Park Road Park
Distance: 3 mi Elevation Gain: 180 ft Est. Time: 20-30 mins for both loops Difficulty: Intermediate
Two short, feature-packed loops. Playground & Softball Loop is the main section, then try the North loop. Linked to BYT, Marion Diehl and Portal by the Little Sugar Creek greenway.
Park Road Park packs about three miles of singletrack into one of south Charlotte's busiest parks. The trails are split into two loops with a short connector and access road linking them. It's also linked to Backyard Trails, Marion Diehl and Portal by the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, so you can turn a quick lap into a much bigger ride.
The Playground & Softball Loop is the place to start. It's usually entered from the greenway. It’s fun, fast singletrack with optional features, and it's a great first taste of singletrack. A technical stream crossing marks the transition from one section to the other.
The North Loop is across from the lower softball fields. It climbs up and down a steep hillside, with optional features along the way and a few small drops at the end.
Look out for rock gardens, small jumps and wooden features. Every feature is optional.
The trails are shared with walkers, runners and dogs, so ride at a friendly pace and say hello. The trails are built and maintained by Tarheel Trailblazers volunteers, working with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.
Interactive Trail Map
More riding nearby
Details & Logistics
Softball Parking Lot
6220 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
Parking lot next to softball fields giving easy access to North Loop and connector into Playground & Softball Loop. Also easy access path to Little Sugar Creek greenway.
Get DirectionsPlayground Parking Lot
6220 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
Parking Lot next to playground.
Get DirectionsPark is open dawn to dusk.
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. If you ride the Little Sugar Creek Greenway to or from the trails, a 20 mph speed limit applies to everyone on the greenway.
Trails close to bikes when wet, so always check the trail status before you ride. Watch for signs to use a 'Wet Bypass' for one section that is particularly slow to dry.
The loops are one-way for bikes. Follow the arrows at every junction. The trails are shared with walkers, runners and dogs. You can ride to and from Backyard Trails, Marion Diehl and Portal on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.
No night riding. The park closes at dusk.
Park Road Shopping Center is about 2 miles north on Park Road, with plenty of food, drink, gas and a bike shop. You can also ride there on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.
Public restrooms at the softball parking lot and the lakeside pavilion next to the playground parking lot.
Trail Segments
Playground & Softball Loop
Fun, fast singletrack with optional features. A technical stream crossing marks the transition from one section to the other. Softball Loop section is rockier.
North Loop
Across from the lower softball fields. Entrance to the right of the restrooms. It climbs up and down a steep hillside, with optional features and a few small drops at the end.
First Timer Tips
- New to mountain biking? Start on the Playground & Softball Loop. Every feature is optional.
- In between the Softball and Playground sections there is a technical stream crossing. If you're not sure, hop off and walk it.
- The North Loop is short but steep, with a few small drops at the end.
- The loops are one-way. Follow the arrows.
- The park is busy, and the trails are shared with walkers, runners and dogs.
- Both loops combined take about 20–30 mins. Want more? Take the greenway to Backyard Trails, Marion Diehl or Portal.
- Trails close when wet. Check the trail status before you go.