Cary has one of the most impressive greenway systems in North Carolina. Over 100 miles of paved trails wind through the town, connecting neighborhoods to parks, parks to lakes, and lakes to a regional trail network that stretches all the way across the Triangle. Whether you are walking a mile from home or trying to piece together a 20 mile ride from Cary to Durham, the greenways here make it genuinely possible.

The system has been growing since the first greenway opened in 1979, and Cary's trails now serve as critical segments of the East Coast Greenway, the Maine to Florida route that passes directly through the Triangle. Cary's White Oak Creek Greenway provided the "golden spike" connection that finally linked the ECG route between Raleigh and Durham.

Cary Greenways At a Glance
Total mileageOver 100 miles of paved trails
First opened1979 (first master plan 1970s)
Central hubFred G. Bond Metro Park, 801 High House Rd.
Best trailheadOld Reedy Creek Rd., 2139 Old Reedy Creek Rd.
DogsWelcome; 6 foot leash required
BikesPermitted; 15 mph max speed
Regional connectionEast Coast Greenway, American Tobacco Trail
HoursDawn to dusk

The Backbone: Black Creek and White Oak Creek

Two trails form the spine of Cary's greenway network, and between them they cover roughly 15 miles of fully paved trail through the heart of the town. If you are new to Cary's greenways, these are the two to start with.

Black Creek Greenway

At 7.1 miles, Black Creek Greenway is Cary's longest continuously paved trail and the one that connects the most destinations. It runs from the Old Reedy Creek Road Trailhead in the north, where Lake Crabtree County Park and the edge of Umstead State Park are accessible, south through North Cary Park, past Godbold Park and the Cary Dog Park, all the way to Fred G. Bond Metro Park. Nearly every other Cary greenway connects to or branches off the Black Creek at some point.

The best starting point is the Old Reedy Creek Road Trailhead at 2139 Old Reedy Creek Rd., it has 82 parking spaces, restrooms, water, a bike fix it station, a shelter, and a grill. It is one of the most complete trailheads in the entire Triangle. From here you can head south on Black Creek or connect west to Lake Crabtree and Umstead.

Note: Phases I, II, and V of Black Creek Greenway are currently undergoing a multi year renovation (began June 2024, phased completion through Spring 2026). Some sections have reopened, others remain under construction with detours in place. Check carync.gov for current trail status before planning a longer route.

White Oak Creek Greenway

White Oak Creek Greenway runs approximately 7.5 miles from Fred G. Bond Metro Park in the east, heading west through White Oak Park, Davis Drive Park, and Ed Yerha Park before crossing into Apex and connecting to the American Tobacco Trail near Wimberley Road. This is the trail that completed the East Coast Greenway's Cross Triangle route, a 45 mile continuous trail from Durham to Raleigh that now passes directly through Cary.

Access from the west end: the Green Level Church Road Trailhead at 8232 Green Level Church Rd. (near Roberts Road, adjacent to Green Level High School) is the newest trailhead on the system and the jumping off point for reaching the ATT. Access from the east end: Bond Park's Boathouse parking lot at 801 High House Rd.

Fred G. Bond Metro Park: The Central Hub

If the Black Creek and White Oak Creek Greenways are the backbone, Fred G. Bond Metro Park is the heart. Five separate greenways converge here: Black Creek, White Oak Creek, Crabtree Creek, Bishops Gate, and Oxxford Hunt. The park itself is 310 acres with a 42 acre lake, a 200 foot boardwalk, kayak and canoe rentals, a small beach, 4.2 miles of interior trails, athletic fields, and a community center.

For greenway access, park at either the Bond Park Boathouse (801 High House Rd.) or the Bond Park Community Center (150 Metro Park Dr.). Both lots connect directly to the trail network. This is the single best starting point in Cary if you want to explore multiple trails in one outing.

The American Tobacco Trail

Cary's greenway network connects to the American Tobacco Trail, one of the great trails of the Southeast. The ATT runs 23 miles across Durham, Wake, and Chatham counties on an old railroad corridor, and it forms the longest continuous segment of the East Coast Greenway in the Triangle. The Wake County section is surfaced with 12 foot wide granite screenings, wide and well maintained.

The most convenient Cary side access is the trailhead at 2575 New Hope Church Rd., Cary, or the White Oak Church Road Trailhead (take High House Rd. to NC 55 to Green Level West Rd.; White Oak Church Rd. is on the right; look for the Wake County Parks sign with restrooms on site). The full ATT is open to cyclists, hikers, and, on the Wake and Chatham County sections, horses.

More Trails Worth Knowing

Crabtree Creek Greenway

~2.5 miles total across two segments

The highlight of this trail is the 730 foot concrete boardwalk over an arm of Lake Crabtree, plus a 105 foot bridge over Crabtree Creek. The lake segment (1.7 miles) runs along the south shore of Lake Crabtree from Black Creek Greenway to Evans Road, where Morrisville's continuation picks up and extends another 2 miles to Hatcher Creek Greenway via Cedar Fork District Park. The Bond Park segment (0.8 miles) connects internally within Fred G. Bond Metro Park.

