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Blackwater Creek Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 366 Google reviews · Running trail in Lynchburg, Virginia · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Blackwater Creek Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Serene, wooded nature preserve offering scenic paved & dirt trails for biking, jogging & walking.
What runners say about Blackwater Creek Natural Area
“Nice people beautiful place to take a walk , basically like waking inside a little mountain with large rocks and water in the middle!”
“It’s so peaceful and healthy for the soul—the flowers, wildlife, trails—and the Awareness Garden entrance at Langhorne and Nomad Coffee make it my haven.”
Well paved trail! Beautiful tunnel you can go through, and flat (most of the time) trail that’s good for bike riding, long-boarding, or simply walking. Well maintained, but can get pretty muddy in some areas.
Miles of nice trails.... The main paved bike trail across the creek near rapids and through the well-lit mountain tunnel is fabulous.
One of the greatest outdoor assets to the Lynchburg community. It’s so great to have miles of great trails easily accessible from multiple points. I go on runs multiple times a week and it’s unbelievably nice to be able to easily switch up where I run and have new views.
Every day, we go. I’m heat intolerant, so I love how the tree canopy drops the temperature. It’s so peaceful and healthy for the soul—the flowers, wildlife, trails—and the Awareness Garden entrance at Langhorne and Nomad Coffee make it my haven.
Trail conditions & character
“Nice people beautiful place to take a walk , basically like waking inside a little mountain with large rocks and water in the middle!”
“It’s so peaceful and healthy for the soul—the flowers, wildlife, trails—and the Awareness Garden entrance at Langhorne and Nomad Coffee make it my haven.”
“The main paved bike trail across the creek near rapids and through the well-lit mountain tunnel is fabulous.”
Plan your run at Blackwater Creek Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitelynchburgparksandrec.com
- Phone(434) 455-5858
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Lynchburg
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Blackwater Creek Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 157 reviews
Recreation area with trails, an off-leash dog park & a lighted grass lawn for soccer & football.
Hollins Mill Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 610 reviews
Quiet space for walking or biking on a paved trail, plus a waterfall.
