For a solid 15 years, I've been a devoted visitor of Colonel Beatty Park, a cherished spot since my youth. Those sprawling bike trails have seen my brothers and me tearing through them, creating memories that'll last a lifetime. And let's talk about that lake – an absolute visual feast, with trees framing a brilliant blue sky, a scene that never fails to captivate. Come summer, this place really turns it up a notch. Paddle boats take center stage on the lake, creating a perfect adventure for the little ones. And oh, the playgrounds! They've got options for every size and age, ensuring endless fun. In my book, Colonel Beatty Park in South Charlotte is a no-brainer. It's got everything you'd want and more. Trust me, you won't regret making a visit!

Very nice and clean park. Great hiking 🚶‍♂️ trails.

Beautiful park with luscious trails and fishing holes. This park really gives you that "off the grid" type of feeling.

Apparently I've rated Colonel Francis Beatty Park before but didn't write anything! So here we go! This place is my #1 spot for mountain bike riding. At this point I know the trails like the back of my hand. I went for the first time in quite a long time yesterday with a new bike. I love the new guide signs for which way to hike and bike along with some new jumps and paths. And as always, I absolutely love the trails. They were even more fun now that I have a new bike! Cannot wait to come here more often this Spring and Summer!

Colonel Francis J. Beatty Park is a wonderful place to visit if you enjoy hiking through the woods on a circuit of well-known trails that ring a lake. My dog Lila and I have hiked there for years, logging thousands miles. 10 miles per week over 7 years adds up. I enjoy seeing the flowers bloom, wedding Saturdays in the month of June, the summer high in warm July, the autumn breeze and falling leaves, and all the other season changes, especially on the rare occasions when the lake ices over. I like how the people mountain biking go in the opposite direction as hikers. It makes things easy. The bike obstacles look fun. The trail maintenance folks are wonderful. They take great care of the trails, wooden bridges, and obstacles. They also do a great job creating drainage for runoff, so the trails don't get soggy. I see Eastern Box Turtles there. My dog digs up moles, chases squirrels, and deer.

We came here to get outside on some local trails when we didn't want to drive to the mountains. It's a pretty big park with a lot of criss crossing trails. It has a lot of mountain biking trails, but we were just hiking. The lake is really pretty and some of the trails go right along it. I'm not sure if we followed an actual predefined hike, but I think we walked for about 4 miles which is pretty good for a Charlotte park. If you're looking to get outside in Charlotte, check out this park!

Beautiful place, arriving exactly at sunrise, or sunset makes for an even better moment. There is a place for weddings, a huge trail, multiple soccer fields. And more. Of course you can fish on the lake, or kayak. A nice place for a date, or if you just want some time alone. There is a whole lot to explore!

We went there for biking 🚴‍♀️ but they have place for tennis and hiking too. They have 3 options biking , green , blue and black. Green is medium , blue is harder than green and black is hardest. You ride bike between trees , over the roots , uphills and downhills, some regular ground some hard but you really enjoy there. Its fun and quiet place and more clean O2. I believe you will enjoy there

Amazing trails that are easy. Expect 40 to 60 min for lake loop

Visiting NC and this is a trail running gem. Lots of terrain, flows well, plenty of tree cover, and just plain fun. This would be spectacular in the fall and probably the spring too. Awesome playground for kids too and the lake would make for a fun picnic. No cost to enter.

The second time I went, there was a ton of wildlife. People are good there, leaving you alone and minding their own business. Excellent trails; most are gravel and wide enough for the bikes to pass you without having to step off

We had a beautiful walk through the fall colored trails . Walked along the cute pond. Came across a Hawk perched on a tall snag, had a nifty encounter with an Egret strolling by along the path near the water, saw a few different kinds of ducks and witnessed many playful squirrels☀️🍃🐿️🦆🍂

This park has it all – from lush greenery to serene lake and a wide range of recreational activities. It's the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Whether you're looking for a peaceful nature walk, a scenic picnic spot, or even a fun day of fishing, this park has you covered. The trails are well-maintained, and there are plenty of benches and areas to relax and soak in the beauty of nature. The park is also great for families! The playgrounds are top-notch, and my kids absolutely love them. Plus, there's a fantastic baseball, soccer field, tennis courts that keeps the whole family entertained. One of my favorite things about Colonel Francis J. Beatty Park is the wildlife. Birdwatchers will be in heaven here, and I've even spotted a beaver on occasion. It's a wonderful place to connect with nature. Overall, this park is a true local treasure. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful spot to unwind, you won't be disappointed. It's clean, well-maintained, and offers something for everyone. Highly recommended!

