Greensboro's parks: Country Park's dog park and pedal boats, three city lakes for paddling, the 4-mile Downtown Greenway and the Revolutionary War battlefield.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from Greensboro Parks and Recreation, the Downtown Greenway and the National Park Service.

Greensboro Parks and Recreation runs the city’s parks, gardens, lakes and greenways. Its headquarters is at 301 S. Greene St., Suite 300.

Who to call

  • Parks and Recreation: 336-373-2558
  • Gardens (Arboretum, Bog Garden) and garden reservations: 336-373-7947
  • Guilford Courthouse National Military Park: 336-288-1776
  • Find a trail: Greensboro trails and the city’s free Piedmont Discovery app

Battleground Parks District and Country Park

Northwest Greensboro’s Battleground Parks District covers more than 400 acres with 13 miles of trails, three parks, a historic site and the Greensboro Science Center, according to the city’s Country Park page. Country Park has:

  • A dog park with separate off-leash areas for large and small breeds.
  • 1.67 miles of paved trail, plus nature, hiking and biking trails and a mountain bike zone.
  • A canopy walk, playgrounds, five picnic shelters and restrooms.
  • Two fishing lakes with piers. A North Carolina fishing license is required, and the park office sells a $2 fishing pass.
  • Pedal boats, $10 for 30 minutes for up to five people, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The 2026 season runs weekends only through Oct. 25; the last boat leaves at 5:30 p.m.
  • The Guilford County Veterans’ Memorial.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Next door, the National Park Service protects the site where Gen. Nathanael Greene’s army met Lord Cornwallis’ troops on March 15, 1781, a battle that changed the course of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. The park is at 2332 New Garden Road, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, according to the Park Service. Call 336-288-1776.

The city lakes

Greensboro’s three city reservoirs double as boating, paddling and hiking spots, according to the city’s lakes page:

Lake What’s there Closed
Lake Brandt 816-acre reservoir in north Greensboro: boat ramp, picnic shelter, boat and paddleboard rentals, hiking trails Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Lake Higgins Northwest Greensboro: boat launch, boat rentals, classroom, catfish pond Mondays and Tuesdays
Lake Townsend 1,500-acre reservoir next to Bryan Park in northeast Greensboro: boat ramp, boat storage, sailboat rentals, sailing club Wednesdays and Thursdays

In September the lakes were open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with boats off the water by 6:30 p.m.; hours change by season, so check the lakes page.

Greenways

  • Downtown Greenway: a 4-mile paved loop around downtown for walking and biking, with public art, an interactive map and guided tours.
  • Atlantic and Yadkin (A&Y) Greenway: the northernmost trestle bridge over Lake Brandt, between Strawberry Road and Bur-Mil Park, is closed after a 2023 structural assessment. The city says design is underway and work is expected to start in fall 2026 and finish in fall 2027. There is no paved detour; use a trailhead south of the bridge. The Weaver Bridge south of Bur-Mil Park is open, and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is rerouted along the Piedmont Trail, according to the city’s trails and greenways page.

Gardens

  • Greensboro Arboretum: a 17-acre garden in the Lindley Park neighborhood with 14 plant collections, a paved walking trail, display gardens, a gazebo and a scenic overlook. Park on Ashland Drive or at the West Market ballfield lot, 3299 Starmount Drive, according to the Arboretum page.
  • Bog Garden: seven acres of natural wetland with an elevated boardwalk and Serenity Falls, a year-round waterfall, according to the Bog Garden page.

The Arboretum is run with Greensboro Beautiful. At the Bog Garden, a photography permit is needed only when you pay a professional photographer.

Parks with something extra

  • Barber Park, 1500 Barber Park Drive: Penn Wright Baseball Stadium, a free 18-hole disc golf course, a 1-mile walking trail, six picnic shelters, a playground, the Simkins Indoor Sports Pavilion and a free community bike shop open Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. Its sprayground is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the Barber Park page.
  • Keeley Park, 4100 Keeley Road, McLeansville: a bike pump track, beginner mountain bike trail, disc golf, cross-country course, the all-inclusive “Up in the Air” playground, a sprayground and stocked fishing ponds, according to the Keeley Park page.
  • LeBauer Park and Center City Park, 208 N. Davie St. and 200 N. Elm St.: the downtown parks that host Ghoulash, the Festival of Lights and the Fun Fourth races.

What this means for you

  • Pedal boats at Country Park end for the year after Oct. 25.
  • Heading to the A&Y Greenway north of Bur-Mil? The trestle bridge is still closed.
  • Check which days your lake is closed before you load the kayak.

Related: fall festivals and pumpkin patches, things to do this month and getting around Greensboro.

Frequently asked questions

Does Greensboro have a dog park?

Yes. Country Park has a dog park with separate off-leash areas for large and small breeds, part of the Battleground Parks District in northwest Greensboro.

How long is the Downtown Greenway in Greensboro?

The Downtown Greenway is a 4-mile paved walking and biking loop around downtown Greensboro, with public art along the way.

Can you rent kayaks at Lake Brandt?

Yes. The city lakes rent kayaks and paddleboards, and Lake Brandt also rents boats. Each lake closes two days a week, so check the lake’s schedule before you go.

Is Guilford Courthouse National Military Park free?

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee. The park at 2332 New Garden Road is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; call 336-288-1776.