10 Easy Road Trips Near Fayetteville, NC (That Take You Out of Cumberland County)
If you live in or around
Fayetteville, North Carolina and you’re itching to explore a little beyond Cumberland County, you’re in luck. Within about an hour or so of driving, you’ve got beaches (almost), sandhills, small towns, state parks, and sweet tea spots just waiting for a weekend drive.
This guide focuses on short,
out-of-county road trips from Fayetteville into the nearby counties of
Bladen, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Robeson, and Sampson. No long planning, no flights, no stress—just hop in the car, grab a drink for the road, and go.
1. Bladen Lakes State Forest & Jones Lake State Park (Bladen County)
Looking for a peaceful day in nature without driving all the way to the coast? Head southeast from Fayetteville into
Bladen County toward
Jones Lake State Park, part of the wider
Bladen Lakes State Forest.
You’ll find:
- A shallow, tea-colored lake with a sandy swim beach
- Easy walking trails through pine forest and around the lake
- Picnic tables and grills for a simple cookout
The lake is one of North Carolina’s famous “Carolina bays.” You don’t have to get too scientific about it, though. Think of it as a quiet, round lake that feels like your own secret beach in the woods.
If you like:
- Kayaking or canoeing on calm water
- Low-key swimming (great for families)
- Relaxed nature photography
this is a perfect day trip. It’s usually less crowded than big-name parks and an easy drive straight out of Cumberland County.
2. Raven Rock State Park (Harnett County)
Drive northwest into
Harnett County, and you’ll hit one of the most popular nature getaways near Fayetteville:
Raven Rock State Park.
Here’s what makes it special:
- A massive rock cliff overlooking the Cape Fear River
- Well-marked hiking trails from easy to moderate
- Stairs down to the base of Raven Rock for great views
If you’re new to hiking, start with the main Raven Rock Loop. It gives you great views without being too intense. Just remember—those steps feel a lot steeper on the way back up.
This is a great spot if you:
- Want a workout without going to the gym
- Like standing somewhere that makes you say, “Wow, this is North Carolina?”
- Need an easy day trip idea for visiting friends or family
Parking can fill up on pretty Saturdays and holidays, so going early or on a weekday is often easier.
3. Carthage & the Sandhills Countryside (Moore County)
Everyone talks about Pinehurst and Southern Pines, but if you want something a little quieter, head to
Carthage in
Moore County. It has that classic small-town feel, and the drive itself is half the fun.
On the way and in town, you can:
- Roll past old farms and longleaf pines in the Sandhills
- Walk around a traditional courthouse square
- Stop at a local diner or café for lunch
This is the kind of road trip you take when you don’t want crowds or big attractions. You just want to slow down, look out the window, and maybe grab a slice of pie somewhere.
If you enjoy:
- Country drives on two-lane roads
- Browsing small local shops
- Photography of old buildings and farm scenes
Carthage makes a simple but satisfying half-day escape from Fayetteville.
4. Southern Pines: Boutiques, Breweries & Horse Country (Moore County)
If you want something a little livelier, point your car toward
Southern Pines in
Moore County. It’s a favorite for people from Fayetteville looking for a day of walking, shopping, and eating.
In downtown Southern Pines, you’ll find:
- Tree-lined streets with local boutiques and bookstores
- Plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and a few breweries
- A relaxed, walkable downtown with small-town charm
Just outside town, you’ll see rolling fields and horse farms. It’s a reminder that you’re in North Carolina’s
Horse Country, even if you’re just there for brunch and window-shopping.
This is a great road trip if you:
- Want a casual “day date” spot
- Love wandering from shop to shop with a coffee in hand
- Need a change of scenery but not a big adventure
Parking is generally easy, and the drive from Fayetteville is straightforward.
5. Pinehurst: Golf Vibes & Village Charm (Moore County)
Just a short hop from Southern Pines is
Pinehurst, a name many people know for golf—even if they’ve never played a round in their life.
You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy a visit. The
Village of Pinehurst has:
- Brick walkways and historic inn-style architecture
- Shops selling golf gear, local art, and gifts
- Cozy restaurants and bars with a resort-town feel
You can wander the village, people-watch, and soak up the atmosphere. When a big golf event is in town, it feels a little like a mini festival—busy, but fun.
Consider Pinehurst if you:
- Enjoy resort-style towns without hopping on a plane
- Want a “special occasion” lunch or dinner spot
- Have out-of-town guests who’d enjoy seeing a famous golf destination
It’s an easy day trip to combine with Southern Pines if you want a full day in Moore County.
6. Lumberton & the Lumber River (Robeson County)
Head south from Fayetteville into
Robeson County, and you’ll reach
Lumberton, a small city along the
Lumber River, a federally designated National Wild and Scenic River.
Things to do include:
- Renting a kayak or canoe for a peaceful paddle
- Walking riverside trails and enjoying quiet river views
- Checking out local restaurants for classic Southern-style meals
The river is calm in many spots, and with the right outfitter, it’s beginner-friendly. Picture a slow, winding river with overhanging trees and plenty of birdlife—perfect for a simple nature escape.
Road trip here if you:
- Want a water-based activity without driving to the beach
- Like combining a small-town visit with outdoor time
- Enjoy exploring lesser-known corners of North Carolina
7. Raeford & Hoke County Back Roads (Hoke County)
Just west of Fayetteville,
Raeford in
Hoke County is close, but it still gives you that “I got out of town” feeling.
While it’s a smaller destination, it’s great for a low-pressure afternoon:
- Take the scenic back roads through farm fields and pine stands
- Stop in Raeford for lunch or a snack
- Time your visit with local events or seasonal festivals if they’re happening
Sometimes the best road trips aren’t about big attractions. They’re about rolling the windows down, turning up the music, and poking around a small town you usually just pass by.
This is a solid choice when:
- You only have a few hours
- You don’t want complicated plans
- You just need a mental reset outside Cumberland County
8. Dunn & the I-95 Stopover Experience (Harnett County)
If you head north toward
Dunn in
Harnett County, you’ll find a mix of small-town North Carolina and classic I-95 travel culture.
In and around Dunn, you can:
- Walk around the small downtown area
- Grab classic road food—from diners to barbecue joints
- Use it as a jumping-off point to exploring nearby rural roads
Dunn is the kind of place where you can park, stroll a bit, and remind yourself that not everything in life is chain stores and big-box parking lots. It’s simple, but it scratches that “short road trip” itch.
This trip is ideal if you:
- Want something easy and close-by
- Like exploring small towns along main highways
- Enjoy hunting for hidden local spots, like a favorite biscuit or burger place
9. Clinton: Courthouse Square & Small-Town Flavor (Sampson County)
East of Fayetteville, you’ll find
Clinton in
Sampson County, a classic North Carolina small town centered around its courthouse square.
In Clinton, you can:
- Walk around the historic downtown area
- Check out local shops and small eateries
- Take a short driving loop through the surrounding farm country
If you enjoy noticing little details—old brick buildings, faded signs, vintage storefronts—Clinton rewards a slow walk and a curious eye.
Choose Clinton when you:
- Want a relaxed, slower-paced outing
- Like history and old architecture, even in small doses
- Enjoy pairing a scenic drive with a simple lunch stop
10. White Lake & Elizabethtown (Bladen County)
If you’re craving that vacation feeling but don’t want a long drive to the beach, head to
White Lake and nearby
Elizabethtown in
Bladen County.
White Lake is known for:
- Clear, spring-fed water that feels almost tropical on a sunny day
- Family-friendly swimming, boating, and simple lakeside fun
- A relaxed, old-school “lake resort” feel
Just up the road,
Elizabethtown has:
- Small-town shops and restaurants
- Classic Southern cooking and sweet treats
This is a perfect warm-weather day trip when you:
- Want that “mini-vacation” vibe without booking a hotel
- Have kids or friends who just want to swim and hang out
- Love lakes more than crowded beaches
Tips for Road Trips from Fayetteville, NC
To make your
Fayetteville road trips smoother, a few simple habits help a lot:
- Leave with a loose plan, not a strict schedule. Part of the fun is stopping when something looks interesting.
- Pack a small “car kit.” Water, snacks, a phone charger, and maybe a light jacket go a long way.
- Check hours before you go. Small-town shops and restaurants sometimes close earlier than you’d expect.
- Fill up on gas in Fayetteville. Rural stretches between counties can be pretty empty.
Think of these nearby counties—Bladen, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Robeson, and Sampson—as Fayetteville’s extended backyard. Each one gives you a different flavor of North Carolina without requiring a long drive.
What’s Your Favorite Road Trip from Fayetteville?
Have you done any of these short
day trips from Fayetteville? Maybe you’ve found a great BBQ place in Robeson County, a hidden trail in Moore County, or the perfect swimming spot at White Lake.
- Which nearby town or park do you love most?
- What’s one spot you think everyone in Fayetteville should visit at least once?
Share your favorite out-of-county road trips in the comments—and if you know someone in the Fayetteville area who’s always saying, “There’s nothing to do around here,”
send them this post.
The next great getaway might be just 30–60 minutes down the road.
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