HomeFeaturesLit Trails for Early & Night Runs › North Carolina

Lit Trails for Early & Night Runs in North Carolina

North Carolina has 106 trails with lights for night running in this directory, across 51 cities and towns — Concord, Wake Forest, Fayetteville, Gastonia and 47 more. Lights for the pre-dawn start and the after-work run once winter takes the evenings.

Labels come from each trail's own listing, its website and runners' reviews. Conditions change with the weather and the season, and gates and lights follow the park's own hours, so check a recent review before you drive out.

Every one in North Carolina

Use the filters to narrow these by surface, loop, distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and parking.

Filter:

The North Carolina Arboretum

4.8 ★★★★★ 8,179 reviews

Asheville, NC

LitScenicDog-friendly

Arboretum in a forest with mountain views, gardens & a bonsai exhibit, plus hiking & biking paths.

Tanglewood Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,511 reviews

Clemmons, NC

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

County park with gardens, golf course, fishing lake, riding stables, BMX race course, trails & more.

Long Leaf Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,499 reviews

Wilmington, NC

1.5 miPavedShadedLit

Wooded park with lighted baseball fields & tennis courts, ample picnic shelters & a 1.5 mile trail.

Union Point Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,088 reviews

New Bern, NC

BoardwalkLitScenicDog-friendly

Popular park along the Neuse & Trent Rivers featuring play equipment, a large gazebo & a boardwalk.

Eno River State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,650 reviews

Durham, NC

LoopNatural surfaceLitScenic

Vast acres of woodlands for hiking & camping, with canoeing & fishing areas on the Eno River.

Ramsey Creek Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 2,583 reviews

Cornelius, NC

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

Lakefront park for boating, fishing & picnicking, plus sand volleyball, horseshoes & a playground.

E. Carroll Joyner Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,977 reviews

Wake Forest, NC

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

A 117-acre expanse featuring paved trails, an amphitheater, a pecan grove & some old farm buildings.

Martha Rivers Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,711 reviews

Gastonia, NC

PavedLit

48-acre park with a youth sports complex & castle-themed playground, plus trails & picnic shelters.

Lineberger Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 1,594 reviews

Gastonia, NC

PavedLit

Train for children plus a pool and splash pad.

George Poston Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,477 reviews

Gastonia, NC

12 miLoopPavedShaded

Dog-friendly park with sports fields, trails, a lake, picnicking, playgrounds & mountain biking.

Jackson Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,439 reviews

Hendersonville, NC

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

Relaxed park with ball fields, tennis courts and walking trails, plus playground apparatus.

Glenn C. Hilton, Jr. Memorial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,366 reviews

Hickory, NC

MixedLitScenic

Park featuring shelters, playgrounds, restrooms, trails, horseshoe pits, a canoe launch & more.

Ogden Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,313 reviews

Wilmington, NC

PavedShadedLitScenic

County park with ball fields, a pond, a skate park & an off-leash dog zone, plus BBQ/picnic areas.

Lake Rim Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,362 reviews

Fayetteville, NC

LitScenicDog-friendly

Ball fields, sand volleyball & horseshoes, plus picnic areas, a playground & a 1-mile nature trail.

Jones Lake State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,254 reviews

Elizabethtown, NC

BoardwalkShadedLitScenic

Featuring an expansive relict lake, this wooded park offers camping, fishing, hiking & swimming.

Apex Community Park (Lake Trail Entrance)

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,196 reviews

Cary, NC

2 miLoopPavedShaded

Vast park with sports fields, play areas & a 50-acre lake for canoes, kayaks, sailboards & fishing.

Smith Creek Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,109 reviews

Wilmington, NC

1 miLoopPavedLit

Lake boating & fishing draw visitors to this preserve with a walking path, playground & picnic area.

North Cary Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,104 reviews

Cary, NC

PavedShadedLitScenic

This park has baseball, basketball & volleyball, plus a playground, climbing wall & picnic area.

Stowe Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,076 reviews

Belmont, NC

ShadedLitScenic

Small downtown park popular with kids featuring a big playground, a walking loop & seasonal events.

Clark Park Nature Center

4.7 ★★★★★ 980 reviews

Fayetteville, NC

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

This large park has a nature center with turtles, fish & snakes, plus trails along Cape Fear River.

Harrisburg Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 955 reviews

Harrisburg, NC

LoopPavedLitScenic

34.68-acre park with a picnic shelter, playground & paved trail, plus cornhole courts & ball fields.

