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Natural-Surface & Dirt Trails

Dirt singletrack, doubletrack, fire road and woodchip — the surface most people mean by “trail running.” It is the easiest on your joints and the most engaging to run: uneven ground recruits the stabilising muscles that a flat path never asks for, and the constant small decisions make the miles pass differently. Expect to run slower and read nothing into it, because roots, rocks and short climbs cost time on any legs. Trail shoes with real lugs earn their keep here, footing gets genuinely slick when wet, mud can linger for days after rain, and in summer this is the surface where ticks and poison ivy actually matter.

3,204 trails in this directory have a natural surface surface — most of them in California, New York, Massachusetts. Surface comes from each trail's own description, its website and what runners say in reviews; long trails can change surface partway, so check the segment you plan to run.

The 144 most-reviewed natural surface 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 3,204.

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Hocking Hills State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 17,731 reviews

Logan, OH

Natural surfaceScenic

Scenic park with hiking trails, archery, fishing, swimming & more amid waterfalls, cliffs & gorges.

San Bernardino National Forest

4.7 ★★★★★ 18,077 reviews

Big Bear, CA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Mountain destination for outdoor recreation, with scenic roads, multi-use trails & camping.

Great Falls Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 13,934 reviews

McLean, VA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Boasting spectacular falls & rushing white water, this park offers picnic areas, trails & boating.

Denver City Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 12,443 reviews

Denver, CO

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

This expansive greenspace has amenities such as a zoo, museum & golf course, plus areas for hiking.

Gooseberry Falls State Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 11,005 reviews

Two Harbors, MN

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

1,682-acre park with scenic waterfalls & diverse wildlife, plus campgrounds, trails & picnic areas.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 11,034 reviews

Canyon, TX

30 miNatural surfaceLitScenic

Big ravine with 800-ft cliffs, multi-use trails, campsites & the musical "Texas" in an amphitheater.

Riverside Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 10,920 reviews

New York, NY

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Storied multilevel park with elms & rocky outcrops, plus a long boulevard & multiple playgrounds.

Lake Perris State Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 9,508 reviews

Perris, CA

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Reserve on a lake, popular for boating & hikes in rocky terrain home to bobcats & birdlife.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 8,110 reviews

Fredericksburg, TX

11 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Dramatic 425-ft. pink granite monolith & wilderness area offering hiking, climbing, camping & more.

Mission Trails Regional Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 7,818 reviews

San Diego, CA

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

8,000-acre recreational park featuring 60 miles of trails, along with a lake for boating & camping.

Pilot Mountain State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 7,768 reviews

Pinnacle, NC

2 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Sweetwater Creek State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 7,672 reviews

Lithia Springs, GA

15 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Historical wooded state park offering hiking, picnicking & boating, plus fishing.

Ala Moana Regional Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 7,163 reviews

Honolulu, HI

Natural surfaceScenic

This 100-acre park with a man-made beach offers usually calm surf, plus tennis courts & a pavilion.

Palmer Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 5,760 reviews

Colorado Springs, CO

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

737-acre wildlife preserve offering hiking, biking & sports fields on a mesa overlooking the city.

Garden of the Gods Recreation Area

4.9 ★★★★★ 5,454 reviews

Herod, IL

Natural surfaceScenic

Scenic hiking, camping & picnic area featuring sandstone rock formations & a trail with benches.

Mānoa Falls Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 5,336 reviews

Honolulu, HI

Natural surfaceScenic

This picturesque rainforest trail leading to Mānoa Falls has appeared in several movies.

East Fairmount Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 5,359 reviews

Philadelphia, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

Large riverside park with picnic tables, baseball fields and sculptures, plus views of Boat House Row.

Pedernales Falls State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 5,188 reviews

Johnson City, TX

LoopNatural surfaceShadedScenic

5,200-acre park with hiking & horseback riding trails, campsites, river swimming & scenic vistas.

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ 4,848 reviews

Laramie, WY

Natural surfaceScenic

Expansive forest providing lots of hiking trails, campgrounds, fishing, waterfalls & scenic vistas.

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

4.8 ★★★★★ 4,724 reviews

Indiahoma, OK

Natural surfaceScenic

Habitat for bison, elk & wild turkey with nature trails, hunting, fishing, camping & rock climbing.

