Hiking with Kids Open
Four Mile Creek Greenway
4.7(418)4.7 out of 5 stars, 418 reviews Charlotte, NC
About Four Mile Creek Greenway
Four Mile Creek Greenway offers a picturesque and serene escape from urban life, featuring 4 miles of well-maintained, mostly paved or boardwalk paths winding through natural woods. Its unique value lies in providing an accessible nature experience for families, complete with wildlife spotting opportunities and convenient access to essential amenities (restrooms, shops, restaurants) at its exit points.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a peaceful nature walk or light hike away from city noise.Parents with strollers or young children learning to bike/scooter on smooth paths.Runners or individuals seeking a scenic and well-maintained path for exercise.A relaxing family outing during Spring or Fall for beautiful scenery.**Toddlers & Young Children (0-5 years):** Excellent due to level, paved, and boardwalk paths suitable for strollers, tricycles, and early walkers. Parents must be vigilant about poison ivy, snakes, and staying on the path.
Why families love it
- Paths are level, paved, or consist of boardwalks, making them stroller-friendly and accessible for various activities.
- Provides a beautiful and peaceful natural break from surrounding suburbia.
- Offers opportunities to observe diverse wildlife, including herons, other birds, frogs, turtles, and various critters.
- Features public bathrooms available at the end of the path.
- Conveniently located near shops (Pikes Nursery, Starbucks, Trader Joe's) and restaurants at its exit points.
- Described as charming, peaceful, and well-maintained.
Insider tips
- **Footwear:** Wear appropriate footwear, especially when wet, as boardwalks can be slippery.
- **Poison Ivy Awareness:** Teach children to stay on the designated paths and avoid touching vines on trees, as many are Poison Ivy.
- **Snake Vigilance:** Exercise caution, particularly at dusk in Spring and Fall, and be vigilant for snakes (some venomous) warming on the pavement. Instruct children to avoid them.
- **Weather Prep:** Be aware that parts of the path can get muddy after heavy rain; check forecasts and dress accordingly.
- **Parking Strategy:** Plan to arrive early, park nearby, or on the street due to limited on-site parking.
- **Cyclist Awareness:** Be mindful of sharing the path with bicyclists; teach children to be aware of their surroundings and listen for warnings.
Good to know before you go
- Immediately after heavy rainfall if you want to avoid muddy sections and slippery boardwalks.
- Dusk in Spring and Fall if you are highly fearful of snakes or have very young, easily distracted children, due to potential copperhead encounters.
- Peak times (e.g., sunny weekend afternoons) if parking scarcity is a major concern.
- If your children are prone to wandering off-path and you are concerned about poison ivy exposure.
- Boardwalks can become slippery when wet, especially with wet leaves present.
- Crowds
- Generally described as 'charming and peaceful' and 'calm', suggesting it is not usually overwhelmingly crowded.
- Value
- Access to Four Mile Creek Greenway is free, offering excellent value for a well-maintained outdoor activity with amenities like public restrooms and nearby shops/restaurants. There are no mentioned hidden costs.
- Food
- No explicit food policy is stated, implying outside food and drinks are allowed, typical for an outdoor greenway. Proximity to Starbucks and Trader Joe's offers convenient options for purchasing snacks/drinks.
- Accessibility
- Paths are level, paved, or boardwalk, making them generally suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. However, boardwalks can be slippery when wet.
- Safety
- No official safety staff or designated first aid stations are mentioned. Safety advice largely comes from reviewer observations.
What parents say
"20250426: The Four Mile Creek Greenway is a beautiful break from the surrounding suburbia. The paths level and are paved or are boardwalks. Be mindful that the boardwalks are slippery when wet, particularly when there are wet leaves on the path. Also, stay on the path and do not touch the vines on trees adjacent to the path. Many of these vines are Poison Ivy. Importantly, in the Spring and Fall, snakes might warm themselves on the pavement at dusk. Some are copperheads, which are venomous, and some might be corn snakes, which look similar. Both eat rats, so, please, just avoid the snakes"
a week ago
"Haven't been by in a while (probably before the new parking lot)...place is as charming and peaceful as ever. Always some critters to see and if you can find...little spots off the beaten path with more scenic tranquility (be mindful though, stay safe and respect others property)."
3 years ago
"While it wasn’t the prettiest it could be, this was a fun path to run. Would be stunning in fall or spring (if not flooded). Lots of rain had made some parts a muddy mess, but still had fun. Next time I’m in NC with friends I will run this again!"
2 years ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More hiking with kids in Charlotte
Hiking with Kids McAlpine Creek Park
4.7(2,129)4.7 out of 5 stars, 2129 reviews8711 Monroe Rd, Charlotte
Hiking with Kids Reedy Creek Park
4.8(1,314)4.8 out of 5 stars, 1314 reviews2900 Rocky River Rd, Charlotte
Hiking with Kids Sherman Branch Nature Preserve
4.8(562)4.8 out of 5 stars, 562 reviews12435 Rocky River Church Rd, Charlotte
Hiking with Kids Little Sugar Creek Greenway
4.7(468)4.7 out of 5 stars, 468 reviews1133 Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte