HomeNorth CarolinaClemmons › Heron Way and River Trail

Heron Way and River Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · Running trail in Clemmons, North Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Heron Way and River Trail'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.

Crushed gravelScenic

What runners say about Heron Way and River Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (17 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Shaded, sandy paths and always some sort of beautiful creature to see and hear.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“The ground is uneven in some places and sandy in others, but it is a pretty easy hike.”

A nice trail that meanders along the Yadkin River on the west side of Tanglewood Park. You wind up in a field that is preserved as a bird sanctuary. It is about 2 miles in and 2 out. The ground is uneven in some places and sandy in others, but it is a pretty easy hike.

★★★★★ — Eileen , Jun 2020

My favorite trail at Tanglewood park lies here. Shaded, sandy paths and always some sort of beautiful creature to see and hear.

★★★★★ — Michele , Jan 2019

Ten minute hike to get there featuring a marsh with lots of birds, rabbits and other wildlife

★★★★★ — Eric , Jul 2023

A truly amazing trail in Clemmons. You may see tons of different birds, deer, squirrels, bald eagles, hawks, and even river otters. The winter is the easiest time to see the most birds and animals with the leaves off of the trees.

★★★★★ — David , Jan 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 17 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

“Shaded, sandy paths and always some sort of beautiful creature to see and hear.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“Gravel road and a good walk with good views of the river.”

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Plan your run at Heron Way and River Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
  • 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.

Hours

Monday 6 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–9 PM
Thursday 6 AM–9 PM
Friday 6 AM–9 PM
Saturday 6 AM–9 PM
Sunday 6 AM–9 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 Heron Way and River Trail

Clemmons, North Carolina

Get directions

Running trails near Clemmons

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

Tanglewood Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,511 reviews

Clemmons, NC

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

County park with gardens, golf course, fishing lake, riding stables, BMX race course, trails & more.

1.8 miles away

Little Walden Nature Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 33 reviews

Clemmons, NC

Natural surfaceScenic

2.1 miles away

Fishing: Village Point Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 110 reviews

Clemmons, NC

PavedScenic

Lake and pond surrounded by walking trails with bridges, plus fishing docks and a pier.

3.3 miles away

Jack Warren Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 190 reviews

Lewisville, NC

4 miPavedShadedDog-friendly

6.8 miles away

Joanie Moser Memorial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 356 reviews

Clemmons, NC

ShadedLit

Public park featuring a playground, sports facilities, and picnic areas.

6.8 miles away

Hobby Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 439 reviews

Winston-Salem, NC

LoopNatural surfaceShadedDog-friendly

Park offering a wooded mountain biking trail & an open area with strips for R/C aircraft.

7.3 miles away

All running trails in Clemmons, 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.