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Smith Creek Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,109 Google reviews · Running trail in Wilmington, North Carolina · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Smith Creek 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.
Lake boating & fishing draw visitors to this preserve with a walking path, playground & picnic area.
What runners say about Smith Creek Park
“The park offers not only a playground, but clean restrooms, free WiFi, a covered picnic area and a 1.”
“Beautiful playground and amazing shallow water for kids to play with adult supervision”
“Its probably because it's paved and open, while the preserve trail is better for dog walkers or someone just wants some peace and quiet.”
“Its probably because it's paved and open, while the preserve trail is better for dog walkers or someone just wants some peace and quiet.”
Smith Creek is a beautiful park surrounded by trees with a lake in the middle. A paved loop you can walk around the lake. There are many 🐢 turtles you can come and admire, and you are allowed to catch and release fish. Many people enjoy canoeing or paddleboarding on the lake.
This park was refreshing find. I've lived here for 32 years and never know it was there. It is tucked back in a residential area all by itself. It's a beautiful lake, clean.
This park is so nice. It has a picnic and playground as well as a nice and paved trail around the lake that is 1.3 miles, and a natural Preserve Trail that is 1 mile around. Oth trails are very clean. The lake trail is mire popular and busy.
Beautiful 1.6 mi paved walk around a reservoir type Creek area. Current facilities include parking and playground and picnic area and toilets. Construction in progress of the new entrance and some of the new trail is paved but there's construction and it's not currently fully open.
Trail conditions & character
“Its probably because it's paved and open, while the preserve trail is better for dog walkers or someone just wants some peace and quiet.”
“Beautiful playground and amazing shallow water for kids to play with adult supervision”
“It has a picnic and playground as well as a nice and paved trail around the lake that is 1.”
“Beautiful Park with a 1 mile loop around a peaceful lake.”
“Its probably because it's paved and open, while the preserve trail is better for dog walkers or someone just wants some peace and quiet.”
“The park offers not only a playground, but clean restrooms, free WiFi, a covered picnic area and a 1.”
“No water bowl or hose for pups unfortunately but there is a water fountain in front of the gazebo that works from April until November.”
“Current facilities include parking and playground and picnic area and toilets.”
Plan your run at Smith Creek Park
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Loop distance1 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- 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.
- Websiteparks.nhcgov.com
- Phone(910) 798-7275
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Wilmington
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Pages Creek Park Preserve
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Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve
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Anne McCrary Park
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