Mazarick Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 993 reviews

Fayetteville, NC

1 miNatural surfaceLitScenic

Park spanning nearly 80 acres, with lake fishing, picnic shelter & sports/game areas.

Herman Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 992 reviews

Goldsboro, NC

LitScenicDog-friendly

Public park with tennis courts, a train, playground, picnic areas, and a library.

Riverside Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 950 reviews

Mt Airy, NC

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

Arnette Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 903 reviews

Fayetteville, NC

ShadedLitScenic

Park with expansive wooded areas, plus sports courts & fields, playgrounds & picnic facilities.

Womble Park Athletic Fields

4.7 ★★★★★ 868 reviews

Holly Springs, NC

LoopPavedLit

Park with baseball fields, tennis courts and soccer fields.

Dorton Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 883 reviews

Concord, NC

MixedLitScenic

City park with a soccer field, tennis courts, a disc-golf course, play equipment & picnic shelters.

Mazeppa Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 824 reviews

Mooresville, NC

Natural surfaceLitScenic

Neighborhood park featuring lighted baseball/softball field, concession pavilion & picnic area.

Graham Regional Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 776 reviews

Haw River, NC

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

Relaxed, clean park featuring playgrounds (for all ages).

Apex Nature Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 786 reviews

Apex, NC

LoopPavedShadedLit

Recreational oasis offering nature trails, a dog park, disc golf, picnic spots & an amphitheater.

North Mecklenburg Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 801 reviews

Huntersville, NC

ShadedLit

98-acre natural spot with baseball & soccer fields, basketball courts, playgrounds & trails.

Baker's Creek Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 770 reviews

Kannapolis, NC

1 miMixedShadedLit

Recreational area featuring covered picnic tables, sports courts, a creek, playground & mini golf.

Salisbury City Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 708 reviews

Salisbury, NC

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

Family-friendly park, with playgrounds and trails for hiking, tennis courts and fishing.

Granite Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 583 reviews

Granite Quarry, NC

PavedShadedLitScenic

Kid-friendly park featuring a lake and a pond, plus trails for hiking.

Main Street Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 568 reviews

Rolesville, NC

PavedShadedLitScenic

Well-kept park featuring picnic areas, 2+ playgrounds and paved trails.

Cedar Falls Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 578 reviews

Chapel Hill, NC

LoopMixedLitDog-friendly

This quaint park includes lighted tennis courts & ball fields as well as a playground & picnic area.

J.W. (Mickey) McGee Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 553 reviews

Concord, NC

LoopMixedLitDog-friendly

14-acre park offering a picnic pavilion, kids' play equipment, restrooms & a paved 1/4-mi. path.

Municipal Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 523 reviews

Clayton, NC

LoopShadedLit

Bustling, community park offering athletic fields & courts, a fenced-in playground & picnic space.

Bill Cooke Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 520 reviews

Graham, NC

PavedShadedLitScenic

Park featuring playgrounds, baseball fields, tennis courts, a walking track, a basketball court, sports fields and dog parks.

Arrowhead Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 504 reviews

Wilmington, NC

MixedLit

Park with amenities such as a disc golf course, tennis and basketball courts, and a playground, plus picnic tables.

Patton Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 522 reviews

Hendersonville, NC

2 miPavedLitScenic

Leisurely green space featuring a walking track and picnic tables, plus a dog park, skate park and pool.

Armstrong Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 484 reviews

High Point, NC

PavedShadedLitScenic

Shady park with creeks & trail access offering a playground, picnic areas & athletic fields/courts.

Les Myers Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 453 reviews

Concord, NC

MixedLitScenic

Sizable park with a variety of play equipment, several tennis courts, ballfields & walking trails.

Hurley Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 434 reviews

Salisbury, NC

Crushed gravelLitScenicDog-friendly

This park with woodlands & gardens also offers trails, quaint bridges & gazebos.

Henry Anderson III Community Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 439 reviews

Chapel Hill, NC

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

Town's largest park offers a leash-free zone, horseshoe pits & a pond, plus picnic & play areas.

Southside Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 425 reviews

Newton, NC

1 miPavedLitDog-friendly

Family-friendly, dog-park offering grassy spaces, playgrounds, swings and a sandbox, plus trails.

Huntersville Athletic Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 421 reviews

Huntersville, NC

LitDog-friendly

Cleanly maintained park featuring a ballfield and athletic fields.

Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 388 reviews

Wake Forest, NC

LoopMixedLitScenic

Park, trail, and nature preserve boasting open spaces, paved paths and picnic tables.

