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Stevens Creek Nature Preserve - Hooks Road Trail Access
4.9 ★★★★★ 51 Google reviews · Running trail in Matthews, North Carolina · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Stevens Creek Nature Preserve - Hooks Road Trail Access' 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.
Forest park featuring walking trails for families, dogs and birds, plus a nature center.
What runners say about Stevens Creek Nature Preserve - Hooks Road Trail Access
“And Out i went, CW-Loop ~5 miles thru the neighborhood, The Preserve and its trails were well-maintained and clean.”
“The access to this beautiful nature preserve from Hooks Rd.”
“Excellent walking area-well maintained available hygiene station-shady areas”
Great place to park when you hike the Preserve. Really enjoyable, flat and easy hike. Just about a 3-mile loop if you do the whole thing. Plenty of shade too.
Nice post-Thanksgiving walk through the trails. :) Pretty flat and clear trail. Walked 4.3 miles before we found our way back to where we parked. Perfect!
Wonderfully maintained nature preserve. Brand new Nature Center and great hiking trails 👣
To avoid the "heat" later today (SUN 2025.07.27), i went for an early morning walk of Stevens Creek Nature Preserve, and its neighborhood. ~06:00 arrived and parked at the Trail Access off Hooks Road. And Out i went, CW-Loop ~5 miles thru the neighborhood, The Preserve and its trails were well-maintained and clean.
Trail conditions & character
“I gave this a five-star because it's one of the few areas I can take my dog and let him actually get exercise.”
“The trail is a giant loop with many ways to go left and right so be sure you know which one you’re on or you might find yourself taking an extra right and starting a different loop”
“The access to this beautiful nature preserve from Hooks Rd.”
“Excellent walking area-well maintained available hygiene station-shady areas”
“For baby strollers, a jogging stroller is recommended for easy Maneuverability.”
Plan your run at Stevens Creek Nature Preserve - Hooks Road Trail Access
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- Loop distance3 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms — 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.
- Websiteparkandrec.mecknc.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–7:25 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–7:25 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–7:25 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–7:25 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–7:25 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–7:25 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–7:25 pm |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Stevens Creek Nature Preserve
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