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Shelley Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,775 Google reviews · Running trail in Raleigh, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Shelley Lake 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.
2 miles of wooded trails with work-out stations along a scenic lake, plus open fields & a playground
What runners say about Shelley Lake Park
“The trail is still beautiful as ever and the bathrooms near the parking lot were convenient and clean.”
“The scenery is beautiful at every turn, with stunning views of the lake throughout the whole loop.”
“The lake views are amazing, the trail is easy to walk, and there are plenty of shaded areas that make it comfortable even on a sunny day.”
“Shelley Lake Park is such a beautiful and peaceful place for families and kids.”
“There were other greenways connecting to the main loop around the park, and the main loop is a really easy walk with pretty scenery.”
Really beautiful place to take a nice walk. Love that it's paved which makes it accessable for our daughter's wheelchair. There were other greenways connecting to the main loop around the park, and the main loop is a really easy walk with pretty scenery.
A great place to hike, bike, and have a picnic. Lots to do for kids and adults. At the entrance of the park there are nice remodeled bathrooms, an art center, and a playground. The walking trails and scenic views of the lake are great too.There are informative animal information posted throughout the park.
It was amazing. I'm in a powered wheelchair and there were a couple of places to go down the path because of the leaves making it hard to steer going down. The place is beautifulfrom views to wildlife. Very peaceful even with so much traffic near by.
Dear Neighbor, My sister invited me to walk with her at this lake and I wasn't disappointed. Mother Nature at her best and absolutely gorgeous! The scenery makes the time go by and of course, chatting with a friend or friends.
Trail conditions & character
“The scenery is beautiful at every turn, with stunning views of the lake throughout the whole loop.”
“This park has plenty of parking, new restrooms, an art center, kids playing area, picnic benches are all along the lake trail, fishing pier, drinking water points.”
“This park has plenty of parking, new restrooms, an art center, kids playing area, picnic benches are all along the lake trail, fishing pier, drinking water points.”
“Shelley Lake Park is such a beautiful and peaceful place for families and kids.”
“There were other greenways connecting to the main loop around the park, and the main loop is a really easy walk with pretty scenery.”
“The trail tends to be in use all day by photographers, hikers, dog-walkers, and fitness enthusiasts, but it has never felt crowded.”
“The lake views are amazing, the trail is easy to walk, and there are plenty of shaded areas that make it comfortable even on a sunny day.”
“Some of the paths looked like I was walking through a jungle but with a paved path.”
“All the drinking fountains provide cold and refreshing water as well.”
“I'm in a powered wheelchair and there were a couple of places to go down the path because of the leaves making it hard to steer going down.”
“The boardwalk on the lake is a fantastic spot to snap nature photos, as is the ridge of the dam that created the lake.”
Plan your run at Shelley Lake 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteraleighnc.gov
- Phone+1 919-996-2329
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Raleigh
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Brookhaven Nature Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 185 reviews
26-acre preserve featuring a forest trail with a footbridge over a stream, plus picnic tables.
Lassiter Mill Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 439 reviews
Park with a path, waterfall, and picnic area, plus forest and river views.
Lake Lynn Loop
4.8 ★★★★★ 110 reviews
Wooded park with a paved path circling the lake, plus a playground.