I liked this park. He's pretty popular. Despite the fact that there are many resting people in the park, there are still places where you can be alone. The park has playgrounds, sports fields, recreation areas, picnic areas, forest bike paths and a wild lake where you can go fishing. In this park you can find a place to relax for every taste.

I visited this park first for our Lovely wedding venue.... And i visited again for enjoy the hiking and the forest with husband and dog. Beautiful paradise 15 mins from home

Huge recreation area! Trails, Picnic Tables, A Lake,... They have all different kinds of playground and stuffs here for little kids. Wished they had some calisthenic bars for grown ups too...

The park is spectacular! Along with a lake, playground equipment, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, BBQ’S, tables and a central pavilion for weddings and celebrations there are miles of trails for hiking and biking with beautiful nature everywhere!

Nice big park, well kept, clean, with plenty of space. There are trails and sidewalks even a small sandy area at the large pond. Restrooms are accessible. Plenty of parking locations and much shaded areas for a stroll or a picnic. Age friendly. Dog or pony on a leash friendly. Opens at 7am and admission is free. Yes, I said pony, because I saw a man walking his pony here.

What an amazing park this is! It’s nestled into an otherwise busy part of Matthews NC. Beautiful winding roads take you to the various areas of the park. At the end of the road is a wonderful setting for a wedding and reception. Don’t miss this sweet little gem the next time you’re looking for something to do outdoors.

Easy to reach, easy to find areas in the park, and a nice walk. I haven't gone everywhere there is to go yet, but I plan to! Will update

Park with many playgrounds, a few fields, and many walking/running/biking trails. Also has a small lake/pond to sit by the water if that's something you enjoy! Only have used the restroom once, but it was nice. A little bit of graffiti in the form of etching into the mirror, but not the fault of who upkeeps the park.

Really nice trails. Lots of variety.

Great park! With plenty of walking and parking spaces; they have two playgrounds and restrooms around the lake, and many picnic tables every here and there along the trail around the lake. Lots to explore within the park! This park provides a nice view of nature within the neighborhoods! I liked the lake, also trails in this park! They even have trails for mountain biking… Great spot! Best of all, wasn’t that many people during the weekdays. Wished I had more time to take some nature photos here…What a great find in Charlotte!

Cool place to go and be, I know my grandson took prom pictures here with friends and they enjoyed it, can be crowded at times- it is popular!

We like it here! There's not a lot of shade for parents while the kids play, but many opportunities for lots of activities and walks for the dog.

Nice park with ball fields, playgrounds, duck pond, trails for walking and biking. Very peaceful.

Been coming to this park for a few years and really have always enjoyed the lake and trails. There are a lot of really nice trails for both mountain biking and hiking. It has other amenities like basketball and tennis courts but I haven't used those yet. Definitely a park I keep coming back to!

Great local park with lots of different activities from mountain biking, trail running, fishing or just picnicking near the lake. I mostly visit for the 6-7 miles of trails that are rarely crowded and provide a lot of variety in terrain and scenery. The bike park is recently expanded and improved and has some really cool features. Awesome neighborhood park!

Absolutely great place with an artificial lake and bike trails.

Absolutely breathtaking and the great place to walk, run, relax, picnic, fish....

Beautiful singles track trails that remind me of my days living in the mountains. Great for running, biking, or hiking.

Trails for walking or mountain biking. Play grounds, lake, picnic tables, grills, horse shoes, fishing, ducks, athletic fields. It's a huge park. My favorite in the Charlotte area. The restrooms are nice and clean. I have loved coming here for the last 10+ years.