Heritage Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,523 reviews

Taylor, MI

Natural surfaceLitScenic

Green space featuring soccer & baseball fields, a walking trail, picnic areas & a petting farm.

Mission Peak Regional Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,513 reviews

Fremont, CA

Natural surfaceShadedScenic

Vast mountain preserve popular for biking, hiking, horseback riding, R/C flying and hang-gliding.

Barton Creek Greenbelt

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,508 reviews

Austin, TX

LoopNatural surfaceShadedScenic

This popular urban natural area offers opportunities for biking, hiking, swimming & rock climbing.

Providence Canyon State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 4,354 reviews

Lumpkin, GA

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Lake Pueblo State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 4,524 reviews

Pueblo, CO

15.4 miNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Wilderness area known for fishing, with 60 miles of shoreline & 2 marinas, plus a swimming beach.

Robert H. Treman State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 4,281 reviews

Ithaca, NY

2 miNatural surfaceScenic

Gorge with scenic waterfalls & a stream-fed swimming hole ringed by hiking trails & camping areas.

Eldorado Canyon State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 4,122 reviews

Eldorado Springs, CO

17.1 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Park known for rock-climbing & outdoor activities, thanks to sandstone cliffs & natural attractions.

Cave Point County Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 3,894 reviews

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Natural surfaceScenic

Park featuring underwater caves, hiking trails & limestone cliffs along scenic Lake Michigan.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,899 reviews

Newport, OR

Natural surfaceLitScenic

Visitors can climb steep stairs to the top of this 93-ft. lighthouse operating since 1873.

Diana's Baths

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,975 reviews

Bartlett, NH

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Flat, 0.6-mi. hike to a scenic group of small waterfalls, rock ledges & pools along Lucy Brook.

Cedar Hill State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 4,048 reviews

Cedar Hill, TX

LoopNatural surfaceLitScenic

Wooded campsites & facilities for mountain biking, bird-watching, fishing, boating & swimming.

Lithia Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,782 reviews

Ashland, OR

Natural surfaceScenic

100-acre park with grassy lawns, gardens, ponds & wooded areas, plus tennis & volleyball courts.

Watchung Reservation

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,679 reviews

Mountainside, NJ

6 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Vast park offering cross-country skiing, fishing, outdoor ice skating, hiking, camping & more.

Newport News Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,606 reviews

Newport News, VA

5.3 miNatural surfaceLitScenic

Sprawling park on 8,000+ acres with disc golf & bike rentals plus a boat ramp, horses & gardens.

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,529 reviews

Oakland, CA

40 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Sprawling forest featuring redwood groves & rare wildlife, plus trails, picnic areas & campsites.

Heckscher State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 3,670 reviews

East Islip, NY

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

1,600-ac. park on a 19th-century estate offers multi-use trails, sports fields & boat launches.

Gifford Pinchot State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 3,633 reviews

Lewisberry, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

Clove Lakes Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,503 reviews

Staten Island, NY

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Lakes, ponds & trees plus modern recreational areas including playgrounds & an outdoor skating rink.

McConnells Mill State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,394 reviews

Portersville, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

Public park featuring giant boulders, a whitewater creek, fishing & 9 miles of hiking trails.

Caesars Head State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,378 reviews

Cleveland, SC

4.4 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Scenic destination with acres of mountain park for visitors seeking waterfall views & hiking trails.

Trexler Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,369 reviews

Schnecksville, PA

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

Kid-friendly refuge with multiple trails, an observation building and scenic views.

Saltwater State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 3,515 reviews

Des Moines, WA

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

This park on the shores of Puget Sound has campsites, volleyball courts & an artificial reef.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,278 reviews

Idaho Falls, ID

Natural surfaceLitScenic

Miami Whitewater Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,242 reviews

Harrison, OH

8 miNatural surfaceShadedScenic

4,345-acre oasis providing wooded hiking trails, a golf course, campsite & a lake for water sports.

Lair o’ the Bear Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,227 reviews

Idledale, CO

3.5 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Featuring a creek with diverse wildlife, this park offers hiking trails, fishing & picnic tables.

Greynolds Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 3,326 reviews

North Miami Beach, FL

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Comprising a variety of natural habitats, this park offers camping, golfing, hiking & kayaking.

