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Pillar 6.1 GuideCulture & RecreationPublished: September 13, 2026Last updated

Cape Fear River Trail: Route, Parking, Rules and Nearby Parks

By FayettevilleNC.net Editorial Staff · Verification & Data Standards

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

The Cape Fear River Trail is a 10-foot-wide paved path that runs a little over 7 miles one way between the Jordan Soccer Complex and Cross Creek Linear Park in Fayetteville. Park at Jordan Soccer Complex or Clark Park, the central trailhead, or use the small lot at Riverside Dog Park. It is not a loop, so arrange a ride at the far end. Open daily, 8 a.m. to dusk.

Answers: How long is the Cape Fear River Trail, and where do you park?

The Cape Fear River Trail is Fayetteville’s paved riverside greenway and a designated section of the East Coast Greenway. It passes through hardwood forest, marsh and wetland on wooden bridges, a covered bridge and more than 1,000 feet of boardwalk, with a mountain bike trail branching off near Clark Park and Carvers Creek State Park a short drive north.

Entity Disambiguation:Cape Fear RiverCarvers Creek State Park

Where does the trail run, and which access point should you use?

Summary Answer
The paved path links the Jordan Soccer Complex at one end with Cross Creek Linear Park at the other. Clark Park sits in the middle, where the Moses Mathis trailhead offers parking and a natural place to start an out-and-back. A short connector near Riverside Dog Park joins the Linear Park Trail.

Because the route is one-way and just over 7 miles, decide first whether you are walking out and back or leaving a second car at the far end. The city lists parking at Jordan Soccer Complex and Clark Park and only limited spaces at Riverside Dog Park. The terrain is mostly flat to gently rolling, but the city warns that some sections are steep enough to be hazardous, so cyclists should control their speed on the slopes. The trail is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to dusk; bring plenty of water, since the full length is a long outing in summer heat.

Cape Fear River Trail access points (City of Fayetteville)
Access pointPosition on the trailParkingGood for
Jordan Soccer ComplexOne end of the routeYesFull-length rides and one-way shuttles
Clark Park (Moses Mathis trailhead)Central trailheadYesOut-and-back walks, families, mountain bike trail access
Riverside Dog Park connectorShort link from the Linear Park TrailLimitedArriving from the Linear Park side
Cross Creek Linear ParkOther end of the route, toward downtownSee city park pageEnding a one-way trip near downtown

What will you see along the way?

Summary Answer
Expect river views, shaded hardwood forest and wetland. The trail crosses several wooden bridges, including a covered bridge, and more than 1,000 feet of boardwalk through marsh. Interpretive signs explain the plants and wildlife.

The city counts more than 700 species of plants and trees and 150 species of birds in the trail area. Frogs, lizards and turtles are common, and deer, wild turkey and the occasional bald eagle turn up as well. Stay on the path and boardwalks to protect the wetland edges. Just over 11 miles of the Cape Fear Mountain Bike Trail can be reached from the river trail; its access point is about 1 mile north of Clark Park toward Methodist University, near the Eastwood Avenue intersection.

What rules apply to dogs and bicycles?

Summary Answer
Dogs are welcome on a leash, and owners must clean up after them. Cyclists must keep their speed under 15 mph and yield to pedestrians. The path is for non-motorized use: walking, jogging and bicycling.

Narrow bridges and boardwalks leave little passing room, so keep dogs close and call out before overtaking. Posted closures, which can follow flooding in the low wetland sections, apply to the affected segment; obey them even when the rest of the trail is open.

What other parks are worth adding to a trail day?

Summary Answer
Clark Park’s nature center is the easiest add-on for families. Farther afield, Carvers Creek State Park in northern Cumberland County preserves Long Valley Farm, the former winter retreat of James Stillman Rockefeller, with trails through longleaf pine.

In west Fayetteville, Lake Rim Park at 2214 Tar Kiln Drive has a lake with a boat ramp and city-run paddling programs; our kayaking guide covers it in detail. Check the North Carolina State Parks page for Carvers Creek hours and trail conditions before driving out, and the city parks pages for program schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cape Fear River Trail a loop?
No. It runs just over 7 miles one way between the Jordan Soccer Complex and Cross Creek Linear Park. Plan an out-and-back from Clark Park or leave a car at the far end.
What are the Cape Fear River Trail hours?
The City of Fayetteville lists the trail as open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. until dusk. Posted closures, such as after flooding, can shut individual sections.
Are dogs allowed on the Cape Fear River Trail?
Yes. Dogs must be leashed, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets along the trail.
How fast can bicycles go on the Cape Fear River Trail?
The city asks cyclists to stay under 15 mph, yield to pedestrians and control their bikes carefully on the steeper slopes.

Verified Sources & Citations

All regulatory figures, tax millages, school choice deadlines, and transit timelines are cross-referenced with primary government registries and official municipal records.