Winston-Salem Area Parks

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Nature lovers appreciate how fortunate we are to have many great parks in the Winston-Salem area. From hiking and fishing to horseback riding and playgrounds, our parks truly enhance our lives. Here is a list of some of our area favorites.

Bailey Park and Downtown Skyline in Winston Salem NC
Bailey Park and Downtown Skyline in Winston-Salem, NC

Pickleball Popularity Is Growing

The sport of pickleball has become very popular with people of all ages and athletic abilities. Men and women who were never involved in sports have taken up the pickleball paddle and love the game. And even though it seems to have attracted the senior population the most, many more children are starting to show interest in the sport, so it is unlikely it will die out soon. Some professional tennis players have even left the pro-tennis life to pursue professional pickleball leagues!

Winston-Salem, recognizing the need for more playing space, has added pickleball courts at many city parks. Below, we list the facilities. Go to the listing (they are in alphabetical order) and see more information and the location of each. For more info on pickleball, go to Pickleheads.com, Winston Salem, NC.

• Granville Park
• Hanes Park
• Oak Summit Park
• Old Town Park
• Polo Park Recreation Center (indoor)
• Sedge Garden Park
• Shaffner Park
• Washington Park

If you know of more pickleball courts in Winston-Salem parks, let us know in the comments.

Bailey Park

Bailey Park is 1.6 acres of publicly accessible green space in downtown Winston-Salem that is used for many purposes. It is a meeting place in Innovation Quarter for those looking for a place to eat, do yoga, exercise, or relax. Food trucks gather there, and movies are shown there in summer. Other festivals and events are held there as well. It is often filled with families and furry friends enjoying the weekend.

  • Bailey Park
  • 445 Patterson Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC

Bethabara Park

bethabara park
Come explore the history at Bethabara Park.
Photo by Aniya Ellison for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media, Inc. 2023

More of a historic site than your idea of a traditional “park,” Bethabara plays an important role in our city’s history as one of the early Moravian settlements, along with Old Salem and Bethania. The site is known for its historic ruins, a restored church used for great historical tours in which staff are in period dress, and over 20 acres of nature trails through wetlands. Special events are held throughout the year with old-fashioned games, wagon rides, community band performances, and more.

  • Bethabara Park
  • 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Bolton Park

Best known for its large swimming pool (the largest in Forsyth County) with several diving boards, including a high dive, Bolton Park also boasts tennis courts and paved walking trails. Another perk is that the playgrounds are all set in sand, which makes them doubly fun for little ones and safer for falls. There is also an outdoor gym with equipment under a shelter. The park has picnic shelters, BBQ grills, electrical outlets, and restrooms.

  • Bolton Park
  • 1590 Bolton Street, Winston-Salem, NC

Granville Park

This small park has a great playground for kids, featuring a tall castle-like structure, slides, a rock climbing wall, and safe rubberized pieces on the ground. There are misters, walking trails, tennis courts, 4 pickleball courts, picnic areas, BBQ grills, and electrical outlets.

  • Granville Park
  • 700 Granville Drive, Winston-Salem, NC

Hanes Park

In the heart of the Historic West End, Hanes Park has misters and a wonderful playground with a three-story structure for climbing, with slides. There is a smaller structure for younger children, as well as swings. Its scenic stone bridges make it a lovely picnic spot as well. Tennis courts, pickleball court (when completed), running track, and baseball and soccer fields are shared with Wiley Middle School and RJ Reynolds High School next door.

  • Hanes Park
  • 1406 Northwest Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC

Hathaway Park

Hidden just off Country Club Rd, this small park has a popular playground with climbing equipment, slides, and a rubberized floor. There are also walking trails, a picnic shelter, BBQ grills, a softball field, and a basketball court. Though the playground is not shaded and can get hot, there are misters and a spray pad to help cool kids off.

  • Hathaway Park
  • 301 Anita Drive, Winston-Salem, NC

Jamison Park

Off Meadowlark Road near Meadowlark Elementary and Middle Schools, Jamison Park offers a new playground with climbing rocks, log tunnels, swings, and slides. There are a dog park, walking trails, an amphitheater, picnic shelters, BBQ grills and electrical outlets.

  • Jamison Park
  • 285 Meadowlark Road, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Additional access from the Middle School bus driveway

Leinbach Park

The park has an exciting large sailing ship-themed playground structure with bridges and slides. There are swings, a picnic shelter, volleyball and tennis courts. You will find walking trails around the park.

  • Leinbach Park
  • 3511 Sally Kirk Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Long Creek Park

North of Bethania, this new park features a pool with diving boards and a 2 ft shallow end for small children. The park also has picnic shelters and walking trails.

