HomeNorth CarolinaConcord › Dorton Park

Dorton Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 883 Google reviews · Running trail in Concord, North Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Dorton Park'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.

MixedLit at nightScenicStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parking

City park with a soccer field, tennis courts, a disc-golf course, play equipment & picnic shelters.

What runners say about Dorton Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (883 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“Nice local park with two playground areas for kids, a sports field, walking path, tennis courts, and clean rest rooms.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Trails & Greenways: The park’s asphalt trails weave seamlessly into the Coddle Creek Greenway, offering smooth walks or bike rides with scenic views.”

🏃 great for running 2 mentions

“Calming environment, great for going on a walk or run, nice playground and swings for the kids or adults lol, nice shade bench areas as well.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“*Park was very clean and family friendly.”

Hidden Gem in Concord: Dorton Park Delivers Fun for All Ages My wife and I, residents of Harrisburg, North Carolina, stumbled upon Dorton Park while heading to Afton Ridge for shopping—and what a delightful surprise it was!

★★★★★ — Preston , Apr 2025

This is a beautiful park with two large, well kept fields and bleachers. This is the perfect spot for toddlers as it's one of the few parks around with a completely enclosed playground for little ones. The other playground is great for elementary aged kids.

★★★★★ — Bonnie , Jun 2019

Nice paved path to walk the dogs on. It felt safe and close to a nice neighborhood. At first I thought the walking paths were very short, but it was much longer than I anticipated (and I couldn’t even tell you where the end was).

★★★★★ — Michaela , Oct 2025

Great park! One of the best in the Charlotte area. It even has a merry go round. Great trails. Great field. 2 playgrounds for different ages. Picnic shelters. My kids love it.

★★★★★ — Satira , Sep 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 883 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“Trails & Greenways: The park’s asphalt trails weave seamlessly into the Coddle Creek Greenway, offering smooth walks or bike rides with scenic views.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“I wish the bathrooms could have been better designed.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“Accessibility & Extras: The expanded parking lot (now 180 spaces) ensures easy access, while the stream restoration and lush landscaping enhance the natural vibe.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“Trails & Greenways: The park’s asphalt trails weave seamlessly into the Coddle Creek Greenway, offering smooth walks or bike rides with scenic views.”

More trails like this →

Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“The park’s thoughtful design—like ADA-compliant paths and the Willow’s Wish Foundation-funded changing table—shows Concord’s commitment to inclusivity.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

More trails like this →

💡 Lit for night running

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Dorton Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteconcordnc.gov
  • Phone(704) 920-5600
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–8 PM
Thursday 7 AM–8 PM
Friday 7 AM–8 PM
Saturday 7 AM–8 PM
Sunday 7 AM–8 PM

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 Dorton Park

5790 Poplar Tent Rd, Concord, NC 28027

Get directions

Running trails near Concord

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

Afton Run Greenway

4.5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

Concord, NC

MixedLit

under a mile away

Hector H.Henry, II Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 178 reviews

Concord, NC

MixedShadedLitScenic

Relaxed woodland trails for walking, biking and running, plus dog parks.

3.1 miles away

Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway

4.7 ★★★★★ 95 reviews

Concord, NC

3.1 miMixedScenicDog-friendly

Serene park providing paved routes for walking and cycling, plus a playground.

3.1 miles away

Hector H Henry II Greenway Weddington Rd Hotel Trailhead

3.9 ★★★★☆ 7 reviews

Concord, NC

Natural surfaceLitDog-friendly

3.4 miles away

Hector H. Henry II Greenway (Moss Creek Village)

4.6 ★★★★★ 12 reviews

Concord, NC

14 miMixedDog-friendly

3.9 miles away

Brown Mill Mountain Bike Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 79 reviews

Concord, NC

MixedLit

Mountain bike path for beginners and the more advanced, with climbs and jumps.

4.1 miles away

All running trails in Concord, NC →

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.