Love this park. Always well kept and lots of great walking trails. It's also a great spot for a picnic.

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! read more

See all

We reserved this space for a company meeting. We utilized the pavilion area, which does not have wifi if you were wondering. I'm not sure if other parts of the park or other buildings have it. Well the park is beautiful. It's clean and it's apparent that it's well taken care of. The lake has a trail around it and trails through the wooded areas. There is ample parking for larger events. If I lived closer to here, I would definitely visit this place regularly. read more

I believe this is one of the largest parks operated by the Mecklenburg County Park and Rec department. At 265 acres and chock full of features and amenities, it's the biggest in the south region for sure. Two lighted basketball courts Six tennis courts Five lighted soccer fields Two softball fields Four horseshoe pits Indoor and outdoor shelters Walking trails Ten picnic areas with tables and grills Mountain biking trails Amphitheater AND A LAKE that offers kayaking and fishing and canoeing. This is a great feature in the southwest Charlotte region. On a drizzly Sunday afternoon, I did a little walking on the trails. It's nice here. [Review 11573 overall, 1353 of 2019.] read more

See all

One of the top parks in Charlotte. Lots of walking trails, a couple of playgrounds, and plenty of fields, not to mention a stocked lake. There are restrooms on site and plenty of parking. Bonus is that kayaks and canoes are allowed on the lake. Very safe, clean, and quiet (for Charlotte). Nice place to spend an afternoon, but gets very busy on Saturdays (bc of ball games). read more

Beautiful venue for a bridal shower. Rental includes a large facility that held 50 guests very comfortably. Equipped kitchen with stove, fridge and sinks. Also 2 bathrooms that were indoors and very clean. Interior was spacious and closed off to park attendees with a large sign outside indicating "closed for an event". Rental also included access to the exterior of the nearby lake whichcI noticed had an outdoor grill. There are tennis courts nearby. Worth looking into renting space for any event read more

I've lived quite close to Col. Francis Beatty Park for over a year now and finally got out to pay it proper respects. The park's reputation preceded it in my running circles, especially among the trail running, dirtbag kind. With miles of trails on offer for mountain bikers, hikers and runners alike you can spend plenty of time here surrounded by natures beauty. Despite its proximity to the Charlotte, the park is quite large and not overflowing with trash or damage. It must take an army to maintain and the Tarheel Trailblazers are a standalone force in upkeeping the trails alone. I came here for the trails so I can share most about that aspect of the park. They're as in shape as they can be. Signs are placed here and there directing bikes one way and walkers the opposite so as to limit any chance for calamity. That said, the trails are otherwise a poorly marked mess of offshoots. There's unfortunately not much that can be done about that now as the litany of side trails bisecting main trails have been stamped in hard by thousands of boots. Then there's the issue of wash out and mud. When it rains here you might as well ignore this park for 48 hours of full sun, zero rain if you plan to hike. Otherwise bring your least favorite waterproof hightops because you're going to posthole. The park has a slew of other amenities. The lake, of course, where you can paddle about to your delight all day long. There are playgrounds, swingsets, docks, paved paths, picnic tables, charcoal barbecue grills, ample [free] parking and much more that I, no doubt, overlooked on my visit to the trails. After a few dry days I will certainly be back for a proper trail run. read more

See all

My friend has taken me here a few times this year (2022) to do some morning yoga and water activities. It's clean and has a friendly crowd. read more

See all

Great park. Easy access and lots of parking. Plenty of shaded areas too. The lake is small and really nice. There is also a small playground. They have walking trails as well as a paved trail. Felt safe walking around the area and it was easy to social distance. I will be back! read more

I absolutely love this place. I spend way too much time here typically on the trails. Beatty Park is a 265 acre park that has a ton of recreational facilities from trail systems to 2 basketball courts (lighted), 6 tennis courts, 5 lighted soccer fields, 4 horseshoe pits, indoor shelters, 2 outdoor picnic shelters, 10 picnic areas, 2 playgrounds, conference center, restrooms, 2 softball fields and fantastic lake with kayaking, fishing and canoeing. They have an awesome singletrack 5+ miles green/blue and black-diamond trail system. It's used by both walkers and mountain bikers, using in opposing directions. The trail system has something for everyone, plenty of awesome jumps and obstacles, some decent technical areas and a few hills, some flowy and flat runs. The kayaking is pretty cool. You literally pull from your car and directly into the nice sized lake. It's not huge, but plenty big enough to enjoy some fishing or hang out on. The soccer fields aren't the best in the area, though they have grass and nice goals --what else is needed, right? The tennis courts and basketball areas are great, well lit and well maintained, as is the remainder of the park for that matter. There are many picnic tables as mentioned and some secluded picnic areas around the parking with several parking lots. They're equipped with great tables, grills, and trash cans, again, always nice and well maintained. Overall a fantastic location kudos to CharMeck for such a great space. read more

