One of our absoluteFAVORITEplaces for nature walks and outdoor activities is none other than Tanglewood Park. Conveniently nestled in the heart of Clemmons, North Carolina, Tanglewood offers a wide range of activities for all ages and interests.
Spanning an impressive 1,100 acres, this public park provides ample opportunities for exploration and adventure. Whether you’re keen on hiking through picturesque trails, embarking on horseback riding excursions, casting a line for fishing, or even setting up camp for a memorable outdoor experience, Tanglewood Park truly has it all.
For anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural beauty of the area, a visit to Tanglewood Park is an absolute must!
Where Is It Located?
Tanglewood Park is conveniently situated in Clemmons at 4061 Clemmons Road, a mere 10 miles from Winston-Salem, NC. The GPS directions may occasionally lead you to the back of the park, which is inaccessible. To ensure proper access, it isnecessary to enter through the main park entrance located off US Route 158.
We love Winston-Salem so much, we even have anarticle dedicated to cool things to do in Winston-Salem!
How Much Does It Cost?
The park operates on a pay-per-vehicle system. This means that if you plan to drive through the park, you’ll need to pay a fee. Specifically,personal vehicles are charged $2, whilepassenger vans and buses are charged $8. These fees cover only the entry into the park and do not include any additional recreational activities.
If you prefer toexplore the beautiful hiking trails on foot, you can do so for FREE! Simply take the first left before reaching the entrance gate where the payment is required. Along the way, you’ll pass the Welcome Center, which offers several free parking lots for your convenience.
Any Cost-Saving Options For Frequent Visitors?
Tanglewood Park offers an annual pass each year, providing a convenient option for frequent visitors.
To obtain an annual pass, you can easily purchase one from the Welcome Center. Typically priced at $25, they often run sales and promotions. If you’re fortunate, you might be able to snag an annual pass at a reduced cost! For instance, we were able to get ours for just $20!
10 Things To Do at Tanglewood Park
If you’re wondering what to do at Tanglewood Park, there are numerous fun things to do as a couple, with kids, or with friends! Here are some of the cool things you can do there.
Hiking Trails and Nature Walks
The main reason we visit Tanglewood Park is to walk our dog, Woody. We enjoy walking the 1.7-mile loop around the park. Additionally, there are some wooded trails that allow pedestrians and leashed pets.
Given Woody’s leash reactivity, we prefer to walk him during off hours to minimize potential triggers. If we’re up for a challenge, however, we’ll take him during busier times. We just try to be fully prepared for any potential lunging and are ready to redirect his behavior.
Furthermore, we’ve found that he responds well to positive reinforcement. He particularly lovesfreeze-dried chicken treats! Also, he walks best when on aneasy-walk harness, providing us with better control.
Horseback Riding
Tanglewood Stablesoffer trail rides to the public, as well as horseback riding lessons! They even offer hay rides and carriage rides all year long, but the holidays are the most popular.
With the beautiful nature trails, horseback riding is a lovely way to see the park. They schedule trail rides 7 days/week, but reservations are recommended! If you’ve never ridden a horse, I would recommend trying it out here! These horses are tame and used to being ridden by all skill levels.
Another popular thing to do with a group of people is a seasonal hay ride.If you want a unique way to experience the Festival of Lights in December, a hay ride will create a memorable trip!It’s also great for family reunion gatherings.
Camping
Camping isn’t my thing; however, I acknowledge that it’s incredibly popular at Tanglewood Park. In fact, people come from all over to enjoy the RV park specifically.
Notably,there are 44 sites in total at the RV Campground, offering ample space for RV enthusiasts.
The RV Campground is also separated from the other areas of the park.
Nevertheless, campers still have access to the wide range of fun amenities that Tanglewood Park has to offer, including golfing, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, boating, and picnics. This way, they can enjoy the best of both worlds during their stay.
Dog Park
Dog parkscan be a great place for your dog to get out any excess energy.However, it’s important to note thatthey can also present some challenges.
The dog park at Tanglewood opened in May 2013. The 2.35-acre park is thoughtfully separated into “large” and “small” areas. Specifically, dogs 25 pounds and heavier are considered “large” and given 1.75 acres of the park, while dogs under 25 pounds have the remaining 0.60 acres to themselves.
Moreover, there are convenient water fountains available for both dogs and humans, ensuring everyone stays hydrated. Benches are thoughtfully located along the perimeter, and there are trash and dog waste stations available for your convenience.
However,it’s important to be aware of the potential risks at dog parks. Please be a responsible pet parent! Keep in mind that not all dogs at the dog park are necessarily friendly or well-socialized.
Golf Haven
Calling all golf lovers!Tanglewood Parkboasts 2 award-winning golf courses, a par 3 course, and a driving range. With such variety, there are endless opportunities to improve your golf game.
While neither one of us is great at golf, we enjoy visiting the driving range and the par 3 course to improve our golf swing.
If you’re looking for something more challenging, you should play the Championship and/or Reynolds Course. Additionally, you can book your tee time online (here).
Public Swimming Pool
We visited theaquatic centerin the summer of 2022 and were pleasantly surprised by the facilities. We always imagined this would be a great place to take kids. However, we found it to be a great place for adults to relax as well.
The aquatic center is separated into 4 distinct sections: A zero-depth entry wading pool, a splash pad, a large main pool, and a winding lazy river. This made it feel less crowded once you enter.
The hours fluctuate based on the day, so make sure you check theironline calendar!Furthermore, we also suggest getting there early. In fact, a line forms very quickly to enter the aquatic center. The admission fee is $8, with some discounts for seniors and young children.
Visit Mallard Lake
This is one of our favorite spots at the park!Mallard Lakeis a great spot for family gatherings, hanging out with your kids, or a day date.
There’s achildren’s playground,picnic tables with charcoal grills, andpedal boatsavailable on site. In addition, it’s also a relaxing place to gofishing. Fishing passes are purchased at the front gate upon entering the park.
Furthermore, we enjoy packing a picnic and eating by the lake as the weather cools. Overall, there’s just so much you can enjoy in this sliver of paradise!
Tour The Gardens
This was a surprise find as I drove through all of Tanglewood Park. Living in the Triad area for nearly 20 years, I had never seen, heard, nor visited theArboretum of Tanglewood. That being said, if you’re ever in the area, I urge you to take advantage of this hidden gem!
You will find the Arboretum and Gardens nestled behind the. The Arboretum showcases plants and beautiful flowers. It’s a great backdrop for photos! You can visit the gardens for free during the normal operating hours of Tanglewood.
Tennis Time
The second reason we used to visit Tanglewood was specifically for thetennis courts. Not only did we enjoy playing tennis, but we also loved engaging in games of Pickleball on those very same courts. Although our version of Pickleball may not have been the most technically precise, it still provided us with a fantastic workout and loads of fun.
However, the reason I use the past tense is that the tennis courts at Tanglewood are now under new management. As a result,they now require a reservation and are no longer free to use!
Other Activities and Events at Tanglewood Park
There are several seasonal events throughout the year. The most famous event is the Tanglewood Festival of Lights. They also host the Southern Charm craft fair, a pumpkin patch in October, and an Easter egg hunt every spring. Sometimes you can even catch a live music event!
To Summarize
There’s no shortage of things to do at Tanglewood Park. From its natural beauty to outdoor events and recreational activities, there’s something for all ages to enjoy! Whether you’re seeking tranquility, adventure, or simply a place to unwind, Tanglewood Park is the perfect destination to add to your bucket list.
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