Asilomar State Beach

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,166 reviews

Pacific Grove, CA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Tranquil place featuring a 1-mi. stretch of sandy beach & rocky coves, along with a walking trail.

Skull Rock Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 3,287 reviews

Twentynine Palms, CA

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

Skull-shaped desert granite rock formation with 2 depressions like eye sockets created by erosion.

Seahurst Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,187 reviews

Burien, WA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Scenic Puget Sound beach offering picnicking, forest trails & ample photo opportunities.

Sunset Bay State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,179 reviews

Coos Bay, OR

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Hiking, swimming, boating & fishing at a scenic sandy beach protected by sea cliffs.

Saint Edward State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,108 reviews

Kenmore, WA

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

Once a seminary, the day-use park offers historic architecture & lakeshore space for nature study.

London Bridge Beach

4.7 ★★★★★ 3,076 reviews

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring waterfront picnic/BBQ areas, athletic fields, walking trails & swimming.

Eisenhower State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 3,058 reviews

Denison, TX

Natural surfaceShadedLitScenic

Scenic wooded areas & Lake Texoma are the setting for hiking, fishing, boating, camping & more.

Piestewa Peak Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,928 reviews

Phoenix, AZ

Natural surfaceLitScenic

Park with miles of trails & a scenic 2,608-foot summit which is a popular destination for hikers.

Core Creek Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,983 reviews

Langhorne, PA

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Community area providing sports fields & courts, a playground, boating, fishing, lawns & a dog park.

Goleta Beach Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 3,104 reviews

Goleta, CA

Natural surfaceScenic

Public beach featuring paved bicycle trails, picnic areas & a 1,500-ft pier for walking & fishing.

John Bryan State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,888 reviews

Yellow Springs, OH

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Hiking, fishing, camping & rock climbing are offered at this park overlooking a limestone gorge.

Franklin Mountains State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,937 reviews

El Paso, TX

100 miNatural surfaceScenic

24,247 acres of scenic desert offering climbing, hiking, wildlife, camping & views.

Peter F. Schabarum Regional Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,973 reviews

Rowland Heights, CA

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

575-acre park with protected stream, tennis courts & abundant trails & natural areas.

Greenbrier State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 3,039 reviews

Boonsboro, MD

11 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Recreational options include fishing & swimming in the man-made lake with a small, sandy beach.

Coe Lake Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,845 reviews

Berea, OH

Natural surfaceScenic

Relaxed lakeside park offering 2- and 3-playground areas, plus picnic tables, hiking paths, lakeside fishing and a zipline.

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,844 reviews

Oyster Bay, NY

Natural surfaceScenic

Greenhouses, gardens & summer concerts on a 409-acre estate with an original Tudor Revival mansion.

Turkey Mountain

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,851 reviews

Tulsa, OK

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Hilly, forested park featuring jogging, biking & horseback riding trails, plus restrooms.

Fort Custer Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,894 reviews

Augusta, MI

40 miNatural surfaceScenic

Ex-WWII training area now a vast park with camping on farmlike terrain plus biking & hiking trails.

Rifle Falls State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,760 reviews

Rifle, CO

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Oak Openings Preserve Metropark

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,750 reviews

Swanton, OH

70 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Spacious preserve features summer & winter recreation, an interactive nature center & a playground.

Squire's Castle

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,789 reviews

Willoughby Hills, OH

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Roxborough State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,717 reviews

Littleton, CO

15 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Geological site with wildlife, hiking trails overlooking red-rock formations & a visitor's center.

Eternal Flame Falls

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,737 reviews

Orchard Park, NY

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

Secluded waterfalls with a hiking trail & a natural gas spring that when ignited flames 4-8 inches.

Niawanda Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,736 reviews

Tonawanda, NY

5 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Urban green space for walking & cycling along the Niagara River, with a reservable events pavilion.

Wallace Falls State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,672 reviews

Gold Bar, WA

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

Sprawling park with campsites & trails encompasses lakes, rivers, forest & a 256-ft. waterfall.

Eno River State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,650 reviews

Durham, NC

LoopNatural surfaceLitScenic

Vast acres of woodlands for hiking & camping, with canoeing & fishing areas on the Eno River.

