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Shaded Running Trails in North Carolina

North Carolina has 197 trails with shade and tree cover in this directory, across 90 cities and towns — Raleigh, Cary, Charlotte, Matthews and 86 more. Tree cover for summer miles, when an exposed path turns into a heat trap.

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.

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Lake Norman State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,112 reviews

Troutman, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

State park next to NC's largest man-made lake, with fishing, boating, camping, hiking & more.

Fred G. Bond Metro Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,504 reviews

Cary, NC

LoopMixedShadedDog-friendly

Sprawling lakeside park with an amphitheater, trails, athletic fields, a rope course & playground.

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.

McDowell Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,048 reviews

Charlotte, NC

PavedShadedScenic

This mostly undeveloped preserve with a lake has a nature center, campground, trails & play areas.

Knightdale Station Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,790 reviews

Knightdale, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Community park with a rail-themed playground, sports fields, picnic shelter & 2 miles of trails.

Ramsey Creek Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 2,583 reviews

Cornelius, NC

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

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

Jetton Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,169 reviews

Cornelius, NC

1.5 miLoopPavedShaded

Tree-covered 104-acre park on Lake Norman with a small beach, tennis courts, a trail & picnic area.

Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,977 reviews

Greensboro, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Tranquil 7.5-acre city garden with seasonal plants, statues, a landscaped stream & a wedding gazebo.

Shelley Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,775 reviews

Raleigh, NC

LoopMixedShadedScenic

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

Burlington, NC

6.3 miNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Disc golf, nature trails & a restored 19th-century farmstead with animals, plus private tours.

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.

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,444 reviews

Cary, NC

BoardwalkShadedScenicDog-friendly

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

Kernersville, NC

PavedShadedScenic

Playground equipped memorial park featuring a disc golf course, sand volleyball courts and walking paths.

Fourth of July Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,447 reviews

Kernersville, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Large park offering a playground, tennis & basketball courts, a dog area & a skate park.

Jackson Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,439 reviews

Hendersonville, NC

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

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

Durant Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,338 reviews

Raleigh, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

237-acre preserve with woodlands, lakes & wildlife, plus hiking & mountain biking trails & fishing.

Squirrel Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,315 reviews

Matthews, NC

4 miShadedScenic

Recreation area with a playground, charcoal grills, picnic tables, fishing piers & restrooms.

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.

The Park at Flat Rock

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,261 reviews

Flat Rock, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

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

Elizabethtown, NC

BoardwalkShadedLitScenic

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

Bur-Mil Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,281 reviews

Greensboro, NC

60 miMixedShadedScenic

Outdoor destination features golf, a pool, tennis, trails for hiking & biking in 250 leafy acres.

Stallings Municipal Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,241 reviews

Stallings, NC

LoopShadedScenic

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

Cary, NC

2 miLoopPavedShaded

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

Reservoir Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,098 reviews

Southern Pines, NC

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded park featuring a lake for boating & fishing, trails & picnic areas, plus a disc golf course.

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.

Anderson Point Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,067 reviews

Raleigh, NC

Natural surfaceShadedScenic

This park has wildlife habitat, a historic homestead, a stone amphitheater & canoe areas.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,014 reviews

Hillsborough, NC

LoopMixedShadedScenic

This park has over 190 acres of land, mountain hiking trails & the highest land point in the county.

Marla Dorrel Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 991 reviews

Cary, NC

Shaded

Charming suburban park boasting an innovative children's play space, basketball court & picnic area.

Northeast Creek Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,034 reviews

Jacksonville, NC

ShadedScenic

City green space featuring sports fields, disc golf, a playground & a nature trail.

Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 956 reviews

Belmont, NC

BoardwalkShadedScenic

Riverfront park featuring a playground and swings, plus a dock for fishing, paddling and kayaking.

Clayton Community Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 970 reviews

Clayton, NC

LoopPavedShadedScenic

Popular gathering place with sport courts & fields, a pond, walking paths & a community center.

Tuckaseege Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 916 reviews

Mt Holly, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Forest Ridge Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 895 reviews

Wake Forest, NC

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Park featuring a playground for kids as well as hiking and biking trails.

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.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 939 reviews

Statesville, NC

Shaded

Park featuring a pond with ducks, picnic areas, a playground, walking trails, and a meadow.

