HomeNorth CarolinaWaxhaw › Harvey Clay Nesbit Park

Harvey Clay Nesbit Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 144 Google reviews · Running trail in Waxhaw, North Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
12 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Harvey Clay Nesbit 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.

Paved12 miStroller / ADARestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Dog-friendly park with baseball fields, walking trails, and a restroom, plus picnic tables.

What runners say about Harvey Clay Nesbit Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (144 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Seems really well maintained and easy parking.”

One end of the beautiful and pristine twelve mile Creek hiking Trail. Has a restroom and water fountain on this side. The trail runs for about 4 miles each way. It is almost a trail of two sides. The SC side is a bit rugged, mostly unpaved but takes one closer to the nature.

★★★★★ — Sri , Jul 2024

Great park with walking trails, ball fields and a working concession stand on Easter Sunday! THAT IS SERVICE! Dog friendly, lots of hikers, walkers, joggers and families. Great park!

★★★★★ — Lambros , Apr 2024

This is a great place to have fun with the kids. Please understand, this place is all about sports fields. Yes, the parking is limited but Kensington Elementary School next door has ample parking spaces available.

★★★★★ — Glen , Jan 2018

Great park for kids and adults. 12 mile creek trail access. This is a true trail with a suspension bridge. Park is well maintain with soccer fields and baseball field. On Sunday mornings adults play cricket and soccer. Parking seems limited but is plentiful do to the towns planning.

★★★★★ — Tony , Sep 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 144 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 14 mentions

“Yes, the parking is limited but Kensington Elementary School next door has ample parking spaces available.”

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🚻 Restrooms 8 mentions

“Restroom facilities and a concession stand is being constructed now, which will greatly improved the "sanitation" aspect of this facility.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+) 3 mentions

“There is a bridge up the road with access to 12-mile creek if you are into fishing like we are.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“While the North Carolina side is a bit more paved and smooth.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“Babies welcome in carrier, not a stroller place, saw many while there.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Has a restroom and water fountain on this side.”

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Plan your run at Harvey Clay Nesbit Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Distance12 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitewaxhaw.com
  • Phone(704) 843-2195

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 Harvey Clay Nesbit Park

1304 H C Nesbit Park Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Get directions

Running trails near Waxhaw

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

Twelve Mile Creek Greenway - Millbridge Trailhead

4.3 ★★★★☆ 55 reviews

Waxhaw, NC

1.7 miMixedDog-friendly

Hiking trail featuring a suspension bridge and creek views.

under a mile away

Town Creek Park

3.6 ★★★★☆ 13 reviews

Waxhaw, NC

under a mile away

Twelve Mile Creek Greenway - Town Creek Park Trailhead

4.2 ★★★★☆ 92 reviews

Waxhaw, NC

1.7 miMixedDog-friendly

Trail around a small field with a suspension bridge, a playground and an open space.

under a mile away

Carolina Thread Trail Suspension Bridge

4.8 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Waxhaw, NC

Scenic

under a mile away

Waxhaw Downtown Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 120 reviews

Waxhaw, NC

Dog-friendly

Clean park featuring playground equipment as well as a stream.

2.2 miles away

Carolina Thread Trail - Twelve Mile Creek Trail Head

4.6 ★★★★★ 138 reviews

Lancaster, SC

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Family-friendly hiking area with a swinging bridge.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in Waxhaw, 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.