Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of land and water-based activities for the backcountry novice, the avid explorer, and everyone in between. All of our programs are open to Duke Rec & PE members as well as the Duke Community (faculty, staff, alumni).
Trips
Trips offer participants the chance to explore the Durham area and beyond! Disconnect and unplug from technology while soaking up nature and practicing outdoor skills. Develop social connections or deepen existing ones. Focus on wellness by reducing stress/anxiety, increasing self-esteem, increasing self-confidence, and increasing physical health.
Personal Outdoor Trip Plans
Personal Trip Plans are a free resource for people to explore North Carolina on their own by hiking, paddling, backpacking, or camping. These plans provide detailed information about the location, risk, what to pack, and what to do. Personal Trip Plans are open to anyone, no Rec & P.E. Membership required. If in the Durham area, pair with an Equipment Rental or convenient adventuring!
NOTE: Click the box with arrow icon in the top left corner of the map below to expand sortable trip options.
Durham is filled with historic buildings, properties and districts that are chosen for their historic significance. These sites are great for family field trips, picnics, or a space to learn more about the diverse history of Durham!
The Durham area has several beautiful and unique hiking areas. The diverse trail system will take you meandering through the woods, to the top of mountains, and strolling near streams.
A great way to beat the heat is to get out paddling on one of Durham’s picturesque lakes or waterways. Whether you are Stand Up Paddleboarding, Canoeing, or Kayaking, you can enjoy the water from dawn till dusk.
The triangle offers access to great mountain biking trails for any skill level. Whether you're a beginner looking to develop your mountain biking skills, or an advanced rider looking for fast, flowing trails there are a variety of options within a short drive.
Unplug and unwind with a night under the stars at one of the Durham area’s beautiful campgrounds. The campgrounds are located on picturesque lakes so you can spend your nights roasting marshmallows and your days swimming, paddling, or hiking.
The Durham area offers great locations for the beginner or well-seasoned backpackers, whether you are looking to hike 1 mile or 6 miles. Take the opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and carry everything you need in your backpack.
Custom Group Adventures
Looking for something to do with your friends? Want to explore the parks of the Triangle and surrounding areas? The trip will be planned to the specific wishes of each group. Let us customize your next adventure whether it’s rock climbing at Pilot Mountain, paddling a local lake or river, or building camaraderie with co-workers or classmates.
Program Note
Custom Group Adventures are not currently able to be accommodated. Please check back at a later time.
Individuals can request Custom Group Adventures for their friends, Quad, student organization, or even an office work group. Custom Trips are for groups of 4-10 participants and Custom Team Building Activities are for groups of 4-15 participants
Pricing will vary, depending on the size of the group, location of the activity, length of the trip and number of meals provided.
PROGRAM NOTE
Custom Adventures are not currently able to be accommodated. Please check back at a later time for updates.
- Rock Climbing at Pilot Mountain
- Canoeing the Eno River
- Standup Paddleboarding at Jordan Lake
- Mountain Biking at Lake Crabtree
- Teambuilding Retreat: Picnic and Canoeing at Falls Lake
Workshops
The foundation for lifelong outdoor skill learning, our instructional workshops are short courses designed to teach beginner and intermediate skills in a variety of activities including backpacking, kayaking, climbing and more! Learn and build on outdoor competencies while experiencing personal growth.
Registration
Pre-registration is required for all Trips & Workshops and individuals can register on MyRec.
For more information on how to register, review our MyRec Help Page.