Home › North Carolina › Shelby › Broad River Greenway
Broad River Greenway
4.6 ★★★★★ 641 Google reviews · Running trail in Shelby, North Carolina · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Broad River Greenway'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 multi-use park with picnic tables and trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
What runners say about Broad River Greenway
“Clean trails and way more seemingly-healthy wildlife observed since COVID shutdown.”
“Really nice place to go ride by the water and Thur the wood was peaceful and beautiful”
“Really nice place to go ride by the water and Thur the wood was peaceful and beautiful”
This is an awesome resource for the folks in the area and beyond. Plenty of trails, some with decent elevation gain, most relatively flat. Good for hiking, trail running, and horses. Biking is ok, but sandy spots make it less fun for me than other activities, but that's just my opinion.
The park near the ranger station is very nice. There are bathrooms and even has a handicap accessible parking area. The trails are made up of mostly dirt and small stones that lead to a fishing pier. There are things to see along the trail and even a cabin from the 1800s.
Another local trail and swim area. Beautiful trail that winds along the river with huge rock formations along the way. Nice "beach" area for the youngins and adult youngins alike. Busy while we were there, nice place to grill out and have birthday parties without all the cost of your local bowling center or skate rink.
Amazing hiking 🥾 place!! You can fish, you can make a party, there is shelters. Great for kids the trail has activities so the kids get tired lol
Trail conditions & character
“Really nice place to go ride by the water and Thur the wood was peaceful and beautiful”
“Really nice place to go ride by the water and Thur the wood was peaceful and beautiful”
“There are bathrooms and even has a handicap accessible parking area.”
“Parking lot has plenty of room on most days and the facilities are top notch.”
“Sandy trail, which was muddy in some spots.”
Plan your run at Broad River Greenway
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitebroadrivergreenway.com
- Phone(704) 434-0040
Running trails near Shelby
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Lake Whelchel Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 131 reviews
Scenic 7.5-mile loop for hiking and biking, winding through the woods alongside a lake and a creek.
First Broad River Trail Trailhead
4.4 ★★★★☆ 35 reviews
Kid-friendly hiking area with a suspension bridge, gnome homes, and fairy houses.
Running Trail
2 ★★☆☆☆ 1 reviews
Jolly Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 97 reviews
Park featuring a public restroom, picnic tables, and exercise equipment, plus events.
Irene Ball Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 35 reviews