Wolf Creek Greenway - Vinton, VA
Wolf Creek Greenway – Dog-Friendly Park in Vinton, Virginia
Wolf Creek Greenway is a scenic, pet-friendly trail in Vinton, VA offering a natural retreat for dog lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. This crushed gravel pathway meanders through picturesque farmlands, forests, and connects multiple parks, making it a top choice for dog-friendly hiking in Vinton. Local pups and their humans enjoy the wide, grassy areas for play or picnics, plus trail access to Stonebridge Park with picnic shelters and play equipment.
Unique features of Wolf Creek Greenway include its proximity to a donkey farm, mini horses, and various farm animals, adding a special charm for families and pet owners alike. While the trail is primarily level and easy to navigate, note that wheelchair accessibility may be challenging due to coarse gravel and some uneven terrain. This peaceful and dog-friendly environment makes it ideal for regular walks, jogs, and spending quality time with your four-legged friends. Parking is available at the gravel lot near the trailhead under the Blue Ridge Parkway overpass.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Wolf Creek Greenway offers a multi-mile trail with connections to Stonebridge Park and additional woodland trails like Stewarts Knob Overlook.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the trail passes through wooded areas providing natural shade, and there is a picnic shelter at Stonebridge Park nearby.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, Stonebridge Park along the greenway features a playground and play equipment for kids.
- Where is the best place to park? There is a gravel parking lot under the Blue Ridge Parkway overpass, about 50 yards from the trailhead.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? The trail has coarse gravel and some steep sections, making wheelchair access difficult and not fully accessible.
Reviews
I think Wolf Creek Greenway is the premier trail in Vinton. I sometimes walk it, and sometimes bicycle it. It’s worth doing if you are in the area.
I just read where somebody shared that it needs to be paved, and I do not agree! Why mess with a greenway that’s beautiful just the way it is. There are too many already that’s paved; we need at least one that’s more natural AND a better workout. I have only one complaint, and that is the group of probably 10-15 boys who play basketball and ride bikes on the greenway. Lately they have been harassing me and my sister when we are out walking or trying to leave in our cars. These boys stretch across the road blocking the roadway attempting to intimidate us and shouting who knows what
being very disrespectful. Can someone patrol that park 2 or 3 times a day especially in the evening? We are in our 50’s and sometimes I go by myself, but now I’m almost scared to, and I love it there.
Comfortable walk. Ups & downs. Nothing too extreme. Good for all skill levels. The trail goes alongside a farm, some mini horses, few donkeys, potbellied pigs, goats, and some barn cats that are all ready to be rubbed on. Good short healthy family walk.
This Greenway taught us the difference between “wheelchair accessible” and “wheelchair friendly.” Coarse gravel and wheelchairs just don’t go well together. The hills themselves are a little steep even without the gravel conditions but the coarse gravel made this trail almost impassable. So for those who say it shouldn’t be paved… sorry, but we respectfully disagree. It should definitely be paved. Also some of the ruts and bridge connectors should be reviewed to make sure wheelchair and stroller wheels don’t get stuck. It was a beautiful setting and a beautiful day but not a Greenway we would do again in its current condition.
Nice walking trail just off the Blue Ridge Parkway that winds through some farms, some woods, a couple of parks, and winds up in downtown Vinton. The trailhead off the Parkway is a little hard to spot, but there’s a gravel parking lot under the overpass about 50 yards from it. Most of the trail is level and about 10′ wide, paved in crushed gravel so it’s fairly easy to negotiate. There are some wide grassy spots for play or picnic, and it has an entrance to Stonebridge park (with picnic shelter & play equipment) about half a mile in. There’s a donkey farm, some suburbs, some forest, and it makes for a pleasant walk or jog. Not especially well lit at night however. See photos for an idea of what it looks like. It goes through a second park before ending up on Hardy Rd., just off of downtown. A couple of miles, overall, so good for a dog walk, after work walk, etc. As the name would imply, it runs along and criss-crosses Wolf Creek for most of its length.
UPDATE:
I walked to the end of it… It actually ends at a church on SR 24 in Vinton. Goes behind Byrd middle school for a bit. No change otherwise.
BUT
If you look on Mountain View Rd (where the trailhead is) just about 50m east, at the same gravel parking area, there’s a not well marked woodland trail called Stewarts Knob Overlook trail that parallels Wolf Creek on the east side of the Parkway. About 2.25 km and rises maybe 350m, so not real steep. Narrow but maintained, it winds up intersecting the Parkway at the Overlook. Well worth the hike, if you want something less civilised than the WCT. Overlook is probably better when the leaves are off. One photo of that Overlook just at sunset. Enjoy!