East Clayton Community Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 841 reviews

Clayton, NC

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Scenic dog-friendly park with a baseball field, a disc-golf course and multiple soccer goals.

Crooked Creek Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 815 reviews

Indian Trail, NC

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Kid-friendly park that features baseball fields, playgrounds and a splash pad.

Apex Nature Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 786 reviews

Apex, NC

LoopPavedShadedLit

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

Cornelius Road Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 784 reviews

Mooresville, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Free Wi-Fi is available at this hangout with a 1-mi. walking trail, playground & disc golf.

North Mecklenburg Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 801 reviews

Huntersville, NC

ShadedLit

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

Empie Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 770 reviews

Wilmington, NC

ShadedDog-friendly

Park with 19 tennis courts & a clubhouse, plus basketball courts, a playground & a ball field.

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.

Idlewild Road Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 757 reviews

Matthews, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

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

Lexington, NC

7 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Secluded 100-acre park with hiking trails, river fishing & a monument & cave linked to Daniel Boone.

Burlington Springwood Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 717 reviews

Burlington, NC

PavedShadedDog-friendly

78 acres of green space featuring soccer & baseball fields, a playground & a walking track.

Richard Ray Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 719 reviews

Jacksonville, NC

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Green space housing a playground, trails, benches & restrooms, plus a pond, picnic shelter & gazebo.

Belk-Tonawanda Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 691 reviews

Monroe, NC

LoopShadedDog-friendly

Dog-friendly park featuring picnic tables, a play area and hiking trails, plus cookouts.

Historic Yates Mill County Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 654 reviews

Raleigh, NC

2 miLoopBoardwalkShaded

Wildlife refuge & agricultural-history site centered around an 18th-century water-powered gristmill.

Miller Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 648 reviews

Winston-Salem, NC

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Serene park with trails through wooded areas with streams, plus sports fields & picnic shelters.

Liberty Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 630 reviews

Mooresville, NC

PavedShaded

Charming park featuring verdant, ambling trails, a creek & a range of recreational amenities.

Neuse River Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 609 reviews

Raleigh, NC

27.5 miMixedShadedScenic

Popular with runners & cyclists, this 27.5-mile long riverside trail traverses woodlands & wetlands.

Mebane Community Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 603 reviews

Mebane, NC

2 miPavedShadedScenic

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

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.

Clarks Creek Greenway

4.8 ★★★★★ 516 reviews

Charlotte, NC

PavedShadedScenic

This 7-mile trail with a wooded creekside setting attracts bikers, runners & skateboarders.

Dogwood Park at Wesley Chapel

4.6 ★★★★★ 526 reviews

Waxhaw, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Kid-friendly community park featuring a playground, dog park and amphitheater for events.

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.

C G Hill Memorial Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 488 reviews

Pfafftown, NC

LoopPavedShadedScenic

Paved walking trails at a large park with duck-filled ponds and a playground.

The Quarry at Grant Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 471 reviews

Winston-Salem, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a playground and a lake, plus views of the city skyline, along with trails.

Union Cross Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 484 reviews

Winston-Salem, NC

Shaded

Public park with a wide range of amenities, including lighted fields, courts & horseshoe pits.

Armstrong Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 484 reviews

High Point, NC

PavedShadedLitScenic

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

Evergreen Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 444 reviews

Charlotte, NC

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Unspoilt 77-acre urban hardwood forest preserve with a stream & trails & haven for migratory birds.

Umstead Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 443 reviews

Chapel Hill, NC

ShadedScenic

Park featuring play structures, picnic shelters, a basketball court & wooded paths along a creek.

Bellingham Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 440 reviews

Mooresville, NC

LoopPavedShadedDog-friendly

Grassy park with a baseball/softball diamond, lighted tennis courts, picnic shelters & playground.

Mac Anderson Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 449 reviews

Statesville, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Walking trails & exercise equipment in a quiet park with grassy areas & tall trees.

Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 435 reviews

Holly Springs, NC

ShadedDog-friendly

Hobby Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 439 reviews

Winston-Salem, NC

LoopNatural surfaceShadedDog-friendly

Park offering a wooded mountain biking trail & an open area with strips for R/C aircraft.

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.

Green Hills County Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 408 reviews

Raleigh, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

This park offers a playground, picnic area & hiking/biking trails on a repurposed landfill property.

