HomeNorth CarolinaJacksonville › Oakhurst Nature Park

Oakhurst Nature Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 49 Google reviews · Running trail in Jacksonville, North Carolina · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Oakhurst Nature 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.

LoopOpen 24hDog-friendlyQuiet

Country park featuring kid-friendly hikes and trails for walking, running, and dogs.

What runners say about Oakhurst Nature Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (49 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Always has been a quiet clean place.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Always has been a quiet clean place.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“Very enjoyable trail to walk the dogs and I have a wonderful time every time we go.”

Very enjoyable trail to walk the dogs and I have a wonderful time every time we go... They love running up and down the small hills and across the short bridges...

★★★★★ — Cornsnaketamer , Dec 2021

Me and my dog love coming here. The trail is really nice and there's rarely anybody ever there it feels like a hidden treasure.

★★★★★ — Alexandria , Jan 2021

Nice trail. Was about half a mile. Its basically right behind a neighborhood yet once you start walking it feels remote. I saw a deer which was really cool and honestly unexpected.

★★★★★ — Victoria , Jun 2024

Great trail to walk. Wide path and perfect distance. Three whole parking spots for patrons doesn't make it all that accessible.

★★★★☆ — Emily , Dec 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 49 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 7 mentions

“Very small loop trail, good for walking dogs or not committing yourself to a super long walk”

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🔁 Loop trail 5 mentions

“Very small loop trail, good for walking dogs or not committing yourself to a super long walk”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Always has been a quiet clean place.”

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Plan your run at Oakhurst Nature Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both 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.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteonslowcountync.gov

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

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 Oakhurst Nature Park

399-373 Willbarry Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Get directions

Running trails near Jacksonville

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

Onslow County Parks: Oakhurst Landing and Nature Trail

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under a mile away

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1.5 miLoopNatural surface

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Georgetown Park

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Riverwalk Park

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ScenicDog-friendly

Grassy gathering place for community events, with walking paths, seating areas & a stage.

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Sturgeon City Park

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BoardwalkScenic

Park featuring boardwalks and a playground, plus hiking trails, fishing, and picnic areas.

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Tail-Trails

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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.