It seems as though trails might be one of the last “non-essential” places to remain open right now. But honestly, what better time to take advantage of them than now? Your gym is closed, you’re looking for an excuse to get outside in nature after being cooped up working from home all day. Hop on one of these trails and take in all the natural beauty of the Cape Fear.
FYI, the trails at the following places are remaining open for now, but for the most part, their bathrooms, park offices, and visitors’ centers are closed. So, plan ahead 😊
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New Hanover County
- Carolina Beach State Park
- 9 different trails to choose from all ranging in distance. Shortest trail distance is .25 miles, longest is 3 miles
- Gary Shell Cross City trail
- 15 mile primarily off road trail
- Hugh MacRae Park
- 1.55-mile paved trail
- 1-mile nature trail
- Greenfield Lake
- 4.5 mile paved
- Halyburton Park
- 1.3 mile paved trail
- Downtown Wilmington Riverwalk
- 1.5 mile boardwalk

Pender
- Millers Pond Park
- half mile walking and nature trail that loops around the 7-acre pond.
- Hampstead Kiwanis Park
- Over one mile of paved walking trails with several fitness stations along the route.
- Abbey Nature Preserve
- full of beautiful trees, plants, flowers and wildlife, providing excellent opportunities for bird-watching and hiking.
- Moore’s Creek National Battlefield
- .7 mile trail with wayside exhibits leads through the battlefield and across Moore’s Creek.
- Osgood Canal Greenway and Urban Trail
- 2.2 mile loop of asphalt and concrete walking trails in and around the central portion of Burgaw town limits.

Bladen
- Jones Lake State park
- 3 different hiking trails ranging in distance from 1 mile to 4 miles.

Brunswick
- Green Swamp Preserve
- There is an out-and-back trail that takes you through several savannas in the green swamp totaling of about a mile and a half.
- Boiling Springs Lake Preserve

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