HomeNorth CarolinaCary › Harold D. Ritter Park

Harold D. Ritter Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 573 Google reviews · Running trail in Cary, North Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Harold D. Ritter 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.

RestroomsTrailhead parking

Charming town park featuring a baseball field, basketball court, climbing wall & playground.

What runners say about Harold D. Ritter Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (573 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 12 mentions

“Great grills, tons of tables that were basically brand new and very clean facility with bathrooms nearby.”

We absolutely love this park. Hands down one of our top 5 parks in Cary. It is a smaller playground that a lot of the parks around, but it had everything you need. A 3-5 year old and 5-12 year old playground, a sand box, and swings.

★★★★★ — Chelsea , Jun 2021

It was a nice walk. Enjoyed the nature trail and lake with family and friends. Safe. Clean. Family friendly.

★★★★☆ — Tony , Dec 2019

This is a great park because it is small enough to let your kids wander while still being able to see them easily. There is a small sand pit which is always a hit with the kids. A Greenway is behind the park which is nice to walk. There are baseball fields at this park as well. The restrooms are nice and clean.

★★★★★ — Michelle , Jul 2023

Great little park with full shade and we love the Swift Creek Greenway right beside it that makes for a lovely walk to Symphony lake and back. Bike and stroller friendly too. There's a basketball hoop, a large shelter and restrooms at the park too.

★★★★★ — Archana , Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 573 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.

🚻 Restrooms 10 mentions

“Great grills, tons of tables that were basically brand new and very clean facility with bathrooms nearby.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“I park here to do a paved Greenway run which I start by one of the parking areas.”

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Plan your run at Harold D. Ritter Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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
  • Websitetownofcary.org
  • Phone+1 919-469-4061

Hours

Monday 8 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday 8 am–8:30 pm
Wednesday 8 am–8:30 pm
Thursday 8 am–8:30 pm
Friday 8 am–8:30 pm
Saturday 8 am–8:30 pm
Sunday 8 am–8:30 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 Harold D. Ritter Park

301 W Lochmere Dr, Cary, NC 27518

Get directions

Running trails near Cary

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

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,444 reviews

Cary, NC

BoardwalkShadedScenicDog-friendly

140-acre preserve with a 3-mi. trail system & scenic overlooks, plus a visitor center & programs.

under a mile away

Stevens Nature Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 122 reviews

Cary, NC

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Visitor center at Hemlock Bluffs Preserve with hands-on exhibits & environmental education programs.

under a mile away

Marla Dorrel Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 991 reviews

Cary, NC

Shaded

Charming suburban park boasting an innovative children's play space, basketball court & picnic area.

1.6 miles away

Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 246 reviews

Raleigh, NC

Natural surface

A 23-acre natural area along a ridge & creek with a beech forest, floodplains & a mile-long trail.

1.8 miles away

MacDonald Woods Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 398 reviews

Cary, NC

Shaded

City park with a variety of kids' play equipment, plus a sand pit, athletic field & picnic tables.

1.9 miles away

Tryon Road Greenway

4.9 ★★★★★ 50 reviews

Cary, NC

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

Greenway featuring a paved path for walking and biking, as well as a lake.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in Cary, 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.