See all

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 read more

See all

Probably my favorite park near Charlotte... huge lake. Beautiful trails for walking and biking ... tennis courts , playground, park benches . Softball field .. a lot of wildlife read more

Great park! Lots of parking! It is clean and well maintained and safe! Nice lake with a gazebo and benches to relax or go fishing. Several playgrounds for kids and good walking trails. read more

Love this park! It's very quiet, and hardly ever crowded. Great spot to let kids play on the playground with bathrooms close by. There's also wide paved paths to walk behind the playgrounds, with lots of picnic tables and benches along the way. read more

Colonel Francis Beatty Park - Ducks came up while we were having lunch! - Parks Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

See all

We walked the trails and there was quite a variance in paths. Some wide and clear and some with downed trees and sticker vines. Make sure you bring something to drink as you will need it if you do the full 4 + mile hike. At some points you can see the lake as you hike. You must always be watching your step to prevent tripping. There are bikers sometimes sharing the trail to be aware of. read more

See all

Col Francis Beatty Park is another highlight in the Parks & Rec system that Charlotte has to offer. It's a rather large park with lots of trails for bikes, 6 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts, soccer fields, indoor and outdoor picnic shelter spots, there is even a conference center to rent out for functions. The park is located on the outskirts of the southern part of town, but well worth the drive. A great place to relax on the weekend or during the week. read more

There were a lot of birds, ballpark, playground, and it was an overall nice experience. Went with my family. The play grounds are really fun for the kids and the lake is beautiful. It was also educational. Little stands had information and fun facts of animals. read more

Colonel Francis Beatty Park - Lake, Lots of Unique Birds - Parks Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

Be careful, as there is INCREASED CRIME in this park!! I have been going to this park for almost a decade, and only recently has there been a real problem with car break-ins. Just today (01.10.2016), in the mid-afternoon on a weekend, I parked my car in the first parking lot in the park - near the tennis courts - and came back after walking my dog to see that a new-looking Porsche SUV parked next to me had one of its windows smashed in. It was obvious that this was an intentional break-in. THIS IS THE THIRD BREAK IN that I've personally seen. About a month ago, I saw two cars that had been broken into in the parking lot near the playground and baseball fields. Again, this was in broad daylight on a weekend day!! The police have noticeably increased their patrols in this park, but still, for being located in a generally safe and upper middle class area of town, there is a high amount of break-ins and theft occurring. The county needs to install security cameras in this park, and do more to prevent crime here. Besides the crime, this is an awesome park! read more

I love this park especially for trail running and mountain biking. You can make the distances longer or shorter based on the signs they have posted around the trail. For instance if you want to stay on the beginners path I believe its about 3.5 miles or so but if you add in the advanced loops its about 6.5 miles total which makes for quite a nice trail run. Just be sure to run in the opposite direction the mountain bikers go and for goodness sake if you wear earphones only put it in one ear so you can hear what is going on around you. Now as for mountain biking I think its a great trail for beginners because there is not much elevation change and no crazy downhills or uphills involved. Yes the single track is tight and rooty in many sections but it is a great option if you are just learning to ride. read more

Beautiful and very large park!!! We went with a group of friends and grilled out at a picnic spot overlooking the small lake. They have green and blue level hiking and mountain biking trails, soccer fields, playgrounds, and fishing! AND their restroom facilities are amazingly nice!!! I will definitely be visiting again, but this time with my mountain bike! read more

See all

Such an amazing and peaceful park. They have slides and swings for children, and even a volleyball court. The view of the lake during sunset is breathtaking. It's an amazing place to hang at. read more

This is a great park for walking, hiking, biking, kite flying, tennis, paddle boating and etc. There are also fields for soccer and other team sports. I have even heard that you can rent space for events such as weddings or other parties! It is probably my favorite park in the Charlotte area because there is something for everyone here. read more

I was visiting the area and was so happy to find this park. I found the trails a little confusing, they're not very well marked along the way. But, I enjoyed meandering through the woods nonetheless. I only saw a couple of people along my walk. I'm glad to have seen the advice in previous reviews regarding walkers going in the opposite direction of cyclists. Definitely worth a visit! read more

Colonel Francis Beatty Park - Parks Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

See all

This is a truly awesome place to Mountianbike with friends when the weather is good and the sun is out! I go here everyday improving ma skillz on mountianbike - I always take the expert trail read more

See all

Our family had a great time walking the trails around the lake and exploring the park. The kids loved the playground, and all it had to offer. read more

My favorite running and biking park. Lots of trail options allow you to vary the runs. I ran yesterday over lunch and didn't run into a single person. That doesn't happen often. Weekend mornings are the busiest. This is a loop course and you should be able to get in anywhere from 3-6 miles depending upon your route. If you're running/walking make sure to go in the opposite direction of the bikers and give them the right-of-way. Also, please, please, please keep your dog on a leash and pick up their poop. As a dog owner, it ticks me off to see people willfully ignoring basic rules of courtesy. read more

I've been here five years and have 2 pups and i've never even heard of this park what? I was really excited that a friend of mine asked me to go hiking last weekend like I just mentioned I didn't even know this park existed. I assume by all the bikers this park is well known for it's mountain biking trails but for a beautiful Sat. afternoon the park was fairly empty and my dogs had a great time hiking all the trails and swimming in the lake ("large pond") not sure what they refer it too. I can't wait to go back this will be my new hangout on the weekends. read more

Hiking, biking, tennis, basketball, people gazing, and grilling out is all you could possibly need in a park. I recently discovered Colonel Beatty Park despite living in Matthews for several years and I'm sorry I didn't find this place sooner. Unlike other parks that seem to get crowded despite acres and acres of space, I found this park to be a pleasant destination for a Sunday afternoon. I have a mountain bike (it would be a stretch to say that I 'mountain bike' however) and I found the trails rewarding but challenging. These are trails for serious mountain bikers-tree roots that stick up about 6 inches from the ground, hairpin turns, narrow bridges, and people who don't understand the one-way signs for pedestrians and bikers respectively. Other than that, the bike trail weaves through a 16 acre lake that is absolutely stunning and is mostly covered by a green canopy. Even if mountain biking isn't your schtick, there's always gravel trails around the lake. Unlike parks located near the center of Charlotte, you can stake your own spot around the lake and have a large swath of land for socializing, romanticizing, or other G-rated activities. Enjoy! read more

Now this is what a suburban park ought to be! Loaded with tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, pleasant walking paths, picnic tables with adjacent grilles, and even paddle boats in the warm weather. Stop by! read more

Plentiful trails for both walking and bike riding, but they aren't all marked well, so pay attention. Wear some shoes for a trek through a little Carolina orange mud if it has been rainy. Hard tennis courts are sloped to dry quickly & there is a tennis backboard. read more

Wonderful place to trail run, especially on the weekdays as it gets congested with mountain bikers on the weekend. Tight and fun rooty trails with a Great Lake in the middle. Decent bathroom facilities as well. Great place to bike or run. read more

The park is much bigger than I thought. Plenty grill for people to use. The lake view is so pretty on a nice day. The hiking trail is very long but doesn't have good signs..... Easy to get lost. read more

This is a great local park. The mountain bike trails are well maintained and fun for beginner to intermediate riders. The trails also make for a nice hike, as long as you're going the opposite way of the bikers! The tennis and basketball courts are in good condition and often packed. There are also plenty of soccer fields, a big playground for the kids and a fishing pond. All in all, a nice way to spend a summer day. read more

Colonel Beatty is a humongous park in Matthews that has plenty of soccer fields, baseball fields, trails, and a huge lake as well. I can kill hours here sitting alongside the lake with a book catching some sun rays. I used to like to take my nephews and nieces here to play on the playground, but they have grown a little to old for that now. The trails are pretty peaceful and they aren't really treacherous or anything. It really good wholesome fun for the whole family. read more

We love this park and it is right around the corner from us. There are miles of very well maintained easy trails and a nice pond. It is the perfect place to run, bike, walk, or walk with your dogs. read more

Love this park...great for geocaching!

My favorite park close to home! Great trails and playground! Kids love the pond too!

Beautiful lakes, scenic trails, plenty of ideal picnic spots, and a variety of recreational options. My only complaint is that the lights on the tennis court turn off automatically at 9:30, even though the park doesn't close until 10:30 according to their website. read more

Of all the parks in the Charlotte area, this is the best. My husband loves to fish &, even though he has, yet, to catch anything, we thoroughly enjoy going there-----until this morning. We drove all the way out there at 6AM to , hopefully catch something, only to find the gate closed & chained. When do the fish bite????? Sunrise. Yup. So, drove home to check the computer as to the open hours & there are none posted. That would be nice to know. That's why only 4 stars. Open it earlier & you get the fifth one!!!! read more

Come play ball here they have 2 courts for b ball best park around Charlotte I come here about 5 days a week I wish more people knew about this park though you can walk your dog play tennis and there's a lake also which is really pretty in the fall time , the courts have lights to play after sunlight read more