Stallings Road Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 396 reviews

Harrisburg, NC

PavedShadedLitScenic

12.72-acre park with a playground, picnic shelter & walking trail, plus ball fields & tennis courts.

Park On Wilgrove

4.6 ★★★★★ 392 reviews

Mint Hill, NC

ShadedLitDog-friendly

Public park with a playground, baseball field, tennis courts, and a walking trail.

Sunset Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 396 reviews

Rocky Mount, NC

Natural surfaceLit

City park offering a mini train, merry-go-round, basketball courts, a boat ramp & picnic shelters.

Pharr Mill Road Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 360 reviews

Harrisburg, NC

MixedLitScenic

Park featuring walking paths, play areas and picnic areas.

Veterans Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 348 reviews

Kannapolis, NC

MixedLitScenic

Park offering a playground, walking trails, shops, and a fountain, plus concerts.

H. Boyd Lee Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 363 reviews

Greenville, NC

LitScenic

A recreation center, lighted sports fields, trails & a playground are offered at this public park.

Fuquay Mineral Spring Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 363 reviews

Fuquay-Varina, NC

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

The mineral spring within this public park was discovered in 1858 by Davey Crocket Fuquay.

Joanie Moser Memorial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 356 reviews

Clemmons, NC

ShadedLit

Public park featuring a playground, sports facilities, and picnic areas.

Northside/Broyhill Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 349 reviews

Newton, NC

PavedShadedLit

Familiar park featuring baseball fields and soccer fields, along with tennis courts and basketball courts.

Marvin Efird Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 293 reviews

Waxhaw, NC

LitScenicDog-friendly

Relaxed destination featuring swings, climbing toys and a disc golf course.

Hickory City Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 284 reviews

Hickory, NC

LoopMixedShadedLit

Park featuring tennis courts, picnic tables, trails, and a pump track, plus a public restroom.

Jacob Fork Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 291 reviews

Newton, NC

2.5 miLoopMixedLit

Park offering hiking, mountain biking and disc golf.

Salem Pond Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 289 reviews

Apex, NC

0.5 miLitScenic

Public park featuring a playground, a soccer field, and a 0.5-mi. loop around a pond.

Allen Jay Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 291 reviews

High Point, NC

Lit

Local park featuring playgrounds for kids and basketball courts, plus a walking trail.

Elm Street Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 268 reviews

Greenville, NC

Lit

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

W W Flowe Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 264 reviews

Concord, NC

Natural surfaceLitDog-friendly

Park containing a 4-field baseball & softball complex with restrooms, playground & picnic shelters.

City of Shelby Hanna Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 232 reviews

Shelby, NC

LitDog-friendly

Grassy park with trails, picnic shelters, playground and ball fields.

Mill Bridge Nature Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 234 reviews

Wake Forest, NC

MixedShadedLitScenic

Peaceful park featuring a creek and waterfalls, as well as a 200-seat amphitheater.

Jennings Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 232 reviews

Statesville, NC

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

Baseball fields and a ropes course are offered at this park with picnic facilities.

Wake Forest Reservoir Soft Trails

4.6 ★★★★★ 233 reviews

Wake Forest, NC

4 miLoopMixedLit

Relaxed area featuring hiking and biking trails as well as a reservoir and lake.

Ellis Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 232 reviews

Salisbury, NC

ShadedLit

Park with baseball and tennis courts, a playground, an 18-hole disc-golf course, and picnic areas.

Walter M Safrit Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 211 reviews

Kannapolis, NC

2 miPavedShadedLit

Park for kids featuring playgrounds, baseball and soccer fields and a track for walking or running.

Westwood Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 191 reviews

Mt Airy, NC

MixedShadedLitScenic

Academy Street Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 185 reviews

Mooresville, NC

Natural surfaceLitDog-friendly

This community area features a playground, off-leash dog park, basketball courts & picnic shelters.

Hector H.Henry, II Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 178 reviews

Concord, NC

MixedShadedLitScenic

Relaxed woodland trails for walking, biking and running, plus dog parks.

Berkeley Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 192 reviews

Goldsboro, NC

Lit

Public park featuring baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, a disc golf course, and a playground.

Founders Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 169 reviews

Leland, NC

Lit

Open-air area featuring playgrounds, walking trails, and disc golf.

Smith Creek Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 168 reviews

Wake Forest, NC

PavedLitDog-friendly

Popular park featuring multiple soccer fields as well as a playground and picnic benches.

