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Scenic Running Trails in North Carolina
North Carolina has 439 trails with scenic views in this directory, across 128 cities and towns — Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro and 124 more. Waterfronts, overlooks and river loops: the trails that get you out of the door.
The 250 most-reviewed in North Carolina
Ranked by local reputation — rating weighted by review count. Use the filters to narrow them, or open a city below for the full local list.
The North Carolina Arboretum
4.8 ★★★★★ 8,179 reviews
Arboretum in a forest with mountain views, gardens & a bonsai exhibit, plus hiking & biking paths.
Grandfather Mountain State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 6,696 reviews
Expansive mountain park with challenging trails, rocky cliffs, scenic views & camping (with permit).
Lake Johnson Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,021 reviews
Recreation area with 5.4 miles of trails around a lake, plus boat rentals, picnic areas & fishing.
Tanglewood Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,511 reviews
County park with gardens, golf course, fishing lake, riding stables, BMX race course, trails & more.
City of Greensboro - Country Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,225 reviews
An ample, wooded park with playgrounds, nature trails, fishing lakes, a dog area & picnic shelters.
Lake Norman State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,112 reviews
State park next to NC's largest man-made lake, with fishing, boating, camping, hiking & more.
Long Leaf Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,499 reviews
Wooded park with lighted baseball fields & tennis courts, ample picnic shelters & a 1.5 mile trail.
Union Point Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,088 reviews
Popular park along the Neuse & Trent Rivers featuring play equipment, a large gazebo & a boardwalk.
McDowell Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 3,048 reviews
This mostly undeveloped preserve with a lake has a nature center, campground, trails & play areas.
Knightdale Station Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,790 reviews
Community park with a rail-themed playground, sports fields, picnic shelter & 2 miles of trails.
Eno River State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,650 reviews
Vast acres of woodlands for hiking & camping, with canoeing & fishing areas on the Eno River.
Lake Crabtree County Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,540 reviews
Waterside site featuring 16 miles of hiking & biking trails, playgrounds, boating & fishing.
Jump Off Rock
4.9 ★★★★★ 2,390 reviews
Scenic overlook offering 1 easy & 2 moderate hiking trails along with mountain views & benches.
Rankin Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,425 reviews
Park featuring a reservoir, picnic shelters, horseshoes, paved trails, fishing, boating & more.
Ramsey Creek Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 2,583 reviews
Lakefront park for boating, fishing & picnicking, plus sand volleyball, horseshoes & a playground.
Croatan National Forest
4.5 ★★★★★ 2,438 reviews
Coastal pine forest featuring saltwater estuaries & bogs, campsites, trails & hunting areas.
McAlpine Creek Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,270 reviews
114-acre county park with a lake & fishing pier, soccer fields, hiking & bike trails, & a dog park.
Jetton Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,169 reviews
Tree-covered 104-acre park on Lake Norman with a small beach, tennis courts, a trail & picnic area.
Julian Price Memorial Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,094 reviews
Massive mountainside park features lake activities, trails, numerous picnic sites & an amphitheater.
Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,977 reviews
Tranquil 7.5-acre city garden with seasonal plants, statues, a landscaped stream & a wedding gazebo.
E. Carroll Joyner Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,977 reviews
A 117-acre expanse featuring paved trails, an amphitheater, a pecan grove & some old farm buildings.
Town Common
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,965 reviews
City park with a modern playground, riverfront esplanade, open-air amphitheater & boat ramp.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,963 reviews
Trail-filled state park set along the Neuse River & offering space for camping, swimming & fishing.
Carrier Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,858 reviews
Sports facilities from roller hockey to lawn bowling, plus trails, picnic space & river views.
Shelley Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,775 reviews
2 miles of wooded trails with work-out stations along a scenic lake, plus open fields & a playground
Cedarock Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,503 reviews
Disc golf, nature trails & a restored 19th-century farmstead with animals, plus private tours.
Reedy Creek Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,471 reviews
Creekside walks & fishing spots in woodland with picnic shelters & ruins of pioneer-era cabins.
George Poston Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,477 reviews
Dog-friendly park with sports fields, trails, a lake, picnicking, playgrounds & mountain biking.
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,444 reviews
140-acre preserve with a 3-mi. trail system & scenic overlooks, plus a visitor center & programs.
Triad Park Field of Honor
4.9 ★★★★★ 1,361 reviews
Playground equipped memorial park featuring a disc golf course, sand volleyball courts and walking paths.
