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Crushed Limestone & Gravel Trails
Crushed limestone, screenings and packed gravel — the classic rail-trail surface, and for a lot of runners the best compromise there is. Old rail beds were graded gently for locomotives, which is why these trails run so flat and so straight, and the packed stone is noticeably softer underfoot than asphalt while still being smooth enough for tempo work in ordinary road shoes. Plan around weather and dust: heavy rain leaves soft patches and puddles in the low spots, a long dry spell turns the surface dusty, and a jogging stroller wants proper air-filled wheels to roll well on it.
The 144 most-reviewed crushed gravel trails
Ranked by local reputation — rating weighted by review count. Use the filters to narrow these to exactly what you want, then jump to your state below for the full list of all 615.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 5,539 reviews
Waterfalls, 3 sky lakes & 25 mi. of footpaths for hiking & biking, plus rock climbing.
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,348 reviews
Park on a former ranch with picnic & recreation facilities, as well as a museum & botanical garden.
Frick Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 4,132 reviews
Lush city park featuring grassy picnic areas, off-leash dog play spots & hiking trails.
P. J. Hoffmaster State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,558 reviews
Park features the Dune Climb stairway, lake-view observation deck & miles of hiking & skiing trails.
Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,521 reviews
Scenic lookout featuring striking views of the Diamond Head volcano cone & the Waikiki skyline.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,334 reviews
Vast protected park featuring forested areas, hiking trails, scenic vistas & wildlife.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,149 reviews
Well-preserved Civil War battlefield with a visitor center displaying war-era images & objects.
Lehigh Parkway
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,082 reviews
Historic park provides running & biking trails through scenic grounds with a creek & covered bridge.
Dodge #4 State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,123 reviews
139-acre preserve with a mile of shoreline also has boating docks & cross-country skiing trails.
Ritter Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,075 reviews
Spacious park offering trails, green spaces & a rose garden, plus a creek, dog park & 2 playgrounds.
East Cobb Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,052 reviews
Public park offering playgrounds, walking paths, picnic areas, fields & creek overlooks.
Sentinel Peak Park ("A" Mountain)
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,956 reviews
Landmark known as "A" Mountain featuring a man-made A-shaped formation, offering scenic city views.
Herrick Lake Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,947 reviews
885-acre nature preserve with over 5 miles of trails, plus boat rentals & fishing opportunities.
Magnolia Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,910 reviews
Spacious preserve with roaming peacocks featuring campground, butterfly garden & bike paths.
Cuivre River State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,833 reviews
Prairie & forest trails for hikers & equestrians plus lake access for boating, fishing & swimming.
Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,735 reviews
2,711-acre mountainous park offers 29 miles of hiking, biking & equestrian trails & scenic vistas.
Veterans Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,578 reviews
Lakeside green space with a 3-mile running trail, playgrounds, volleyball courts & a war memorial.
Clinton State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,618 reviews
Playgrounds, disc golf, boating, swimming & camping plus native flora, fauna & nature trails.
Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,501 reviews
Wild expanse with trails, kayaking & fishing, bird blinds & an amphitheater, plus nature classes.
Sam's Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,465 reviews
Highest point of a craggy range, with ice caves & cliffs, plus Lake Maratanza & a waterfall.
Harborview Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,426 reviews
8-acre recreation area with trails & picnic tables, plus tranquil views of Possession Sound.
Crowders Mountain State Park - Linwood Road Access
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,335 reviews
Well-maintained state park with challenging trails, plus mountain views.
Big Foot Beach State Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 1,344 reviews
Lake Geneva park with swimming, canoeing & kayaking, short hiking trails & camping.
Reinhart Volunteer Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,228 reviews
Green space with a soccer field & sand volleyball courts, plus picnic shelters & a fly-fishing pond.
Wilson Morgan Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,281 reviews
Recreation center featuring a softball complex, tennis courts, playgrounds & an adventure park.