Larrabee State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,653 reviews

Bellingham, WA

18 miNatural surfaceShadedLit

Large camping park on Samish Bay with a beach, 2 freshwater lakes & miles of hiking & biking trails.

Roger Williams Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,599 reviews

Providence, RI

Natural surfaceScenic

Trails lace this large park with sporting facilities, lawns for picnics & a pond with swan boats.

Government Canyon State Natural Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,564 reviews

San Antonio, TX

40 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Tranquil park featuring multi-use trails from rugged to beginner-friendly, plus guided canyon hikes.

Chugach State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,510 reviews

Anchorage, AK

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Massive park with coastline, mountains, glaciers & lakes, plus camping, a ski area & nature center.

Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,489 reviews

Scottsdale, AZ

230 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Trailhead accessing several hiking & biking trails that vary in skill level & offer scenic views.

Shore Acres State Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 2,435 reviews

Coos Bay, OR

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

Coastal views, formal gardens & trails at day-use park open till dusk daily; no dogs & parking fee.

Fairmount Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,514 reviews

Philadelphia, PA

Natural surfaceScenic

Historic, big park with walking trails, sports fields, gardens, public art & a reservoir.

Mt Tammany Red Dot Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,431 reviews

Hardwick Township, NJ

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Challenging but doable hike with a rock-climbing trail up to a summit view of the Delaware River.

Blue Hole Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,514 reviews

Georgetown, TX

Natural surfaceShadedLitScenic

Bordered by limestone bluffs, this picturesque lagoon offers trails, picnic spots & a wading area.

Lewisville Regional Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,446 reviews

Battle Ground, WA

2.8 miNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Large park with a river & amenities such as a trail, boat launch, play equipment & picnic areas.

Beavertail State Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 2,317 reviews

Jamestown, RI

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Shoreline hiking & saltwater fishing around a rocky coastal preserve & former harbor defence site.

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,376 reviews

Palm Desert, CA

75 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Mountain backcountry with wilderness areas, state parks & trails for hiking & horse-riding.

Quail Creek State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,424 reviews

Hurricane, UT

Natural surfaceScenic

This park has a recreational reservoir for boating, fishing, swimming, plus picnic & camping areas.

Huntington Beach Reservation

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,369 reviews

Bay Village, OH

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

103-acre park on Lake Erie offers fishing, swimming, trails, picnic areas & an old water tower.

Devil's Hole State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,337 reviews

Niagara Falls, NY

Natural surfaceScenic

Named for the rapids it overlooks, this park offers fishing, picnicking & hikes in the river gorge.

Croatan National Forest

4.5 ★★★★★ 2,438 reviews

Havelock, NC

2.2 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Coastal pine forest featuring saltwater estuaries & bogs, campsites, trails & hunting areas.

Pawtuckaway State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,275 reviews

Nottingham, NH

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Large park featuring lake swimming, scenic boulders, climbing, diverse wildlife & winter sports.

Japanese Friendship Garden

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,271 reviews

Idaho Falls, ID

Natural surfaceLitScenic

Wadsworth Falls State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 2,371 reviews

Middletown, CT

4.5 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Swimming pool & trails in a picnic-ready park that contains a waterfall, streams & a pond.

Cleburne State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,233 reviews

Cleburne, TX

13 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

6 miles of wooded mountain bike trails over rocky hills, & a lake for fishing & boating.

Odiorne Point State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,227 reviews

Rye, NH

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Oceanside recreation area with 135 acres of trails along the rocky shoreline, plus a science center.

Amnicon Falls State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,158 reviews

South Range, WI

2 miNatural surfaceScenic

Nature park featuring waterfalls & rapids on the Amnicon River, trails & camping.

Frances Slocum State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,193 reviews

Wyoming, PA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Natural tract surrounding a horseshoe-shaped lake, offering summer & winter activities & camping.

Shades State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,132 reviews

Waveland, IN

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Sandstone cliffs around Sugar Creek set the backdrop for hiking, canoeing, fishing & camping.

Ringing Rocks County Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,222 reviews

Upper Black Eddy, PA

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

Unusual & fascinating "field" of 10 foot high rock piles that make ringing sounds when struck.

