Randolph County Offers Year-Round Fun on Land and Water
Lake Lucas
With its combination of urban amenities and natural landscape, Randolph County is a sweet spot for outdoor enthusiasts of all types.
Everyone from anglers to off-roaders benefits from the Piedmont region’s four distinct seasons, and with world-class golfing nuzzling up to mountains and lakes, there’s plenty to pick from when it comes to getting outside.
Uwharrie National Forest Offers Hiking, Fishing
Want to get away from it all? Travel no further than the Uwharrie National Forest, which covers more than 50,000 acres in Randolph and neighboring Montgomery and Davidson counties. Among its famous features is Badin Lake, with 5,350 acres of boating and fishing along with adjacent camping areas, 40 miles of trails that end in the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness, and trails for off-road vehicles and horses. Hunters also visit the Uwharrie for deer, turkey and other small game.
Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services Expands Programs
A little closer to home, and in more polished surroundings, Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services is implementing a 20-year master plan that will expand its very popular youth athletic programs, as well as add more parks and adult programming. In addition to its network of parks, Lake Lucas and Lake Reese, swimming pools, tennis courts and picnic facilities, the department also operates a 10,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor skate park and a historic nine-hole golf course designed in 1935 by Donald Ross. More than 25,000 rounds per year are played here, making the city’s course a stiff rival to nearby Tot Hill Farm Golf Club and Pinewood Country Club’s fairways. Set near the Caraway Mountains is the Asheboro Country Club, a private par 71 championship course.
On the league front, the department has lighted facilities at five of its eight city parks, and a new 65-acre park will offer a four- to six-field soccer complex. Other group activities include the annual Senior Games, as well as several community health programs operated in partnership with the Randolph County Health Department.
If you see a copperhead, jump up on your seat … to cheer! The Asheboro Copperheads have been a summertime mainstay for more than a decade, competing in the Coastal Plain League. The collegiate, wooden-bat team plays from late May through mid-August at McCrary Park.
There might not be copperheads, but plenty of other slithery things can be found at the North Carolina Zoo, a local treasure that’s also the nation’s third-largest zoo in terms of land area. At 1,458 acres it’s easy to see why the zoo has a tram system. The state-owned park has plenty of other creature comforts for both residents and visitors as well.
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