Tanglewood Park: The LARGEST Park in Forsyth County, NC

One of our absolute FAVORITE places for nature walks and outdoor activities is Tanglewood Park.

Conveniently located in the heart of Clemmons, North Carolina, Tanglewood is 1,100 acre public park that offers a wide range of activities for all ages and interests.

where is it located?

Tanglewood Park is situated in Clemmons at 4061 Clemmons Road, just 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 is necessary to enter through the main park entrance located off US Route 158.

We love Winston-Salem so much, we even have an article dedicated to (cheap) 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.

Personal vehicles are charged $2, while passenger 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 to explore 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.

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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 used to visit Tanglewood Park was to walk our dog, Woody. As the weather cools down, we’ll be bringing our little one too!

We enjoy walking the 1.7-mile loop around the park. There are also 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. However, if we’re up for a challenge, we’ll take him during busier times, being fully prepared for any potential lunging and ready to redirect his behavior.

We’ve found that he responds well to positive reinforcement. He particularly loves freeze-dried chicken treats! Also, he walks best when on an easy-walk harness, providing us with better control.

Horseback Riding

Tanglewood Stables offer 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 are used to being ridden by all skill levels.

If you want a unique way to experience the Festival of Lights in December, a seasonal 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.

There are 44 sites in total at the RV Campground, offering ample space for RV lovers.

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 parks can be a great place for your dog to get out any excess energy. However, it’s important to note that they 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. 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.

There are convenient water fountains available for both dogs and humans, ensuring everyone stays hydrated. Additionally, benches are thoughtfully located along the perimeter, and there are trash and dog waste stations available for your convenience.

It’s also 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

Tanglewood Park boasts 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.

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 the aquatic center in 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.

Additionally, the hours fluctuate based on the day, so make sure you check their online calendar! 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! Firstly, Mallard Lake is a great spot for family gatherings, hanging out with your kids, or a day date.

There’s a children’s playground, picnic tables with charcoal grills, and pedal boats available on site. It’s also a relaxing place to go fishing. Fishing passes are purchased at the front gate upon entering the park.

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 the Arboretum 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 Manor House Bed & Breakfast. 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 the tennis 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.

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 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!