Beth Schmidt Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 401 reviews

Elon, NC

Natural surfaceShaded

Public park with a playground, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and restrooms.

Fisher Farm

4.8 ★★★★★ 392 reviews

Davidson, NC

Crushed gravelShadedDog-friendly

Undeveloped 200-acre wooded park featuring extensive trails for hiking & mountain biking.

Anderson Creek County Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 408 reviews

Lillington, NC

ShadedScenic

Shady woodland park featuring picnic spots, a playground and disc golf.

Old Reedy Creek Road Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 385 reviews

Cary, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Hiking area with trails along a lake, including one leading into Umstead Park, and a restroom.

MacDonald Woods Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 398 reviews

Cary, NC

Shaded

City park with a variety of kids' play equipment, plus a sand pit, athletic field & 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.

Great Bend Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 395 reviews

Burlington, NC

Crushed gravelShadedScenicDog-friendly

Relaxing park featuring walking and hiking trails along the Haw River and a dam.

Falcon Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 394 reviews

Fuquay-Varina, NC

Shaded

Relaxed, shady green space for kids, featuring a playground, swings and a sandpit.

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.

Battle Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 386 reviews

Rocky Mount, NC

MixedShadedScenic

Low-key park offering wooded walking trails, covered picnic shelters & a boat landing.

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.

Glenburnie Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 364 reviews

New Bern, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Waterfront park with rolling hills and an 18-hole disc golf course.

Joanie Moser Memorial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 356 reviews

Clemmons, NC

ShadedLit

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

Ed Yerha Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 341 reviews

Cary, NC

ShadedScenic

Wooded recreation site with 3 pickleball & 1 basketball courts, a playground & picnic tables.

South Fork Rail Trail Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 329 reviews

Lincolnton, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded area featuring well-maintained hiking trails with views of a river, waterfalls, and wildlife.

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.

Price Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 324 reviews

Greensboro, NC

ShadedScenic

Local park offering peaceful trails for walking and wildlife spotting.

Seven Oaks Preserve Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 310 reviews

Belmont, NC

6 miLoopMixedShaded

Botanical garden with trails running through woods and along lakes.

James Boyce Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 316 reviews

Charlotte, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Sizable park with a playground & fields for softball & soccer, plus wooded trails & picnic areas.

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 307 reviews

Chapel Hill, NC

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

This tranquil, 296-acre nature preserve features wooded hiking trails & streams.

Flightline Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 307 reviews

Fort Liberty, NC

ShadedScenic

Children's playground and relaxing picnic spot with views of airplanes taking off and landing.

Stevens Creek Nature Preserve

4.9 ★★★★★ 278 reviews

Mint Hill, NC

4 miShadedScenic

Family-friendly facility featuring outdoor trails plus an education center.

Buffalo Creek Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 300 reviews

Mt Pleasant, NC

3 miNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Popular hiking area with a suspension bridge, oak savanna, and trails that are kid- and dog-friendly.

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.

Four Mile Creek Greenway, Matthews

4.7 ★★★★★ 280 reviews

Matthews, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Easy-going trail stretching through a suburban greenway, with scenic views.

Old Honeycutt Road Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 277 reviews

Fuquay-Varina, NC

PavedShaded

Park offering a playground, a soccer field and tennis courts.

McMullen Creek Greenway

4.7 ★★★★★ 267 reviews

Charlotte, NC

0.5 miBoardwalkShadedScenic

Popular with walkers, runners & cyclists, this nature trail features woodland, waterways & wildlife.

Roosevelt Wilson Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 265 reviews

Davidson, NC

LoopBoardwalkShadedScenic

Waterfront park featuring a playground, paved walking trails, picnic space & a memorial tree garden.

South Tar River Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 249 reviews

Greenville, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Winding park pathway offering walking, jogging & biking in a natural setting near the river.

Cascades Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 248 reviews

Kernersville, NC

LoopNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Hiking trail with cascades, waterfalls and bridges, plus a few picnic tables to stop and rest.

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.

Neuse River Trail - Capital Area Greenway

4.8 ★★★★★ 227 reviews

Raleigh, NC

ShadedScenic

Walking and running route that’s mostly shaded and leads to a sunflower field.

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.