South Valley Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,195 reviews
Scenic spot on 909 acres with mountain-bike, bridle & hiking trails, plus elk & mule deer sightings.
Blue Water River Walk
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,174 reviews
This mile-long river walk features a trail, a converted ferry dock, a fishing pier & public art.
Hudson Springs Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,132 reviews
Large, 260-acre park with a huge lake for fishing, plus walking trails & pavilions.
Mountain Hawk Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,141 reviews
12-acre green space with picnic gazebos & trails, plus a basketball court, playground & splash pad.
Lake Elmo State Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 1,137 reviews
This 64-acre park features a lake with swimming, boating & fishing, plus a 1.4-mi. hiking trail.
Zaleski State Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,063 reviews
Backpacking & horse-riding trails, plus a landmark sawmill & the reputedly haunted Moonville Tunnel.
Riverbend Ponds Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,031 reviews
Natural river, wetlands & old gravel mine ponds with 3 miles of trails teeming with birdlife.
Gallery Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,017 reviews
A walking/biking path circles a fish-stocked lake at this 140-acre park, which also has ball fields.
St. James Farm Forest Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 983 reviews
Hikers, bikers & horseback riders can explore a protected area of woodlands, prairies & wetlands.
Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 993 reviews
Serene, lakeside park with hiking, cycling, horseback & cross-country ski trails, plus boat launch.
Victory Field
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,013 reviews
Sports complex in Forest Park with a running track & 2 artificial turf baseball fields.
Hook Mountain State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 910 reviews
Large, undeveloped riverside park offering trails for hiking & biking, plus scenic overlooks.
Glacial Park Conservation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 888 reviews
A park set on 3,400 acres of wetlands, prairie & glacial kames, with trails, canoeing & fishing.
Mondauk Common Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 904 reviews
Family-friendly park featuring playgrounds, baseball fields and walking trails for exercise.
Sadlers Creek State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 900 reviews
Located on a peninsula that extends into a lake, this park boasts campsites, trails & a boat ramp.
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
4.6 ★★★★★ 877 reviews
Tranquil nature reserve featuring a hiking trail & birdwatching opportunities.
Jackson Bottom Wetlands
4.6 ★★★★★ 873 reviews
Refuge with wetlands & wildlife education programs, trails & bird watching, including of eagles.
Swatara State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 843 reviews
The fields, woods & streams draw visitors for fishing, hunting, hiking & cross-country skiing.
Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 827 reviews
Recreational area offering playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, a dog park and a pool.
Captain William Clark Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 860 reviews
Relaxed sandy beach and picnic area offering views of the Columbia River and an outdoor shower.
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 813 reviews
This 465-acre wooded area has multi-use trails & recreation such as fishing, boating & picnicking.
Miller Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 782 reviews
Conservatory preserving plants from around the world, plus scenic gardens, set in a wooded area.
Ben Burton Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 830 reviews
Small riverside park with wooded hiking trails suitable for dogs, plus a ramp for kayaks & canoes.
Ashley Reservoir
4.9 ★★★★★ 750 reviews
Scenic park with paths for running, biking and strolling, plus lakes, reservoirs and wildlife.
Cochran Shoals Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 756 reviews
Park trail for biking & moderately challenging hikes with scenic views of the river.
Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 738 reviews
Wildlife-filled prairie preserve on 1,200 acres with trails, seed library & snowmobiling in winter.
Palo Alto Byxbee Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 715 reviews
Birdwatching, cycling & walking are popular at this park with sculpted earth & conceptual art.
Monrovia Canyon Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 703 reviews
City park on 80 acres with trails, camping & a waterfall, plus a nature center & cabin for events.
Greenbelt Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 680 reviews
Urban oasis featuring fishing, a summer farmers' market & miles of hiking & biking trails.
