HomeNorth CarolinaCharlotte › Evergreen Nature Preserve

Evergreen Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 444 Google reviews · Running trail in Charlotte, North Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Evergreen 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.

MixedLoopShadedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

Unspoilt 77-acre urban hardwood forest preserve with a stream & trails & haven for migratory birds.

What runners say about Evergreen Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (444 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 8 mentions

“The trails are well kept and well blazed, and they keep the bathrooms clean & dog bags restocked.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Beautiful trail, not a popular one in the area(not crowded at all, which is nice if you want some peaceful time in nature).”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“The trees provide great shade and there are several benches to find a seat throughout the trails.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“Great parking, clean bathrooms and well marked trails and not crowded.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Beautiful trail, not a popular one in the area(not crowded at all, which is nice if you want some peaceful time in nature).”

A wonderful and beautiful place to take your pet or family to enjoy a nice walk. My cat LOVES this place. Expect to get muddy if it has rained earlier in the week.

★★★★★ — Rachel , Jan 2021

This is a great outdoor area in Charlotte. We brought some takeout here to eat for lunch. There's a really nice picnic shelter with about 6 or so tables. The parking lot is tiny. There were no available spots when we were there, but we were able to park at the school across the street since it was the weekend.

★★★★☆ — Jacqueline , Jul 2021

Evergreen Nature Preserve is another urban gem in the heart of East Charlotte. This preserve has a winding trail that connects to Sheffield Neighborhood Park. Trail starts at the entrance on Norland Avenue and ventures into the woods after a few hundred yards. Trail is fairly marked with some muddy patches throughout.

★★★★☆ — Leigh , Jan 2021

I love this nature preserve. I do miss the fairy tree though. So quiet with very little foot traffic. Very shaded and sooo green 💚

★★★★★ — La'Porscha , Jun 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 444 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.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 11 mentions

“Parking lot is small with room for maybe (8) cars but you can enter through Sheffield Park on Tarrington Avenue.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“Beautiful trail, not a popular one in the area(not crowded at all, which is nice if you want some peaceful time in nature).”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“The trails are well kept and well blazed, and they keep the bathrooms clean & dog bags restocked.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Beautiful trail, not a popular one in the area(not crowded at all, which is nice if you want some peaceful time in nature).”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 4 mentions

“Loved the trail but not stroller friendly(a lot tree roots and rocks in some areas).”

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🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“The trails are well kept and well blazed, and they keep the bathrooms clean & dog bags restocked.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“The trees provide great shade and there are several benches to find a seat throughout the trails.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“8-mile loop trail and takes around 30-40 minutes to complete.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“Loved the trail but not stroller friendly(a lot tree roots and rocks in some areas).”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Plenty of space to sit in front and water fountains.”

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🛣️ Paved surface

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Plan your run at Evergreen Nature Preserve

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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteparkandrec.mecknc.gov
  • Phone+1 980-314-1000
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 am–7 pm
Tuesday 7 am–7 pm
Wednesday 7 am–7 pm
Thursday 7 am–7 pm
Friday 7 am–7 pm
Saturday 7 am–7 pm
Sunday 7 am–7 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 Evergreen Nature Preserve

1336 Norland Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205

Get directions

Running trails near Charlotte

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

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

4.7 ★★★★★ 518 reviews

Charlotte, NC

115.7 miMixedScenicDog-friendly

19 miles of paved hiking & biking paths along Little Sugar Creek, with views & connections to parks.

3.6 miles away

Campbell Creek Greenway Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 78 reviews

Matthews, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded, wheelchair-accessible trail with a babbling stream that's great for hiking, running and biking.

3.6 miles away

McAlpine Creek Greenway Connector

4.7 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Charlotte, NC

Scenic

4.2 miles away

McAlpine Creek Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,270 reviews

Charlotte, NC

PavedScenicDog-friendly

114-acre county park with a lake & fishing pier, soccer fields, hiking & bike trails, & a dog park.

4.3 miles away

James Boyce Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 316 reviews

Charlotte, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Sizable park with a playground & fields for softball & soccer, plus wooded trails & picnic areas.

4.3 miles away

Little Sugar Creek Greenway (Brandywine)

4.9 ★★★★★ 58 reviews

Charlotte, NC

PavedScenic

4.7 miles away

All running trails in Charlotte, 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.