Home › North Carolina › Dunn › Dunn Erwin Rail Trail
Dunn Erwin Rail Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 68 Google reviews · Running trail in Dunn, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- 5 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Dunn Erwin Rail Trail'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.
Flat trail used by bikers, walkers and joggers plus a dog park.
What runners say about Dunn Erwin Rail Trail
“Well-maintained and easily accessible, this is an easy, scenic trail that is a great option for walks of varying lengths.”
“Beautiful trail, but would be better if there were lights along the trail despite the worries if it disturbs our wildlife.”
“It’s nice, quiet and easy trail to walk or jog in.”
Fantastic place to walk in nature, take the dog or have a good bike ride! Very well maintained, kept up and flat. Instead of the gym and a treadmill, try breathing some good ole fresh air from the trail to get in your cardio!
I love riding my bike down this picturesque trail that connects the towns of Dunn and Erwin in Harnett County. The trail is designed for joggers/walkers and/or bicycle riders. The ten miles can be completed in at least sixty minutes. After the pandemic, a Dog Park opened, and it's a great addition to the dog owners.
Beautiful trail! It does need a little maintenance, parking is a bit sketch (I had to park my car in the grass), and it's disappointing to know ATVs are a problem, too. Big storms caused some damage, and that's understandable, but there was broken glass in several spots and graffiti on the bridges.
Well-maintained and easily accessible, this is an easy, scenic trail that is a great option for walks of varying lengths.
Trail conditions & character
“Namely, the wooded area closer to Erwin would be ideal since it's a bit more remote than other sections of the trail.”
“Beautiful trail, but would be better if there were lights along the trail despite the worries if it disturbs our wildlife.”
“After the pandemic, a Dog Park opened, and it's a great addition to the dog owners.”
“It does need a little maintenance, parking is a bit sketch (I had to park my car in the grass), and it's disappointing to know ATVs are a problem, too.”
“It’s nice, quiet and easy trail to walk or jog in.”
“Beautiful trail, but would be better if there were lights along the trail despite the worries if it disturbs our wildlife.”
“Also, it would be worthwhile putting some porta johns along the trail for those who may need to use the bathroom.”
“Nice Trail, GRAVEL, No Bathrooms at Dog Park.”
Plan your run at Dunn Erwin Rail Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- Distance5 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- 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
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteharnett.org
- 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 |
Running trails near Dunn
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Carvers Creek State Park, Sandhills Access
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Anderson Creek County Park
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Old Honeycutt Road Park
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Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Park
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Natural 28-acre park with a 2-mile trail, bridges, picnic shelters & an amphitheater.