Crystal Canyon Natural Area
4.4 ★★★★☆ 695 reviews
This hilly 40-acre preserve offers a 0.5-mile trail & interpretive signs amid forest & rock terrain.
Benton Parks & Recreation Department
4.5 ★★★★★ 672 reviews
Open park featuring a splash pool, walking trails and an amphitheater.
Bass Lake Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 608 reviews
Flat, tree-topped walking trail circling a small lake, with connections to other paths.
Katy Trail - Rocheport Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 614 reviews
Park featuring picnic tables and a public restroom, along with a trail that's good for walking and biking.
Potawatomi Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 581 reviews
This grassy & wooded area provides trails, a picnic area & water access for fishing.
Lake Wappapello State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 581 reviews
Large park with trails for hiking & biking, a lake for boat rentals & fishing, plus campsites.
Late Night Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 565 reviews
Hiking and mountain biking area with trails for beginner and experienced riders, plus a pit toilet.
Kettle Moraine State Forest- Pike Lake Unit
4.7 ★★★★★ 562 reviews
Forested park with hiking trails through glacial hills & valleys plus swimming, camping & fishing.
Westminster Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 557 reviews
Outdoor park featuring disc golf, wooded hiking trails and soccer fields.
Castalia Quarry
4.8 ★★★★★ 544 reviews
Park featuring trails (some with views) winding through a former rock quarry.
Clark Creek Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 554 reviews
Trails wind through this 700-acre public space with diverse trees, wildlife & over 50 waterfalls.
Lake McMurtry Friends
4.6 ★★★★★ 556 reviews
Lake with boating, fishing & swimming, plus disc golf, multi-use trails & RV/tent campgrounds.
Seabourne Creek Nature Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 542 reviews
Recreation site on 164 acres with trails, a prairie, a butterfly garden & a lake with fishing.
New Bern Civil War Battlefield Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 539 reviews
Civil War park with a visitor center, guided tours & battlefield trails with interpretive panels.
Elizabethtown Nature Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 526 reviews
104-acre public pastureland nature preserve featuring a creek & a gravel walking trail.
Grant Woods Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 542 reviews
Natural preserve featuring native plants & wildlife, with multiuse gravel trails & a canoe launch.
Ephram White Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 541 reviews
Clean facility featuring an outdoor playground and a disc golf course, as well as a gym and ball fields.
Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 529 reviews
Riverside nature preserve offering trails for hiking & skiing, plus fishing, hunting & birding.
False Cape State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 511 reviews
Pristine maritime forest & coastline not accessible by private car, with biking trails & kayaking.
Rinconada Canyon Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 533 reviews
Easy loop trail for viewing ancient rock drawings.
Westville Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 517 reviews
Year-round spot for outdoor activities, featuring hiking trails, picnic areas with grills & a lake.
Turkey Hill Overlook Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 503 reviews
Hiking area with trails and overlooks along the Susquehanna River, suitable for children.
Grace Street Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 487 reviews
Pond encircled by trails, plus a dog park, slides and a garden.
Petroglyph National Monument, Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 477 reviews
Calico Tanks Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 456 reviews
Popular out-& back hiking trail on red rock with scrambling sections & scenic views of the canyon.
French Creek Reservation
4.7 ★★★★★ 472 reviews
Trails for hiking through the woods and along a creek, plus shelters and a playground.
Seminole State Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 467 reviews
25,812-acre reserve featuring 2 trailheads, campsites & a lake for fishing & boating.
Sylvan Island
4.6 ★★★★★ 477 reviews
Former industrial site by the water, offering crushed limestone hiking trails & dirt bike paths.
Walter B. Williams Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 497 reviews
Relaxed park featuring ballfields, trails and tennis courts, plus a playground.
Lapping Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 469 reviews
332-acre green space with 18 holes of disc & regular golf, a softball complex & an amphitheater.
La Crosse River State Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 469 reviews
Scenic 21-mi. trail for biking, jogging & walks through forest, prairies, wetlands & over bridges.
