North Garland Trail East

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Wildlife

Parking is available in Halff Park on the east end of the main paved trail. Parking is also available where the path intersects N. Garland Ave., in the Arby's/Academy parking lot. Bring bug spray.

The trail is pretty flat, but not in great condition. It's a thin trail that is overgrown and hard to follow in some areas. There are obstacles, like deadfall, that must be climbed over or around. It was impossible to keep the dog on a leash, too hard to move around.

This is the eastern segment of the North Garland Trail. It starts at the east end, where it splits off from the paved path, and ends at a Y in the trail, where you choose to get back on the paved trail or continue in the forest until the end of the path on N. Garland Avenue. It is a beautiful area, and the trail has some views of Spring Creek. There is one place to access the creek, but it isn't easy. The trail is overgrown and there is some deadfall that hasn't been cleared, so you must climb over it. In a couple of spots the trail is very hard to see due to the overgrowth. It needs some TLC from the city or the Preservation Society volunteers, but it's worth it if you don't mind the work.

This is a certified old growth forest with almost no traffic on the forest paths, so it's in a natural state. Lots of birds and butterflies on the day I visited. I kept expecting to see snakes, it's perfect habitat for them. The creek is beautiful, but unfortunately the storms wash things into the park, so you'll see some junk along the creek bed.