Smith Creek Park Preserve Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail is great for an easy run or for beginning trail runners. The surface is sandy but, just watch out for an occasional exposed tree root.

This trail offers a relatively quiet and short run through one of New Hanover County's Parks and Gardens Park Preserves. There are two trailheads that access the loop. The easiest access is off a paved multi-purpose trail that loops around the lake at Smith Creek Park. There is ample parking at Smith Creek Park, but it can be a little busy on the weekends.

From the parking lot, take the multi-purpose trail going towards the kayak/boat launch, and you'll come to the trailhead about 0.3 miles on the left, you can't miss the sign. The second access point is at the end of Lake Emerald Drive off Gordon Road. There is no designated parking spaces but, there is room to park along the roadside. Just be mindful that this trailhead is located in a residential area. The trail is wide and sandy. You can spot many different types of wildlife and native plants that call southeastern North Carolina home.