Verified July 2026 by Nina, a Raleigh mom.Let us be completely honest for a second. Taking kids out on a trail can go south faster than you can say "did you pack the snacks?" We have all been there, standing next to a beautiful creek while a toddler screams because a speck of dirt touched their shoe, or carrying a heavy balance bike for two miles because your preschooler suddenly forgot how legs work.
The Triangle has an incredible network of paved greenways and wooded nature trails, but they are not all created equal when you are hauling a stroller, a diaper bag, or a kid on training wheels. Some trails are flat and easy, while others are packed with exposed tree roots that will turn your stroller ride into an extreme sport.
As a local mom who has pushed strollers, chased toddlers on balance bikes, and dragged reluctant older kids through almost every trail in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, I am sharing the real details. No sugarcoating, just the honest truth about where to go, where to park, and what to actually expect.
Best Paved Greenways (Stroller and Bike Friendly)
These are the wide, paved paths where you can push a stroller without popping a tire or let your kids ride their bikes without worrying about giant rocks.
Neuse River Trail (Raleigh)
The Neuse River Trail is massive, stretching over 30 miles from Falls Lake all the way down to Clayton. You do not want to tackle the whole thing with kids, but specific sections are perfect for families. The path is wide, flat, and paved, with beautiful boardwalk sections and suspension bridges over the river.
Best ages: All ages, especially great for kids on bikes or scooters.
Address: 20 Anderson Point Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610 (Anderson Point Park trailhead) or 2928 Horseshoe Farm Road, Raleigh, NC 27616 (Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve trailhead).
Parking: Free dedicated parking lots at both trailheads.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Weekday mornings are peaceful. Saturday mornings get incredibly crowded with fast-moving road cyclists, which can be stressful with small kids.
Honest mom tip: Start at Anderson Point Park. There is a great playground, actual restrooms, and a paved path that connects directly to the greenway. If you head north toward Milburnie Dam, it is a relatively flat two-mile stretch. Keep your kids on the right side of the trail, as serious cyclists fly down this greenway and will pass quickly on the left.American Tobacco Trail (Durham Section)
This is a 22-mile rail-to-trail conversion that runs from downtown Durham all the way down to Apex. The northern section in Durham is fully paved and incredibly flat. As you head south into Chatham and Wake counties, the surface changes to crushed granite gravel, which is still stroller-friendly but harder for tiny bike tires.
Best ages: 4 and up for independent riders, or any age in a stroller.
Address: 584 Scott-King Road, Durham, NC 27713 (Herndon Park trailhead) or 1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Road, Apex, NC 27502 (Southern trailhead).
Parking: Free parking at Herndon Park (across from the Scott-King trailhead) or at the dedicated New Hill-Olive Chapel lot.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Late afternoon on weekdays is great. The paved sections near Southpoint Mall can get busy on weekends.
Honest mom tip: If you have kids on wheels, stick to the paved Durham section starting near Herndon Park. If you go to the southern end at New Hill-Olive Chapel Road, the crushed gravel is beautiful and shaded, but it can be dusty. Also, be prepared to see horses on the southern gravel sections, which my kids love, but you will need to watch where you step.Black Creek Greenway (Cary)
This 7.1-mile paved trail is a major connector in Cary, running from Lake Crabtree down to Fred G. Bond Metro Park. It is fully paved, ten feet wide, and winds through beautiful wooded areas and neighborhoods.
Best ages: 5 and up for biking, all ages for strollers.
Address: 801 High House Road, Cary, NC 27513 (Bond Park entrance) or 1100 Norwell Boulevard, Cary, NC 27513 (North Cary Park trailhead).
Parking: Free parking lots at Bond Park and North Cary Park.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Mid-day during the week is very quiet.
Honest mom tip: Do not let the "flat" description fool you. While many sections are easy, the Black Creek Greenway actually has some surprisingly steep, winding hills, especially as you head south from Lake Crabtree. If you have a beginner on a bike, start at North Cary Park and head south. The playground at North Cary Park is fantastic, with slides built into the hills and a giant sandbox, making it the perfect reward after a walk.Shelley Lake Loop (Raleigh)
This is a classic 2-mile paved loop around a scenic 53-acre lake in North Raleigh. It is almost entirely flat, highly visible, and has fitness stations scattered along the path.
Best ages: Perfect for toddlers on balance bikes, strollers, and early walkers.
Address: 1400 West Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27614.
Parking: Free parking in the main lot off Millbrook Road or at the Sertoma Arts Center lot.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Early mornings or weekday evenings. This loop is incredibly popular and gets very crowded on pleasant weekends.
Honest mom tip: Park at the Sertoma Arts Center lot. It is usually easier to find a spot there than in the lower main lot. There are two playgrounds along this loop, plus actual restrooms inside the Sertoma Arts Center and near the main trailhead. Keep a close eye on your kids on the boardwalk sections, as there are no railings on the lake side in some spots, and the local geese can be surprisingly bold if they think you have food.Bolin Creek Trail (Chapel Hill)
This is a lovely 1.5-mile paved trail that runs through a wooded floodplain, connecting the Chapel Hill Community Center to Umstead Park. It is wide, shaded, and follows the creek, offering plenty of spots to look for rocks and splash in the water.
Best ages: All ages.
Address: 120 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (Chapel Hill Community Center).
Parking: Free parking at the Community Center lot.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Any time, though it can get muddy near the creek banks after a heavy rain.
