Home › North Carolina › Waynesville › Waynesville Recreation Park
Waynesville Recreation Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 662 Google reviews · Running trail in Waynesville, North Carolina · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Waynesville Recreation 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.
Sprawling park featuring playground structures, skate parks and tennis courts.
What runners say about Waynesville Recreation Park
“a pleasant mixture activities and and beautifully well kept park along a meandering river.”
“Wonderful stretches of shade from beautiful old trees, many of which are labeled.”
I love this place. Well maintained trails and/or sidewalks much of which runs along a stream. Wonderful stretches of shade from beautiful old trees, many of which are labeled. A serenity park with beautiful plantings and a bench next to the water. A fenced dog park, 2 for different sized dogs. A frisbee golf course.
A great clean park close to downtown. A gravel loop trail skirts the river where you can relax and cool your feet. Benches along the river trail to enjoy the area. Also a fenced dog park area for small and large dogs.
Waynesville park is really peaceful and yet full of fun and joy. We bring a lunch and sit at a picnic table and people watch. The sound of the stream is in the background. The walking path is nice too, we bring our dog for some exercise. Tennis courts, play grounds, Frisbee golf, big open fields for everyone to enjoy.
My kids love going here. There is quite a bit to do. The playground is nice, there is a beautiful walking trail that has a walking story - unfortunately my camera died so I couldn't get pictures of that, there are areas that allow you access to the creek to take dip or fish in. There is a skate park.
Trail conditions & character
“Wonderful stretches of shade from beautiful old trees, many of which are labeled.”
“The walking path is nice too, we bring our dog for some exercise.”
Plan your run at Waynesville Recreation Park
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitewaynesvillenc.gov
- Phone(828) 456-8577
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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 |
Running trails near Waynesville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Vance Street Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 178 reviews
Public park with a skate park, disc golf, riverside trail, playgrounds, and other athletic facilities.
Waynesville Greenway Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 107 reviews
Kid-friendly park featuring a lake for kayaking, as well as benches by the river.
Rose Walk
4.9 ★★★★★ 323 reviews
Peaceful lake with a 2.3-mile walking trail around it, plus picnic benches and tennis courts.
McCracken Corner Park
4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews