Best running trails in New York
Ranked by the runners who actually run there — Google rating weighted by review volume, across 1,131,942 reviews of New York trails. A trail needs at least 25 reviews to qualify (437 in New York do) and each name appears once. Nobody pays for a place. Updated 2026.
The 20 below run across 16 cities, 1 of them paved, 2 loops, and 4 shaded. This is a popularity ranking, not a difficulty score — for what a trail is actually like underfoot, open its page for surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms and parking.
Central Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 300,064 reviews
Sprawling park with pedestrian paths & ballfields, plus a zoo, carousel, boat rentals & a reservoir.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 43,091 reviews
This urban oasis features shaded picnic tables, hibachi-style BBQ grills & river views.
Prospect Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 28,472 reviews
Sprawling city park featuring the Audubon Center in the historic Boathouse, plus Prospect Park Zoo.
Sunken Meadow State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 9,251 reviews
Family-friendly park featuring 3 miles of beach, a golf course, hiking trails & boardwalk.
Van Cortlandt Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 9,130 reviews
Park with a museum, playgrounds, sports facilities, dog runs, BBQ areas, trails & more.
Eisenhower Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 8,225 reviews
County park covering 930-acres, a venue for golf, tennis & swimming, concerts & movies in summer.
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 7,331 reviews
Originally built in 1889, this bridge provides a scenic pedestrian walkway over the Hudson River.
Forest Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 7,402 reviews
Large forested park featuring hiking trails & bridle paths, plus a bandshell, golf & other sports.
Hudson River Park Trust
4.7 ★★★★★ 6,701 reviews
550-acre green space on the shores of the Hudson with multiple activities & bike paths.
Belmont Lake State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 4,712 reviews
Lakeside picnics in a bucolic setting with multi-use trails, fishing & paddle boating on 463 acres.
Onondaga Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,347 reviews
This waterside park has boating, archery, fishing, ball fields, hiking & a salt museum.
Kissena Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 4,417 reviews
Neighborhood park with trails, a lake, dozens of exotic tree species, sports facilities & fishing.
Kensico Dam Plaza
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,320 reviews
Historic dam has a 9-11 memorial, scenic picnic areas & events from concerts to antique shows.
Rockland Lake State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 4,207 reviews
Park with a massive swimming pool plus tennis courts, golf courses, trails, lake for fishing & more.
Crotona Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 4,195 reviews
Tree-filled park with a lake, large pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, baseball diamonds & more.
Glen Island Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 3,781 reviews
Island park with beaches, promenades, a restaurant & historic structures from its days as a resort.
Canarsie Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 3,838 reviews
Historic site featuring soccer, cricket, basketball & baseball games, nature walks & a skate park.
Where these trails are
The cities in this ranking, if you'd rather start from where you live.
- Running trails in New York, NY
- Running trails in Brooklyn, NY
- Running trails in Astoria, NY
- Running trails in Kings Park, NY
- Running trails in Bronx, NY
- Running trails in East Meadow, NY
- Running trails in Highland, NY
- Running trails in Woodhaven, NY
- Running trails in West Babylon, NY
- Running trails in Middle Village, NY
- Running trails in Liverpool, NY
- Running trails in Fresh Meadows, NY
- Running trails in Valhalla, NY
- Running trails in Jamaica, NY
- Running trails in Valley Cottage, NY
- Running trails in New Rochelle, NY
All 1,465 trails in New York → Best trails in other states →