Waid Park

About the Park:

Waid Recreation Area, more affectionately known as, Waid Park is an outdoor paradise located conveniently near the Town of Rocky Mount. The park offers over 5 miles of multi-use trails, access to the Pigg River, and two opportunities to improve your disc golf skills.

Waid Park features a mix of rolling hills, open fields, and river front trails showcasing the natural beauty of western Franklin County. As you enter the park you may notice remnants of the "Great Wagon Road", known locally as the "Carolina Road". A preserved portion of this historical "highway" was used by early settlers to transport goods and livestock through region and down into the Carolina's. Originating from the "Great Warrior Path", early settlers followed a route that stretched from Pennsylvania, through Franklin County, to Georgia. Within Waid Park, a quarter mile section of the old road can be seen as it passes through the Waid homestead on its way to the Carolinas.

Trail System

Waid Park encompasses over 500 acres and features over 15 miles of trails ranging from the "Bike Skills Loop", a quick warm up or training area for beginner riders, all the way up to "Skeletor" a section of technical singletrack, "The Old Buzzard Jumpline", and much more. Along your ride though the Franklin County landscape you will have the opportunity for beautiful river views, scenic farmland options, and the opportunity to experience remnants of years gone by. Be sure to explore all areas of the park and check out the new access bridge over the Pigg River!

Disc Golf

Disc golf "lovers" and "learners" will find something at Waid Park to fit your skill level. The park offers 27 holes of disc golf, over 2 separate and unique course offerings. Start your round at the 9 Hole Practice Course, that features opportunities to work on your short game or take a newcomer on their first outing. Then make your way to the brand new 18-hole professional wooded course. This course features 36 baskets and 36 turf tee pads creating 72 unique hole combinations. Playing between 7,200 and 10,000 feet, this technical wooded course will test your mental and physical disc golf abilities. If you only have time for a quick round, feel free to begin on the front or back 9 as both start near the parking area. Click here for a hole-by-hole fly through!

Pigg River Access

Waid Park serves as the beginning of the Pigg River Blueway and features an 8-mile float through the Franklin County landscape. This section of blueway will take you from Waid Park to the Lynch Riverside Park inside of the town limits of Rocky Mount. During the summer, the section of Pigg River that runs through the park is transformed into the "River of Lights", a family tubing experience under the stars. There is also a seasonal daytime option to experience three separate sections of the river by tube.

Each June, Waid Park plays host to the annual "Ramble Weekend". A three day outdoor experience featuring paddling, tubing, disc golf, music, and "good old-fashioned Franklin County hospitality". Don't miss your chance to "Paddle the Pigg"!