Julian Price Memorial Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,094 reviews

Blowing Rock, NC

5 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Massive mountainside park features lake activities, trails, numerous picnic sites & an amphitheater.

Seven Tubs Recreation Area - Pinchot Forest District

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,137 reviews

Wilkes-Barre, PA

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Mountainside nature area known for its cascading streams, bedrock tubs & variety of seasonal plants.

Buccaneer Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 2,230 reviews

Oceanside, CA

Natural surface

Tiny public green with basketball courts & a playground, plus a path along the Loma Alta Marsh.

Camelback Mountain

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,062 reviews

Paradise Valley, AZ

5 miNatural surfaceScenic

Rocky hiking destination with two major trails featuring steep elevation gains & sweeping views.

Olive Branch City Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,100 reviews

Olive Branch, MS

Natural surfaceShadedLitScenic

135-acre community park offers tennis courts & ball fields, a playground, 3 lakes & an amphitheater.

Cowles Mountain Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,024 reviews

San Diego, CA

60 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Picturesque uphill hiking trail known for its panoramic views at the summit.

Dana Peak Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,111 reviews

Harker Heights, TX

Natural surfaceShadedScenic

Peninsula shoreline park & campgrounds with water sports, hiking, biking, hunting & horse riding.

Breckinridge Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,040 reviews

Richardson, TX

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Multiple soccer & softball fields plus ponds & picnic areas fill this approximately 417-acre park.

Hamilton Pool Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,052 reviews

Dripping Springs, TX

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

A scenic natural swimming pool in a canyon below a 50-ft waterfall, surrounded by a grotto.

Sprain Ridge Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 2,125 reviews

Yonkers, NY

Natural surfaceDog-friendly

Large, heavily wooded park offering several trails for hiking & mountain biking plus picnic areas.

Wolfe's Pond Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,021 reviews

Staten Island, NY

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Seaside city park with tennis courts, BBQ area & playgrounds is also a nature & wildlife preserve.

Susquehanna State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,970 reviews

Havre De Grace, MD

LoopNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Rocky, forested venue, featuring a working grist mill, boating, fishing & mountain bike trails.

Batsto Village

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,920 reviews

Hammonton, NJ

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Historic village featuring dozens of restored 19th-century structures, a museum & a nature center

Moss Rock Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,914 reviews

Hoover, AL

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Hiking trails run through this wooded, 349-acre nature preserve with streams & climbable boulders.

Rocks State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,952 reviews

Jarrettsville, MD

Natural surfaceScenic

855-acre park featuring woodlands & large boulder formations, with fishing & tubing in Deer Creek.

Devil's Hopyard State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,949 reviews

East Haddam, CT

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

860 acres of rocky forest, crisscrossed by hiking trails & highlighted by 60-ft.-high Chapman Falls.

Prairie Oaks Metro Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,927 reviews

West Jefferson, OH

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Sprawling prairies for natural play, hiking & birding, plus creek & lakes for boating & fishing.

Picnic Point Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,959 reviews

Edmonds, WA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Beach boasting scenic views of Puget Sound & Whidbey Island plus picnic tables & charcoal cookers.

Akron Falls Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,955 reviews

Akron, NY

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Named for its 2 waterfalls, this park also features a rock garden, sports fields & a skating rink.

Sertoma Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,913 reviews

Sioux Falls, SD

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a butterfly house, a playground, a picnic shelter, walking paths, restrooms & more.

Uncompahgre National Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,870 reviews

Montrose, CO

Natural surfaceScenic

Soaring green space with mountains, lakes & many scenic views, plus hiking trails & campgrounds.

Croft State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,901 reviews

Spartanburg, SC

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

This 7,000-acre park boasts 12 miles of hiking & horse trails, 2 lakes & an equestrian center.

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,842 reviews

Half Moon Bay, CA

LoopNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Mountainside area with tall trees, offering canyon hikes, biking trails & horse-riding paths.

Hacklebarney State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,873 reviews

Long Valley, NJ

Natural surfaceShadedScenic

1200-acre park hosting a fish-stocked river, hiking-only trails & hunting on 600 acres.

Mill Stream Run Reservation

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,857 reviews

Strongsville, OH

Natural surfaceShadedScenic

Year-round destination for outdoor recreation, including hiking, swimming, boating & sledding.