Bethabara Park Trail Access

4.5 ★★★★★ 161 reviews

Winston-Salem, NC

LoopNatural surfaceLitScenic

Looping trail system in the woods with workout stations and picnic tables.

Summerfield Athletic Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 159 reviews

Summerfield, NC

PavedLit

Well-kept park with ball fields, playgrounds and soccer fields.

Roy G. Turner Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 160 reviews

Fayetteville, NC

Lit

Clean city park with playgrounds and trails for walking.

Granite Civic Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 147 reviews

Salisbury, NC

PavedLit

Kid-friendly area featuring a playground, a baseball field, basketball courts and tennis courts.

Lake Hickory Riverwalk

4.6 ★★★★★ 141 reviews

Hickory, NC

PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

Carvers Creek State Park, Sandhills Access

4.6 ★★★★★ 134 reviews

Fayetteville, NC

3 miLoopLitScenic

Clean state park set along a stretch of flat land, with trails for biking, hiking, running and horseback riding in the woods.

Wilson Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 110 reviews

Carrboro, NC

PavedShadedLit

Park offering baseball and tennis courts as well as a playground featuring slides, swings, a sandbox and grills.

City Park Walking Track

4.6 ★★★★★ 95 reviews

Burlington, NC

Crushed gravelLit

Clean gravel-surface running track alongside ballfields and exercise equipment.

Gamewell Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 97 reviews

Lenoir, NC

PavedLitDog-friendly

Recreational park with a playground, picnic shelters, basketball and tennis courts, and a walking trail.

Cabelands Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 90 reviews

Durham, NC

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

Hiking area with well-marked trails of varied terrain, including one along the river.

Brown Mill Mountain Bike Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 79 reviews

Concord, NC

MixedLit

Mountain bike path for beginners and the more advanced, with climbs and jumps.

Chestnut Square Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 74 reviews

Indian Trail, NC

LitScenic

Tyler Run Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 80 reviews

Wake Forest, NC

PavedShadedLitDog-friendly

Basketball and baseball courts, slides and swings are the main highlights at this neighborhood spot.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway: Tyvola Road to Huntingtowne Farm Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 71 reviews

Charlotte, NC

7 miPavedLitScenic

Kid-friendly, 7-mile, paved trail system along Little Sugar Creek, for walkers, cyclists and runners, with parking areas.

Gastonia Optimist Club Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 77 reviews

Gastonia, NC

PavedLit

Seven Oaks Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 70 reviews

Belmont, NC

6 miMixedLitScenic

Formal gardens featuring plants, trails and a serene lake.

Dunn Erwin Rail Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 68 reviews

Dunn, NC

5 miCrushed gravelShadedLit

Flat trail used by bikers, walkers and joggers plus a dog park.

Hector H. Henry II Greenway (The Mills At Rocky River)

4.7 ★★★★★ 60 reviews

Concord, NC

2.7 miMixedShadedLit

Shady dirt path and greenway that runs along segments of the Rocky River, with wooden bridges.

Lake Junaluska

4.9 ★★★★★ 40 reviews

Lake Junaluska, NC

LoopLitScenicDog-friendly

Planters Walk Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Knightdale, NC

LitScenic

The Rail Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 24 reviews

Charlotte, NC

Lit

3.5-mile walking path along the Lynx Blue Line, with bars, restaurants & artworks along the route.

McDowell Creek/Torrence Creek Greenways

4.6 ★★★★★ 19 reviews

Huntersville, NC

MixedShadedLitDog-friendly

Womble Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 18 reviews

Holly Springs, NC

LitDog-friendly

Centennial Nature Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 15 reviews

Granite Quarry, NC

PavedShadedLit

Huntersville Downtown Greenway

4.9 ★★★★★ 8 reviews

Huntersville, NC

Lit

Hector H Henry II Greenway Weddington Rd Hotel Trailhead

3.9 ★★★★☆ 7 reviews

Concord, NC

Natural surfaceLitDog-friendly

The Donald Buie Memorial Trailhead

4.3 ★★★★☆ 6 reviews

Sanford, NC

PavedLit

Afton Run Greenway

4.5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

Concord, NC

MixedLit

Greenway Park

4 ★★★★☆ 4 reviews

Graham, NC

PavedLitDog-friendly

Smith Creek Greenway

4.5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

Wake Forest, NC

Lit

By city

Every running trail in the town, not just the ones with lights for night running.

See lit trails for early & night runs across the whole country, or every running trail in North Carolina. You can also browse the other features or start from surface.