George & Julia
Brumley Family Nature Preserve

Explore Brumley Preserve: Hiking, Biking, and Birding Near Chapel Hill 

The George and Julia Brumley Family Nature Preserve attracts a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts, from mountain bikers who are happiest weaving through trees, to naturalists and photographers pursuing birds and butterflies, to families interested in a woodland stroll.  

This 673-acre property near Chapel Hill and Hillsborough is divided into two sections that offer a unique mix of mature hardwood forests, streams teeming with wildlife, and remnants of past farming operations, including scenic farm ponds. 

Brumley North: Peaceful Hiking Trails Through Forests and Meadows 

Brumley North is only open to foot traffic and offers almost three miles of trails that meander through hardwood forests, along tranquil Stony Creek, and through pollinator meadows. An eBird hotspot, Brumley North often boasts the highest number of species observed in North Carolina during spring and fall migration. Here you can take a contemplative walk in the preserve’s “Healing Labyrinth.” 

Brumley South: Adventurous Trails for Hikers and Bikers Alike 

The more rugged Brumley South offers more than 10 miles of walking and multi-use trails that wind through woodlands and along streams, offering great opportunities for viewing birds and wildlife. A favorite among mountain bikers, Brumley South has long been a destination for both beginner and advanced riders.  

In the 1990s the property was almost lost when a “rural village” containing homes and a golf course was proposed for the area. Orange County residents rallied together to stop the project, and eventually George and Julia Brumley purchased the land to manage it for conservation and traditional uses including forestry. After the Brumley’s passing, a group of generous donors, including the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, enabled TLC to purchase the property from the Zeist Foundation in 2010. This beloved preserve honors the Brumley family’s legacy as conservation champions. 

Brumley Family Nature Preserve sits on land that was once home to the Eno, Lumbee, and Shakori people. It was also part of the Cameron Plantation and so was home to hundreds of enslaved people.

In the early 1800s, portions of the Brumley property were owned by the Strayhorn family as part of the original New Hope Presbyterian settlement. The burial plot near the Labyrinth at Brumley North is the James N. Strayhorn Family Cemetery, with graves dating to the 1800s or earlier. Over several generations, primarily during Strayhorn ownership, people of African descent were enslaved and forced to work on the property. 

In the 1990s, developers proposed a “rural village” with shops, hundreds of homes, and a golf course off New Hope Church Road, but strong citizen opposition stopped the plan. Local conservationists George and Julia Brumley then bought the land for forestry, farming, and hunting. After their passing, the Zeist Foundation sold the property in 2010 to Triangle Land Conservancy, which funded the purchase with support from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the Warner Foundation, the City of Raleigh, the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative, and the Pearson Stewart Land Opportunity Fund.

 

Note that Brumley Family Nature Preserve is divided into two sections (North & South) and has three parking lots:

  • Brumley South – New Hope Church entrance: 3055 New Hope Church Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514
  • Brumley South – University Station entrance: 3801 University Station Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
  • Brumley North entrance: 3620 Old State Hwy 10, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

The Healing Labyrinth at Brumley North is a gift from Ellie and Bob DeVries and the Kellogg Foundation, based on a classical, seven-circuit labyrinth.

The labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in many cultures around the world. Labyrinth designs were found on pottery, tablets and tiles that date as far back as 5,000 years ago. Many patterns are based on spirals and circles mirrored in nature. Unlike a maze, labyrinths provide only one path to follow in a walking meditation. One feature labyrinths have in common is they have one path that winds in a circuitous way to the center. Visitors can follow the meandering walkway from the edge to the center, where boulders will provide a quiet place for rest and contemplation. The labyrinth and one of the paths from the parking lot are wheelchair accessible.

Preserve Guidelines & What to Expect

All TLC preserves are open dawn to dusk.

All TLC preserves have designated parking lots. Please park and access the preserves only through these entrances. Some preserves, like Brumley Nature Preserve, have several parking access points. Williamson Preserve (specifically, the Bootleggers Loop) can be accessed from the Neuse River Greenway.

  • Mountain biking is available at Williamson Preserve in Wake County and Brumley South Preserve in Orange County. You can check the trail status at any time by visiting our trail status page. Please respect all trail closures, which help us maintain the trails and the fragile habitats near them.
  • Please note, all riders must wear helmets. E-bikes are not permitted.
  • Please observe good trail-sharing etiquette, including giving audible warnings and slowing down to pass hikers and other riders.

Yes! Dogs are welcome at all TLC preserves but they must be leashed at all times on a 6-foot physical leash. This is critical for the safety of other visitors, wildlife, and farm animals.

All pet waste must be bagged and disposed of off the premises to protect water quality and habitats.

Cell phone service varies depending on your carrier and so is not guaranteed at any of the preserves. Cell coverage is generally poor at the southern half of Williamson Preserve near the Neuse River Greenway Trail, as well as most of Horton Grove and White Pines. Please plan accordingly.

  • On shared hiking and mountain biking trails, please walk on the right side.
  • Mountain bikers should give an audible warning and slow down to pass hikers or other riders.
  • All dogs must be leashed and any waste bagged and disposed of off the premises.
  • Please stay on the marked trail in order to help us protect delicate plant and wildlife habitats.

Port-A-Johns are available at the Brumley South New Hope Church Road parking lot and at the Williamson Parking lot. No other preserves have restroom access or potable water.

  • Littering
  • Off-trail riding and hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Racing on bikes
  • Electric bikes (e-bikes)
  • Smoking
  • Bringing or consuming alcohol
  • Collecting plants and wildlife
  • Hunting
  • Feeding wildlife or livestock
  • Approaching or handling livestock or farm equipment
  • Firearms
  • Swimming
  • Tents and/or camping
  • Drone use
  • Metal detecting
  • Commercial activity of any kind

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