Rock Ridge Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 221 reviews

Moncure, NC

LoopPavedShaded

Kid-friendly park featuring a zip line and a playground along with tree-lined disc golf fairways and trails.

Purser-Hulsey Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 218 reviews

Matthews, NC

LoopNatural surfaceShadedDog-friendly

Hiking and biking trails featuring an enchanted forest area, plus a dog run.

American Tobacco Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 207 reviews

Cary, NC

MixedShadedScenic

Long, scenic, 20-mile-plus trail open to hikers, bikers and runners, with shade and rest stops.

Company Mill Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 205 reviews

Cary, NC

11 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Scenery-rich park popular for hiking trails, featuring rolling hills, creeks and a river.

Indian Creek Greenway

4.5 ★★★★★ 222 reviews

Morrisville, NC

ShadedScenic

Fenced and safe playground for tots and older kids with musical instruments, plus a walking trail.

Pearson Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 217 reviews

Kinston, NC

Shaded

Kid-friendly park featuring a playground, walking trails and instruments.

New Hope Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 214 reviews

New Hill, NC

5.4 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Hiking and walking area featuring lake views and wooded trails (red and blue) that are marked well.

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.

Hornbeam Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 201 reviews

Rocky Mount, NC

Shaded

Rubber-floored playground featuring a jungle gym, plus a tennis court and a baseball field.

Paramore Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 196 reviews

Winterville, NC

PavedShaded

Modest park with children's playgrounds, a large picnic shelter & walking paths through fields.

Westgate Nature Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 204 reviews

Leland, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded park featuring playgrounds and information about animals and trees.

Jack Warren Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 190 reviews

Lewisville, NC

4 miPavedShadedDog-friendly

Brookhaven Nature Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 185 reviews

Raleigh, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

26-acre preserve featuring a forest trail with a footbridge over a stream, plus picnic tables.

Westwood Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 191 reviews

Mt Airy, NC

MixedShadedLitScenic

Barnet Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 191 reviews

Kinston, NC

Shaded

Outdoor sports venue offering baseball, disc golf, soccer, softball, trails, and a children's play area.

Hector H.Henry, II Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 178 reviews

Concord, NC

MixedShadedLitScenic

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

Iswa Nature Preserve

4.3 ★★★★☆ 183 reviews

Charlotte, NC

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Unpaved nature preserve featuring a looped trail along the Catawba River with benches.

Matthews-Sardis Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 167 reviews

Matthews, NC

Shaded

Small, shaded neighborhood park featuring play equipment, picnic tables and swings.

Hillcrest Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 167 reviews

Winterville, NC

Shaded

Family-friendly, 6.5-acre park featuring a playground and basketball courts.

Whitley Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 145 reviews

Zebulon, NC

Shaded

Shady space featuring slides and swings for kids, plus tennis courts.

Onslow County Parks: Oakhurst Landing and Nature Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 146 reviews

Jacksonville, NC

Shaded

County park with 2 forested walking trails & a launch area on the New River for canoes & kayaks.

Golfview Greenway Walking Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 139 reviews

Hope Mills, NC

LoopMixedShadedDog-friendly

Unassuming park with a gravel and asphalt route for walking, running, and dog-walking around ponds.

Tot Hill Farm Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 138 reviews

Asheboro, NC

2.2 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

National forest offering hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, as well as a golf course.

Rock Creek Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 142 reviews

Albemarle, NC

Shaded

Recreation venue featuring an outdoor pool, picnic and play areas, athletic facilities, and a trail.

Rich Fork Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 127 reviews

High Point, NC

60 miLoopShadedDog-friendly

Hiking, biking and nature trails, plus a creek at this wooded area.

Nash County Miracle Park at Coopers

4.7 ★★★★★ 129 reviews

Elm City, NC

Natural surfaceShaded

Family-friendly park with a playground, basketball courts, baseball fields and a picnic area.

Abbey Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 129 reviews

Wilmington, NC

LoopNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Local park offering shaded, well-marked walking trails through natural surroundings.

Beaver Creek Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 126 reviews

Apex, NC

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Park featuring a paved greenway for biking and kid-friendly hiking.

Sam's Branch Greenway

4.7 ★★★★★ 121 reviews

Clayton, NC

PavedShadedScenic

Shaded and paved trail for biking and walking.

