Parks, Trails, and Open Space
Guilford County Parks consists of five (5) county-managed parks, including Bur-Mil Park, Gibson Park, Hagan-Stone Park, Northeast Park, and Southwest Park. Along with the five parks, the county also owns seven (7) regional parks along with Triad Park and Guilford-Mackintosh Park for the public to enjoy.
Guilford County Parks Department operates and maintains approximately 1,800 acres of passive park land and over 60 miles of trails. Passive parks enhance the county’s water quality, preserve wildlife habitats, and protect natural areas for the enjoyment of current and future residents.
Passive recreation is allowed on these properties, where activity is limited due to the natural resources on the site, including low impact trails, possibly restrooms, benches, water fountains, campsites, biking, horseback riding, environmental education, greenways, etc. This is an unorganized, mostly unstructured and non-competitive activity or activities.
Parks
Passive Parks and Preserves
Benbow Preserve is located in southeast Greensboro at 2279 Britton St., off Martin Luther King Blvd., and adjacent to the Kindred Hospital.
The preserve offers trails, picnicking areas, and native fruit and nut trees, serving several functions to the local community. It provides wildlife habitat in an urban setting, provides the neighborhoods, as well as Hospital staff, patrons and families, a relaxing outdoor setting, and it provides significant improvements in water and air quality, directly to this part of the community.
Plan Your Visit
Address
2279 Britton St.
Greensboro, NC 27406
The Bold Moon Nature Preserve is located in northeast Guilford County in McLeansville at 5780 Plowfield Road.
This preserve is primarily utilized for educational purposes and outdoor recreation opportunities. A considerable amount of signage, coupled with significant open space, allows for vast educational opportunities for all ages, while hiking, bird and wildlife viewing, photography, picnicking, geocaching and fishing are amongst some of the recreational opportunities offered. Enjoy the day walking on the trail that winds through this 20-acre property, past unique rock-outcroppings, on the way to Reedy Fork Creek, and learn as you go.
Plan Your Visit
Address
5780 Plowfield Road
McLeansville, NC 27301
Brooks Bridge Paddle Access is in northeast Guilford County in Gibsonville at 7415 Brooks Bridge Rd.
This property is located directly on the Haw River and offers a unique way to keep this stream system clean and maintained, as well as to provide a distinctive access point for boaters to “put in” for a four-mile canoe/kayak trail that leads down the Haw River to the Altamahaw Paddle Access in Elon.
Plan Your Visit
Address
7415 Brooks Bridge Road
Gibsonville, NC 27249
Cascades Preserve is roughly 130 acres of natural landscapes and wildlife habitat and features a pristine hiking system that makes excellent use of the topography and creek views found on this property. A little over two miles, the trail was uniquely designed with challenging transitional hiking that not only combines the serene natural surroundings and terrain, but also incorporates relaxing stops along scenic vistas. Features include parking, scenic areas, and picnic area.
Plan You Visit
Address
7359 Goodwill Church Road
Kernersville, NC 27284
Company Mill Preserve is situated adjacent to Hagan-Stone Park and offers 240 acres of serene outdoor landscape. Lush with biodiversity and history, this property was uniquely designed to provide outdoor enthusiast an opportunity to view the multitude of wildlife and historical structures that can be found along the trail.
The first phase development of the trail system that incorporates these natural elements with the historical components was opened in 2017. The second phase was completed in 2019.
Visitors to this moderately challenging trail will immediately feel immersed in nature. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. Parking is available at Hagan-Stone Park on the cul-de-sac at the end of Cedar Rd.
Plan Your Visit
Address
6334 Company Mill Road
Climax, NC 27233
History
Previously known as the Prison Farm, this 806-acre property has been around since the early 1930’s with the first “Prison Dorm” constructed in 1935. Built by the inmates with stones gathered from the farm grounds, there is a tremendous amount of history behind these walls.
Present Day
The Guilford County Farm is made up of 720 acres now operated by the Guilford County Parks Department. The remaining 80 acres are utilized as a training facility by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department.
Of the 720 acres currently under the Guilford County Farm management, 600 acres are leased to local farmers growing crops and raising cattle and 120 acres are maintained by the county to support the community with nationally recognized hiking trails, greenhouses, vineyards, fishing ponds, and much more!
Farm Features:
- Crops and pastures
- Greenhouses
- Bees
- Vineyards
Plan Your Visit
Address
7315 Howerton Road
Gibsonville, NC 27244
This preserve is also home to Guilford County’s first Outdoor Education Exhibit, recently launched with an accompanying immersive trail system. It will also be home to Guilford County’s first ever Mobile Historic Walking Tour, where visitors will have the chance to learn the history of the farmstead, grounds, and historic structures.
Closed Due to Maintenance and Construction.
McCandless Woods Preserve is a 30 Acre Property directly adjacent to Southern Guilford High School and Southern Guilford Elementary School and is full of beautiful natural landscapes and wildlife. This Preserve is host to an excellent trail network that incorporates stunning ridge lines, old Hardwoods, and ample stream traversing. The property provides unique outdoor education and recreation, all while helping directly preserve water quality in this part of the county.
Parking is available at Southern Guilford High School.
Rich Fork Preserve features a highly diverse trail system crafted from the unique topography found on-site. Features include hiking, biking, and offer users a chance to view incredible arrays of wildlife and preserved historic structures.
Plan You Visit
Address
407 W. Parris Ave.
High Point, NC 27262
Richardson-Taylor is located in Northeast Greensboro, just above the sections of Lake Townsend that North Church Street crosses.
This preserve offers over four miles of a uniquely designed trail system that incorporates spectacular Wetland vistas and Wildlife overlooks. Other features of the Preserve include picnic areas, and an outdoor education classroom complete with podium and benches.
Plan Your Visit
Address
368 Plainfield Road
Greensboro, NC 27455
Saferight Preserve is located just east of Southern Guilford High School and features a distinctive arbor trail through the woods. The property is host to unique varieties of tree species found along the winding path. The trail was designed to provide a relaxing and educational experience while benefiting air quality in the area.
Plan Your Visit
Parking can be found across the street at Southern Guilford High School, 5700 Drake Road, just past the corner of Drake and Wall Rd.
Located near downtown High Point, across the street from the Oak Hill Elementary School, Thomas Built Bus Preserve is a six-acre property that is the proud home to many fruit and nut trees and shrubs. The preserve features include a relaxing signed walking path and multipurpose field. The preserve was uniquely designed to provide the community with education and recreation opportunities, as well as produce from the trees. Other benefits include water and air quality improvements in the community and wildlife habitat including the significant amount of bird species that can be viewed here. Enjoy the day relaxing or wind through this orchard in an urban setting.
Plan Your Visit
Address
1601 Potts Ave.
High Point, NC 27260
Passive Parks House of Operation
All passive parks are open to the public seven days a week from 8 a.m. to dusk.