Duke Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 450 reviews
Over 7,000 acres of land maintained by Duke University for teaching, research & recreational use.
Mission Oaks Gardens
4.7 ★★★★★ 449 reviews
Picturesque, landscaped gardens offering themed areas, guided tours & workshops.
Black Creek Park's Rails to Trails
4.7 ★★★★★ 438 reviews
Park and trail system featuring playgrounds and softball fields, as well as picnic tables and benches.
Elizabeth River Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 477 reviews
This modest public park with many trees offers ball fields & children's play equipment.
Hurley Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 434 reviews
This park with woodlands & gardens also offers trails, quaint bridges & gazebos.
Capitol Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 451 reviews
Public park with mature trees & extensive lawns standing in the shadow of the Capitol Building.
Doyle Conservation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 426 reviews
157-acre public recreation area with woodland, trails, meadows, formal gardens & parkland.
Heron Creek Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 426 reviews
242-acre nature preserve featuring 2.3 miles of trails, a playground & over 100 species of birds.
Danada Forest Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 414 reviews
Nature preserve offering a lake with fishing, an equestrian center & trails through varied habitats.
Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 403 reviews
Park with a lake offering swimming and boat launches, as well as hiking trails.
Fisher Farm
4.8 ★★★★★ 392 reviews
Undeveloped 200-acre wooded park featuring extensive trails for hiking & mountain biking.
Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 400 reviews
Water conservation-themed park with walking trails, wildlife stations & an interpretive center.
Richard P. Outhouse Memorial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 394 reviews
Playground and field for soccer and lacrosse, plus a gravel track and pavilions.
Great Bend Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 395 reviews
Relaxing park featuring walking and hiking trails along the Haw River and a dam.
Mercer Meadows
4.8 ★★★★★ 370 reviews
Scenic park with biking routes through 1600+ acres of meadows & woodlands, plus bodies of water.
VanderYacht Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 382 reviews
Large park, also an off-leash area for dogs, featuring hiking trails, picnic tables and a pond.
Fort Belle Fontaine
4.6 ★★★★★ 365 reviews
Site of a former military installation on 300+ riverfront acres with trails, wetlands & wildlife.
Riverstone Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 349 reviews
Park featuring a pond, playgrounds and walking trails.
Hadley Valley - Gougar Road Access
4.6 ★★★★★ 355 reviews
726-acre nature preserve with wildlife & a multi-use trail, plus a picnic shelter & trailer parking.
Wellington Community Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 349 reviews
Park featuring a playground and a splash pad, plus baseball fields and batting cages.
Gunpowder Creek Nature Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 348 reviews
Hikers come to this relaxed park, with shaded trails leading to a creek.
Palos Park Woods-North
4.7 ★★★★★ 340 reviews
Large forested area offering many multiuse trails, picnic space, boating, fishing & wildlife views.
James Pate Philip State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 355 reviews
Home to a diverse array of wildlife, this open area offers a visitor center, picnic spots & trails.
Bala Cynwyd Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 335 reviews
Park featuring a baseball field, tennis court, playground and walking track.
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
4.5 ★★★★★ 349 reviews
This large refuge on the Columbia River offers a trail & wildlife observation plus guided hikes.
Rowlett Nature Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 348 reviews
Riverside nature park offering 1.3 mi. of hiking & biking trails & picnic space amid native trees.
Gwynns Falls Trail
4.3 ★★★★☆ 364 reviews
Woodland park with historic structures, athletic fields, community gardens & a 14-mile trail.
Chambers Grove
4.7 ★★★★★ 333 reviews
Waterside picnic area featuring a playground, along with space for fishing and other activities.
Grimes Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 341 reviews
Park offering open lawn areas, a tennis court, a playground, a gazebo & a half-mile walking track.
Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside
4.8 ★★★★★ 316 reviews
A 1,048-ft. hill with impressive views, picnic tables & restrooms, just a short hike from the road.
