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South Tar River Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 249 Google reviews · Running trail in Greenville, North Carolina · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from South Tar River Greenway'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.

PavedOpen 24hShadedScenicDog-friendlyMile markers

Winding park pathway offering walking, jogging & biking in a natural setting near the river.

What runners say about South Tar River Greenway

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (249 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“It's such a beautiful area to explore and be active; I cannot wait to come back someday!”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Beautiful shaded greenway passing through 2 parks and parallel to the lovely Tar River.”

Nice, short paved path. Good for a run, walk, or bike with kids. It would be nice if it followed the river for 20 more miles to make it worth biking. Dog park at one end.

★★★★☆ — Fourester , Oct 2018

A long 3 Mile trail for walking, running or cycling in green area. Calm, no bugs (April). Pros: Multiple Entry & Parking options. Along Tar River Markers every 0.5 miles for distance Fully paved Sitting benches at some places Cons: Lacks rain shelters along the trail Might be buggy (mosqitoes) during summers

★★★★☆ — Tarun , Apr 2019

Excellent views of Greens Mill Run and the Tar River. The swamps and wetlands stay pretty quiet making it a great place to get away from the busier side of the city. Just be aware that when the river rises significantly the area can flood.

★★★★★ — Holden , Sep 2020

Grwat place to walk or run and it allows pets. Trail is nice. It is recommended to use the trail with another person but I went with my dog so it was fine for me. I will come here whenever I'm in town with my pets.

★★★★★ — Adell , Jun 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 249 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“It's such a beautiful area to explore and be active; I cannot wait to come back someday!”

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🛣️ Paved surface 5 mentions

“5 miles for distance Fully paved Sitting benches at some places Cons: Lacks rain shelters along the trail Might be buggy (mosqitoes) during summers”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“Beautiful shaded greenway passing through 2 parks and parallel to the lovely Tar River.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“It is recommended to use the trail with another person but I went with my dog so it was fine for me.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“Nice quite trail, well marked and leads right into town and the dog park”

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Plan your run at South Tar River Greenway

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitegreenvillenc.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 South Tar River Greenway

Greenway, Greenville, NC 27858

Get directions

Running trails near Greenville

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

Greensprings Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 31 reviews

Greenville, NC

under a mile away

Wildwood Park

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BoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

New park offering kayaking, trails and boating, plus playground equipment.

1.1 miles away

Elm Street Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 268 reviews

Greenville, NC

Lit

Expansive community park boasting a lighted youth ball field, tennis courts & picnic areas.

1.3 miles away

River Park North

4.6 ★★★★★ 717 reviews

Greenville, NC

ScenicDog-friendly

324-acre parkland offering 5 fishing ponds, 2 piers, campsites, boat rentals, trails & picnic areas.

1.4 miles away

Town Common

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,965 reviews

Greenville, NC

Scenic

City park with a modern playground, riverfront esplanade, open-air amphitheater & boat ramp.

1.5 miles away

Born Learning Trail

Greenville, NC

1.7 miles away

All running trails in Greenville, NC →

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.