Fourth of July Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,447 reviews
Large park offering a playground, tennis & basketball courts, a dog area & a skate park.
McGalliard Falls Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,412 reviews
Modest park with a waterfall, swimming area and sand volleyball court.
Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,412 reviews
Well-used, dog-friendly park, featuring soccer fields, tennis courts, playgrounds and picnic tables, plus a disc golf course.
Jackson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,439 reviews
Relaxed park with ball fields, tennis courts and walking trails, plus playground apparatus.
Latta Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,351 reviews
Latta Plantation Preserve's interpretive center, with native animals, a habitat garden & gift shop.
Crowders Mountain State Park - Linwood Road Access
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,335 reviews
Well-maintained state park with challenging trails, plus mountain views.
Durant Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,338 reviews
237-acre preserve with woodlands, lakes & wildlife, plus hiking & mountain biking trails & fishing.
Glenn C. Hilton, Jr. Memorial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,366 reviews
Park featuring shelters, playgrounds, restrooms, trails, horseshoe pits, a canoe launch & more.
Squirrel Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,315 reviews
Recreation area with a playground, charcoal grills, picnic tables, fishing piers & restrooms.
Ogden Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,313 reviews
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
Ball fields, sand volleyball & horseshoes, plus picnic areas, a playground & a 1-mile nature trail.
The Park at Flat Rock
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,261 reviews
This 66-acre, dog-friendly green space offers a picnic pavilion, walking paths & a large playground.
Jones Lake State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,254 reviews
Featuring an expansive relict lake, this wooded park offers camping, fishing, hiking & swimming.
Bur-Mil Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,281 reviews
Outdoor destination features golf, a pool, tennis, trails for hiking & biking in 250 leafy acres.
Stallings Municipal Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,241 reviews
Park with a splash pad, 4 playgrounds, tennis and pickleball courts, picnic areas, and a walking loop.
Apex Community Park (Lake Trail Entrance)
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,196 reviews
Vast park with sports fields, play areas & a 50-acre lake for canoes, kayaks, sailboards & fishing.
Smith Creek Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,109 reviews
Lake boating & fishing draw visitors to this preserve with a walking path, playground & picnic area.
Reservoir Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,098 reviews
Wooded park featuring a lake for boating & fishing, trails & picnic areas, plus a disc golf course.
T.H. Broyhill Walking Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,086 reviews
Peaceful destination featuring a botanical garden, a wildlife sanctuary & tranquil, lakefront paths.
North Cary Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,104 reviews
This park has baseball, basketball & volleyball, plus a playground, climbing wall & picnic area.
Stowe Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,076 reviews
Small downtown park popular with kids featuring a big playground, a walking loop & seasonal events.
Anderson Point Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,067 reviews
This park has wildlife habitat, a historic homestead, a stone amphitheater & canoe areas.
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,014 reviews
This park has over 190 acres of land, mountain hiking trails & the highest land point in the county.
Northeast Creek Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,034 reviews
City green space featuring sports fields, disc golf, a playground & a nature trail.
Clark Park Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 980 reviews
This large park has a nature center with turtles, fish & snakes, plus trails along Cape Fear River.
Harrisburg Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 955 reviews
34.68-acre park with a picnic shelter, playground & paved trail, plus cornhole courts & ball fields.
Waterfront Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,002 reviews
Park-like setting by the Pasquotank River for picnicking and boat-watching featuring a pier and launch area.
Otter Falls Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 956 reviews
Pretty falls accessible via a trail-linked park, for dog walking and picnics.
Mazarick Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 993 reviews
Park spanning nearly 80 acres, with lake fishing, picnic shelter & sports/game areas.
Herman Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 992 reviews
Public park with tennis courts, a train, playground, picnic areas, and a library.
Kiwanis Family Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 940 reviews
Family-friendly park offering picnic facilities & a gazebo plus a playground & fitness trail.
Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 956 reviews
Riverfront park featuring a playground and swings, plus a dock for fishing, paddling and kayaking.
Clayton Community Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 970 reviews
Popular gathering place with sport courts & fields, a pond, walking paths & a community center.
Forest Ridge Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 895 reviews
Park featuring a playground for kids as well as hiking and biking trails.
Aberdeen Lake Park/Parks & Recreation Department
4.5 ★★★★★ 929 reviews
Playground-fitted park, plus a lake with a fountain, boardwalk and a bridge crossing it.
