🐾 Kids at the Dog Park: Real Stories, Safety Risks & Smarter Solutions
If you’ve spent time at an off-leash park, you’ve probably seen it:A parent strolls in with a stroller 🚼 or […]
Situated along the scenic Neuse River, Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve is a hidden gem for dog owners seeking pet-friendly trails and wide-open meadows in Wake Forest, NC. This expansive preserve boasts beautiful winding trails, shaded forest paths, and peaceful green spaces perfect for hiking with your furry friend. Families and photographers love the picturesque settings and accessible pathways, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and adventure.
Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve offers wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking, picnic tables, benches throughout, and a shady pavilion near the parking lot. Kids are welcome, with kid-friendly hikes and plenty of space to explore. While dogs are allowed on the property and there are plenty of natural trails for dog-friendly hiking, please note the park prioritizes conservation and maintaining its natural beauty.
Bike riders here. We were going to start our Neuse River trail rides at the Milburnie entrance (closed), then farther north at the Abington entrance (closed), so then just decided to start here. You can only ride north from this park (however, I did note some bike riders circumventing the fence–on a well-worn path–to ride south on the paved greenway thru the construction zone.). The path north has a few inclines, but lots of shady forest. We only rode up as far as Bedfordtown and back. Great ride!
Absolutely beautiful location. My only wish is that they make the lower meadow area paved so we can walk on it with our daughter’s wheelchair. The Neuse River Greenway is wonderful but would love to be able to do a big loop here without having to turn around while still being able to take her chair.
As a family and high school senior photographer in Raleigh, Horseshoe Farm is one of my favorite hidden gems. The expansive meadows, winding trails, and wispy grass offer a variety of picturesque settings for photo sessions!
Lots of wide open space and overgrowth. There are benches throughout and a pavilion for a picnic near the parking lot. The forest trail was beautiful and we found some unique mushrooms. The bathrooms are outhouses with no running water which isn’t too great if you need to clean yourself up after walking. The mosquitoes are really bad whenever we have come here but I suppose I should expect that from a nature preserve.
So beautiful and peaceful. Loved how there are few trails to do that are level. Would love to come back in spring or fall