Halyburton Park

4099 South 17th Street, Wilmington, NC 28412. Use the nature-center entrance for exhibits, programs, restrooms, shelters, the 1.3-mile loop, and Gary Shell Cross-City Trail connection.

Use 4099 South 17th Street for the center and park loop. This is also an official Cross-City Trail parking and restroom stop, so events and popular trail periods can increase demand.

Outdoor park access follows posted park hours. The Nature Center is open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March-November and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. December-February; events and programs vary.

General park, loop trail, nature viewing, and ordinary center access are free. Programs, camps, shelter reservations, weddings, meetings, and events may charge.

Restrooms are available at the Nature and Events Center during operating conditions. Do not assume facilities elsewhere on the loop or along the longer Cross-City Trail.

A 1.3-mile paved, handicap-accessible perimeter path connects the park and Cross-City Trail. The center and developed areas provide accessible options, while natural habitat edges and temporary work zones vary.

The 1.3-mile paved loop circles the preserve and connects to the 15-mile Gary Shell Cross-City Trail. Stay on designated routes to protect the South Wilmington Sandhills habitat.

Families can use the paved loop, nature exhibits, wildlife and bee programs, seasonal camps, shelters and self-guided observation for a manageable environmental-learning visit.

Keep dogs leashed and controlled on allowed outdoor routes. Protect wildlife, apiary operations, programs, events, shelters and sensitive restored longleaf-pine habitat.

Reservable shelters support gatherings in two daily time blocks. Shelter 1 is currently closed, so choose and confirm another shelter before planning a group visit.

Look for the Nature and Events Center, South Wilmington Sandhills preserve, 1.3-mile loop, apiary, longleaf-pine restoration, shelters, education areas, and Cross-City Trail connection.

Shelter 1 is closed until further notice after a fire. Prescribed restoration work, severe weather, programs, private events, trail maintenance and center schedules can affect other areas independently.