Arnette Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 903 reviews
Park with expansive wooded areas, plus sports courts & fields, playgrounds & picnic facilities.
Blue Ridge Parkway
4.9 ★★★★★ 837 reviews
Scenic mountain drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway featuring many overlooks, hiking trails, and visitor center.
San-Lee Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 889 reviews
Expansive waterfront park providing boat rentals, campgrounds, fishing, hiking & a nature center.
Dorton Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 883 reviews
City park with a soccer field, tennis courts, a disc-golf course, play equipment & picnic shelters.
Hanes Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 898 reviews
Park featuring fields for soccer & baseball, tennis courts & play equipment for toddlers & big kids.
E.B. Jeffress Park-The Cascades Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 834 reviews
Scenic, easy to moderate park offering hiking routes along waterfalls.
Lake Wilson
4.7 ★★★★★ 832 reviews
Scenic outdoor area with playgrounds and a disc golf course, plus several miles of trails and a wooden bridge.
Geitner Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 845 reviews
Waterfront park with a boat ramp, picnic areas, hiking trails & a quaint pier for fishing.
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 804 reviews
State park on Mount Jefferson known for stunning valley views at overlooks.
Reedy Creek Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 821 reviews
Nature center with animals & a gift shop in a 927-acre preserve with fishing, hiking & more.
Luther Britt Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 846 reviews
142-acre park with trails around 2 lakes, plus playground equipment & picnic facilities.
Mazeppa Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 824 reviews
Neighborhood park featuring lighted baseball/softball field, concession pavilion & picnic area.
Bakers Mountain Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 789 reviews
Forested park offering 6 miles of hiking paths – easy to challenging.
Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 800 reviews
A gentle hike through a tranquil forest leads to this cascading waterfall & popular swimming hole.
Graham Regional Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 776 reviews
Relaxed, clean park featuring playgrounds (for all ages).
Apex Nature Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 786 reviews
Recreational oasis offering nature trails, a dog park, disc golf, picnic spots & an amphitheater.
Cornelius Road Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 784 reviews
Free Wi-Fi is available at this hangout with a 1-mi. walking trail, playground & disc golf.
Baker's Creek Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 770 reviews
Recreational area featuring covered picnic tables, sports courts, a creek, playground & mini golf.
Idlewild Road Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 757 reviews
1.5 miles of groomed trails lure locals to this roomy park known for its play equipment & shelters.
Boone's Cave Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 761 reviews
Secluded 100-acre park with hiking trails, river fishing & a monument & cave linked to Daniel Boone.
Waterfalls Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 709 reviews
Scenic park that features a waterfall, plus picnic tables.
River Park North
4.6 ★★★★★ 717 reviews
324-acre parkland offering 5 fishing ponds, 2 piers, campsites, boat rentals, trails & picnic areas.
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 696 reviews
Family-friendly park for hiking, biking, running and dog-walking, with a playground.
Salem Lake Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 684 reviews
Popular, kid-friendly park alongside Salem Lake, offering picnic tables and a playground.
Salisbury City Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 708 reviews
Family-friendly park, with playgrounds and trails for hiking, tennis courts and fishing.
Carvers Creek State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 676 reviews
Massive, 4,000-acre park with open fields, hiking trails through pine forests & ranger-led programs.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 654 reviews
Wildlife refuge & agricultural-history site centered around an 18th-century water-powered gristmill.
Waynesville Recreation Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 662 reviews
Sprawling park featuring playground structures, skate parks and tennis courts.
Southern Community Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 642 reviews
A 72-acre preserve featuring lots of natural land as well as sports fields & trails.
Horizons Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 640 reviews
Public park featuring baseball fields, disc golf, a playground, and picnic areas, plus a well-maintained dog park.
Bass Lake Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 608 reviews
Flat, tree-topped walking trail circling a small lake, with connections to other paths.
Broad River Greenway
4.6 ★★★★★ 641 reviews
Scenic multi-use park with picnic tables and trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
Sherman Branch Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 602 reviews
Mountain bike park and nature preserve featuring winding trails for beginners and experts.
Neuse River Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 609 reviews
Popular with runners & cyclists, this 27.5-mile long riverside trail traverses woodlands & wetlands.
Mebane Community Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 603 reviews
Big and small dog parks plus playgrounds featuring slides, soccer fields, a splash pad, a rock-climbing wall, picnic tables and exercise machines.
