HomeNorth CarolinaWilmington › Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve

Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve

4.3 ★★★★☆ 85 Google reviews · Running trail in Wilmington, North Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve'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.

PavedScenicTrailhead parkingQuiet

Nature preserve featuring forest and pond on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus.

What runners say about Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (85 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“It's a beautiful place of nature: to hear all the lovely birds songs, to see many creatures and enjoy.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Short trail but peaceful lots of nature It is on a college campus so parking can be difficult at times”

Hi. We googled this lovely place and went to see it a few times. It's a beautiful place of nature: to hear all the lovely birds songs, to see many creatures and enjoy. Well-placed benches are great to relax and listen to all these lovely sounds that are coming from everywhere. Our many thanks for the maintenance crew.

★★★★★ — Irina , Jun 2025

It's basically a few paths through the woods. The pond is cute and worth a visit, but be prepared for the mosquitoes. Follow the signs for Visitor Parking. The visitor parking lot is free and near the garden entrance. If your really bored it's worth a visit, although I don't suggest you go out of your way.

★★★★★ — Patrick , Sep 2014

Located on the grounds of the beautiful North Carolina University. Well marked. Nice little nature walk. Would probably be more interesting in the spring

★★★★☆ — Dee , Oct 2025

great little hiking trails in a heavily wooded, "old forest" atmosphere, right in the middle of UNCW's campus! there is also a lake there and it is peaceful. also i saw a pitcher plant. free parking. i think it's totally worth going to.

★★★★★ — John , May 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 85 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 12 mentions

“I wish I could remember how to enter it but do not listen to Google maps he sends you to a completely wrong parking lot”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“It's a beautiful place of nature: to hear all the lovely birds songs, to see many creatures and enjoy.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Short trail but peaceful lots of nature It is on a college campus so parking can be difficult at times”

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🛣️ Paved surface

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Plan your run at Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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 — reported by runners
  • Websiteuncw.edu
  • Phone(910) 962-3000
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 AM–5 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–5 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–5 PM
Thursday 8 AM–5 PM
Friday 8 AM–5 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve

4855 Price Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403

Get directions

Running trails near Wilmington

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Wade Park

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Public park with trails & a boardwalk through wetland areas, plus a playground & picnic tables.

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Summer Rest Trail

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Paved trail near Wrightsville Beach offering views of the Intracoastal Waterway and private homes.

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.