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Stevens Creek Nature Preserve
4.9 ★★★★★ 278 Google reviews · Running trail in Mint Hill, North Carolina · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 4 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Stevens Creek Nature 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.
Family-friendly facility featuring outdoor trails plus an education center.
What runners say about Stevens Creek Nature Preserve
“I really appreciated how clean everything was and how much care obviously goes into the preserve.”
“Me and my children will never tire of this beautiful place to enjoy nature!”
“The trails are beautifully maintained, clearly marked, and offer a nice mix of shade and open creek views.”
“The trails are beautifully maintained, clearly marked, and offer a nice mix of shade and open creek views.”
“It’s a really nice area and feels peaceful except for the constant sound of 485 traffic, which can’t be helped in this location.”
Very excited to visit the Nature Center and more importantly hike the trails. While improvements are still being made the signage and trails are finished. Every time I visit I see so many locals, many are families, enjoying the new trails.
This is a great place for a hike/walk. The trails are wide and well marked. Lots of shade on trails. Very peaceful. It is isolated in places, don't think I would go alone. Nature center looks very nice but isn't open yet. Definitely will be making this a regular walk.
Just recently discovered this place by doing a Google search for hikes near me. It's a really nice area. Lots of wooded hiking trails and the museum facility was so nice as well. I hope to bring my grandchildren sometime so I can play in their kinetic sand exhibit.😁
What a wonderful place this was. The nature center was impressive and staff was welcoming. Kids enjoyed the sand exhibit, reptiles and slack line. They have a set of trails that loop depending on how much you wanted to venture. Would come back again for sure.
Trail conditions & character
“The trails are beautifully maintained, clearly marked, and offer a nice mix of shade and open creek views.”
“The trails are beautifully maintained, clearly marked, and offer a nice mix of shade and open creek views.”
“It’s a really nice area and feels peaceful except for the constant sound of 485 traffic, which can’t be helped in this location.”
“There is parking near the Nature Center off of Thompson Road with restrooms and water fountain.”
“There is parking near the Nature Center off of Thompson Road with restrooms and water fountain.”
Plan your run at Stevens Creek Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- Distance4 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websiteparkandrec.mecknc.gov
- Phone+1 980-314-2526
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 1–5 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.
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