Honest mom tip: Start at the Community Center behind the playground. The trail features a StoryWalk, where pages of a children's book are posted along the path, which is a brilliant way to keep toddlers moving forward when they start to complain. If you need a snack break, you can actually take the stairs up from the trail to Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen on Franklin Street for some of the best biscuits in the Triangle.—-
Best Nature Trails for Families
If you want to get off the pavement and into the woods, these dirt and mulch trails offer a more rugged adventure. Leave the strollers at home for these and grab a baby carrier or sturdy shoes.
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve (Cary)
This is a unique 140-acre state natural area managed by the Town of Cary. It features about three miles of mulched trails and wooden boardwalks that wind through a steep ravine filled with Eastern Hemlock trees, which normally only grow in the mountains.
Best ages: 3 and up (due to stairs).
Address: 2616 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27518.
Parking: Free parking lot at the Stevens Nature Center.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Summer afternoons are great because the deep ravine and heavy tree canopy keep the trails significantly cooler than the surrounding suburbs.
Honest mom tip: This is not a stroller-friendly park. The Swift Creek Loop has about 100 wooden stairs to climb down and back up. If you have a stroller, stick to the Beech Tree Cove Loop, which is flatter and easier. Make sure to visit the Stevens Nature Center before you hike to check out the interactive exhibits and use the clean restrooms. Note that dogs are not allowed on the nature preserve trails to protect the wildlife.Eno River State Park - Few's Ford Access (Durham)
The Eno River is a local favorite for a reason. The Few's Ford area has beautiful, rugged trails that run right along the river, with giant boulders, a suspension bridge, and shallow areas where kids can splash in the water.
Best ages: 4 and up for hiking, all ages for river splashing.
Address: 6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC 27705 (end of Cole Mill Road).
Parking: Free parking lots near the park office and the Piper-Cox House.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Hot summer weekdays are perfect for wading in the river. Weekend parking lots fill up fast, and rangers will close the gates once they are full.
Honest mom tip: The Eno Trace Trail is a short, easy 1-mile loop with interpretive signs that is great for younger kids. If your kids are older and want adventure, take the Cox Mountain Trail across the giant suspension bridge. Pack water shoes and a change of clothes in the car, because your kids will inevitably end up wet.William B. Umstead State Park - Crabtree Creek Entrance (Raleigh)
Umstead is a massive forest right in the middle of the Triangle. The Sal's Branch Trail is a 2.8-mile loop that starts right behind the Visitor Center and winds through the woods down to the shores of Big Lake.
Best ages: 5 and up for the full loop, younger kids can do shorter out-and-back sections.
Address: 8801 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27617.
Parking: Free parking at the Visitor Center.
Cost: Free (unlike some state parks, there is no entry or parking fee here).
When to go: Fall is spectacular when the leaves change around Big Lake.
Honest mom tip: The trail is well-maintained but has plenty of exposed tree roots and rocks, so leave the stroller behind. The Visitor Center has great exhibits and clean restrooms, which is always my first stop. If the 2.8-mile loop is too long, you can walk the short, paved Oak Rock TRACK Trail instead, which is designed specifically for kids with fun activity brochures.Duke Forest - Korstian Division (Chapel Hill/Durham)
Duke Forest is a teaching and research forest owned by Duke University. The Korstian Division features beautiful, rugged trails that follow New Hope Creek, with rocky bluffs and wooden bridges.
Best ages: 6 and up.
Address: 4012 Whitfield Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (Gate 26 trailhead near the fire station).
Parking: Limited roadside parking near the gate entrances.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Spring is beautiful for wildflowers and birdwatching.
Honest mom tip: This is a working research forest, so there are no public restrooms, trash cans, or water fountains. You must pack out whatever you pack in. The trails are very rugged, with steep hills and lots of tripping hazards. It is a wonderful, quiet escape, but only if your kids are confident hikers who do not mind a more rustic experience.—-
How to Pick the Right Trail for Your Kids
For Training Wheels and Balance Bikes (Ages 2 to 5): Stick to the Shelley Lake Loop or the paved paths inside Fred G. Bond Metro Park. They are wide, flat, and have playgrounds nearby when the kids get tired of riding.
For Independent Riders (Ages 6 to 10): Try the paved Durham section of the American Tobacco Trail or the flatter sections of the Neuse River Trail starting at Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve.
For Adventurous Hikers (Ages 10 and up): Head to the Cox Mountain Trail at Eno River State Park or the full Sal's Branch Loop at Umstead State Park. These offer enough elevation and rocky terrain to keep older kids interested.—-
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed on these trails?
Dogs are allowed on leash on the Neuse River Trail, American Tobacco Trail, Black Creek Greenway, Shelley Lake, Bolin Creek, Eno River, and Umstead State Park. However, dogs are strictly prohibited on the trails at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve to protect the sensitive habitat and wildlife.
Do we need to pay for parking at Umstead or Eno River State Park?
No. Unlike state parks in some other states, parking and entry to North Carolina State Parks, including William B. Umstead and Eno River, are completely free.
Where can we find restrooms on the greenways?
Restrooms can be sparse on the longer greenway stretches. Your best bet is to start at major park trailheads. Anderson Point Park, Fred G. Bond Metro Park, North Cary Park, Shelley Lake (Sertoma Arts Center), and the Chapel Hill Community Center all have public restrooms near the trailheads.
What should we do if we encounter a snake on the trail?
Copperheads are common in the Triangle, especially near water and rocky areas like the Eno River or Duke Forest. Teach your kids to stay on the center of the trail, watch where they step, and never stick their hands into rock crevices or hollow logs. If you see a snake, stop, give it plenty of space, and wait for it to move along.
