, so if you’re interested in coin collecting, chess, bridge, gems and minerals, or knitting, you’ll find your peers here.

When you’re ready for outdoor fun, head over to the adjacent Honeycutt Park for youth baseball and softball, a splash pad, a playground, and a track. 

Cape Fear River Trail 

The famous Cape Fear River flows through Fayetteville on its 202-mile journey to the Atlantic Ocean. The Cape Fear River Trail (CFRT) winds along the riverside for 7 miles. Walkers, joggers, and bikers can follow the 10-foot-wide paved path, passing through a covered bridge and a boardwalk over the trail’s marshlands. Look out for a peek at any of the 150 species of birds that inhabit the area.

However you travel along the CRFT, it’s a one-way path, not a loop. If you intend to make your way to the end, make plans for transportation from there. 

For a more rugged experience, the Cape Fear Mountain Bike Trail covers more than 11 miles of woodland paths. 

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

About 90 feet above the Neuse River, you’ll find a unique place for outdoor recreation. The mountains merge with the coast at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, the ideal destination for your favorite outdoor activities. Swim, paddle, or fish in the Neuse River. Hike, bike, climb, camp, and birdwatch along the 750 acres of the park, which is handicap accessible. Be sure to stop at the museum, which features enlightening exhibits about the geology and natural history of this area.  

Raven Rock State Park

Raven Rock State Park is worth the short drive from Fayetteville to Lillington. Here, you can explore 5,000 acres—on foot, bike, or horseback. Make your way to the 150-foot crystalline Raven Rock which affords a stunning view of the river below and the surrounding landscape. From land or water, visit Lanier Falls and the Fish Traps Rapids. Paddle the Cape Fear River that flows along the park.  There’s so much to do and see at the pet-friendly Raven Rock State Park that you might want to take advantage of the camping options (tent, cabin, RV) and stay a while.

North Carolina Veterans Park

Veterans from the Revolutionary War to the present are honored at the North Carolina Veterans Park. As one of the best things to do in Fayetteville, NC, every inch of this park presents a unique tribute to the Americans who served in our armed forces. A chandelier in the 3,500-square-foot visitors center was crafted from 33,500 dog tags. The park itself was built from native stone, soils, and plants collected from every county in the state. The Oath of Service Wall displays sculptures of 100 different hands of 100 veterans from North Carolina’s 100 counties, representing every branch of the military. 

Arsenal Park

Arsenal Park is another historical site in Fayetteville, NC. From 1838 to 1856—after the War of 1812—the American military constructed this arsenal to expand the country’s defenses. When the Civil War broke out, local militia seized the facility and produced weapons and ammunition there. In 1865, Union troops led by General William T. Sherman destroyed the arsenal. Today, you can visit the ruins and learn more about the history of the facility and the battle that took place here.

Riverside Dog Park

No list that shows you the best parks in Fayetteville, NC is complete without including Riverside Dog Park. Near the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, the Riverside Dog Park gives your canine companion plenty of room to run and play off-leash in an enclosed area. Small dogs (less than 25 pounds) have their own playground. 

Is Fayetteville, NC a Nice Place to Live?

The parks in Fayetteville, NC add to the quality of life here. For individuals and families, military and non-military, it’s a great place to live. Fayetteville earned the All-America City Award for the third time in 2023 and is ranked #1 on Best Cities to Live After Service.