HomeNorth CarolinaLeland › Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve

Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 93 Google reviews · Running trail in Leland, North Carolina · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Ev-Henwood Nature 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.

ScenicTrailhead parkingQuiet

Informal nature, wooded park featuring trails for hiking, biking and picnics amid swamps and woodland.

What runners say about Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (93 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“The trails are well kept.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Beautiful old growth tulip poplars and ferns along the old road and cypresses on the creek at the back.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Great spot to throw up a hammock and read in the peace and quiet!”

It's like a little hidden gem that people have forgotten about. There are some picnic tables located randomly throughout the trails. It has an odd mix of being abandoned but also kind-of being upkept by someone.

★★★★★ — Sarah , Jun 2022

This is a very large nature preserve. It's maintained by UNCW. The trails are extensive with lots of various floral and fauna

★★★★★ — Wendy , Sep 2023

We have been hiking the trails here for many years. We are always surprised finding plants blooming thru the seasons. Download the map from the UNCW website. Print it. It will make it easy to navigate the 10 miles of trails in there. The diversity of the place is outstanding.

★★★★★ — Peter , Aug 2025

Was not sure where to park as it was my first time here. I ended up finding at least 2 parking lots after parking. My friend and I went exploring several trails with her dog. We loved it! Beautiful scenery. Some of the paths you can tell have not been walked in a while but others are well worn. Would return 10/10

★★★★★ — Jennifer , May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 93 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 5 mentions

“Beautiful old growth tulip poplars and ferns along the old road and cypresses on the creek at the back.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“I ended up finding at least 2 parking lots after parking.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Great spot to throw up a hammock and read in the peace and quiet!”

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Plan your run at Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • 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+1 910-962-3000
  • 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 8 am–5 pm
Sunday 8 am–5 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 Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve

6150 Rock Creek Rd NE, Leland, NC 28451

Get directions

Running trails near Leland

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

Town Creek District Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 415 reviews

Winnabow, NC

Dog-friendly

Clean green space offering basketball courts, plus tennis and baseball fields.

1.9 miles away

Meadow Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 43 reviews

Leland, NC

Dog-friendly

Private park for residents of the Brunswick Forest community featuring a dog area, playgrounds and nature trails.

5.0 miles away

Brunswick Forest Boardwalk

4.1 ★★★★☆ 14 reviews

Leland, NC

Boardwalk

5.2 miles away

Annsdale Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 17 reviews

Leland, NC

5.3 miles away

Westgate Nature Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 204 reviews

Leland, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded park featuring playgrounds and information about animals and trees.

6.6 miles away

Brunswick Nature Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 88 reviews

Winnabow, NC

ScenicDog-friendly

Hiking, biking and kayaking, plus canoeing are popular activities at this park.

6.7 miles away

All running trails in Leland, 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.