Windsor Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 128 reviews

Matthews, NC

Shaded

Popular park featuring playgrounds, trails and a creek.

Riverside Park Granite City Greenway

4.7 ★★★★★ 119 reviews

Mt Airy, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Fairview Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 118 reviews

Monroe, NC

4 miPavedShadedScenic

Park with a pond and a paved walking path. Also features a playground and picnic shelters.

Avon/Catawba Creeks Greenway

4.7 ★★★★★ 117 reviews

Gastonia, NC

4.5 miPavedShadedScenic

Asphalt trail for exercising, running, walking and biking, with shaded sections.

American Tobacco Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 117 reviews

Durham, NC

MixedShadedScenic

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.

Lake Lynn Loop

4.8 ★★★★★ 110 reviews

Raleigh, NC

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Wooded park with a paved path circling the lake, plus a playground.

Fleming Loop Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 109 reviews

Fuquay-Varina, NC

51 miLoopPavedShaded

Local park with a walking track, picnic shelter, and playground, plus a number of soccer fields.

Morgan Creek Trail Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★ 107 reviews

Chapel Hill, NC

MixedShadedScenic

Paved 0.85-mi. woodland trail for walking, running & cycling, with connections to other trails.

Crossing Paths Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 103 reviews

Indian Trail, NC

Shaded

Laid-back park offering walking paths and a playground, plus a stage for events.

Turnipseed Nature Preserve - Hunt Valley Trail Entrance

4.6 ★★★★★ 102 reviews

Wendell, NC

1 miLoopPavedShaded

Woodland nature preserve with walking trails, an observation deck, picnic tables, and a pond.

Torrence Creek Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 101 reviews

Huntersville, NC

PavedShaded

Shaded greenway with paved pathways, frequented by walkers and cyclists.

Bolin Creek

4.7 ★★★★★ 98 reviews

Chapel Hill, NC

PavedShadedScenic

Scenic hiking area with kid-friendly trails, plus a rose garden and a playground.

Guilford Mackintosh Trailhead and Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 93 reviews

Whitsett, NC

3 miLoopShadedScenic

Local park offering walking paths (including a few loops), a lake, and playgrounds.

Jesse Helms Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 93 reviews

Wingate, NC

Shaded

Park featuring playgrounds and athletic fields alongside paths for walking and running.

Nat Greene Trail, Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway

4.7 ★★★★★ 91 reviews

Greensboro, NC

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Popular paved trail offering lake views and a bridge decorated with love locks.

Greenway Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 90 reviews

Boone, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Bikeable, family-friendly greenway for running, walking or rollerblading.

Martin Luther King Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 92 reviews

Rocky Mount, NC

Shaded

Well-maintained property featuring a walkway and play area, plus picnic tables.

Hanover Pines Nature Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 85 reviews

Wilmington, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Pet-friendly reserve for walking and biking, plus a large dog park and an owl-themed playground.

Godwin Heights Community Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 93 reviews

Lumberton, NC

Shaded

Family-friendly park with a splash pad, playground and baseball field.

Buckquarter Creek Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 80 reviews

Durham, NC

1.5 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Shallow river known for its rapids and waterfalls, plus easy to moderate trails for hiking and swimming.

Campbell Creek Greenway Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 78 reviews

Matthews, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded, wheelchair-accessible trail with a babbling stream that's great for hiking, running and biking.

Harold B. McEachern Greenway Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 78 reviews

Concord, NC

4 miPavedShadedDog-friendly

Paved and shaded trail for walking, jogging, biking and skating, featuring a playground and benches.

The Lake Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 72 reviews

Seven Springs, NC

ShadedScenic

Hiking area that is also suitable for biking, with a restroom.

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.

Reedy Fork Trail Head at Lake Brandt

4.7 ★★★★★ 74 reviews

Greensboro, NC

LoopNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Kid-friendly nature area with rolling hills and a serene lake, plus trails for walks, biking and hiking.

Parham Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 74 reviews

Davidson, NC

Crushed gravelShaded

Park with a lake featuring picnic tables and barbecue grills, plus a trail.

Knightdale Environmental Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 74 reviews

Knightdale, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve known for relaxing walks and shaded trails.

Cates Farm Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 71 reviews

Mebane, NC

1.5 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Park featuring a playground and well-maintained trails that traverse open fields and woods.