Granite Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 583 reviews
Kid-friendly park featuring a lake and a pond, plus trails for hiking.
Hooker Falls Access Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 575 reviews
Scenic hiking trails leading to waterfalls, plus a popular swimming hole.
Main Street Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 568 reviews
Well-kept park featuring picnic areas, 2+ playgrounds and paved trails.
Rural Hill Nature Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 560 reviews
On 265 rolling acres, this Colonial-era farm boasts old schoolhouses, ruins & a family graveyard.
Chinqua-Penn Walking Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 525 reviews
Public park featuring a well-maintained, short walking trail through scenic pastures and forests.
New Bern Civil War Battlefield Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 539 reviews
Civil War park with a visitor center, guided tours & battlefield trails with interpretive panels.
Clarks Creek Greenway
4.8 ★★★★★ 516 reviews
This 7-mile trail with a wooded creekside setting attracts bikers, runners & skateboarders.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
4.7 ★★★★★ 518 reviews
19 miles of paved hiking & biking paths along Little Sugar Creek, with views & connections to parks.
Dogwood Park at Wesley Chapel
4.6 ★★★★★ 526 reviews
Kid-friendly community park featuring a playground, dog park and amphitheater for events.
Bill Cooke Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 520 reviews
Park featuring playgrounds, baseball fields, tennis courts, a walking track, a basketball court, sports fields and dog parks.
Richmond Hill Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 520 reviews
Hiking trails and a wooded disc golf course offering valley views.
Kernersville Lake Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 512 reviews
Lake, park, clean and peaceful recreation area for fishing along with boating and paddleboats.
C G Hill Memorial Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 488 reviews
Paved walking trails at a large park with duck-filled ponds and a playground.
Patton Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 522 reviews
Leisurely green space featuring a walking track and picnic tables, plus a dog park, skate park and pool.
Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 476 reviews
Natural 157.6-acre park on a lake, with meadows, fields, play areas, trails & office with exhibits.
North Carolina Veterans Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 471 reviews
Park devoted to military veterans featuring an interactive story garden & commemorative sculptures.
The Quarry at Grant Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 471 reviews
Park featuring a playground and a lake, plus views of the city skyline, along with trails.
Armstrong Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 484 reviews
Shady park with creeks & trail access offering a playground, picnic areas & athletic fields/courts.
Duke Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 450 reviews
Over 7,000 acres of land maintained by Duke University for teaching, research & recreational use.
Evergreen Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 444 reviews
Unspoilt 77-acre urban hardwood forest preserve with a stream & trails & haven for migratory birds.
Les Myers Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 453 reviews
Sizable park with a variety of play equipment, several tennis courts, ballfields & walking trails.
Umstead Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 443 reviews
Park featuring play structures, picnic shelters, a basketball court & wooded paths along a creek.
Lake Michael Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 451 reviews
Lakeside park for picnics and fishing and exploring via hiking and cycling trails.
Clawson-Burnley Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 431 reviews
Community green space with 2 large picnic shelters & a connector trail to the Boone Greenway.
Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 440 reviews
Wooded mountain park on 185 acres offering challenging trails & vistas.
Mac Anderson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 449 reviews
Walking trails & exercise equipment in a quiet park with grassy areas & tall trees.
Sloan Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 448 reviews
Relaxed outdoor space featuring a playground, picnic shelters and a disc golf course.
Hurley Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 434 reviews
This park with woodlands & gardens also offers trails, quaint bridges & gazebos.
Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 443 reviews
Scenic park featuring a large beech tree grove, trails & several species of birds & butterflies.
Henry Anderson III Community Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 439 reviews
Town's largest park offers a leash-free zone, horseshoe pits & a pond, plus picnic & play areas.
City Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 416 reviews
Sprawling park featuring a lake and an amphitheater along with many other amenities.
Lassiter Mill Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 439 reviews
Park with a path, waterfall, and picnic area, plus forest and river views.
Green Hills County Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 408 reviews
This park offers a playground, picnic area & hiking/biking trails on a repurposed landfill property.
Anderson Creek County Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 408 reviews
Shady woodland park featuring picnic spots, a playground and disc golf.
Old Reedy Creek Road Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 385 reviews
Hiking area with trails along a lake, including one leading into Umstead Park, and a restroom.
Hard Times Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 391 reviews
Kid-friendly hiking area with many trails for mountain biking and walking, plus an arboretum and a lake.
Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 388 reviews
Park, trail, and nature preserve boasting open spaces, paved paths and picnic tables.
Stallings Road Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 396 reviews
12.72-acre park with a playground, picnic shelter & walking trail, plus ball fields & tennis courts.
Great Bend Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 395 reviews
Relaxing park featuring walking and hiking trails along the Haw River and a dam.
Craven Gap Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 393 reviews
Easy, intermediate trail with mountain vistas and wildflowers along the way.
Battle Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 386 reviews
Low-key park offering wooded walking trails, covered picnic shelters & a boat landing.
Lumber River State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 386 reviews
Large 11,064-acre green space with diverse plant & animal life, plus a scenic river for boating.
Riverwalk Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 380 reviews
Grassy gathering place for community events, with walking paths, seating areas & a stage.
Lakeside Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 395 reviews
Popular waterfront park, with hiking trails, picnic tables, benches and fishing.
Carolina Field of Honor
4.8 ★★★★★ 362 reviews
Relaxed park featuring a disc golf course, along with memorials honoring fallen soldiers.
Bearwallow Mountain Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 361 reviews
Easy to moderate hike to the top of a mountain covered in wildflowers and meadows, with cows grazing at the summit for some.
Carolina North Forest
4.8 ★★★★★ 355 reviews
UNC north campus woodland covering 750 acres & offering a complex network of hiking trails.
Pharr Mill Road Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 360 reviews
Park featuring walking paths, play areas and picnic areas.
Veterans Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 348 reviews
Park offering a playground, walking trails, shops, and a fountain, plus concerts.
H. Boyd Lee Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 363 reviews
A recreation center, lighted sports fields, trails & a playground are offered at this public park.
Fuquay Mineral Spring Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 363 reviews
The mineral spring within this public park was discovered in 1858 by Davey Crocket Fuquay.
Falls Lake Dam Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 350 reviews
Park featuring picnic tables and a public restroom, plus a trail for walking and exploring nature.
Glenburnie Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 364 reviews
Waterfront park with rolling hills and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Haw River State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 354 reviews
This 1,425-acre park has camping, hiking & picnic options, plus an environmental education center.
Ed Yerha Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 341 reviews
Wooded recreation site with 3 pickleball & 1 basketball courts, a playground & picnic tables.
Brumley Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 330 reviews
Ecological park featuring hiking and mountain biking trails, plus ponds and ruins.
Rose Walk
4.9 ★★★★★ 323 reviews
Peaceful lake with a 2.3-mile walking trail around it, plus picnic benches and tennis courts.
South Fork Rail Trail Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 329 reviews
Wooded area featuring well-maintained hiking trails with views of a river, waterfalls, and wildlife.
Fonta Flora County Park and Connector Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 320 reviews
Trails lead to views of Lake James and the mountains.
Price Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 324 reviews
Local park offering peaceful trails for walking and wildlife spotting.
Seven Oaks Preserve Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 310 reviews
Botanical garden with trails running through woods and along lakes.
James Boyce Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 316 reviews
Sizable park with a playground & fields for softball & soccer, plus wooded trails & picnic areas.
Little River Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 333 reviews
Relaxed park featuring a play area, a river and a dam, plus picnic tables.
Linville Gorge Wilderness Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 303 reviews
This scenic gorge in Pisgah National Forest features rock formations, hiking trails & camping areas.
Johnston Mill Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 307 reviews
This tranquil, 296-acre nature preserve features wooded hiking trails & streams.
Flightline Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 307 reviews
Children's playground and relaxing picnic spot with views of airplanes taking off and landing.
Sturgeon City Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 311 reviews
Park featuring boardwalks and a playground, plus hiking trails, fishing, and picnic areas.
Rassie Wicker Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 301 reviews
Family-friendly recreational area featuring a splash pad and a playground for younger children.
Shallow Ford Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 294 reviews
Beautiful park with a network of trails for hiking, kayaking and camping.
Saxapahaw Island Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 287 reviews
Family-friendly, shaded, woodsy park with a playground and riverside trails.
Marvin Efird Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 293 reviews
Relaxed destination featuring swings, climbing toys and a disc golf course.
Stevens Creek Nature Preserve
4.9 ★★★★★ 278 reviews
Family-friendly facility featuring outdoor trails plus an education center.
Buffalo Creek Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 300 reviews
Popular hiking area with a suspension bridge, oak savanna, and trails that are kid- and dog-friendly.