Symphony Lake Greenway

1.8 mile loop

A 1.8 mile loop encircling Symphony Lake at Regency Park, the same lake that backs the stage at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. This is Cary's most scenic short loop, especially in the evening before a summer concert. It connects to the Swift Creek Greenway. Park at Regency Park off Regency Parkway.

Swift Creek Greenway

1.20 miles

A notable trail for a specific reason: it was the first greenway in the United States built entirely with recycled asphalt products. It runs from Harold D. Ritter Park along the border of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and connects to the Symphony Lake Greenway. Trailhead: Harold D. Ritter Park, 301 W Lochmere Dr., Cary. The adjacent Hemlock Bluffs preserve has a rare stand of ancient Eastern hemlock trees and its own 3+ miles of nature trails managed by the Stevens Nature Center (2616 Kildaire Farm Rd.).

Higgins Greenway

~1.5 miles

Runs from SW Maynard Road through downtown Cary's Dorothy Park and Union Street area, past Hillcrest Cemetery, out to Kildaire Farm Road. A 0.7 mile Phase IV extension connecting Union Street to Kildaire Farm Road opened in Spring 2025. The trail edges along the northern border of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and Ritter Park.

Bishops Gate Greenway

1.5 miles

Starts at the Bond Lake Trail in Fred G. Bond Metro Park and winds around two ponds through wetlands and neighborhoods on both sides of Westhigh Street. A quieter, more neighborhood oriented trail that branches off the Bond Park hub.

What's Coming: Walnut Creek Greenway

Cary's most significant greenway project in years is currently under construction: the Walnut Creek Greenway, funded by a $30 million bond. When complete, it will add 3 new miles of trail through central Cary connecting Downtown Cary Park, the Fenton mixed use district, WakeMed Soccer Park, the Triangle Aquatic Center, and the South Hills District, filling a major gap in the current network.

The project is broken into three phases: Downtown (Downtown Cary Park to SE Maynard Rd.), Fenton (SE Maynard Rd. to Cary Towne Blvd.), and South Hills (Cary Towne Blvd. to Buck Jones Rd.). Grade separated crossings are planned throughout. Anticipated phased completion: 2025–2029. Once finished, Walnut Creek will be the most connected greenway in central Cary, linking neighborhoods and destinations that currently have no trail access at all.

Tips for Using Cary's Greenways

Trailhead Quick Reference

Dogs

Dogs are welcome on all Cary greenways. Rules: 6 foot maximum leash at all times, stay to the right, clean up waste. Three off leash dog parks are near the greenway system: the Barkyard at Downtown Cary Park, Godbold Dog Park (adjacent to Black Creek Greenway), and Jack Smith Dog Park. Day passes or annual passes required for off leash areas.

Bikes

Bikes are permitted on all paved greenways with a 15 mph maximum speed. Cyclists yield to pedestrians, walkers and runners always have right of way. Keep right, pass on the left, and announce yourself before passing. Motorized vehicles and e bikes with throttles are not permitted. Greenways are open dawn to dusk.

Current Trail Closures

The Black Creek Greenway renovation (Phases I, II, and V) is a multi year project running through Spring 2026 with phased reopenings. Several sections are currently open but detours remain in effect for portions under active construction. Before planning a long route on Black Creek, check the current status at carync.gov/projects initiatives/project updates/greenway projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many miles of greenways does Cary NC have?

Cary has over 100 miles of paved greenway trails, a system that has been growing since the first greenway opened in 1979. Cary's trails connect to the broader Triangle regional network of 300+ miles and include critical segments of the East Coast Greenway, the Maine to Florida trail route.

What is the best greenway in Cary NC?

The Black Creek Greenway is Cary's longest and most connected trail at 7.1 miles, running from Lake Crabtree County Park south to Fred G. Bond Metro Park and linking most of the town's other trails along the way. The Old Reedy Creek Road Trailhead (2139 Old Reedy Creek Rd.) is the best starting point, it has 82 parking spaces, restrooms, water, and a bike fix it station.

Are dogs allowed on Cary greenways?

Yes, dogs are welcome on all Cary greenways on a 6 foot maximum leash. Owners must stay to the right of the trail and clean up after their pets. Godbold Dog Park sits directly adjacent to the Black Creek Greenway if you want to include an off leash stop on your walk.

Where does the Cary greenway connect to the American Tobacco Trail?

The White Oak Creek Greenway runs from Fred G. Bond Metro Park west through Apex and connects to the American Tobacco Trail near Wimberley Road. The easiest Cary area access point is 2575 New Hope Church Rd., Cary. The full ATT is 23 miles across Durham, Wake, and Chatham counties and is the backbone of the East Coast Greenway in the Triangle.