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Bolin Creek
4.7 ★★★★★ 98 Google reviews · Running trail in Chapel Hill, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Bolin Creek'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.
Scenic hiking area with kid-friendly trails, plus a rose garden and a playground.
What runners say about Bolin Creek
“The bridge that you walk under, has beautiful artwork - blocks one would see in quilts.”
“Wonderful walking, running, biking, skating, whatevering under shady tree canopy.”
“Very serene in the morning on weekends, and quiet week day mornings.”
A lovely trail with so much pretty greenery! This trail was very calm and at times it’s not too busy.
Awesome trail with many painted water structures and just down from the cafe for coffee or wine.
Love the Bolin Creek Trail. I moved to Chapel Hill about 3 years ago and found the trail shortly thereafter. I walk it 2-3 times a week, every week. It's quiet and beautiful. Love it when it's recently rained and the creek is flowing well. Just enough people to not feel lonely but never feel crowded.
The new section is wonderful. Very serene in the morning on weekends, and quiet week day mornings. can hear the birds and water gurgling. The bridge that you walk under, has beautiful artwork - blocks one would see in quilts.
Trail conditions & character
“The bridge that you walk under, has beautiful artwork - blocks one would see in quilts.”
“This paved trail extends from the Chapel Hill Community Center all the way to MLK - and is now being extended under MLK all the way to Umstead Park!”
“Very serene in the morning on weekends, and quiet week day mornings.”
“Wonderful walking, running, biking, skating, whatevering under shady tree canopy.”
“This paved trail extends from the Chapel Hill Community Center all the way to MLK - and is now being extended under MLK all the way to Umstead Park!”
Plan your run at Bolin Creek
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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitetownofchapelhill.org
Hours
| Monday | 5 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 5 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 5 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 5 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Chapel Hill
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Battle Park
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Forested university nature site with a noteworthy stone amphitheater, walking trails & streams.
Umstead Park
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Park featuring play structures, picnic shelters, a basketball court & wooded paths along a creek.
Lower Booker Creek Trail
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Wilson Park
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Park offering baseball and tennis courts as well as a playground featuring slides, swings, a sandbox and grills.
Carolina North Forest
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UNC north campus woodland covering 750 acres & offering a complex network of hiking trails.
Frances Shetley Bikeway
4.7 ★★★★★ 9 reviews