HomeGeorgiaMilledgeville › Selma Erwin Nature Study Preserve

Selma Erwin Nature Study Preserve

4.1 ★★★★☆ 38 Google reviews · Running trail in Milledgeville, Georgia · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
5 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Selma Erwin Nature Study Preserve'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.

Natural surface5 miOpen 24hHillyTrailhead parking

Challenging trails for mountain biking, along with options for hiking and walking.

What runners say about Selma Erwin Nature Study Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (38 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Fun trail to hike and bike. It's a fine example of a classic Georgia MTB trail.

★★★★★ — Walk , Jan 2023

Very difficult mountain bike trails. Advanced riding surface with a number of elements for skilled riders.

★★★★★ — Daylon , Oct 2019

We went on a nature adventure. Saw a king snake and where woodpeckers pecked the wood to eat. We only walked maybe 1/4 mile of the trail and turned back. Wasn't as user friendly for strollers. But still very nice relaxing place to hike and walk.

★★★★☆ — Brittany , Apr 2019

The Selma Irwin Trail is a challenging, technical trail for mountain bikers. It's also a great trail for hiking--lots of ups and downs and tight curves. The local bikers really maintain it well. Highly recommended and under-appreciated.

★★★★★ — D.R. , Feb 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 38 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.

⛰️ Hills / elevation 5 mentions

“It's five miles of going up a hill and down a hill, up a hill and down a hill, repeatedly.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“The Selma Irwin Trail is a challenging, technical trail for mountain bikers.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 7 mentions

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+) 3 mentions

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Plan your run at Selma Erwin Nature Study Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • Distance5 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 — reported by runners

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 Selma Erwin Nature Study Preserve

2460 Vinson Hwy, Milledgeville, GA 31061

Get directions

Running trails near Milledgeville

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

Bartram Forest WMA Trail Head

4.6 ★★★★★ 41 reviews

Milledgeville, GA

Dog-friendly

under a mile away

Erwin Nature Preserve

1 ★☆☆☆☆ 2 reviews

Milledgeville, GA

under a mile away

Bartram Forest Wildlife Management Area

4.4 ★★★★☆ 94 reviews

Milledgeville, GA

Natural surfaceScenic

Wildlife refuge, forest and parkland offering miles of trails for biking, walking and hiking.

1.0 miles away

Oconee River Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 140 reviews

Milledgeville, GA

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring views of the Oconee River and trails for walking and biking.

3.9 miles away

Oconee River Greenway Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 332 reviews

Milledgeville, GA

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Nature-filled area along the river featuring hiking paths and dog parks.

3.9 miles away

Walter B. Williams Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 497 reviews

Milledgeville, GA

Crushed gravelDog-friendly

Relaxed park featuring ballfields, trails and tennis courts, plus a playground.

6.2 miles away

All running trails in Milledgeville, GA →

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.