Places › Haw River State Park
Haw River State Park is a North Carolina state park in Browns Summit, Guilford County, in our Triad region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.
- AdmissionFree day use
- HoursCloses 6 to 9 p.m.Opens 8 a.m., by month
- ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
- DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below
About Haw River State Park
The Summit, a residential environmental education and conference center, is the heart of this park north of Greensboro. The Iron Ore Belt Access gives day visitors trails and a boardwalk through wetlands and a floodplain swamp.
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Day-use admission is free.
Closes 6 to 9 p.m.Bring the Dog?
Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.
Full rules belowMake It a Trip
Mayo River State Park is about 17 miles away (straight line).
2 units within 30 miles
Haw River State Park Hours
At the Iron Ore Belt Access table, the gate closes between 6 p.m. (Nov to Feb) and 9 p.m. (Jun to Aug). It opens 8 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:
Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| April | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| June | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| July | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| August | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| September | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
- The Summit Access: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round
- The park is closed on Christmas Day.
- The park is open during all other holidays.
Admission and Fees
There are no fees required to access Haw River State Park for day use. Fees are charged for summer and grand camps, certain event permits, and facility reservations.
Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.
Dogs and Strollers
- Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
- Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (336-520-6348) before you go.
Directions and Contact
- Address: 339 Conference Center Drive, Browns Summit, NC 27214
- Phone: 336-520-6348
- Map point: 36.25080,-79.75630. Latitude and longitude printed on the park's own ncparks.gov page, checked within 25 miles of the OpenStreetMap match. Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/haw-river-state-park
State Parks Near Haw River State Park
- 1Mayo River State ParkState Parkabout 17 mi
- 2Hanging Rock State ParkState Parkabout 30 mi
- 3Occoneechee Mountain State Natural AreaState Natural Areaabout 38 mi
- 4Pilot Mountain State ParkState Parkabout 40 mi
- 5Eno River State ParkState Parkabout 44 mi
- 6Lower Haw River State Natural AreaState Natural Areaabout 49 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Haw River State Park?
Day-use admission is free, per the park page. Camping, boat rentals, swim passes, event permits and reservations can cost extra where the park offers them.
Are dogs allowed at Haw River State Park?
Pets are allowed at the park. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
What time does Haw River State Park close?
It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.
Is Haw River State Park open on Christmas?
The park is closed on Christmas Day.
Are strollers allowed at Haw River State Park?
Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.
What We Could Not Verify
- Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Sources
- Haw River State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
- NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
- OpenStreetMap (map point check)
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Haw River State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/haw-river-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.