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Col. Francis Beatty Park

Distance: 7.5 mi Elevation Gain: 200 ft Est. Time: 45-60 min for a complete lap of all sections. Difficulty: Beginner

Beatty's green main loop circles the park and suits newer riders. Blue and black side trails, wooden features and The Colonel pump track are there when you want more.

Beatty is one of the most popular trail systems in the Charlotte area, and it has something for every rider. The green main loop circles the park. It's mostly open and sandy, with roots and small gullies in places and very little climbing.

Blue and black trails branch off the main loop and rejoin it, so you can add or skip them as you go. Beatty Black is tight and technical, with some of the most unusual wooden features in the area, and every expert feature has a ride-around. Hidden Black is a quieter, rougher option for riders who want a bit more.

Next to the tennis courts is The Colonel, a smooth, fast pump track and skills area that's fun at any age. It's a great place to warm up, or to practice before you head out on the trails.

The trails are shared with walkers, runners and dogs, and they're busy on weekends. Bikes and walkers travel in opposite directions so everyone meets face to face, so please follow the arrows. The trails are built and maintained by Tarheel Trailblazers volunteers, working with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.

Interactive Trail Map

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Details & Logistics

Pump track & tennis court lot (blue trailhead)

4330 Weddington Rd, Matthews, NC 28105

Park here for easy access to pump track and bathrooms. Alternate parking also available by either the lake house or the baseball fields.

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Lakehouse Parking

4330 Weddington Rd, Matthews, NC 28105

Can start main green loop easily from here, or drop into blue loop as well. Parking near the lake house (Lake Pointe Hall) can fill up when the hall is booked for events.

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Gate Hours

dawn - dusk

E-Bike Rules

Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on trails. Class 1 means bikes that only provide electric assistance when pedaling, don’t have a throttle and don't provide assistance over 20mph. Any bike with a throttle or that can provide electric assistance over 20mph is not allowed on trails because of the safety risk to other trail users, and the hard to repair trail damage they cause.

Seasonal Information

Popular with hikers and dog walkers especially on weekends, holidays. Direction of travel is clearly signed though, so just be careful and courteous and everyone will have a good time! Trails close for bikes when wet - so check trail status before riding.

Riding Direction

Bikes and walkers travel in opposite directions, so you meet face to face. Follow the arrows at every junction. Bikes ride the main loop counterclockwise. The green main loop circles the park. The blue and black trails branch off it and rejoin it, so you can add or skip them as you go.

Night Riding

Park closes at sunset, so no night riding

Nearby Amenities

Gas, food options nearby in McKee Farms shopping center. Nearest bike ship in Ballantyne.

Restrooms

Bathrooms available at the parking lot by the pump track and also next to the some of the baseball fields. Note that bathrooms in the rentable lake house building are often closed for private rental use.

Trail Segments

Main Loop

The main loop circles the park. It's mostly flat, open and sandy, with roots and small gullies in places. Start here if you're new. On the Trailforks map it's made up of Ride The Lightning, Take a Break, Three Amigos, Meander and Eagles Crossing. There are some optional wooden features for more advanced riders.

Beginner 3 mi

The Colonel (pump track and skills area)

Pump track and beginner skills area next to the tennis court lot. Great for warming up, practicing, or a few laps with the kids.

Beginner 0.3 mi

Blue Trails

Side trails that leave the main loop and rejoin it, with more turns, short climbs and a few small jumps. On the map: Chuck Norris, Earth Is Flat, All I Do Is Win, Serpentine, Cru Is Rad and Brown Recluse.

Intermediate 3 mi

Beatty Black

Tight, technical singletrack with the park's signature wooden features, including Over the Rock, Ski Jump and The Drop. Every expert feature has a ride-around. The exit comes out close to the entrance, so it's easy to ride twice.

Advanced 1.6 mi

Hidden Black

A short, quieter black trail. It's less maintained than the rest of the park, but fun if you like a little rough challenge.

Advanced 0.4 mi

First Timer Tips

New to mountain biking? Start on the green main loop. It's mostly flat and open, with some roots and small gullies.
Bikes and walkers go in opposite directions. Follow the arrows and you'll meet walkers face to face.
Short on time? A lap of the green loop takes about 20-30 mins. A full lap of everything takes 45–60 mins.
Every expert feature has a ride-around. If you're not sure, roll around it first and come back to it.
Hidden Black is less maintained than the rest of the park, but it's a fun ride.
Local tip: it's easy to ride Beatty Black twice. The exit comes out very near the entrance. Just turn right as you finish, and in about 50 yards you're back at the start.
Start or finish with a few laps of The Colonel pump track by the tennis courts.