Smith river greenway

4.8 ★★★★★ 66 reviews

Eden, NC

ShadedScenic

Park featuring trails for strolling, running, kayaking and tubing, plus picnic tables.

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.

Mallard Creek Greenway - East Terminus

4.7 ★★★★★ 66 reviews

Charlotte, NC

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Six Mile Creek Greenway

4.3 ★★★★☆ 71 reviews

Charlotte, NC

1 miMixedShadedScenic

Recreation spot providing a paved trail with opportunities for bird watching, hiking, and wildlife sightings.

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.

T. Henry Wilson Athletic Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 62 reviews

Lenoir, NC

PavedShaded

Park featuring a baseball diamond and soccer fields, plus hiking trails.

Stevens Creek Nature Preserve - Hooks Road Trail Access

4.9 ★★★★★ 51 reviews

Matthews, NC

3 miLoopShadedScenic

Forest park featuring walking trails for families, dogs and birds, plus a nature center.

Girl Scout Trail (Carolina Thread Trail)

4.4 ★★★★☆ 53 reviews

Statesville, NC

2 miNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Wooded 2-mile or 4-mile trail featuring a river as well as views and wildlife.

Caldwell Station Creek Greenway

4.8 ★★★★★ 48 reviews

Cornelius, NC

4 miPavedShadedScenic

Freedom Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 48 reviews

Morganton, NC

Shaded

American Tobacco Trail - Wimberly Road Crossing

4.8 ★★★★★ 47 reviews

Apex, NC

ShadedScenic

Pharr Family Preserve Trail - Carolina Thread Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 50 reviews

Midland, NC

1.7 miNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Kid-friendly hiking trail through a forest along the Rocky River with a kayak launch.

Summer Rest Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 51 reviews

Wilmington, NC

PavedShadedScenic

Paved trail near Wrightsville Beach offering views of the Intracoastal Waterway and private homes.

Neuse River Greenway

4.8 ★★★★★ 46 reviews

Raleigh, NC

PavedShadedScenic

Bicentennial Greenway

4.8 ★★★★★ 46 reviews

Jamestown, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Shaded, scenic trails and greenway for walking, running, hiking and biking.

Cascade Forest-Morehead Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 50 reviews

Morganton, NC

ShadedScenic

Brier Creek Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 49 reviews

Morrisville, NC

Shaded

Deep River Rail Trail Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 45 reviews

Franklinville, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Relaxed place featuring a trail with trees providing shade, for walking and hiking.

Heritage trail greenway

4.8 ★★★★★ 43 reviews

Newton, NC

3 miPavedShadedDog-friendly

Kerner Mill Greenway (Scott Willis Memorial Trail)

4.8 ★★★★★ 43 reviews

Kernersville, NC

19 miPavedShadedScenic

Greenway Trails (Morganton)

4.9 ★★★★★ 42 reviews

Morganton, NC

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Meadows Family Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 44 reviews

Trent Woods, NC

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Lower McAlpine/McMullen Creek Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 44 reviews

Charlotte, NC

2 miBoardwalkShadedScenic

Walnut Creek Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 41 reviews

Raleigh, NC

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Beaty Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 42 reviews

Davidson, NC

Shaded

South Lakes Greenway Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 36 reviews

Fuquay-Varina, NC

PavedShadedScenic

First Broad River Trail Trailhead

4.4 ★★★★☆ 35 reviews

Shelby, NC

1.5 miMixedShadedScenic

Kid-friendly hiking area with a suspension bridge, gnome homes, and fairy houses.

Archer Lodge Town Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 34 reviews

Clayton, NC

LoopPavedShaded

Crabtree Creek Greenway

4.5 ★★★★★ 21 reviews

Morrisville, NC

PavedShaded

McDowell Creek/Torrence Creek Greenways

4.6 ★★★★★ 19 reviews

Huntersville, NC

MixedShadedLitDog-friendly

American Tobacco Trail - New Hill Olive Chapel Access

4.7 ★★★★★ 18 reviews

Apex, NC

1 miCrushed gravelShaded

Centennial Nature Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 15 reviews

Granite Quarry, NC

PavedShadedLit

Reedy Branch Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

Goldsboro, NC

PavedShaded

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Every running trail in the town, not just the ones with shade and tree cover.

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