  • Long Creek Park
  • 5801 Bethania-Tobaccoville Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Malloy Park

This park is near the intersection of Bethabara Road and Shattalon Drive. The park is named for City Council Member Nelson Malloy. It includes a playground with a merry-go-round, a swing set with two bucket swings and two harness swings, a climbing structure, and a slide. There is also a dog park, a large spray ground, a picnic area, and greenways for walking.

  • Mallory Park
  • 2619 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Miller Park & Recreation Center

This park is a favorite for playdates because of its side-by-side but separated playgrounds; Miller Park also offers popular tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, and basketball courts. The park is set on a rolling landscape with stone bridges over babbling brooks and creeks under tall, shady trees. There are exercise stations, horseshoe pits, and picnic shelters. There is also an indoor recreational center used for pickleball courts (Mon, 6pm – 8pm and Thurs, 9am -12pm) and available for use upon request.

  • Miller Park
  • 404 Leisure Lane, Winston-Salem, NC

Oak Summit Park

Oak Summit Park Playground and Picnic Shelter
Oak Summit Park playground and picnic shelter
Photo by Kathy Solarino for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media, Inc. 2023

This park features a giant rocket ship tower with a curvy slide and a smaller structure for younger children. There are climbing walls, multiple swing sets, and mulched floors. Other features include picnic tables under shelter, a mister, soccer fields, pickleball courts, tennis courts, and walking trails.

  • Oak Summit Park
  • 355 Oak Summit Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Old Town Park

This park has playgrounds, basketball courts, baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a recreation center. There are also picnic shelters and a walking trail.

  • Old Town Park
  • 4550 Shattalon Drive, Winston-Salem, NC

Parkland Park

This park has a pool, zero-depth entry water playground, and a wheelchair ramp. There is also a splash pad, playground, walking trails, tennis courts, and ball diamonds.

  • Parkland Park
  • 1714 Brewer Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Polo Park & Recreation Center

This fenced park has nice playground equipment, swings, and picnic tables set in a shady area, a splash pad, basketball courts, softball and soccer fields, tennis courts, and a recreation center, which now has indoor pickleball courts, Mon, Wed, & Fri, 9:30am – 12pm; and Sat, 9:15am – 11:15am.

  • Polo Park
  • 1850 Polo Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Quarry Park

playground at quarry park
There’s plenty to enjoy at Quarry Park.
Photo by Aniya Ellison for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media, Inc. 2023

This park is the site of the former rock quarry owned by Vulcan Materials. The quarry was formerly Piedmont Quarry from the mid-1920s-1970s when it closed. The quarry was then filled with water. There is an observation pier over the quarry with great views, miles of greenway and walking trails, and a new playground designed to resemble mining equipment. There are picnic shelters for rent and an amphitheater.

  • Quarry Park
  • 2450 Reynolds Park Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Rupert Bell Park

This park features a sprayground and playground for kids, a bocce court, a basketball court, a horseshoe pit, baseball and softball diamonds, and a recreational center. There are also picnic shelters and grills.

  • Rupert Bell Park
  • 1501 Mt Zion Place, Winston-Salem, NC

Salem Lake

A view of Salem Lake and the pier
Salem Lake and the pier
Photo by Kathy Solarino for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media, Inc. 2023

Salem Lake boasts a seven-mile greenway around its shoreline that is a favorite of runners and cyclists alike. The marina features a tackle shop, kitchen, partially covered deck with rocking chairs and rental space for meetings and events. You can fish from the pier. Boats and kayaks are available for rent. There is a playground and restrooms by the lake shore/trailhead.

  • Salem Lake
  • 1001 Salem Lake Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Sedge Garden Park

This park has a child play area, baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, pickleball courts, splash pad, walking trail and a recreation center. It also has picnic shelters and electrical outlets.

  • Sedge Garden Park
  • 401 Robbins Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Shaffner Park

This park, located off Silas Creek Parkway, has great ship-shaped playground equipment and a Loch Ness monster climbing structure. It also features tennis courts, pickleball courts, a paved walking trail, and a large field for flying kites.

  • Shaffner Park
  • 900 Yorkshire Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Washington Park

The oldest dog park in the city sits in this large neighborhood park. We love the winding nature trails by Silas Creek and the stone bridges all set amidst the tall trees. The paved greenway is popular with runners and cyclists and can take you right into Old Salem. There is a dinosaur playground for kids that they will love and a mister. There is also a fitness/par course, pickleball courts, and picnic shelters and grills.

  • Washington Park
  • 1490 Broad Street, Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Lake Waterworks

This water park includes a shallow water play area with a pool, a large water playground, a lazy river, a water slide, changing rooms, and a concession stand.

