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Haw River State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 354 Google reviews · Running trail in Browns Summit, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Haw River State 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.
This 1,425-acre park has camping, hiking & picnic options, plus an environmental education center.
What runners say about Haw River State Park
“Beautiful campgrounds, scenery, and lake for fishing and canoeing.”
“This park would be great for families with children for the easy trails and the education part of it.”
This state park is geared towards environmental education. There is a conference center and welcome building/office for this. When I was here there were events/staycations going on in the conference center. I usually come to state parks for trails and the ones here are very easy.
Haw River State Park is different from most state parks. This park has a conference center and education center along with motel rooms and cabins that can be reserved for specials events. Overnight events that include rooms and meals from a working cafeteria. See website for details.
Very nice park, nice walking trail, rivers. I went with a group of third graders, lots to see and do. I would come back
Came here with my dog. We walked around the lake and then went to the boardwalk trail in the wet lands. It was later in the day and it was quiet, not a lot of people around.
Trail conditions & character
“We walked around the lake and then went to the boardwalk trail in the wet lands.”
“Beautiful campgrounds, scenery, and lake for fishing and canoeing.”
“The Lake Loop Trail is exactly what it sounds like, a trail around the lake.”
“The trails were kept in good shape and the trail markers were easy to spot so you don’t get lost.”
Plan your run at Haw River State Park
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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitencparks.gov
- Phone(336) 342-6163
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 |
Running trails near Browns Summit
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Haw River Sp Iron Ore
4.6 ★★★★★ 82 reviews
State park offering a wetlands hiking trail, picnic areas, and restrooms.
Bill Craft Trail northern end
4.5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews
Blue Heron - Kingfisher Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 144 reviews
Lake-side hiking area crisscrossed by flowy bike trails, plus jumps.