Poole Road Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 293 reviews
Trail-lined park featuring walking paths and views of the Neuse River.
Sandy Creek Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 291 reviews
Lively park featuring a butterfly garden, walking trails and picnic spots as well as a pond.
Four Mile Creek Greenway, Matthews
4.7 ★★★★★ 280 reviews
Easy-going trail stretching through a suburban greenway, with scenic views.
Jacob Fork Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 291 reviews
Park offering hiking, mountain biking and disc golf.
Salem Pond Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 289 reviews
Public park featuring a playground, a soccer field, and a 0.5-mi. loop around a pond.
Table Rock Summit Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 261 reviews
Local landmark offering scenic views from its peak at the end of a 2.2-mi. hiking trail.
McMullen Creek Greenway
4.7 ★★★★★ 267 reviews
Popular with walkers, runners & cyclists, this nature trail features woodland, waterways & wildlife.
Sal's Branch Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 256 reviews
Hiking area with a 2.5-mile trail past a lake that's suitable for families.
Lake Corriher
4.6 ★★★★★ 267 reviews
Fishing, disc golfing, picnicking, and hiking are offered at this park, which also has cabins and a playground.
Summerfield Community Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 261 reviews
Quiet neighborhood park featuring sports fields, a pond and wooded trails, plus playgrounds.
White Pines Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 250 reviews
Riverside nature preserve with several trails for hiking and canoeing.
Roosevelt Wilson Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 265 reviews
Waterfront park featuring a playground, paved walking trails, picnic space & a memorial tree garden.
Eden City Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 248 reviews
Clean space with a playground and ball fields that's popular for birthday parties.
Pinnacle Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 241 reviews
Challenging, rocky trails leading to a pinnacle and scenic views, plus campfires, waterfalls and an easy stream.
Dunn's Mountain Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 251 reviews
Natural area with a short trail and scenic views, plus a paved walkway and picnic tables.
Hollow Rock Nature Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 245 reviews
Forested park with easy walking paths, plus a waterfall and a creek.
South Tar River Greenway
4.6 ★★★★★ 249 reviews
Winding park pathway offering walking, jogging & biking in a natural setting near the river.
Cascades Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 248 reviews
Hiking trail with cascades, waterfalls and bridges, plus a few picnic tables to stop and rest.
Mill Bridge Nature Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 234 reviews
Peaceful park featuring a creek and waterfalls, as well as a 200-seat amphitheater.
Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 244 reviews
Natural 28-acre park with a 2-mile trail, bridges, picnic shelters & an amphitheater.
Jennings Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 232 reviews
Baseball fields and a ropes course are offered at this park with picnic facilities.
Neuse River Trail - Capital Area Greenway
4.8 ★★★★★ 227 reviews
Walking and running route that’s mostly shaded and leads to a sunflower field.
Wake Forest Reservoir Soft Trails
4.6 ★★★★★ 233 reviews
Relaxed area featuring hiking and biking trails as well as a reservoir and lake.
Williamson Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 216 reviews
Tranquil wilderness area featuring trails for hiking and mountain biking (and horseback riding).
American Tobacco Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 207 reviews
Long, scenic, 20-mile-plus trail open to hikers, bikers and runners, with shade and rest stops.
Company Mill Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 205 reviews
Scenery-rich park popular for hiking trails, featuring rolling hills, creeks and a river.
Indian Creek Greenway
4.5 ★★★★★ 222 reviews
Fenced and safe playground for tots and older kids with musical instruments, plus a walking trail.
Hilltop Needmore Town Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 207 reviews
Family-friendly park offering hilly paths for strolling and biking, as well as scenic views.
New Hope Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 214 reviews
Hiking and walking area featuring lake views and wooded trails (red and blue) that are marked well.
Burlington Arboretum
4.8 ★★★★★ 203 reviews
Arboretum (fenced-in) featuring walking paths and bridges, plus benches, a playground and restrooms, plus a picnic area.
Wildwood Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 206 reviews
New park offering kayaking, trails and boating, plus playground equipment.
Clayton River Walk on the Neuse Greenway
4.7 ★★★★★ 195 reviews
Waterfront park, paved and gravel paths popular with cyclists and dog walkers, plus birdwatching.
Piedmont Environmental Center
4.6 ★★★★★ 193 reviews
Environmental center offering 11 mi. of nature trails, plus educational activities & classes.
