Holly Springs trails with lengths and surfaces: the 1.9-mile Bass Lake loop, the paved Carl Dean, Middle Creek and Oak Leaf greenways, Mims Park and e-bike rules.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Lengths and surfaces come from the Town of Holly Springs trails and greenways pages. Trail questions: Thomas Gull, park and greenway planner, 919-567-4018. Find any trail on the town’s greenway and trail finder.

Holly Springs has a lake loop, a set of paved greenways that link parks and neighborhoods, short paved loops in its parks and a wooded trail a block from Main Street. Here they are with length, surface and where to start.

At a glance

  • Best-known walk: the 1.9-mile Lake Trail at Bass Lake Park.
  • Longest greenway: Middle Creek, nearly 3 miles, with periodic closures for streambank work.
  • Downtown: Mims Park springs trail from West Earp Street; Utley Creek Greenway from Ballentine Street.
  • Bikes: paved greenways, yes; Mims Park’s dirt trails, no.

The trails

Trail Length Surface Start or parking Notes
Bass Lake Lake Trail 1.9-mile loop Mostly mulch Behind the visitor center, 900 Bass Lake Road 1.65 miles easy along the shore, a quarter mile moderate in the woods
Carl Dean Greenway 1.3 miles Paved Womble Park parking areas Womble Park to Bass Lake Park past Sugg Farm; six workout stations, water fountain
Middle Creek Greenway Nearly 3 miles Off-street path Sunset Lake and Holly Springs roads Arbor Creek, Bridgewater, Woodcreek, Sunset Ridge North; links to Apex
Oak Leaf Greenway 2 miles Paved Seven access points near Oakview Elementary Connects to the Holly Springs Business Park; fountain with dog bowl
Utley Creek Greenway 0.9 miles Paved Ballentine Street trailhead Partly shaded tunnel linking west of N.C. 55 with downtown
Womble Park Trails 1.03 miles of loops Paved Womble Park Around the ballfields and turf fields; joins the Carl Dean Greenway
Veterans Park Greenway Half-mile loop Paved Veterans Park, 600 Bikram Drive Pond views; connects to Jones Park
Jones Park Greenway 0.4 miles Paved Jones Park Fishing pier, fitness stations, disc golf
Mims Park trails 0.8-mile loop plus a short paved route Dirt and clay; paved path to the springs West Earp Street and West Ballentine Street trailheads No bikes on the dirt trails

Bass Lake Park

The Lake Trail starts behind the visitor center at Bass Lake Park and follows the shoreline. Look for waterfowl, osprey, eagles, snakes and turtles along the 1.65 miles of easy lakeshore walking; the quarter-mile woods section passes pines, oaks and hickories, according to the town’s Bass Lake trails page. The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset; 919-567-4028. Sign out a free Discovery Backpack at the visitor center for a nature hike with children.

Downtown: Mims Park and Utley Creek

Mims Park is 17 wooded acres a short walk from Main Street, with natural springs and the grave of G.B. Alford, whom the town calls its founder. A hard-surface route runs from the West Earp Street trailhead to the springs; the 0.8-mile natural-surface loop is best reached from West Ballentine Street. Park at the Cultural Center or Town Hall lots or along West Ballentine Street. Bikes are not allowed on the natural trails, and the town asks walkers to avoid them after heavy rain or snow, on its Mims Park page.

The Utley Creek Greenway links neighborhoods west of N.C. 55 with downtown through a partly shaded tunnel, with a water fountain near the Ballentine Street trailhead. A future phase is planned to reach Holly Glen.

Rules of the trail

The town’s Trail S.A.F.E.T.Y. rules:

  • Stay on the right and pass on the left, announcing “passing on the left.”
  • Move to the right edge when you stop.
  • Travel at a safe speed. Bicyclists yield to pedestrians; walkers and runners always have the right of way.

E-bikes and e-motos. Under a town ordinance in effect since June 1, e-bikes with working pedals, motors of 750 watts or less and a top speed of 20 mph are allowed on greenways and sidewalks. E-motos are classed as motorcycles or mopeds and are allowed only on streets; violations can lead to the vehicle being impounded, according to the town’s e-bike safety page.

Closures and what is coming

  • Middle Creek Greenway: streambank repair near Anchor Creek Way and Wellspring Drive brings periodic closures, and the Anchor Creek Way access is closed during the work.
  • Camp Branch Greenway: a planned 1.21-mile path of asphalt and boardwalk off Sunset Lake Road, between the Wescott, Carrington and Sunset Oaks neighborhoods, eventually connecting to a Cary greenway. After an Oct. 21 open house, the town is asking which trail features people want in an online survey. A $300,000 Great Trails State grant, with bond money, pays for planning. Construction dates are not set yet, according to the project page.
  • Eagles Landing Park on Cass Holt Road will add a greenway trail when it opens, expected in late 2027.

Field and trail closures after storms are posted on the town’s alert center.

More: parks and trails, dog-friendly Holly Springs and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the trail around Bass Lake?

The Lake Trail loop is 1.9 miles, mostly mulch. About 1.65 miles is an easy lakeshore walk and about a quarter mile is a moderate walk through the woods. It starts behind the visitor center.

What is the longest greenway in Holly Springs?

The Middle Creek Greenway, at nearly 3 miles, connects the Arbor Creek, Bridgewater, Woodcreek and Sunset Ridge North neighborhoods and links to Apex’s Middle Creek Greenway.

Can you ride an e-bike on Holly Springs greenways?

Yes, if it has working pedals, a motor of 750 watts or less and a top speed of 20 mph. E-motos count as motorcycles or mopeds and are allowed only on streets, under a town ordinance in effect since June 1.

Where do I park for the Carl Dean Greenway?

The town points to parking areas at Womble Park, 1201 Grigsby Ave. The paved 1.3-mile greenway runs from there past Sugg Farm to Bass Lake Park.

Can you bike the Mims Park trails?

No. Bicycles are not allowed on the natural-surface trails at Mims Park at any time, and the town asks people to stay off them after heavy rain or snow.