Charlottesville runs about 6 miles of paved trails and 30 miles of nature trails. Most city parks open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; McIntire, Pen and Tonsler stay open to 10 p.m.
Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Facts on this page come from Charlottesville Parks and Recreation’s Community and Regional Parks, Neighborhood Parks, Trails, Park Regulations and Spray Grounds pages and its park listings.
Charlottesville Parks and Recreation looks after nearly 6 miles of paved trails and about 30 miles of nature trails, plus more than two dozen parks, from the 0.4-acre Court Square Park downtown to Pen Park, the city’s largest at 280 acres. The city also co-owns the 219-acre Ivy Creek Natural Area and Darden Towe Park with Albemarle County.
Who to call
- Parks and Recreation: 434-970-3260, parksandrec@charlottesville.gov
- Trail questions: trails@charlottesville.gov
- Shelter and program bookings: Parks and Recreation registration
The big parks
- Pen Park, 1300 Pen Park Road off East Rio Road, 280 acres. The city calls it the “gem” of the park system. It has the 18-hole Meadowcreek Golf Course, an outdoor fitness course with 10 stations, and the Pen Park Nature Trail, a flat, wide 1.5-mile path along the Rivanna River that starts behind the picnic shelters. Leashed dogs are allowed, but not on the golf course.
- McIntire Park, 375 and 425 U.S. 250 Bypass. The west side has softball and Little League fields and picnic shelters; the east side has the Charlottesville Skate Park, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and, to the north, the future Botanical Garden of the Piedmont. Nature trails run along the creek and through the woods.
- Riverview Park, 1909 Chesapeake St., 26.6 acres, the start of the Rivanna River Trail.
- Benjamin Tonsler Park, 500 Cherry Ave., one of the city’s busiest parks.
- Booker T. Washington Park, 9.25 acres, which the city calls one of its most heavily used parks.
- Azalea Park, 304 Old Lynchburg Road, 23 acres near I-64, with the fenced dog park.
Natural areas
- Ragged Mountain Natural Area, 980 acres of oak, hickory, poplar, pine and maple forest around a reservoir that is part of the water supply, with more than four miles of shoreline. Hiking only on natural-surface trails; no dogs.
- Ivy Creek Natural Area, 219 acres along Ivy Creek and the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir. No biking, jogging or dogs on the trails.
- Heyward Community Forest, 142 acres of forest and rock outcrops at 1730 Reservoir Road; park in the lower lot. Volunteers are building more trails, including one along Reservoir Road to link it with Ragged Mountain.
Trails
| Trail | Length and surface | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Rivanna River Trail | About 2.3 miles, paved, accessible | Riverview Park north to River Road, under the Free Bridge |
| John Warner Parkway trail | Paved | U.S. 250 Bypass at McIntire Park north to Rio Road |
| Pen Park Nature Trail | 1.5 miles, wide and flat | Along the Rivanna River in Pen Park |
| Greenbrier Park Trail | 8-foot stone-dust path with boardwalks | Along Meadow Creek |
| Schenk’s Greenway | 1/4 mile, paved | Along McIntire Road |
| Forest Hills Park Trail | 1/4 mile, paved | To the Prospect and Johnson Village neighborhoods |
The Rivanna River Trail north of Riverview Park crosses private property on a public right-of-way, so the city asks walkers to stay on the path. For the John Warner Parkway trail, park near the CARS rescue squad at 828 McIntire Road, on Melbourne Road or at CATEC, 1000 Rio Road East.
Hours and rules
| Hours | Parks |
|---|---|
| 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Most parks, including Azalea, Belmont, Forest Hills, Greenbrier, Greenleaf, Jordan, McGuffey, Meade, Northeast, Quarry, Riverview and Rives |
| 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Booker T. Washington, McIntire, Pen and Tonsler |
| 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Court Square and Market Street parks |
Alcohol, weapons, drugs, fires outside the shelter grills, unauthorized motor vehicles and overnight parking or camping are banned. Drones must follow FAA rules.
Dogs must be leashed in all city parks, on the trails and on the Downtown Mall; breaking the leash law is a Class 4 misdemeanor. Off-leash areas are the fenced area at Azalea Park, designated trails at Riverview Park on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only, and the fenced area at Darden Towe Park.
Spray grounds
The city’s four spray grounds, at Tonsler Park (500 Cherry Ave.), Forest Hills Park (1022 Forest Hills Ave.), Belmont Park (725 Stonehenge Ave.) and Greenleaf Park (1598 Rose Hill Drive), are closed until May 2027.
What this means for you
- Fall walks: the Rivanna River Trail and Pen Park Nature Trail are flat and easy.
- Bring the dog to Azalea Park; leave it home for Ragged Mountain and Ivy Creek.
- Splash pads reopen in May.
Related guides: Fourth of July at Tonsler Park, farmers markets and getting around.
Frequently asked questions
What are the park hours in Charlottesville?
Most city parks are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Booker T. Washington, McIntire, Pen and Tonsler parks are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Court Square and Market Street parks to 11 p.m.
Where can my dog go off leash in Charlottesville?
Inside the fenced off-leash area at Azalea Park, on designated trails in Riverview Park on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only, and at the fenced area in Darden Towe Park. Dogs are not allowed at Ivy Creek or Ragged Mountain natural areas.
What is the biggest park in Charlottesville?
Pen Park, at 280 acres, is the largest park in the city, with the 18-hole Meadowcreek Golf Course and a 1.5-mile nature trail along the Rivanna River.
Where does the Rivanna River Trail start?
The paved, accessible Rivanna River Trail starts at Riverview Park, 1909 Chesapeake St., and runs about 2.3 miles north along the river, under the U.S. 250 Free Bridge, to River Road.
Have your say