Latta Nature Preserve Waterfront
4.8 ★★★★★ 183 reviews
Laid-back local park for hiking and fishing.
Westgate Nature Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 204 reviews
Wooded park featuring playgrounds and information about animals and trees.
Brookhaven Nature Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 185 reviews
26-acre preserve featuring a forest trail with a footbridge over a stream, plus picnic tables.
Swepsonville River Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 179 reviews
Public park offering kid-friendly hiking trails, a river, and picnic tables.
Vance Street Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 178 reviews
Public park with a skate park, disc golf, riverside trail, playgrounds, and other athletic facilities.
Hickory Greenway Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 171 reviews
Hiking, biking, and walking trails around a lake with picnic tables and a pump track.
Hector H.Henry, II Greenway
4.6 ★★★★★ 178 reviews
Relaxed woodland trails for walking, biking and running, plus dog parks.
Howard Knob County Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 186 reviews
Scenic area atop a wooded knoll offering panoramic views of Boone, with picnic tables & trails.
Yadkin River Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 181 reviews
Lakeside park featuring a dog park, camping spots and a walking bridge over the water, as well as picnic tables and a boat launch.
Anne McCrary Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 189 reviews
Park featuring picnic areas and kid-friendly hiking trails, as well as turtles.
Blackwood Farm Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 169 reviews
Open-space hiking destination featuring rolling fields and meadows, plus picnic areas.
Charles Creek Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 189 reviews
Small waterfront park offering a playground, picnic area, volleyball, fishing & boating.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway (Sharon Road West)
4.8 ★★★★★ 164 reviews
Relaxing path for families, cyclists, runners and walkers alike, lined with trees and clean restrooms.
Iswa Nature Preserve
4.3 ★★★★☆ 183 reviews
Unpaved nature preserve featuring a looped trail along the Catawba River with benches.
Valdese Lakeside Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 166 reviews
Family-friendly destination featuring clean trails and a suspension bridge crossing a creek.
Brunswick Nature Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 163 reviews
Picturesque park featuring dirt trails for hiking, biking, kayaking and horseback riding.
Twin Trestle Trailhead
4.5 ★★★★★ 164 reviews
Suspension bridge trail system featuring a swinging bridge along a river.
Lake Pointe Hall, Colonel Francis Beatty Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 156 reviews
Park and pond with playgrounds and picnic spots that also hosts weddings, receptions and other events.
Sennett's Hole
4.5 ★★★★★ 162 reviews
Swimming basin is free to enter and features turtles.
Bethabara Park Trail Access
4.5 ★★★★★ 161 reviews
Looping trail system in the woods with workout stations and picnic tables.
McAlpine Creek Greenway Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 154 reviews
Popular paved greenway with a pond, picnic area, restrooms, and dog park, plus wildlife sightings.
Rosedale Nature Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 150 reviews
Park with a playground, plus zip lines and walking trails.
Island Creek Walk - Croatan National Forest Hiking Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 162 reviews
Hiking area featuring trails with views of a creek through a shady forest setting.
Mitchell Mill State Natural Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 156 reviews
Nature preserve showcasing granite rock formations and trails that are good for kids.
South Mountains State Park, Clear Creek Access
4.6 ★★★★★ 150 reviews
Rugged state park featuring a visitor center & campsites, plus hiking, biking & riding trails.
Birkhead Mountains Wilderness
4.5 ★★★★★ 151 reviews
National forest with hiking trails and a house to explore.
Blue Heron - Kingfisher Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 144 reviews
Lake-side hiking area crisscrossed by flowy bike trails, plus jumps.
South Fork Trail and Blueway Access
4.5 ★★★★★ 138 reviews
Trail to stroll along the South Fork River past a disused cotton mill and for canoeing.
Parham Memorial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 134 reviews
Tranquil park for picnicking, fishing, and quiet contemplation by a creek.
Carvers Creek State Park, Sandhills Access
4.6 ★★★★★ 134 reviews
Clean state park set along a stretch of flat land, with trails for biking, hiking, running and horseback riding in the woods.
Mineral Springs Greenway (Trails)
4.4 ★★★★☆ 134 reviews
Hiking area with family-friendly trails and picnic tables.
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Every running trail in the town, not just the ones with scenic views.
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- Orrum
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- Smithfield
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- Spring Lake
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- Zebulon
See scenic running trails across the whole country, or every running trail in North Carolina. You can also browse the other features or start from surface.