Rotary Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,888 reviews

Livonia, MI

6 miNatural surfaceShadedDog-friendly

Recreational site offering tennis courts, a baseball field, playground, wooded areas & picnic spots.

Sawnee Mt. Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,835 reviews

Cumming, GA

5 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

A 963-acre park known for Indian Seats rock formation, with hiking trails & a visitor center.

O. O. Denny Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,834 reviews

Kirkland, WA

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Throughout these 46 lakefront acres are picnic tables & benches, a sand beach, boat launch & trails.

Bridal Veil Falls

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,833 reviews

Spearfish, SD

Natural surfaceScenic

Popular cascade on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, offering a platform, a deck and parking.

Red Mountain Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,787 reviews

Birmingham, AL

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

1,500-acre park with 15 miles of scenic trails, historic mines, zip lines, tree house & a dog park.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,778 reviews

Yellow Springs, OH

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Limestone & dolomite gorges offering varied hiking paths, some with wooden walkways & lookouts.

Cold Spring Harbor State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,815 reviews

Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Hilly 40-acre park with harbor vistas, hardwood forest & mountain laurel plus seasonal songbirds.

Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,894 reviews

Pacific Grove, CA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Preserve with pine, cypress & eucalyptus trees sheltering thousands of monarch butterflies Oct–Mar.

St. Francois State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,848 reviews

Bonne Terre, MO

LoopNatural surfaceLitScenic

Spacious natural area with forested hiking & horse trails, river access, campgrounds & picnic sites.

Cooper State Park - South Sulphur Unit

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,788 reviews

Sulphur Springs, TX

Natural surfaceScenic

Lakeside camping, cabins, water sports, hiking, birding & more on a natural prairie.

Sippo Lake Park-East

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,784 reviews

Canton, OH

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Park on a lake, offering boating, fishing & hiking, plus a library & nature/culture center.

Iron Mountain Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,712 reviews

Poway, CA

1 miNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Popular and dog-friendly trail leading to a summit featuring picnic tables and a telescope with scenic views.

Mussel Rock Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,738 reviews

Daly City, CA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Known for its rocky coastline, this park boasts sandy beaches, scenic ocean vistas & hiking trails.

Worlds End State Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 1,665 reviews

Forksville, PA

1 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Popular with campers, this mountain valley park features rental cabins & 20 miles of hiking trails.

Wendy Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,760 reviews

Cleveland, OH

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Lakefront tree-lined park offering fishing & boating opportunities, plus volleyball courts.

Tiger Mountain State Forest

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,718 reviews

Issaquah, WA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Forest & conservation area on 13,745 acres, with trails for walking, biking & horseback riding.

Estrella Mountain Regional Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,754 reviews

Goodyear, AZ

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Big, mountainous park featuring wetlands & undisturbed desert areas plus trails & picnic sites.

Cedar Breaks Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,751 reviews

Georgetown, TX

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Scenic park offering 64 fully equipped camping sites, plus a dump station & hot showers.

Bulow Creek State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,713 reviews

Ormond Beach, FL

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

Serene, almost 5,600-acre park with ancient oaks, submerged areas, historic ruins & trails.

Doc Holliday's Grave Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,742 reviews

Glenwood Springs, CO

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Moderate hiking trail leading to the gravesite of gunslinger Doc Holliday in Linwood Cemetery.

Lory State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,665 reviews

Bellvue, CO

28.1 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Park area known for its rugged terrain, with activities like backcountry camping & rock-climbing.

Rocky Mountain Lake Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,732 reviews

Denver, CO

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

A park with a looped trail around a lake, plus a playground & baseball, football & softball fields.

Natural surface trails by state

Where this surface turns up, and how many trails carry it in each state.

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

5,093 trails

Asphalt or concrete — fast, predictable, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, and runnable year-round.

Crushed Limestone & Gravel Trails

615 trails

Crushed limestone or packed gravel — the rail-trail classic. Softer than pavement, still smooth enough for tempo runs.

Boardwalk Trails

1,080 trails

Elevated wood decking, usually over wetlands or dunes. Scenic, flat, and can get slick when wet.

Mixed-Surface Trails

2,904 trails

More than one surface along the route — check the segment you plan to run.

Compare all surfaces →

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.