Two and under Free; 3 to 17 $2; 18 and over $3; 60 and over free (must be city resident with a senior discount card)

  • Winston Lake Waterworks
  • 3584 Winston Lake Road, Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Square Park Amphitheater

Centrally located in downtown Winston-Salem and beside the Sawtooth School, Winston Square Park is a particularly favorite event site for live music due to its amphitheater design. Other unique features include a fountain and pool of water with large rocks and a high walkway over the fountain. Find events such as the downtown summer music series, Downtown Jazz, UNCSA’s The Light Project, and weddings there.

  • Winston Square Park
  • 310 N Marshall Street, Winston-Salem, NC

For More Information

For more information about reserving Winston-Salem picnic space and other amenities, visit Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks.

Parks Worth the Short Drive

These parks are located just outside Winston-Salem but have facilities worth checking out!

Freedom Playground

Fourth of July Park in Kernersville is an all-inclusive playground. Kids of all abilities can play on the slides, swings, towers, and ramps. It is specially designed for children with sensory, mental, and physical disabilities. Walking trails feature bongo and xylophone stations, and a new pathway is wheelchair accessible. Other offerings at the 17-acre park include courts for basketball, tennis, and pickleball, a skate park, and a dog park.

  • Freedom Playground
  • 702 W Mountain Street, Kernersville, NC

Kernersville Lake Park

This park features a playground, nature trails, a picnic shelter, paddle boats, and row boat rentals.

  • Kernersville Lake Park
  • 6408 Old Valley School Road, Kernersville, NC

Triad Park

Carolina field of honor at triad park
Explore the Carolina Field of Honor at Triad Park.
Photo by Aniya Ellison for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media, Inc. 2023

In Kernersville, straddling the Forsyth and Guilford County lines, is Triad Park. Triad Park highlights include sand volleyball courts, soccer, and baseball fields. Their playgrounds are lauded the best around, including a rock climbing playground. There is also a stocked pond for catch-and-release fishing.

  • Triad Park
  • 9652 E Mountain Street, Kernersville, NC

Tanglewood Park

Tanglewood has so much to offer, from activities such as golf, tennis, BMX racing, mountain bike trails, and horseback riding to a new aquatics center, dog park, and RV park. Park staff offers nature workshops for kids, horseback riding lessons, and trail riding. Mallard Lake is popular for picnics, fishing, and paddleboat excursions.

Lodging accommodations are also available at the Manor House, where you’ll also find the beautiful arboretum and rose garden. The park is also a popular wedding and event location available for rent.

Special summer events include bands at the clamshell stage, a wine festival, and a farmer’s market in the summer. In the fall, take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch. And the Festival of Lights at Tanglewood draws thousands of visitors each holiday season for the spectacular lights.

  • Tanglewood Park
  • 4601 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC

Hanging Rock State Park

top of hanging rock
Hike to the top of Hang Rock to see views like this.
Photo by Aniya Ellison for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media, Inc. 2023

Just 30 miles north of Winston-Salem, discover over 20 miles of hiking trails through quiet forests, streams and waterfalls, sheer cliffs, bare rock peaks, and fantastic views of the surrounding Piedmont at Hanging Rock State Park. The 7,000-acre park includes the peaks of Sauratown Mountains, an ancient mountain range named for the Saura Indians.

Enjoy activities such as hiking, rock climbing (with a permit), picnicking, fishing, swimming, and boating on the 12-acre lake (in season). Stay for the day or enjoy the camping areas or rental cabins for your stay. The lake and bathhouse are on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Hanging Rock State Park
  • 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury, NC

Pilot Mountain State Park

pilot mountain
Pilot Mountain is a local treasure!
Photo by Aniya Ellison for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media, Inc. 2023

You’ll find Pilot Mountain State Park in a quick drive up 52 N, just over the Forsyth County line in Surry County. You can’t miss it with its iconic Pilot Knob. Stop at the overlook on 52 N for photo ops before you get there. Stop at the ranger station for more info and maps on your way up.

Pilot Mountain offers hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty, but first, you must take the short and easy walk up the Little Pinnacle Trail to get the best view of the Knob. The cityscape of Winston-Salem can be seen on clear days, as well as Hanging Rock and Sauratown Mountain. Then head over to the short, .9 mile Jomeokee Trail that circumnavigates the Knob before settling in for a picnic in the picnic area.

Horseback riding is also offered, and family and the larger youth group camping sites are popular. Certified mountain climbing guides are allowed to take climbers up specific areas in Pilot Mountain State Park, though climbing and rappelling is prohibited on the actual Knob. Canoeing is now offered on the lower Pilot Mountain trails along the Yadkin River.

  • Pilot Mountain State Park
  • 1792 Pilot Knob Park Road, Pinnacle, NC

Casual Restaurants In Winston-Salem

You might find yourself hungry after a day of fun in one of our parks. It may be a perfect time to try one of our casual restaurants here in Winston-Salem.

Which is your favorite local park and why? Tell us in the comments.

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