Stimpson Family Nature Reserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 313 reviews
Well-kept trails winding through dense forests and wetlands for walks and running.
Sammamish River Regional Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 324 reviews
Park popular for paved & soft-surface trails offering river views to hikers, bikers & horse riders.
Clear Spring Ranch
4.3 ★★★★☆ 341 reviews
Quiet spot, featuring trails that wind through open prairies, fields and woods, plus a river.
Mt. Marquette Overlook
4.8 ★★★★★ 304 reviews
Road to a mountain top with a trail for hiking and biking.
Ott Biological Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 305 reviews
This 300-acre nature preserve with tall trees & 3 lakes features peaceful walking trails.
Sunrise Carriage Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 297 reviews
Hiking area featuring a gentle walking trail that leads to a former governor's mansion.
Cricket Creek County Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 309 reviews
Woodlands, prairies & wetlands with facilities for camping, golfing, fishing, snowshoeing & tubing.
Moody City Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 307 reviews
Local destination for picnics, playground visits, basketball and more.
Memorial Hill
4.9 ★★★★★ 288 reviews
Hill landmark featuring a memorial to US veterans, along with flags.
Ashokan Rail Trail- Woodstock Dike Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 293 reviews
Bike-friendly trail along a reservoir with a mountain backdrop and foliage tunnels.
Hogback Ridge Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 292 reviews
Clean, compact, 41-acre park featuring gravel and dirt trails, plus a nature center.
Roaring Run Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 285 reviews
Well-kept trails for hiking and mountain-biking amid a scenic landscape.
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, West Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 278 reviews
This gravel hike through the woods and farmland leads to a tunnel that was formerly part of the Virginia Central Railroad.
Saltese Uplands Conservation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 288 reviews
Wide nature preserve featuring mountain biking, easy, difficult and steep hikes, and trail runs.
Preston Community Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 293 reviews
Dog-friendly park and playground with basketball and tennis courts, plus a covered picnic pavilion.
North Santa Cruz Park - Town of Sahuarita
4.6 ★★★★★ 290 reviews
Family-friendly park featuring basketball courts, soccer fields and playgrounds.
Broomfield Commons Open Space
4.6 ★★★★★ 286 reviews
Trails form different size loops around this vast, grassy open space for recreation & relaxing.
Gateway Lakes Natural Area
4.4 ★★★★☆ 288 reviews
Nature preserve with a playground, picnic tables, walking paths, and a pond.
Wertz's Red Bridge Recreational Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 260 reviews
Park with a trail along a river featuring scenic views, picnic areas, and a covered bridge.
Jan Jennings Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 276 reviews
Park for recreation, with a play area and a pond where ducks are fed.
No trails match those filters.
Crushed gravel trails by state
Where this surface turns up, and how many trails carry it in each state.
- Illinois
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- Ohio
- North Carolina
- California
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- New Jersey
- Missouri
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Texas
- Oregon
- Florida
- Alabama
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Utah
- Indiana
- South Carolina
- Connecticut
- Kentucky
- Arizona
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- South Dakota
- Iowa
- Idaho
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Delaware
- Maine
- Mississippi
- New Hampshire
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Hawaii
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Maryland
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wyoming
The other surfaces
Worth knowing: the honest answer to which surface is best for your legs is more than one of them, so it pays to keep a route on each.
Paved & Asphalt Trails
Asphalt or concrete — fast, predictable, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, and runnable year-round.
Natural-Surface & Dirt Trails
Dirt and singletrack — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain.
Boardwalk Trails
Elevated wood decking, usually over wetlands or dunes. Scenic, flat, and can get slick when wet.
Mixed-Surface Trails
More than one surface along the route — check the segment you plan to run.
You can also browse by what a trail offers rather than what it is made of — loop routes, long-run distance, shade, lighting and everything else — or start from your state.