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Mitchell Mill State Natural Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 156 Google reviews · Running trail in Wake Forest, North Carolina · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Mitchell Mill State Natural Area'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.
Nature preserve showcasing granite rock formations and trails that are good for kids.
What runners say about Mitchell Mill State Natural Area
“If you can look past all that, it's a beautiful park and lots of fun to explore.”
“Nice "flat rocks" nature park with a couple of secluded quiet trails to get lost in.”
This is a fun place to explore if you don't mind getting wet, muddy, or (potentially) lost. It claims to be a state park, but is really more state land. There's no maintenance to the area, so please pack out your garbage, it's gross. Also, trails are where you put them.
Some parts of the preserve are pretty unique and scenic. The rest are left wild and are hard to traverse, but some people might enjoy that. The whole area isn't too large.
We enjoy coming to this park and walking in the water, listening to the river, and eating it flow. There is alot of broken glass all over however, my little dog cut his paw. Glass is on rocks, on trails, and all over parking area off hwy 96.
This is a great little hide away spot! It is so beautiful here! You can fish and sun bathe all you want and usually wont run into anyone else. Very peaceful place!
Trail conditions & character
“If you can look past all that, it's a beautiful park and lots of fun to explore.”
“Has little parking just off a 55mph road though,be careful exiting the pavement!”
“This is NOT a city or state park with paved, well-maintained trails, and IS NOT a paved walking area.”
“Nice "flat rocks" nature park with a couple of secluded quiet trails to get lost in.”
“This is a fun place to explore if you don't mind getting wet, muddy, or (potentially) lost.”
Plan your run at Mitchell Mill State Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Phone(919) 676-1027
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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